So we're pretty far in this season now. Anybody have their AOTS contenders already picked or have already chosen one to be their AOTS? For me, I still need to see a few episodes to decide, but as for contenders: Space Patrol Luluco, Kiznaiver, Big Order, My Hero Academia and Jojo are what I'm mostly considering right now. Still have to pick up Re:Zero and Tanaka kun later down the road as well.

So far my AOTS is between Sakamoto desu ga? and Kiznaiver.

Tanaka-kun and Flying Witch are my favorites so far.

For me so far the most enjoyable are Re: Zero, Anne Happy and Usakame. I haven't kept up with Kiznaiver or Macross but they probably belong in there too.

My AOTS contenders are Luluco, Kiznaiver and Re:Zero

It might be unfair, since it's carrying over from last season, but Assassination Classroom is easily the anime I most look forward to every week. The recent flashback really hit it out of the park...I can't think of anything I've seen this season that's come close to that story arc.

If I had to limit it to anime that have debuted this season...then it's probably Kiznaiver or Hero Academia. Jojo also deserves a mention.

Crazy mashup?  JojoxPokemon would be pretty sweet to be honest xD

As for the poll, all of them contribute into making an AOTY, but the biggest one...really depend on the type of show it is. There are shows that focus on telling you the characters' stories and others where they just want to make you feel with romance. In general, I guess a mix of everything really. Having an engaging story with interesting characters is definetly the combo to be my personal AOTY. Everything else is just a bonus.

I'd say Character is most important to me, but i also love a story with heart and emotion.
Think i have very few songs that i actually loved, Plastic Memories ED and the Steins;Gate movie ED.
Animation Quality is great and all, but no way can i call something AOTS based on it.
I enjoy the Romance genre, but it's not something every anime should have.
The only VA i immediately notice in something is Kana Hanazawa.

For the poll I have to say Story + Characters. If you have an amazing story and bad characters its not going to go over well (even if it is possible), if you have amazing characters but bad stories its worse(still possibly good tho). When you combine these 2 however you get something crazy good. Uniqueness doesn't matter to me, that's just how hipster you are IMO.

For me, a great story can be ruined by crappy or uninteresting characters, while a bad story can always be redeemed if the characters are awesome enough.

That's just my stance anyway. All the of the factors in the poll are somewhat important to me...but some weigh more heavily than others.

OST also is a key factor. A well placed track can really make or break a scene. Toradora and Mawaru Penguindrum both stand out to me for that reason.

As for the topic...I have a habit of coping with sad anime by inserting over-the-top shounen action heroes into them. Like Saitama fighting Titans, or Strawhats fighting Madoka witches. Don't judge me!!