2012 produced many noticeable and still incredibly popular anime. The list has been broken up into the top 5 anime of each season based on views, rating and popularity. I put together the list while taking multiple things into consideration. This is not just based off of the long-surviving and popular anime. The list is true for each specific year.
Top 5 anime of Winter 2012
1 High School DxD
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: TNK
- Source: Light novel
- Genres: Comedy, Demons, Ecchi, Harem, Romance, School
Synopsis
High school student Issei Hyoudou is your run-of-the-mill pervert who does nothing productive with his life, peeping on women and dreaming of having his own harem one day. Things seem to be looking up for Issei when a beautiful girl asks him out on a date, although she turns out to be a fallen angel who brutally kills him! However, he gets a second chance at life when beautiful senior student Rias Gremory, who is a top-class devil, revives him as her servant, recruiting Issei into the ranks of the school’s Occult Research club.
Slowly adjusting to his new life, Issei must train and fight in order to survive in the violent world of angels and devils. Each new adventure leads to many hilarious (and risqué) moments with his new comrades, all the while keeping his new life a secret from his friends and family in High School DxD!
2 Another
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: P.A. Works
- Source: Light novel
- Genres: Mystery, Horror, Supernatural, Thriller, School
Synopsis
In 1972, a popular student in Yomiyama North Middle School’s class 3-3 named Misaki passed away during the school year. Since then, the town of Yomiyama has been shrouded by a fearful atmosphere, from the dark secrets hidden deep within.
Twenty-six years later, 15-year-old Kouichi Sakakibara transfers into class 3-3 of Yomiyama North and soon after discovers that a strange, gloomy mood seems to hang over all the students. He also finds himself drawn to the mysterious, eyepatch-wearing student Mei Misaki; however, the rest of the class and the teachers seem to treat her like she doesn’t exist. Paying no heed to warnings from everyone including Mei herself, Kouichi begins to get closer not only to her but also to the truth behind the gruesome phenomenon plaguing class 3-3 of Yomiyama North.
Another follows Kouichi, Mei, and their classmates as they are pulled into the enigma surrounding a series of inevitable, tragic events—but unravelling the horror of Yomiyama may just cost them the ultimate price.
3 Nisemonogatari
- Episodes: 11
- Studios: Shaft
- Source: Light novel
- Genres: Mystery, Comedy, Supernatural, Ecchi
Synopsis
Surviving a vampire attack, meeting several girls plagued by supernatural entities, and just trying to get through life are some of the things high school student Koyomi Araragi has had to deal with lately. On top of all this, he wakes up one morning to find himself kidnapped and tied up by his girlfriend Hitagi Senjougahara. Having run afoul of Deishuu Kaiki, a swindler who conned Senjougahara’s family, she has taken it upon herself to imprison Araragi to keep him safe from the con man. But when Araragi gets a frantic message from his sister Karen, he learns that the fraud has set his sights on her.
Along with Karen’s troubles, his other sister, Tsukihi, is having issues of her own. And when two mysterious women who seem to know more than they should about Araragi and his special group of friends step into their lives, not even he could anticipate their true goals, nor the catastrophic truths soon to be revealed.
4 Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou / Daily Lives of High School Boys
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: Sunrise
- Source: Web manga
- Genres: Slice of Life, Comedy, School
Synopsis
Roaming the halls of the all-boys Sanada North High School are three close comrades: the eccentric ringleader with a hyperactive imagination Hidenori, the passionate Yoshitake, and the rational and prudent Tadakuni. Their lives are filled with giant robots, true love, and intense drama… in their colourful imaginations, at least. In reality, they are just an everyday trio of ordinary guys trying to pass the time, but who said everyday life couldn’t be interesting? Whether it’s an intricate RPG reenactment or an unexpected romantic encounter on the riverbank at sunset, Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou is rife with bizarre yet hilariously relatable situations that are anything but mundane.
5 Inu x Boku SS
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: David Production
- Source: Manga
- Genres: Comedy, Supernatural, Romance, Shounen
Synopsis
Ririchiyo Shirakiin is the sheltered daughter of a renowned family. With her petite build and wealthy status, Ririchiyo has been a protected and dependent girl her entire life, but now she has decided to change all that. However, there is just one problem—the young girl has a sharp tongue she can’t control and terrible communication skills.
With some help from a childhood friend, Ririchiyo takes up residence in Maison de Ayakashi, a secluded high-security apartment complex that, as the unsociable 15-year-old soon discovers, is home to a host of bizarre individuals. Furthermore, their quirky personalities are not the strangest things about them: each inhabitant of the Maison de Ayakashi, including Ririchiyo, is actually half-human, half-youkai.
But Ririchiyo’s troubles have only just begun. As a requirement of staying in her new home, she must be accompanied by a Secret Service agent. Ririchiyo’s new partner, Soushi Miketsukami, is handsome, quiet… but ridiculously clingy and creepily submissive. With Soushi, her new supernatural neighbours, and the beginning of high school, Ririchiyo definitely seems to have a difficult path ahead of her.
Top anime of Spring 2012
1 Kuroko no Basket / Kuroko’s Basketball
- Episodes: 25
- Studios: Production I.G
- Source: Manga
- Genres: Comedy, School, Shounen, Sports
Synopsis
Teikou Junior High School’s basketball team is crowned champion three years in a row thanks to five outstanding players who, with their breathtaking and unique skills, leave opponents in despair and fans in admiration. However, after graduating, these teammates, known as “The Generation of Miracles”, go their separate ways and now consider each other as rivals.
At Seirin High School, two newly recruited freshmen prove that they are not ordinary basketball players: Taiga Kagami, a promising player returning from the US, and Tetsuya Kuroko, a seemingly ordinary student whose lack of presence allows him to move around unnoticed. Although Kuroko is neither athletic nor able to score any points, he was a member of Teikou’s basketball team, where he played as the “Phantom Sixth Man,” who easily passed the ball and assisted his teammates.
Kuroko no Basket follows the journey of Seirin’s players as they attempt to become the best Japanese high school team by winning the Interhigh Championship. To reach their goal, they have to cross pathways with several powerful teams, some of which have one of the five players with godlike abilities, whom Kuroko and Taiga make a pact to defeat.
2 Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? of the Dead / Is this A Zombie? of the Dead
- Episodes: 10
- Studios: Studio Deen
- Source: Light novel
- Genres: Action, Harem, Comedy, Supernatural, Magic, Ecchi
Synopsis
Aikawa Ayumu was revived as a zombie by the cute necromancer Eucliwood Hellscythe. After the zany, madcap adventures in the first season of Is This a Zombie? ended, Ayumu thought his life might finally get back to normal, or as normal as it can be for a zombie. However, destiny has other plans for him. Some guys just can’t catch a break.
3 Hyouka
- Episodes: 22
- Studios: Kyoto Animation
- Source: Light novel
- Genres: Mystery, School, Slice of Life
Synopsis
Energy-conservative high school student Houtarou Oreki ends up with more than he bargained for when he signs up for the Classics Club at his sister’s behest—especially when he realizes how deep-rooted the club’s history really is. Begrudgingly, Oreki is dragged into an investigation concerning the 45-year-old mystery that surrounds the club room.
Accompanied by his fellow club members, the knowledgeable Satoshi Fukube, the stern but benign Mayaka Ibara, and the ever-curious Eru Chitanda, Oreki must combat deadlines and lack of information with resourcefulness and hidden talent, in order to not only find the truth buried beneath the dust of works created years before them but of other small side cases as well.
Based on the award-winning Koten-bu light novel series, and directed by Yasuhiro Takemoto of Suzumiya Haruhi no Shoushitsu, Hyouka shows that normal life can be full of small mysteries, be it family history, a student film, or even the withered flowers that make up a ghost story.
4 Sankarea
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: Studio Deen
- Source: Manga
- Genres: Comedy, Ecchi, Horror, Romance, Shounen, Supernatural
Synopsis
Ever since he was a child, zombie-obsessed Chihiro Furuya has wanted an undead girlfriend. Soon enough, his love for all things zombie comes in handy when his cat Baabu gets run over, prompting Chihiro to try to make a resurrection potion and bring him back to life. During his endeavour, he sees a rich girl named Rea Sanka yelling into an old well every day about her oppressive life. After meeting and bonding with her, Chihiro is convinced by Rea to persevere in saving Baabu. Eventually, he succeeds with the help of the poisonous hydrangea flowers from Rea’s family garden.
Unaware of the potion’s success and seeking to escape the burdens of her life, Rea drinks the resurrection potion, mistakenly thinking she will die. Though it doesn’t kill her, the effects still linger and her death from a fatal accident causes her to be reborn as a zombie. With help from Chihiro, Rea strives to adjust to her new—albeit undead—life.
For a boy wanting a zombie girlfriend, this situation would seem like a dream come true. But in Sankarea, Chihiro’s life becomes stranger than usual as he deals with Rea’s odd new cravings and the unforeseen consequences of her transformation.
5 Accel World
- Episodes: 24
- Studios: Sunrise
- Source: Light novel
- Genres: Action, Game, Sci-Fi, Romance, School
Synopsis
Haruyuki Arita is an overweight, bullied middle schooler who finds solace in playing online games. But his life takes a drastic turn one day when he finds that all his high scores have been topped by Kuroyukihime, the popular vice president of the student council. She then invites him to the student lounge and introduces him to “Brain Burst,” a program which allows the users to accelerate their brain waves to the point where time seems to stop. Brain Burst also functions as an augmented reality fighting game, and in order to get more points to accelerate, users must win duels against other players. However, if a user loses all their points, they will also lose access to Brain Burst forever.
Kuroyukihime explains that she chose to show Haruyuki the program because she needs his help. She wants to meet the creator of Brain Burst and uncover the reason of why it was created, but that’s easier said than done; to do so, she must defeat the “Six Kings of Pure Color,” powerful faction leaders within the game, and reach level 10, the highest level attainable. After the girl helps Haruyuki overcome the bullies that torment him, he vows to help her realize her goal, and so begins the duo’s fight to reach the top.
Top anime of Summer 2012
1 Sword Art Online
- Episodes: 25
- Studios: A-1 Pictures
Source: Light novel
Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Game, Romance
Synopsis
In the year 2022, virtual reality has progressed by leaps and bounds, and a massive online role-playing game called Sword Art Online (SAO) is launched. With the aid of “NerveGear” technology, players can control their avatars within the game using nothing but their own thoughts.
Kazuto Kirigaya, nicknamed “Kirito,” is among the lucky few enthusiasts who get their hands on the first shipment of the game. He logs in to find himself, with ten-thousand others, in the scenic and elaborate world of Aincrad, one full of fantastic medieval weapons and gruesome monsters. However, in a cruel turn of events, the players soon realize they cannot log out; the game’s creator has trapped them in his new world until they complete all one hundred levels of the game.
In order to escape Aincrad, Kirito will now have to interact and cooperate with his fellow players. Some are allies, while others are foes, like Asuna Yuuki, who commands the leading group attempting to escape from the ruthless game. To make matters worse, Sword Art Online is not all fun and games: if they die in Aincrad, they die in real life. Kirito must adapt to his new reality, fight for his survival, and hopefully break free from his virtual hell.
2 Campione!: Matsurowanu Kamigami to Kamigoroshi no Maou
- Episodes: 13
- Studios: Diomedea
- Source: Light novel
- Genres: Comedy, Ecchi, Fantasy, Harem, Magic, Romance
Synopsis
Some people suddenly find religion, but for 16-year-old Kusanagi Godou, it’s that REALLY old time religion that’s found him! As the result of defeating the God of War in mortal combat, Godou’s stuck with the unwanted position of Campione!, or God Slayer, whose duty is to fight Heretical Gods whenever they try to muscle in on the local turf. Not only is this likely to make Godou roadkill on the Highway to Heaven, but it’s also a job that comes with a lot of other problems. Like how to deal with the fact that his “enhanced status” is attracting a bevvy of overly-worshipping female followers. After all, they’re just there to aid him in his demi-godly duties, right? So why is it that their leader, the demonically manipulative sword-mistress Erica Blandelli, seems to have such a devilish interest in encouraging some VERY unorthodox activities? Get ready for immortal affairs, heavenly harems and lots of duelling deities taking pious in the face as the ultimate smash, bash and thrash of the Titans rocks both Heaven and Earth.
3 Hagure Yuusha no Estetica / Aesthetica of a Rogue Hero
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: Arms
- Source: Light novel
- Genres: Action, Super Power, Ecchi, Fantasy
Synopsis
About thirty years prior to the start of Hagure Yuusha no Aesthetica, a number of selected people from Earth were summoned to other worlds with only about half of them being able to return. One of the young people chosen was Akatsuki Ousawa, who was sent to Alayzard to defeat the Dark Lord Garius, which he did, before returning to his original world. Some of the successful chosen ones brought back little trinkets as souvenirs. Akatsuki, on the other hand, went a different route—he brought back the defeated Dark Lord’s daughter, Miu, who is now posing as his long lost little sister!
Upon returning, Akatsuki and Miu are forced to join a special school called BABEL where they must train to one day master the powers they gained in Alayzard, in hopes that they will one day be able to serve mankind. Will Akatsuki and Miu be able to keep her true identity a secret or will their plan to live peaceful lives together go up in flames?
4 Dakara Boku wa, H ga Dekinai. / So, I Can’t Play H!
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: feel.
- Source: Light novel
- Genres: Comedy, Ecchi, Romance, Supernatural
Synopsis
NEVER make a deal with a wet goddess you’ve only just met. That’s a lesson Ryosuke Kaga learns the hard way when he foolishly agrees to let Lisara Restole use some of his “essence” to stay in this world. Because despite her smoking hot appearance, Lisara’s actually a Shinigami, a Goddess of Death. However, she DOESN’T steal years off his life like any decent Shinigami would do. Oh no, instead she sucks him dry of something much more perverse by leeching off his lecherous spirit and draining his ability to enjoy… er… the things that teenage boys normally spend most of their time thinking about! And now that he’s been de-debased and de-debauched by her un-dirty trick, the poor regenerated degenerate’s only hope of getting his licentiousness renewed is to join the queen of mental-clean on her quest, since when she leaves our mortal plane he regains his normal immorality! But the termination of the probation of his reprobation isn’t guaranteed, because Goddesses of Death can be really harsh mistresses and it’s going to be anything but easy to go back to being sleazy!
5 Kokoro Connect
- Episodes: 13
- Studios: Silver Link.
- Source: Light novel
- Genres: Slice of Life, Comedy, Supernatural, Drama, Romance, School
Synopsis
When five students at Yamaboshi Academy realize that there are no clubs where they fit in, they band together to form the Student Cultural Society or “StuCS” for short. The club consists of: Taichi Yaegashi, a hardcore wrestling fan; Iori Nagase, an indecisive optimist; Himeko Inaba, a calm computer genius; Yui Kiriyama, a petite karate practitioner; and Yoshifumi Aoki, the class clown.
One day, Aoki and Yui experience a strange incident when, without warning, they switch bodies for a short period of time. As this supernatural phenomenon continues to occur randomly amongst the five friends, they begin to realize that it is not just fun and games. Now forced to become closer than ever, they soon discover each other’s hidden secrets and emotional scars, which could end up tearing the StuCS and their friendship apart.
Top anime of Autumn 2012
1 Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo / The Pet Girl of Sakurasou
- Episodes: 24
- Studios: J.C.Staff
- Source: Light novel
- Genres: Slice of Life, Comedy, Drama, Romance, School
Synopsis
When abandoned kittens and his good conscience force second-year Sorata Kanda to move into Suimei High School’s infamous Sakura Hall, the satellite dorm and its eccentric, misfit residents turn his life upside down. The decidedly average Sorata finds it difficult to fit in with the bizarre collection of dorm residents like Misaki, an energetic animator; Jin, a playwright playboy; Ryuunosuke, a reclusive programmer; and Chihiro, the dorm manager, art teacher, and party girl.
Sorata’s friend Nanami, a second-year student and aspiring voice actress, pushes him to find new owners for the many cats so that he can quickly move back into the regular dorms. However, his desire to escape Sakura Hall wavers when the pet-like and infantile second year Mashiro Shiina, a world-class artistic savant looking to become a mangaka, transfers in during the spring trimester and quickly latches onto him.
Supported by each other’s quirks, Sorata and Mashiro come out of their shells and trigger change in the lives of those around them. Based on the light novel series of the same name, Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo explores the fine threads connecting talent, hard work, romance, and friendship with its ensemble cast.
2 Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! / Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: Kyoto Animation
- Source: Light novel
- Genres: Slice of Life, Comedy, Drama, Romance, School
Synopsis
Everybody has had that stage in their life where they have thought themselves to be special, different from the masses of ordinary humans. They might go as far as seeing themselves capable of wielding mystical powers or maybe even believe themselves to have descended from a fantasy realm. This “disease” is known as “chuunibyou” and is often the source of some of the most embarrassing moments of a person’s life.
For Yuuta Togashi, the scars that his chuunibyou has left behind are still fresh. Having posed as the “Dark Flame Master” during his middle school years, he looks back at those times with extreme embarrassment, so much so that he decides to attend a high school far away where nobody will recognize him. Putting his dark history behind him, he longs to live a normal high school life.
Unfortunately, he hasn’t escaped his past yet: enter Rikka Takanashi, Yuuta’s new classmate and self-declared vessel of the “Wicked Eye.” As this eccentric young girl crashes into Yuuta’s life, his dream of an ordinary, chuunibyou-free life quickly crumbles away. In this hilarious and heartwarming story of a boy who just wants to leave his embarrassing memories behind, the delusions of old are far from a thing of the past.
3 Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun / My Little Monster
- Episodes: 13
- Studios: Brain’s Base
- Source: Manga
- Genres: Slice of Life, Comedy, Romance, School, Shoujo
Synopsis
Shizuku Mizutani is apathetic towards her classmates, only caring about her grades. However, her cold view of life begins to change when she meets Haru Yoshida, a violent troublemaker who stopped attending class after getting into a fight early in the school year. He is not much different from her, though—he too understands little about human nature and does not have any friends. Much to Shizuku’s surprise, he proclaims that she will be his friend and immediately confesses his feelings towards her upon meeting her.
Because of her lack of friends and social interaction, Shizuku has a hard time understanding her relationship with Haru. But slowly, their friendship begins to progress, and she discovers that there is more to Haru than violence. She begins to develop feelings for him but is unsure what kind of emotions she is experiencing. Together, Shizuku and Haru explore the true nature of their relationship and emotions.
4 BTOOOM!
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: Madhouse
- Source: Manga
- Genres: Action, Psychological, Sci-Fi, Seinen
Synopsis
Ryouta Sakamoto is unemployed and lives with his mother, his only real achievement being that he is Japan’s top player of the popular online video game Btooom! However, his peaceful life is about to change when he finds himself stranded on an island in the middle of nowhere, with a small green crystal embedded in his left hand and no memory of how he got there. To his shock, someone has decided to recreate the game he is so fond of in real life, with the stakes being life or death.
Armed with a bag full of unique bombs known as “BIM,” the players are tasked with killing seven of their fellow participants and taking their green crystals in order to return home. Initially condemning any form of violence, Ryouta is forced to fight when he realizes that many of the other players are not as welcoming as they may seem. Teaming up with Himiko, a fellow Btooom! player, they attempt to get off of the island together, coming closer and closer to the truth behind this contest of death.
5 Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic
- Episodes: 25
- Studios: A-1 Pictures
- Source: Manga
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Magic, Shounen
Synopsis
Dispersed around the world, there are several bizarre labyrinths hiding incredible treasures within them. These mysterious places, known as “Dungeons,” are said to be the work of Magi, a class of rare magicians, who also help people build their empires by guiding them to a dungeon. Djinns, supernatural beings that rule over the labyrinths, grant successful conquerors access to their immense power and choose them as potential king candidates to rule the world.
Having spent life in isolation, Aladdin, a kind and young magician, is eager to explore the world upon finally leaving his home behind. He begins his journey only accompanied by his mentor Ugo—a djinn that Aladdin can summon with his flute. However, Aladdin soon becomes friends with the courageous Alibaba Saluja after causing the destruction of a local merchant’s supply cart. In order to pay for the damages, Alibaba suggests that they attempt to conquer the nearest dungeon, taking the first step in an epic adventure that will decide the fate of the world itself.
Which of these 2012 anime have you watched?
Seasonal anime of the decade posts
2012 2013
2016 2017
2018 2019
*Write-ups sourced from MyAnimeList
Leave a Reply