The Top 120 Anime: Fun Facts version 2.0:

I came up with a better formula for my previous year-to-year comparison rankings.  This time I don't unduly reward long series.  No matter how long or short your series is, you're still only worth what the overall quality of your show is worth.

Therefore, the same points values will be assigned, 120 points to #1, 119 points to #2, and so on until 1 point is given to #120, but this time the value of a year isn't those points multiplied by the number of eps or movies that aired in that year, but are multiplied by the percentage that year aired of the entire anime.  So if 50% of a show aired in a single year, it would get 1/2 of the available points for that show.  If 25% of a show aired in a single year, it would get 1/4 of the available points for that show, those points being assigned by their relative ranking.  Simple, right?

Now, with this much more accurate system of accounting, who was really the best year in anime?  The best five years in anime?  The trend in anime across decades?  Everything shall be revealed.  First the rankings:

1. Clannad (2007-2009) 
2. Pretty Cure (2004-2012+)
3. One Piece (1999-2012+)
4. Code Geass (2006-2009+)
5. Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha/Triangle Hearts (2000-2010+)
6. Seikai no Monshou/Senki/Danshou (1999-2005)
7. Fairy Tail (2009-2012+)
8. Naruto (2002-2012+)
9. Dragonball (1986-2011)
10. Higurashi/Umineko no Naku Koro Ni (2006-2012)
11. K-On! (2009-2011)
12. Kanon (2002-2007)
13. Haruhi Suzumiya (2006-2010)
14. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann (2007-2009)
15. To Aru Majutsu no Index/Kagaku no Railgun (2008-2011+)
16. Angel Beats (2010)
17. Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011+)
18. Da Capo (2003-2011)
19. Katanagatari (2010)
20. The Idolm@ster (2011+)
21. Full Metal Panic! (2002-2006)
22. Bakuman (2010-2012+)
23. Kobato (2009-2012)
24. Working! (2010-2012+)
25. Record of Lodoss War (1990-1998)
26. The World God Only Knows (2010-2011)
27. Hayate no Gotoku (2007-2012+)
28. Vandread (2000-2001)
29. Sora no Woto (2010)
30. Toradora! (2008-2011)
31. Evangelion (1995-2009+)
32. Basilisk (2005)
33. Galaxy Angel (2001-2006)
34. Saki (2009-2012+)
35. Major (2004-2012)
36. Prince of Tennis (2001-2012)
37. Inuyasha (2000-2010)
38. Ranma 1/2 (1989-2008)
39. Sailor Moon (1992-1997)
40. Air (2005)
41. Hanasaku Iroha (2011+)
42. Usagi Drop (2011-2012)
43. Angelic Layer (2001)
44. Rurouni Kenshin (1996-2011+)
45. Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)
46. Ef (2007-2008)
47. Ore no Immouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai (2010-2011+)
48. Uuchuu no Stellvia (2003)
49. Utawarerumono (2006-2010)
50. Summer Wars (2009)
51. Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu (2010-2012)
52. Cowboy Bebop (1998-2001)
53. Samurai Champloo (2004-2005)
54. Battle Athletes (1997-1998)
55. Bleach (2004-2012)
56. Bake-(etc)-monogatari (2009-2012+)
57. Amagami SS (2010-2012)
58. Macross (1982-2011)
59. 12 Kingdoms (2002-2003)

60. Mononoke Hime (1997)
61. Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae o Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai (2011)

62. Berserk (1997-2012+)
63. Claymore (2007)
64. Valkyria Chronicles (2009-2011)
65. Negima! Magister Magi Negi (2004-2012)
66. Sora no Otoshimono (2009-2012+)
67. Strike Witches (2007-2012)
68. Nichijou (2011-2012+)
69. Hunter x Hunter (1999-2012+)
70. Fate/Stay/Etc (2006-2012+)
71. Card Captor Sakura (1998-2000)
72. Gundam (1979-2012+)
73. Shakugan no Shana (2005-2012)
74. Martian Successor Nadesico (1996-1998)
75. Read or Die (2001-2004)
76. Break Blade (2010-2011)
77. Kimi ni Todoke (2009-2011)
78. Spice and Wolf (2008-2009)
79. To Heart (1999-2012+)

80. Bastard! (1992)

81. Mahoromatic (2001-2009)
82. Akane-iro ni Somaru Saka (2008-2009)
83. Fatal Fury (1992-1994)
84. Lucky Star (2007-2008)
85. Azumanga Daioh (2002)
86. Alien Nine (2001-2002)
87. Iria: Zeiram the Animation (1994)
88. Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
89. Guyver (1986-2006)

90. Spirited Away (2001)
91. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
92. Scrapped Princess (2003)
93. Steins;Gate (2011-2012+)
94. Gunbuster (1988-2012)
95. Shamanic Princess (1996-1998)
96. Boku ha Tomodachi ga Sukunai (2011)

97. Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai (2012+)

98. Akira (1988)
99. Moshidora (2011)
100. High School of the Dead (2010-2011)
101. Flame of Recca (1997-1998)
102. Hikaru no Go (2001-2004)

103. Shinryaku! Ika Musume (2010-2011+)
104. Ghost in the Shell (1995-2011)
105. Tamayura (2010-2011+)
106. Zero no Tsukaima (2006-2012)

107. Soul Eater (2008-2009)
108. Sora no Manimani (2009)
109. Kanokon (2008-2009)
110. Gosick (2011)

111. Baccano/Durara (2007-2011)

112. Ninja Scroll (1993-2003+)

113. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

114. Death Note (2006-2008)

115. Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 (2009)

116. Saint Tail (1994-1996)

117. RG Veda (1991-1992)

118. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)

119. X  (1996-2002)

120. Hyouka (2012+)

 

Now the chronology:

 

1982:

9.2% of Macross = 5.8

= 5.8

1983:

18.5% of Macross = 11.7

= 11.7

1984:

100% of Nausicaa = 33

= 33

1985-1987:

Nothing

1988:

100% of Grave of the Fireflies = 30

+ 16.7% of Gunbuster = 4.5

+ 100% of Akira = 23

= 57.5

1989:

33.3% of Gunbuster = 9

+ 7.9% of Guyver = 2.5

+ 100% of Kiki's Delivery Service = 76

+ 14.8% of Ranma 1/2 = 12.3

= 99.8

1990:

.4% of Dragonball = .4

+ 46.2% of Record of Lodoss War = 44.4

+ 26.4% of Ranma 1/2 = 21.9

+ 7.9% of Guyver = 2.5

= 69.2

1991:

53.8% of Record of Lodoss War = 51.6

+ 29.7% of Ranma 1/2 = 24.7

+ 50% of RG Veda = 2

= 78.3

1992:

22% of Ranma 1/2 = 18.3

+ 19% of Sailor Moon = 15.6

+ 100% of Bastard = 41

+ 16.7% of Fatal Fury = 6.3

+ 15.8% of Guyver = 5.1

+ 50% of RG Veda = 2

= 88.3

1993:

 

 4.7% of Dragonball = 5.3

+ 1.1% of Ranma 1/2 = .9

+ 20.5% of Sailor Moon = 16.8

+ 16.7% of Fatal Fury = 6.3

+ 100% of Ninja Scroll = 9

= 38.3

1994:

 

 15.6% of Dragonball = 17.5

+ 2.7% of Ranma 1/2 = 2.2

+ 20% of Sailor Moon = 16.4

+ 10.8% of Macross = 6.8

+ 66.7% of Fatal Fury = 25.3

+ 100% of Iria: Zeiram the Animation = 34

= 102.2

1995:

 

 14.1% of Dragonball = 15.8

+ 34.2% of Evangelion = 30.8

+ .5% of Ranma 1/2 = .4

+ 19.5% of Sailor Moon = 16

+ 35.4% of Macross = 22.3

+ 6.3% of Ghost in the Shell = 1.1

+ 27.9% of Saint Tail = 1.4

= 87.8

1996:

14.1% of Dragonball = 15.8

+ 34.2% of Evangelion = 30.8

+ 2.2% of Ranma 1/2 = 1.8

+ 18.5% of Sailor Moon = 15.2

+ 50% of Rurouni Kenshin = 38.5

+ 46.7% of Martian Successor Nadesico = 21.9

+ 33.3% of Shamanic Princess = 8.7

+ 72.1% of Saint Tail = 3.6

= 136.3

1997:

 

 12.9% of Dragonball = 14.4

+ 10.5% of Evangelion = 9.5

+ 2.5% of Sailor Moon = 2.1

+ 43.9% of Rurouni Kenshin = 33.8

+ 53.1% of Battle Athletes = 35.6

+ 1.5% of Macross = .9

+ 100% of Mononoke Hime = 61

+ 48% of Berserk = 28.3

+ 40% of Martian Successor Nadesico = 18.8

+ 33.3% of Shamnic Princess = 8.7

+ 45.2% of Flame of Recca = 9

= 222.1

1998:

30% of Cowboy Bebop = 20.7

+ 46.9% of Battle Athletes = 31.4

+ 1.5% of Macross = .9

+ 52% of Berserk = 30.7

+ 44.9% of Card Captor Sakura = 22.5

+ 13.3% of Martian Successor Nadesico = 6.3

+ 33.3% of Shamanic Princess = 8.7

+ 54.8% of Flame of Recca = 11

= 132.2

1999:

1.7% of One Piece = 2

+ 36.1% of Seikai no Monshou/Senk/Danshou = 41.5

+ 56.7% of Cowboy Bebop = 39.1

+ 38.5% of Card Captor Sakura = 19.3

+ 26.5% of To Heart = 11.1

= 113

2000:

9.1% of One Piece = 10.7

+ 30.6% of Seikai no Monshou/Senki/Danshou = 35.2

+ 50% of Vandread = 46.5

+ 5.2% of Inuyasha = 4.4

+ 6.1% of Rurouni Kenshin = 4.7

+ 16.7% of Card Captor Sakura = 8.4

= 109.9

2001:

7.8% of One Piece = 9.2

+ 27.8% of Seikai no Monshou/Senki/Danshou = 32

+ 50% of Vandread = 46.5

+ 15.5% of Galaxy Angel = 13.6

+ 7.2% of Prince of Tennis = 6.1

+ 23.3% of Inuyasha = 19.6

+ 100% of Angelic Layer = 78

+ 13.3% of Cowboy Bebop = 9.2

+ 10.3% of Read or Die = 4.7

+ 41.4% of Mahoromatic = 16.6

+ 75% of Alien Nine = 26.3

+ 100% of Spirited Away = 31

+ 14.5% of Hikaru no Go = 2.8

+ 50% of X = 1

= 296.6

2002:

6.5% of One Piece = 7.7

+ 4.4% of Naruto = 5

+ 48% of Full Metal Panic! = 48

+ 26.8% of Galaxy Angel = 23.6

+ 30.5% of Prince of Tennis = 25.9

+ 20.7% of Inuyasha = 17.4

+ .8% of Macross = .5

+ 66.7%% of 12 Kingdoms = 41.4

+ 41.4% of Mahoromatic = 16.6

+ 100% of Azumanga Daioh = 36

+ 25% of Alien Nine = 8.8

+ 68.4% of Hikaru no Go = 13

+ 21.9% of Ghost in the Shell = 3.7

+ 50% of X = 1

= 248.6

2003:

6.9% of One Piece = 8.1

+ 17.5% of Naruto = 19.8

+ 32.5% of Da Capo = 33.5

+ 24% of Full Metal Panic! = 24

+ 34.5% of Galaxy Angel = 30.4

+ 30.5% of Prince of Tennis = 25.9

+ 21.2% of Inuyasha = 17.8

+ 100% of Uuchuu no Stellvia = 73

+ 1.5% of Macross = .9

+ 33.3% of 12 Kingdoms = 20.6

+ 55.2% of Read or Die = 25.4

+ 10.3% of Mahoromatic = 4.1

+ 100% of Scrapped Princess = 29

+ 15.8% of Hikaru no Go = 3

+ 18.9% of Ghost in the Shell = 3.2

= 318.7

2004:

10% of Pretty Cure = 11.9

+ 5.6% of One Piece = 6.6

+ 23.2% of Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha = 26.9

+ 14.5% of Naruto = 16.4

+ 15.5% of Galaxy Angel = 13.6

+ 4.3% of Major = 3.7

+ 8.4% of Prince of Tennis = 7.1

+ 16.1% of Inuyasha = 13.5

+ 65.4% of Samurai Champloo = 44.5

+ 5.9% of Bleach = 3.9

+ 1.5% of Macross = .9

+34.5% of Read or Die = 15.9

+ 26.5% of To Heart = 11.1

+ 25% of Gunbuster = 6.8

+ 1.3% of Hikaru no Go = .2

+43.8% of Ghost in the Shell = 7.4

+ 100% of Howl's Moving Castle = 8

= 198.4

2005:

12.2% of Pretty Cure = 14.5

+ 6.5% of One Piece = 7.7

+ 23.2% of Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha = 26.9

+ 5.6% of Seikai no Monshou/Senki/Danshou = 6.4

+ 6.7% of Naruto = 7.6

+ 32.5% of Da Capo = 33.5

+ 26% of Full Metal Panic! = 26

+100% of Basilisk = 89

+ 13.7% of Major = 11.8

+ 100% of Air = 81

+ 34.6% of Samurai Champloo = 23.5

+ 22.3% of Bleach = 14.7

+ 72.2% of Negima! = 40.4

+ 15.6% of Shakugan no Shana = 7.5

+ 24.5% of To Heart = 10.3

+ 50% of Guyver = 16

+25% of Gunbuster = 6.8

+ 3.1% of Ghost in the Shell = .5

= 424.1

2006:

11.8% of Pretty Cure = 14

+ 6.9% of One Piece = 8.1

+ 22% of Code Geass = 25.7

+ 30.6% of Higurashi/Umineko = 34

+ 54.2% of Kanon = 59

+ 51.9% of Haruhi Suzumiya = 56.1

+ 2% of Full Metal Panic = 2

+ 7.7% of Galaxy Angel = 6.8

+ 14.3% of Major = 12.3

+ 5.4% of Prince of Tennis = 4.6

+ 84.8% of Utawarerumono = 61.1

+ .5% of Bleach = .3

+ 5.6% of Negima! = 3.1

+ 53.3% of Fate/Stay/Etc = 27.2

+ 16.9% of Shakugan no Shana = 8.1

+ 2% of To Heart = .8

+ 18.4% of Guyver = 5.9

+ 6.3% of Ghost in the Shell = 1.1

+ 26% of Zero no Tsukaima = 3.9

+ 32.4% of Death Note = 2.3

+ 100% of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time = 3

= 336.3

2007:

25% of Clannad = 30

+ 11.8% of Pretty Cure = 14

+ 6.3% of One Piece = 7.4

+ 28% of Code Geass = 32.8

+ 46.4% of Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha = 53.8

+ 13.8% of Naruto = 15.6

+ 28.2% of Higurashi/Umineko = 31.3

+ 45.8% of Kanon = 49.9

+ 100% of Tengen Toppa Gurrenn Lagann = 107

+ 16.3% of Da Capo = 16.8

+ 37.6% of Hayate no Gotoku = 35.3

+ 10.5% of Evangelion = 9.5

+ 16.1% of Major = 13.8

+ 4.8% of Prince of Tennis = 4.1

+ 50% of Ef = 37.5

+ 6.1% of Utawarerumono = 4.4

+ 20.5% of Bleach = 13.5

+ 100% of Claymore = 58

+ 15.6% of Shakugan no Shana = 7.5

+ 6.1% of To Heart = 2.6

+ 96% of Lucky Star = 23

+ 24% of Zero no Tsukaima = 3.6

+ 31% of Baccano/Durarara = 3.1

+ 67.6% of Death Note = 4.7

= 579.2

2008:

50% of Clannad = 60

+ 11.6% of Pretty Cure = 13.8

+ 9.8% of One Piece = 11.6

+ 50% of Code Geass = 58.5

+ 11.1% of Naruto = 12.5

+ 17.8% of Index/Railgun = 18.9

+ 17.5% of Da Capo = 18

+ 15.9% of Hayate no Gotoku = 14.9

+ 50% of Toradora = 45.5

+ 18.6% of Major = 16

+ 4.2% of Prince of Tennis = 3.6

+ .5% of Ranma 1/2 = .4

+ 50% of Ef = 37.5

+ 10.9% of Bleach = 7.2

+ 19.2% of Macross = 12.1

+ 5.6% of Negima! = 3.1

+ 42.9% of Strike Witches = 23.2

+ 15.6% of Shakugan no Shana = 7.5

+ 50% of Spice and Wolf = 21.5

+ 4.1% of To Heart = 1.7

+ 92.3% of Akaneiro ni Somaru Saka = 36

+ 4% of Lucky Star = 1.5

+ 26% of Zero no Tsukaima = 3.9

+ 100% of Soul Eater = 14

+ 85.7% of Kanokon = 10.3

+ 7.1% of Baccano/Durarara = .7

= 453.9

2009:

25% of Clannad = 30

+ 12.7% of Pretty Cure = 15.1

+ 9.1% of One Piece = 10.7

+ 9.3% of Fairy Tail = 10.6

+ 9.8% of Naruto = 11.1

+ 14.8% of Dragonball = 16.6

+ 36.5% of Higurashi/Umineko = 40.5

+ 28.9% of K-On! = 31.8

+ 33.3% of Haruhi Suzumiya = 36

+ 32.9% of Index/Railgun = 34.9

+ 1.3% of Da Capo = 1.3

+ 45.8% of Kobato = 44.9

+ 31.7% of Hayate no Gotoku = 29.8

+ 46.2% of Toradora! = 42

+ 10.5% of Evangelion = 9.5

+ 86.2% of Saki = 75

+ 15.5% of Major = 13.3

+ 1.2% of Prince of Tennis = 1

+ 6.7% of Inuyasha = 5.6

+ 6.1% of Utawarerumono = 4.4

+ 100% of Summer Wars = 71

+ 11.8% of Bleach = 7.8

+ 50% of Bake-(etc)-monogatari = 32.5

+ 92.9% of Valkyria Chronicles = 53

+ 8.3% of Negima! = 4.6

+ 44.8% of Sora no Otoshimono = 24.6

+ 1.3% of Shakugan no Shana = .6

+ 32.4% of Kimi ni Todoke = 14.3

+ 50% of Spice and Wolf = 21.5

+ 4.1% of To Heart = 1.7

+ 6.9% of Mahoromatic = 2.8

+ 7.7% of Akaneiro ni Somaru Saka = 3

+ 100% of Sora no Manimani = 13

+ 14.3% of Kanokon = 1.7

+ 100% of Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 = 6

= 722.2

2010:

12.9% of Pretty Cure = 15.4

+ 10.6% of One Piece = 12.5

+ 7.1% of Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha = 8.2

+ 41.5% of Fairy Tail = 47.3

+ 8.8% of Naruto = 9.9

+ 19.1% of Dragonball = 21.4

+ 60% of K-On! = 66

+ 14.8% of Haruhi Suzumiya = 16.1

+ 32.9% of Index/Railgun = 34.9

+ 100% of Angel Beats = 105

+ 100% of Katanagatari = 102

+ 26% of Bakuman = 25.7

+ 54.2% of Kobato = 53.1

+ 50% of Working = 48.5

+ 48% of The World God Only Knows = 45.6

+ 100% of Sora no Woto = 92

+ 16.1% of Major = 13.8

+ 6.7% of Inuyasha = 5.6

+ 75% of Oreimo = 55.5

+ 3% of Utawarerumono = 2.2

+ 46.4% of Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu = 32.5

+ 15.5% of Bleach = 10.2

+ 7.7% of Bake-(etc)-monogatari = 5

+ 96.2% of Amagami SS = 61.6

+ 8.3% of Negima! = 4.6

+ 41.4% of Sora no Otoshimono = 22.8

+ 42.9% of Strike Witches = 23.2

+ 8.9% of Fate/Stay/Etc = 4.5

+ 3.9% of Shakugan no Shana = 1.9

+ 66.7% of Break Blade = 30

+ 35% of Kimi ni Todoke = 15.4

+ 4.1% of To Heart = 1.7

+ 92.3 of High School of the Dead = 19.4

+ 50% of Shinryaku! Ika Musume = 9

+ 25% of Tamayura = 4

+ 57.1% of Baccano/Durarara = 5.7

= 1032.2

2011:

12.4% of Pretty Cure = 14.8

+ 9.8% of One Piece = 11.6

+ 38.1% of Fairy Tail = 43.4

+ 8.8% of Naruto = 9.9

+ 4.7% of Dragonball = 5.3

+ 3.5% of Higurashi/Umineko = 3.9

+ 11.1% of K-On! = 12.2

+ 16.4% of Index/Railgun = 17.4

+ 100% of Puella Magi Madoka Magica = 104

+ 100% of The Idolm@ster = 101

+ 50% of Bakuman =  49.5

+ 50% of Working = 48.5

+ 52% of The World God Only Knows = 49.4

+ 4.9% of Hayate no Gotoku = 4.6

+ 3.8% of Toradora! = 3.5

+ .6% of Major = .5

+ 100% of Hanasaku Iroha = 80

+ 100% of Usagi Drop = 79

+ 25% of Oreimo = 18.5

+ 7.1% of Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu = 5

+ 8.2% of Bleach = 5.4

+ 3.8% of Amagami SS = 2.4

+ 100% of Anohana = 60

+ 7.1% of Valkyria Chronicles = 4

+ 13.8% of Sora no Otoshimono = 7.6

+ 100% of Nichijou = 53

+ 46.2% of Hunter x Hunter = 24

+ 28.9% of Fate/Stay/Etc = 14.7

+ 15.6% of Shakugan no Shana = 7.5

+ 33.3% of Break Blade = 15

+ 32.4% of Kimi ni Todoke = 14.3

+ 96% of Steins;Gate = 26.9

+ 100% of Haganai = 25

+ 100% of Moshidora = 22

+ 7.7% of High School of the Dead = 1.6

+ 50% of Shinryaku! Ika Musume = 9

+ 75% of Tamyaru = 12

+ 100% of Gosick = 11

+ 4.8% of Baccano/Durarara = .5

= 977.9

Arghhhhhh!  2011 came in a close 2nd to 2010!  Even with the new, fairer scoring system 2010 is still the best!  2011 is 2nd and 2009 is 3rd.  Like before, the years 2007-2011 are the five highest scoring years in anime.  Like before, the 2000's well outscore the 1990's.  But now we can take our statistics with a feeling of greater confidence.  Very well, I admit it, 2010 was the best year in anime ever.

Even this scoring system isn't perfect, though.  I wish I could award bonus points to series that are more than just '1 rank higher' than the series below it.  I also feel that the series in the bottom get too few points when they're actually quite good.  But whatever.  This scoring system more closely reflects my first hand impressions than any other, and is to be commended for so clinically cutting its way to the truth.

Obviously these rankings only work for a mere instant, because 2012 will shrink the percentage size of many ongoing series in previous years, and will also shift the rankings up and down.  But my chronology work is at least done until the end of 2012, when I can add this fascinating year to the mix.  Consider this close enough to true that the rest of the year won't change it enough to matter.