The 2017 ComicBook.com Golden Issue Awards Nominations for Anime

Welcome to the 2017 ComicBook.com Golden Issue Awards, where we here at ComicBook.com take a look back at the year that was and choose the best of the best in comics and comic book-related media.

When it comes to anime, fans had plenty to enjoy this year as dozens of shows made their comeback whilst newcomers made their claim on the industry’s future. Specifically, fans were treated to the debut of some long-awaited projects. Attack on Titan finally released its third season in April after spending years in production. Other fan-favorite series like Blue Exorcist and the Fate/Stay franchise made comebacks as well to keep audiences occupied.

For My Hero Academia, the anime’s second season took the shonen world by storm when it finally dropped. After a so-so debut, the franchise had fans begging for more when its seasonal cour wrapped with Izuku and Todoroki on better terms than ever before.

Of course, the industry’s annual titles also kept fans coming back week after week for updates. Dragon Ball Super wrapped its “Future Trunks” saga with an explosive finale before the “Universal Survival” story got underway. These days, Goku and his gang are fighting to save their entire universe, but the hero is not the only one going to bat. One Piece‘s anime finally reached the “Whole Cake Island” arc, and fans are not loving Big Mom and her daughter Pudding right about now.

Anime series thrived in 2017, but its theatrical counterparts also soared. Most notably, Your Name hit theaters with an almighty push that managed to scare away even Hayao Miyazaki. The critical darling hit theaters at the start of 2017 and has since become the highest-grossing anime feature worldwide after taking down Spirited Away‘s previous record. Other movies like A Silent Voice and In This Corner of the World also ranked high with film critics this year.

With a big year nearing its end, ComicBook.com came together to narrow down a list of 2017’s top anime picks.

Best Anime Film

The Best Anime Film category includes some of the most moving and genre-defying features the medium had to offer in 2017. These movies should all be on your must-watch and must-watch-again list. 

Lovely to look at and impossible to forget, these anime features are a pleasure to the senses. They will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love once more with Japanese animation. 

The nominees are:

• Your Name
• A Silent Voice
• In This Corner of the World
• Mary and the Witch’s Flower
• Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You!

Best Shonen Anime Series

The world of shonen continues to grow larger with each year, but the genre never fails to produce some stand-out anime titles. Each of these contenders have shown they pack a punch when it comes to ratings, fan reactions, and adrenaline rushes. 

ComicBook.com’s list for 2017 includes newcomers and classic franchises alike. If you are looking for action, any of these titles will suffice.

The nominees are:

• My Hero Academia
• The Ancient Magus’ Bride
• Re:Creators
• Dragon Ball Super
• Pokemon the Series: Sun and Moon

Best Non-Shonen Anime Series

While shonen may reign supreme for some, the anime industry has more to offer others who need less action and more oomph elsewhere. 2017 was a stand-out year for shojo, seinen, and even josei anime titles. 

If you are looking for a non-shonen series to binge, then the following titles are just the thing you’ve been looking for. Each of these shows relishes in slice-of-life storytelling, but they’ve got their own flair. This list has it all from hopeful witches to NEET-loving gamers, and fans cannot get enough of them. 

The nominees are:

• Little Witch Academia
• Natsume’s Book of Friends
• Made in Abyss
• Recovery of an MMO Junkie
• Land of the Lustrous

Best Anime Fight Scene

Anime fans love nothing more than a good fight, and 2017 delivered some hard jabs to fans. A slew of shonen titles beefed up their action game, and their slick animation had fans ogling. 

Dragon Ball fans were introduced to one of the franchise’s best transformations in years, and My Hero Academia‘s climatic showdown between Izuku and Todoroki still has fans hollering. There’s a fight on this list for every fan to bet on if you are willing to take the gamble. 

The nominees are:

• Todoroki vs. Izuku (My Hero Academia)
• Goku vs. Jiren (Dragon Ball Super)
• Eren vs. Reiner (Attack on Titan)
• Altair vs. Everyone (Re:Creators)
• Sakura/Sasuke vs. Shin Uchiha (Boruto)

Best Anime Character

Thousands of anime characters did their thing in 2017, but a few of its heroes just cannot be overlooked. Fans fell in love with a handful of protagonists over the last year, and they didn’t go ga-ga over something as simple as looks. 

My Hero Academia got audiences swooning thanks to Izuku’s delicate charms and Todoroki’s fiery transformation. Made in Abyss, on the other hand, got its fans squeeing over its adorable protagonists. ComicBook.com has picked out some of the heroes who can compete with these folks.

The nominees are:

• Izuku Midoriya (My Hero Academia)
• Boruto (Boruto)
• Moriaka Moriko (Recovery of an MMO Junkie)
• Riko and Reg (Made in Abyss)
• Shoto Todoroki (My Hero Academia)

Best Manga Series

Each year, the anime industry selects new manga titles to adapt, and some of those franchises go on to become legends. Whether they are new or old, manga titles continue to thrive in Japan and around the world. So, it is no surprise to hear that 2017 was a big one for some stories. 

One Piece kept fans on edge in 2017 as it celebrated its 20th anniversary, but the seafaring franchise wasn’t the only hot topic. One Punch Man also kept readers coming back with its gigantic updates. ComicBook.com has compiled a list of manga titles to compete for this year’s top spot.

The nominees are:

• One Piece
• My Hero Academia
• One Punch Man
• The Promised Neverland
• Silver Spoon

Best Live-Action Adaptation

Over the years, live-action anime adaptations have gotten a bad reputation, but 2017 marked a shift in that reputation. A slew of popular titles released their theatrical debuts this year, and a handful showed fans that live-action takes can be done well.

From Tokyo Ghoul‘s gore to Death Note‘s bizarre humor, the world killed with its live-action anime films this year. Fans from around the world are starting to jump behind these promising projects, and ComicBook.com has narrowed down the best of the best. 

The nominees are:

• Fullmetal Alchemist
• Tokyo Ghoul
• Death Note
• JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
• Blade of the Immortal