When I regard my anime favourites, I see a big gap between the few I consider truly great, and the best of the rest. Azumanga Daioh, Manabi Straight, and Haibane Renmei tower over the crowd of lesser shows like three titans of anime series.
Actually, this picture is obsolete, because I've seen Gurren Lagann. I am not quite sure where it fits. Is it as great as Azumanga? Or greater? If so, how much greater?
UPDATE: Steven, here's the list:
| Character | Series | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Archer | Fate/Stay Night | No good screencap of Rin or Saber |
| Yurika | Martian Succ. Nadesico | |
| Meia | Vandread | No good screenshot of Barnette standing |
| Noriko Ooyama | Dai-Guard | Uniforms look like Stellvia indeed. |
| Aina Sahalin | 08th MS Team | |
| Lafiel | Banner of The Stars | |
| Akane | Ranma 1/2 | |
| Yurie Hitotsubashi | Kamichu | Not sure if Kamichu belongs. |
| Ixtli | RahXephon | Manifested as Reika Mishima |
| Nayuta | Shingu | Sorry to capture Nayuta with such idiotic expression, but again no better screenshot. |
| Funaho | Tenchi Muyo OVA, ep.13 | I've not seen Ryo Ohki. |
| Kozue | Mahoraba | |
| Aoi | Ai Yori Aoshi | Hate the show, love first 2 episodes. |
| Tsubasa | Figure 17 | I think it's a masterpiece, but I cannot make myself watch it again. |
| Inez Fressange | Martian Succ. Nadesico | I'm cheating to fill the gaps. |
| Yukari Morita | Rocket Girls | Doesn't really belong with the rest, but I love that show. |
The list is made out of the list of completed series at my ANN list, with a couple dropping out by accident (e.g. To Heart should've been there). Vandread represents both itself and Stellvia.
UPDATE: Thanks to Matthew sagematt@#animeblogger for corrections (Ixthil -> Ixtli). And indeed, Meia's insert was poorly done. OTZ.
MAYBE IMPORTANT: I went through my old notes found that the collage project was started after I've read a post by Evirus looking back to Azumanga. It reminded me just how tremendous Azumanga was. BTW, he had some choice words for the evil Ledford regime too.