One reason why I posted an unusual round-up for the season was how some bloggers complained that there was nothing to watch. I didn't have many good examples on tap back then but there's one on Omohide today (notice the listed series):

Am I missing some excellent series this season? Or it really as bleak as I think? As everyone said before it aired, Kimi ni Todoke is one of the better shows airing, but even then there’s a significant gap between it and the likes of Cross Game, Natsume Yuujinchou, and various other series that I would call excellent.

No wonder.