The first American Anime Awards

The first annual American Anime Awards was announced back at the beginning of January. Fans were even able to vote online in the event’s 12 different categories to determine the finalists. Now, the online voting is over and the 5 finalists for each category have been chosen. According to this article from ANN, the winners will be announced on February 24th during the awards ceremony at the New York Comic Con, hosted by many of the prominent English voice actors in the industry. Here’s a list of the different categories and the 5 finalists from each…

Best Actor
Johnny Yong Bosch (Akira, Bleach, Eureka 7)
Crispin Freeman (Hellsing Ultimate, Noein, Revolutionary Girl Utena)
Richard Hayworth (Rurouni Kenshin)
Yuri Lowenthal (Naruto)
Vic Mignogna (Fullmetal Alchemist, Macross)

I know I picked Johnny when I did the online voting ^.^ He’s a great voice actor and has probably done the most variety of roles and a large number of lead roles. But I can’t believe they don’t list my two favorite roles of his – Vash (Trigun) and Kiba (Wolf’s Rain)! Crispin could definitely be a close second too! =)

Best Actress
Luci Christian (Princess Tutu)
Susan Dalian (Naruto)
Mary Elizabeth (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG)
Maile Flanagan (Naruto)
Michelle Ruff (Bleach, Lupin the 3rd)

I’m not too familiar with these actresses, but I think I picked Michelle Ruff because she’s pretty good as Rukia (Bleach) and she’s done quite a few other roles.

Best Actor in a Comedy
Greg Ayres (Negima, Nerima Daikon Brothers)
Johnny Yong Bosch (Akira)
Liam O’Brien (Comic Party, DNA Squared, Girls Bravo)
Tony Oliver (Lupin III)
Dave Wittenberg (Zatch Bell)

I think I voted for Johnny here again, LOL. I don’t know why they list Akira for his role when there’s absolutely no comedy in that movie ~_^ But anyway, I also think Dave Wittenberg is good too (he’s hysterical as Folgore in Zatch Bell XD)

Best Actress in a Comedy
Laura Bailey (Kodocha)
Luci Christian (Desert Punk, Negima, Nerima Daikon Brothers)
Debi Derryberry (Zatch Bell)
Hillary Haag (Paniponi Dash)
Michelle Ruff (Lupin the 3rd)

Even though I haven’t been able to see Kodocha, I voted for Laura Bailey because I thought she was great as Tohru (Fruits Basket). Debi is really good as Zatch in Zatch Bell too, despite the fact that she’s done way more non-anime roles than anime roles.

Best Cast
FLCL
Fullmetal Alchemist
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG
Inuyasha
Naruto

I voted for Inuyasha, not because it’s my favorite series’, but because I honestly think the English voice cast sounds the most similar to the Japanese version. I haven’t seen FLCL or GitS, so I couldn’t say for those ones, but FMA and Naruto are pretty well cast too.

Best DVD Package Design
Bleach Vol. 1
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
Fullmetal Alchemist
Hellsing Ultimate 1–Limited Edition Steelcase
Naruto Uncut Box Set Vol. 1

I think I voted for Bleach Vol. 1. I thought the pic of Ichigo on the front was pretty cool. I don’t care too much for DVD design so…

Best Anime Theme Song
Asterisk (Bleach)
Heart of Sword–Yoake Mae (Rurouni Kenshin)
Rewrite (Fullmetal Alchemist)
Ride on Shooting Star (FLCL)
Rise (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig)

Considering all the great anime theme songs out there, they really had a very limited number to choose from. I think I voted for Rewrite, though I wouldn’t be disappointed if Asterisk won (I haven’t heard the others, so I couldn’t say about them).

Best Comedy Anime
Ah! My Goddess TV
FLCL
Kodocha
Ranma 1/2
Tenchi Muyo OVA

I think Ranma and Tenchi were the only ones on the original list that I was familiar with. As much as I love the Tenchi OVA, I voted for Ranma ’cause it’s just such a classic comedy XD

Best Anime Feature
Akira
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
Fullmetal Alchemist–The Movie
Inuyasha Movie 4: Fire on Mystic Island
Pokemon Movie 8: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew

I voted for the FMA movie (even though I love all the IY movies too =P) And wow, I can’t believe the Pokemon movie made it to the finals! I guess I’m not the only anime fan left who’s still a Pokemon fan ^^ I really think the Pokemon doesn’t have a chance though, but you never know.

Best Short Series
Elfen Lied
FLCL
Gravitation TV
Hellsing Ultimate
Ranma 1/2 OAV

I don’t remember what I voted for here, but I know it wasn’t any of the finalists. I actually haven’t seen any of these short series’ so I don’t know which one should win. There are a lot of Hellsing fans our there, so maybe that one…

Best Long Series
Fullmetal Alchemist
Inuyasha
Naruto
Rurouni Kenshin
Samurai Champloo

I voted for FMA. Even though Inuyasha is my personal favorite series, I feel that FMA is a better series overall. I don’t why they put Samurai Champloo on the ballot when it’s only 26 episodes. I though they wouldn’t put Eureka 7, Bleach, Gundam Seed, or another longer series. Ah well…I have a feeling either FMA, Inuyasha, or Naruto will win.

Best Manga
Bleach
Death Note
Fruits Basket
Naruto
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angelic Days

This one was tough but I think I finally decided to vote for Death Note ’cause it’s such a great series and hasn’t gotten any recognition in the other categories. But I would be satisfied with Fruits Basket and Naruto winning too.

For those who won’t be attending the awards ceremony, The Anime Network is going to broadcast it. Unfortunately, I don’t get The Anime Network on my cable, but hopefully someone will upload it to Tokyo Toshokan or YouTube so the rest of us can see it =) I’m interested to see how this major event of American anime recognition goes! ^^