Pornomonogatari fans have been lamenting the lack of naked massage action in the 6th episode of Nisemonogatari, but even those rare maniacs who concern themselves with story have been complaining that things are barely moving – although everyone can at least appreciate the strange poses and excessively cute characters on display:

Tired of ranking only the best, anime fans have turned their attention to identifying the most boring (or merely disappointing) anime of the winter 2012 season.

The ranking:

1. Kill Me Baby

2. Tantei Opera Milky Holmes

3. Senki Zesshō Symphogear

4. Bodacious Space Pirates

5. Nisemonogatari

6. Danball Senki

7. Gokujyo

8. There isn’t one!

9. Waiting in the Summer

10. Zero no Tsukaima F

So erotic is Nisemonogatari that viewers have actually coined a new name for it (in fact they have several:”Eromonogatari,” “Pornomonogatari,” etc.) – although strangely nobody is complaining.

Loli vampire Oshino Shinobu takes centre stage Nisemonogatari’s bathing episode, together with Araragi and ready for some profoundly underdressed vampire action.

Some anime characters just have “lolicon” written all over them, and anime fans are most certainly onto them if this list of the characters they have the gravest suspicions about is anything to go by.

The ranking:

1. Ippo Tsuko / Accelerator (To Aru Majutsu no Index)

2. Araragi Koyomi (Bakemonogatari)

3. Souta Takanashi （WORKING!!）

4. Hasegawa Subaru (Ro-Kyu-Bu!)

5. Kyubey (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)

6. Kashiwazaki Sena (Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai)

7. Aogami Piasu (To Aru Majutsu no Index)

8. Nagatsuki Sanae (Shinryaku! Ikamusume)

9. Kimura Sensei (Azumanga Daioh)

10. Itaru Hashida (Steins;Gate)

Nisemonogatari continues to delight fans with the not unimpressive feat of managing to keep ranking up both its sexiness and its interestingness…

Omake:

Anime which are so good they can be viewed again and again without being tired of are the subject of this latest ranking by anime fans, once again demonstrating that even moeblobs can’t have it all their own way…

The ranking:

1. Bakemonogatari

2. Working!!

3. Puella Magi Madoka Magica

4. Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha

5. The IdolMaster

6. K-ON!

7. Gintama

8. Mobile Suit Gundam Seed

9. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

10. Clannad After Story

11. To Aru Kagaku no Railgun

12. Scryed

13. Neon Genesis Evangelion

14. Card Captor Sakura

15. Macross Frontier

16. Fate/Zero

17. Lucky Star

18. Hanasaku Iroha

19. Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni

20. Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei

21. Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu

22. Fullmetal Alchemist

23. Hikaru no Go

24. Gunbuster

25. Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water

Nisemonogatari may have dropped its gratuitous loli service, but in return Nadeko and Kanbaru fans are getting quite an eyeful, to say nothing of the stylish visuals Shaft are known for:

Omake:

Fans of the Nanimonogatari series have been delighted by the advent of the much awaited Nisemonogatari, which earned much praise for combining both lolipan and a high tempo in only its first episode.

Cat-possessed meganekko Hanekawa Tsubasa returns clad in fetching pajamas whilst destroying some inoffensive furniture, as befits her feline form. She is due in May 2012, courtesy of Kotobukiya.

Black Hanekawa is available for pre-orders now.

Cute little girls (whether this is the same thing as “loli” is the subject of some controversy – it seems not) who feature prominently in anime for some reason can’t help but accumulate huge followings, leading to the following rankings:

The ranking:

1. Kaga Rin (Usagi Drop)

2. Sengoku Nadeko (Bakemonogatari)

3. Last Order (To Aru Majutsu no Index)

4. Minato Tomoka (Ro-Kyu-Bu!)

5. Hakamada Hinata (Ro-Kyu-Bu!)

6. Hachikuji Mayoi (Bakemonogatari)

7. Hakase (Nichijou)

8. Hasegawa Kobato (Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai)

9. Tenshi (Angel Beats!)

10. Okazaki Ushio (Clannad)

Just how little some of these girls are is open to doubt, but that they are all cute is beyond question.

Anime fans have been busily ranking anime girls “who are more than totally flat but less than huge breasted,” doubtless having nothing better to do.

For those wondering, there is not even a catchy specialist term (as with “pettanko” or “kyonyuu”) for having a bust not at one freakish extreme of the size spectrum.

The ranking:

1. Konoe Subaru (Mayo Chiki!)

2. Haruhi Suzumiya (Haruhi Suzumiya no Yuutsu)

3. Senjougahara Hitagi (Bakemonogatari)

4. Taneshima Popura (Working!!)

5. Mikazuki Yozora (Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai)

6. Kotobuki Tsumugi (K-ON!)

7. Kirishima Shouko (Baka to Test to Shoukanju)

8. Haruka Morishima (Amagami SS)

9. Huang Lingyin (Infinite Stratos)

10. Tamura Manami (Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai!)

There may be some doubt as to whether Mugi really belongs on such a list…

Little vampire Oshino Shinobu arrives as a cute donut-munching figure in March 2012, thanks to Good Smile Company.

The figure is based on the 6th’s DVD cover illustration.

Shinobu is available for pre-orders now.

Anime fans have voted for just which anime bishoujo looks the best in their all but inevitable swimwear outing, whether in a classic one-piece, sporty competition swimsuit, or, of course, the sukumizu (although bikinis have to wait until their own ranking is published).

The ranking:

 1. Ai Nanasaki (Amagami SS)

2. Haruka Morishima (Amagami SS)

3. Sengoku Nadeko (Bakemonogatari)

4. Oshimizu Nako (Hanasaku Iroha)

5. Elis (Asobi ni Iku yo!)

6. Teletha Testarossa (Full Metal Panic! Fumoffu)

7. Nagato Yuki (Haruhi Suzumiya no Yuutsu)

8. Laura Bodewig (Infinite Stratos)

9. Haibara Ai (Detective Conan)

10. Izumi Konata (Lucky Star)

The rarity value of Konata’s presence in these rankings is now almost as great as that of her washboard chest it would seem.

The unfortunate fact that every harem anime requires a gormless male protagonist to act as harem master (some might say harem victim) yields the inevitable ranking of just which viewers find the most enviably ensconced amongst his female suitors, however ineffective he may prove in actually exploiting this position.

The ranking:

1. Orimura Ichika (Infinite Stratos)

2. Sakurai Tomoki (Sora no Otoshimono)

3. Yuuki Rito (To Love-Ru)

4. Araragi Koyomi (Bakemonogatari)

5. Okazaki Tomoya (Clannad)

6. Katsuragi Keima (Kami Nomi Zo Shiru Sekai)

7. Maebara Keiichi (Higurashi no Naku Koro ni)

8. Sugisaki Ken (Seitokai no Ichizon)

9. Kousaka Kyosuke (Ore no Imouto)

10. Kamijou Touma (To Aru)

Despite its not infrequently criticised total lack of originality (itself not normally a quality associated with harem anime and manga), Infinite Stratos now appears to be the harem anime par excellence.

Otaku denizens of NicoNico Douga have devised the definitive ranking of what are, to their notoriously warped minds at least, the best anime of the 21st century to date.

The ranking, based on a composite of “title/production/story power,” “character power” and “anime music power”:

1. Bakemonogatari

2. Clannad

3. To Aru Kagaku no Railgun

4. AIR

5. Angel Beats!

6. Haruhi

7. Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica

8. Ano Hi Mita Hana

9. Toradora!

10. K-ON!

11. To Aru Majutsu no Index

12. FMA

13. Lucky Star

14. Code Geass

15. Steins;Gate

16. Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo

17. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni

18. Macross F

19. Natsume’s Book of Friends

20. Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha

21. Ore no Imouto

22. Gintama

23. Hayate no Gotoku

24. Minamike

25. Full Metal Panic

26. Eureka Seven

27. Shakugan no Shana

28. Spirited Away

29. Grave of the Fireflies

30. Sora no Otoshimono

31. Working!!

32. Gurren Lagann

33. Ghost in the Shell

34. Fate stay/night

35. Infinite Stratos

36. Rozen Maiden

37. Amagami SS

38. One Piece

39. Seitokai no Ichizon

40. Aria

41. Garei Zero

42. Gundam Seed

43. Durarara!!

44. Naruto

45. Zero no Tsukaima

46. Milky Holmes

47. Hanasaku Iroha

48. Tiger & Bunny

49. Shinryaku! Ika Musume

50. Sousei no Aquarion

For those wondering, the number 1 in “title power” is Clannad, in “character power” it is Railgun (Index is second), and in music it is Bakemonogatari. The most notable upset proves to be Toradora, third in title power but only ninth overall.

Having decided on the worst anime, the same mass of anime fans has applied the same nebulous and uncertain criteria to determine the best anime, or those they can remember to vote for at any rate – unsurprisingly, several anime manage to rank well on both lists.

The ranking:

1. CLANNAD

2. Puella Magi Madoka Magica

3. Tiger & Bunny

4. Ano Hi Mita Hana

5. Steins;Gate

6. Bakemonogatari

7. Code Geass

8. Angel Beats!

9. Gintama

10. Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni

11. K-ON!

12. Toradora!

13. Natsume’s Book of Friends

14. Neon Genesis Evangelion

15. Ranma 1/2

As ever, Clannad is life – though Tiger & Bunny probably heads the list of “anime most likely to have been completely forgotten about by next season.”

See also its companion ranking – the top 15 worst anime.

When it comes to vampires, it seems even moe-ravaged anime fans have impeccable taste – anime fans quizzed on who they consider the best vampire characters deliver a surprisingly tasteful ranking.

The ranking:

1. Alucard (Hellsing)

2. Erika Sendo (Fortune Arterial)

3. D (Vampire Hunter D)

4. Dracula (Kaibutsu-kun)

5. Moka Akashiya (Rosario+Vampire)

6. Arcueid Brunestud (Tsukihime)

7. Shinobu Oshino (Bakemonogatari)

8. Evangeline A. K. McDowell (Negima)

9. Miyu (Vampire Princess Miyu)

10. Dracula (Gegegetaro)

11. Mina Tepes (Dance in the Vampire Bund)

12. Mori Eto (Tokimeki Tonight)

13. Seras Victoria (Hellsing)

Anime fans asked which series they most want to see get a second, third or fourth season supply a hopeful ranking populated by both popular favourites and some near forgotten classics.

The ranking:

1. To Aru Majutsu no Index

2. The ****gatari series

3. K-ON!!

4. Ore no Imouto

5. Lucky Star

6. Infinite Stratos

7. Minamike

8. Haruhi

9. Full Metal Panic

10. Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai

11. To Aru Kagaku no Railgun

12. Lyrical Nanoha

13. Zettai Karen Children

14. Rozen Maiden

15. Negima

16. GA Geijutsuka Art Design Class

17. Kannagi

18. Saki

19. Hayate no Gotoku

20. Densetsu no Yuusha no Densetsu

21. Highschool of the Dead

22. Sora no Manimani

23. Sketchbook

24. Kanamemo

25. Bamboo Blade

It seems anime fans have years of moeblob continuations to look forward to.

Based on an official disc cover illustration, this Mayoi figure by Good Smile Company serves up Bakemonogatari’s pre-eminent loli goddess, set to be released in October 2011.

Mayoi can be pre-ordered now.

The cover’s illustration:

Hanekawa‘s transformation into a wild yet sexy cat has been captured in figure form by Alter, set to be released in October 2011.

Tsubasa cat is available for pre-orders now.

Max Factory has announced the release of a new Bakemonogatari Figma to be released in September 2011 – none other than the sporty Kanbaru Suruga, equipped both for sports and for taking her “Rainy Devil” anorak form.

Kanbaru can be pre-ordered now.

Anime fans have voted to determine the best Shaft anime, with the top spot a predictable battle between recent blockbusters Madoka and Bakemonogatari.

The ranking, based on votes from over 2,000 Shaft fans and with votes for multiple seasons merged:

1. Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica

2. Bakemonogatari

3. Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei

4. ef – a tale of memories/melodies

5. Hidamari Sketch

6. Arakawa Under the Bridge

7. Sore de mo Machi wa Mawatteiru

8. PaniPoni Dash!

9. Maria Holic

10. Negima!?

Although the placement of Madoka and Bakemonogatari was hardly in doubt, despairing fans will be heartened to see just how closely Zetsubou-sensei trailed them – 362 votes to Bakemonogatari’s 370 and Madoka’s 383, with ef some distance behind with 261.

Anime fans quizzed on what they consider to be the most “godly” anime of the first decade of the 21st century provide a list sure to provide something for everyone, even those of the Type A persuasion.

The ranking, based on the preferences of over 4,000 fans:

1. Angel Beats!

2. Bakemonogatari

3. Clannad

4. K-ON!

5. Code Geass

6. A Certain Magical Index

7. Toradora!

8. Haruhi

9. Gintama

10. A Certain Scientific Railgun

11. Ore no Imouto

12. Full Metal Alchemist

13. Durarara!!

14. Gundam Seed

15. Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha

16. GitS: Stand Alone Complex

17. Darker Than Black

18. Strike Witches

19. Aria The Animation

20. Working!!

21. Eureka Seven

22. Kamichu!

23. Lucky Star

24. Black Lagoon

25. Planetes

26. Hidamari Sketch

27. Air

28. Mushishi

29. Hayate no Gotoku!

30. Elfen Lied

31. Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei

32. Scried

33. Fafner in the Azure

34. Baccano

35. Shakugan no Shana

36. Bleach

37. Gun x Sword

38. Slam Dunk

39. Honey and Clover

40. Basilisk

41. Aoi Hana

42. Cowbop Bebop (Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door)

43. Naruto

44. Jewelpet Tinkle

45. Sousei no Aquarion

46. Bamboo Blade

47. Inuyasha

48. Solty Rei

49. Zipang

50. Sky Girls

Madoka is probably denied the top spot only by dint of being considered a 2011 anime…