Your Top 5 Anime of 2014 (And Ours)

It's that time of year again, when people gather 'round the fireplace with friends and family, sip hot cocoa, reflect on the year that was and consume massive quantities of year-end Best Of lists! We're no different here in Anime News Network's editorial department, so we asked the question of some of our contributors and staff writers: what were your top 5 TV anime series of the year? The rules were pretty simple; the only things eligible were series that started new seasons in 2014 (so things that finished in 2014 but began the year before, like, say, Kill la Kill, were ineligible, along with long-running shows that never differentiate between seasons with a hiatus like One Piece).

More importantly, we also asked you what your top 5 for the year were last week in one of the biggest polls we've ever run, and the full results of that poll are available below. Suffice to say, it was a great year for anime and everyone at ANN can't wait for what's next in 2015. We'll see you in early January for the 2015 Winter Preview Guide, but until then, enjoy these lists that curate the very best series of 2014 and have a wonderful holiday.