2006 saw the greatest number of anime shows being aired on TV in Japan. It also had some of the best shows that have been made. Little did any of the fan-base perceive the crash that was around the corner. Here is a look at the titles that made 2006 particularly special for the Otaku Network. For an in depth review click on the title of the anime.
Rec, Winter 2006. Romance, slice of life, comedy. 9 episodes.
A short and sweet story of adult romance and a second chance at love.
Ergo Proxy, Winter-Summer 2006. Sci-fi, action, cyberpunk, post-apocalyptic. 23 episodes.
A stylish cyberpunk story that questions the truth of the shattered world the characters live in.
Jyu Oh Sei, Spring 2006. Sci-fi, fantasy. 11 episodes.
This fast paced survival story follows a pampered rich kid as he survives the horrors of a prison world to find out who killed his parents and banished him.
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Spring 2006. Slice of life, comedy, super natural. 12 episodes.
A unique slice of life comedy that dabbles in the super natural and made Light Novel adaptations a gold standard in anime.
Higurshi When They Cry, Spring-Summer 2006. Horror, slice of life, super natural, moe. 26 episodes.
This adaption of a popular home-brew horror computer game proved that loli's love to bathe in blood.
Zegapain, Spring-Summer 2006. Mecha, sci-fi, post-apocalyptic, school life. 26 episodes.
Mech video game tie-in series about the struggle of humanity to fend off alien invaders. The unique part is that humanity only exists as data on servers.
Ouran High School Host Club, Spring-Summer 2006. Romance, comedy, slice of life, school life. 26 episodes.
Reverse harem romantic comedy about a girl who unintentionally looks like a boy.
School Rumble 2nd Semester, Spring-Summer 2006. Romance, comedy, slice of life, school life. 26 episodes.
Continuing the odd ball activities of high school kids who don't have a clue when it comes to romance.
Black Lagoon, Spring & Fall 2006. Action. 24 episodes.
The adventures of a straight laced Japanese businessman who is offered up to violent pirates in south Asia.
Kiba, Spring 2006-Winter 2007. Super natural, shonen, action. 51 episodes.
If you have to see one shonen battle anime, see this one that lacks pointless filler and has characters that understand the need to kill.
Nana, Spring 2006-Winter 2007. Romance, slice of life, music. 47 episodes.
Mature romance from the woman's perspective, where the characters learn how hard being an adult can be.
Gintama, Spring 2006-Spring 2010. Comedy, samurai, sci-fi, action. 210 episodes.
The super popular Shonen Jump title that makes fun of everything in Shonen Jump.
Gyagu Manga Biyori Season 2, Summer 2006. Comedy, 4koma, absurd. 12 episodes.
More odd ball gag manga, one of the best examples of this under valued genre.
Welcome to the NHK, Summer-Fall 2006. Slice of life, comedy, psychosis, hikikomori. 26 episodes.
The series that introduced the idea of hikkikomori to the west as it detailed a shut in's efforts to become a useful member of society.
Living for the Day After Tomorrow, Fall 2006. Slice of life, drama, romance, super natural. 12 episodes.
Two people wish to be different and have to deal with the consequences when their wishes are granted.
The Wallflower, Fall 2006-Spring 2007. Romance, comedy, slice of life, school life. 26 episodes.
Reverse harem comedy about pretty boys who try to tame an unruly gothic shut in.
Code Geass, Fall 2006-Summer 2007. Mecha, super natural, military. 26 episodes.
CLAMP takes the kings gambit to the most extreme level in this story of a forgotten prince fixated on taking down the entire royal family that rules the world.
Ghost Hunt, Fall 2006-Summer 2007. Horror, super natural, school life. 25 episodes.
Surprisingly creepy series about a group of teenage ghost hunters/skeptics.
Death Note, Fall 2006-Summer 2007. Super natural, mystery, police drama. 237 episodes.
The almost page for page telling of one of the most popular manga ever which deals with a high school kid given the power to kill with impunity and the efforts to stop him.
D.Gray Man, Fall 2006-Summer 2008. Super natural, shonen, action. 51 episodes.
Victorian era shonen battle series about a secret agency fighting super natural enemies trying to end humanity.
Some amazing shows came out in this year and it's amazing to think of how many did. This was an iconic period in the medium and it seems everyone has been grasping to reclaim it. 1995/1996 was also a pivotal period for the medium so perhaps the industry is due for another recharge any time now.
Rec, Winter 2006. Romance, slice of life, comedy. 9 episodes.
A short and sweet story of adult romance and a second chance at love.
Ergo Proxy, Winter-Summer 2006. Sci-fi, action, cyberpunk, post-apocalyptic. 23 episodes.
A stylish cyberpunk story that questions the truth of the shattered world the characters live in.
Jyu Oh Sei, Spring 2006. Sci-fi, fantasy. 11 episodes.
This fast paced survival story follows a pampered rich kid as he survives the horrors of a prison world to find out who killed his parents and banished him.
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Spring 2006. Slice of life, comedy, super natural. 12 episodes.
A unique slice of life comedy that dabbles in the super natural and made Light Novel adaptations a gold standard in anime.
Higurshi When They Cry, Spring-Summer 2006. Horror, slice of life, super natural, moe. 26 episodes.
This adaption of a popular home-brew horror computer game proved that loli's love to bathe in blood.
Zegapain, Spring-Summer 2006. Mecha, sci-fi, post-apocalyptic, school life. 26 episodes.
Mech video game tie-in series about the struggle of humanity to fend off alien invaders. The unique part is that humanity only exists as data on servers.
Ouran High School Host Club, Spring-Summer 2006. Romance, comedy, slice of life, school life. 26 episodes.
Reverse harem romantic comedy about a girl who unintentionally looks like a boy.
School Rumble 2nd Semester, Spring-Summer 2006. Romance, comedy, slice of life, school life. 26 episodes.
Continuing the odd ball activities of high school kids who don't have a clue when it comes to romance.
Black Lagoon, Spring & Fall 2006. Action. 24 episodes.
The adventures of a straight laced Japanese businessman who is offered up to violent pirates in south Asia.
Kiba, Spring 2006-Winter 2007. Super natural, shonen, action. 51 episodes.
If you have to see one shonen battle anime, see this one that lacks pointless filler and has characters that understand the need to kill.
Nana, Spring 2006-Winter 2007. Romance, slice of life, music. 47 episodes.
Mature romance from the woman's perspective, where the characters learn how hard being an adult can be.
Gintama, Spring 2006-Spring 2010. Comedy, samurai, sci-fi, action. 210 episodes.
The super popular Shonen Jump title that makes fun of everything in Shonen Jump.
Gyagu Manga Biyori Season 2, Summer 2006. Comedy, 4koma, absurd. 12 episodes.
More odd ball gag manga, one of the best examples of this under valued genre.
Welcome to the NHK, Summer-Fall 2006. Slice of life, comedy, psychosis, hikikomori. 26 episodes.
The series that introduced the idea of hikkikomori to the west as it detailed a shut in's efforts to become a useful member of society.
Living for the Day After Tomorrow, Fall 2006. Slice of life, drama, romance, super natural. 12 episodes.
Two people wish to be different and have to deal with the consequences when their wishes are granted.
The Wallflower, Fall 2006-Spring 2007. Romance, comedy, slice of life, school life. 26 episodes.
Reverse harem comedy about pretty boys who try to tame an unruly gothic shut in.
Code Geass, Fall 2006-Summer 2007. Mecha, super natural, military. 26 episodes.
CLAMP takes the kings gambit to the most extreme level in this story of a forgotten prince fixated on taking down the entire royal family that rules the world.
Ghost Hunt, Fall 2006-Summer 2007. Horror, super natural, school life. 25 episodes.
Surprisingly creepy series about a group of teenage ghost hunters/skeptics.
Death Note, Fall 2006-Summer 2007. Super natural, mystery, police drama. 237 episodes.
The almost page for page telling of one of the most popular manga ever which deals with a high school kid given the power to kill with impunity and the efforts to stop him.
D.Gray Man, Fall 2006-Summer 2008. Super natural, shonen, action. 51 episodes.
Victorian era shonen battle series about a secret agency fighting super natural enemies trying to end humanity.
Some amazing shows came out in this year and it's amazing to think of how many did. This was an iconic period in the medium and it seems everyone has been grasping to reclaim it. 1995/1996 was also a pivotal period for the medium so perhaps the industry is due for another recharge any time now.
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