Maokun wrote: We now have three groups already solved! Is it only me, or is anyone else getting a bit tired of Natsume always getting a spot in the latter rounds year after year? As good as it might be, I think it could have stepped down once for JoJo.
Jojo had the sad disadvantage of inaccessibility/people being too "busy" to watch it. *coughHatlookingatyoubrocough*
It could be that the art style also deterred people more accustom to the traditional anime style (that Natsume of course, exhibits, even with its softness). Jojo's Bizarre Adventure has a dynamic and beautiful art style that edges a bit on a realism, but stylizes it with strong lines and memorable poses. It translated better to animation that many thought it would, I think. And the COLORS!
But, being a somewhat involved series with a "different" art style, Jojo may seem a bit too daunting for the casual anime viewer.
Or people can't handle the fabulousness, idk.
Overall, I do love Natsume, because it's a great series, but I think Jojo should have gone through another round, at least. :< It just got unlucky going against some tough competitors (man, if it was up against something like Psycho Pass or even Eva it may have won!). I suppose it's a sign that I need to start writing up more stuff about how fantastic Jojo's Bizarre Adventure is. There's so much in it to dive into though, in symbolism, morals, history, etc.; it's hard to know where to begin.
While it may have passed away in this best of thread, I can hold the hope that more people will eventually be able to watch Jojo's Bizarre Adventure soon to experience the glorious adventure and beautiful story. \o.o/
Also, hoping for the Part 3 anime soon. Jotaro~ <3
Anywho, vote time! I'll type up a little something for everything, but I'll save the WALLS OF TEXT for later, more difficult battles.
GROUP AWolf ChildrenThis has been an obvious choice for everyone who has seen the movie thus far and probably will be on of the finalist. Granted, there are a few on the list I would vote over Wolf Children (Jojo would have been one of them), but it's been pretty lucky so far.
Wolf Children is a beautiful story about growing up and finding one's place in life, for both a mother and her two children this is a hard uphill battle that has a lot of pain and tears, but also rays of sunshine breaking through the clouds of worry and sorrow. GROUP BChuunibyou I think I remain one of the few that enjoyed the ending of this. It was adorable and a KyoAni classic (not as outstanding as Haruhi or Hyouka, but it holds its own), though it all too often reminded me of my past "Chuu2" escapades. >_>; GROUP CDanshi Koukousei no Nichijou This was a very enjoyable series about the Daily Lives of High School Boys. It was truly a lot of fun.
You can always go look up clips from it, or you can watch it as a Fight Club mashup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qcr-bgazBUg GROUP DHumanity Has Declined Because I'm a bit jaded Natsume beat out Jojo, but I do think Humanity Has Declined is a step better. Actually, Humanity Has Declined is like a classic sci-fi series; tackling major social and political issues in an adorable and dark humored way.
Also, fairies! GROUP EPersona 4 The Animation I'm sorry not sorry.
No really, this will be the only time I vote for something that is not as good as the other choice. Hyouka is better, obviously, but Persona 4 holds a special place in my heart and that's why. GROUP FKokoro Connect I have a pet peeve trope; the mind/body switch. It has been always so annoying to no end when people swap bodies and dumb stuff happens and it's just terrible. So, having a whole anime based off the idea of mind/body switching? I was going to drop it like sack of potatoes. But luckily, I gave it a shot because it really impressed me.
Kokoro Connect is about 5 friends who somehow make good come from a bad thing happening to them. They struggle through it, they grow, they get angry, they reject their friends, but in the end, they discover who they really are and are able to accept themselves as well as know that others accept them as well.
Really, it's a fantastic series and if you find the 4 extra specials episodes after the main series, it's even better! : D GROUP GNisemonogatari I was re-watching this recently and it made me remember how good of a series it was (though, if it came down to it, I would nix it over the toothbrush episode). This was the Monogatari series that made me actually like Senjougahara. XD;GROUP HSukitte Ii na yo. I'm actually amazed this has made it this long. I thought for sure it was only me and maybe one other person on CAA who had watched this. This is what I would call an excellent shoujo series. It's not for everyone, sure (especially if you're not a big fan of shoujo), but it's adorable.
If it makes it further in the competition, I'll put more time into talking about why I personally enjoyed it. XD But for now, know that it was an anime with a sweet story. 
Also, the pictures were taken directly from the ones at the beginning of the tournament so you can always use that as reference.
(In all seriousness, though, I wholeheartedly believe that Natsume is amazing, and that it well deserves every bit of its praise and recognition. 
...It's not. I'll save my commentary on it for the mandatory-explanation rounds, though.
