I was actually about to make a posting very similar to this, so I decided to offer up my thoughts on some of the series Ive encountered that were mentioned (and some that were not).
Well, this is going to be a long post... Lets get into it.
1. Bleach
HUH!?!?!?!? STFU!
Im sorry to be so disrespectful here, really I am, but to say that Bleach and Bebop/Champloo are even REMOTELY equal is complete *beep*
Ive seen Bleach, and it simply doesnt stack up to either of the previously mentioned in any way - the charactesr are bland, the stories arent very compelling and the episodic nature (of Bleach) results in unneccessary padding of almost every episode. As mentioned before, theres alot of fan service and, from my perspective, a huge amount of effort-to-create-characters-everyone-can-relate to... which essentially means you end up with a 200 character cast, none of whom are very well developed.
Straight up, Bleach is little better than Inuyasha... Infact, after my experience with both, Id say Inuyasha is alot better than Bleach; although thats like saying getting punched in the jaw is better than being kicked in the balls.
Both are episodic 'meh'-fests that cant manage to get a battle finished in one episode. If you want the feel of Bleach, just watch DBZ - its WAY better, its all available (I HAATE waiting for new episodes to air), and maintains the same kind of feel.
If you really believe Bleach and Bebop/Champloo are on even grounds, thats your opinion - and its my opinion that you have some SERIOUS deficiencies in terms of taste.
2. Black Lagoon
I havent watched much of it, but I have heard good things from people I trust to have good taste.
3. Full Metal Alchemist
The first FMA series (including the movie) is one anime that I simultaneously recommend and lament becoming interested in - the story and characters are some of the most compelling and downright ... 'brutal' that Ive ever encountered in ANY storytelling medium. Unfortunately, (I wont ruin it, but) the ending - of both the series and movie - are somewhat perplexing; or downright aggrivating, depending on your outlook.
The new series FMA: Brotherhood, a manga adaptation, doesnt really do it for me - its heavily manga-ized and (though I think this was conscious on the creators part) feels watered down. Theres alot more comedy in the new series (though, tbh, the first series had alot too - and it did it much better), and at least one of the changes in character voice has really done a number on my enjoyment factor.
Overall, I would highly recommend the first series/movie - and suggest holding off on the new series until it gets alittle further in... Then again, I only watch dubbed anime, so thats just me - the english dub of brotherhood is only available up to about ep9/10, due to Adult Swim having the rights to the dubbed version.
4. Hellsing
I know at least one person I trust (in terms of taste) that absolutely loves Hellsing; but personally, I just couldnt get into it.
Vampires arent really my thing though - especially not a snide douche-bag japan-version of *SPOILERS* Dracula - and my experiences with Blood+ turned me off japanese vampires for good.
*EDIT* Coming back to think on it, I cant say all Japanese Vampires piss me off - Vampire Hunter D (and the sequel) are pretty badass movies; and D is as far from the over-confident, snide-remarking douche-bag vampire as you can get - silent, deadly and oh-so badass.
*Note: What do I mean by 'japanese-version' above?
In my experience with (especially recent) anime, alot of it bears a protagonist whose primary ability of interest is being a 'planner' - for examples, take a look at Death Note or Code Gaes - and these sort of narcissistic dues-ex-over-confident characters (the sort that spend half the episode explaining how awesome they and/or their plans are) are almost never the kind that I enjoy watching. While Hellsing's main character isnt so much a 'planner', he does retain such a MASSIVE dose of narcissism that I had trouble relating to him in the least; to the point where you (or I, at least) eventually end up disliking him enough to actually want to see him get his ass kicked.
5. While Im there.... Blood+
Avoid at all costs. Do not watch, do not investigate - if you see the opening sequence starting, just run.
6. Berserk
Again, one I havent watched much of, but have heard good things. Ive seen a few scenes, but the animation is abit "old school" (reminds me of the 80's anime series; which I cant enjoy due to - comparatively - poor animation techniques). Reminded me alot of Ninja Scroll, for some reason.
7. Outlaw Star
A decent series, though definitely not on par with Champloo or Bebop. Close though.
Another candidate for the 'Our Endings Suck' anime trend; but well worth the watch. However, certain aspects of the series (namely, the style of spaceship combat) can at times get to be alittle too close to seizure-inducing confusion.
Definitely worth the watch though.
8. FLCL
If you havent seen this yet, go watch it right now; Ill wait....
Done? Good. Now pat yourself on the back - youve just watched probably the best embodiment of what I look for in 'good' anime that has ever been made.
It pokes fun at itself - at its entire genre - which is refreshing, and the characters are all pretty enjoyable.
The story - though confined to a mere 6 episodes - is better than most anime that run over 20 episodes, albeit abit schizophrenic at times, and its battle sequences are way better than any youll see on crap-shoots like Bleach.
Unquestionably worth the watch.
Also: The eyebrows make the man >;D
9. Trigun
Where do I begin? Trigun is one of my top 3 anime, right alongside Champloo and Bebop.
This show is so mind-bogglingly awesome, words fail to describe it.
The main character - all the characters infact - are some of the funniest, most compelling that youll find in anime... No, that youll find ANYWHERE in the media today. It backflips over the line between serious drama and slapstick comedy like a dolphin trying to bite its own tail.
The only downside? The ending, oh God, the ending.
Its epic. Its awesome. And it ends just before the point where going further would have made viewers crap themselves (literally) with glee.
Three words: Millie. and. Knives.
That alone could have been an anime series, despite us never seeing it.
Watch it, all of it, now. Do it! NOW! GO!!!
10. Adult Swim Yawn-fests
This includes Wolf's Rain, Code Geas, Big O, Ghost in the Shell, Morbito, Death Note, Paranoia Agent, s-CRY-ed and Trinity Blood; among others.
From my experience, none of these are very good or very compelling. Steer clear.
Note: I was hesitant to include Ghost in the Shell here, but really, theres no series better described as a 'yawn-fest': theres SO MUCH (relatively) unimportant dialogue in that show, that I couldnt remain interested for more than 10-15 minutes before seriously getting bored. If youre into technology, (which Im really not) and/or crime dramas (which Im really not), then you might really love this show.
11. Eureka Seven
This series will, to many, be so GOD DAMNED HAPPY-GO-LUCKY that it will turn you off. Personally, I found the well-rounded cast, interesting story and the addition of (WELL ANIMATED! :o) mecha battles to be seriously enjoyable - so much so, that you can almost ignore the childish 'romance' between the two main characters.
Worth a try; but dont expect to be wow-ed unless it touches a soft spot - like it did for me.
Note/Spoiler: If you can make it through the episode where Eureka and Renton are reunited without a tear in your eyes, you are a stronger man than I... Only time anime has ever made me tear up in sheer joy.
*sheds manly tear at the mere memory of that scene*
12. Tenchi Muyo (OVA and Tenchi Universe)
I dont know why, but I really enjoyed this. Albeit, that was when I was quite abit younger; so dont expect a mind-blow.
This is a combination crazy-space-drama and harem-fantasy anime, and its pretty much the only one of its kind that I enjoyed. All the girls are relatively interesting, the story is quite enthralling (so much so that, years later, a second series was released to tie up loose ends) and overall it can be quite cathartic to watch.
The first series is the one that was continued later on, and easily the best of several 'alternate universe' series that came about after; though the second series (Tenchi Universe) has a few episodes - such as Ryoko's assault on an entire *beep* planet and *spoilers* her apparent death in the process - that are pretty damn epic.
An old favorite of mine from when I was younger - so take what Ive said with a pinch of salt.
13. Blue Gender
This show is pretty crazy, and has alot of sex. No, really, theres people knockin-boots all over the place in this show!
But thats not really the focus, which is instead taken up by an Earth that was taken over by big bug-like alien creatures called 'the Blue'. Humanity has - for the most part at least - fled onto a massive space station, and now launch sorties (in big mecha) to the planet to recover resources and try to find a way to re-take the planet.
A decent series, but can be rather slow at times; if my memory serves (its been at least a year since I watched this series).
14. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Watch this. You may not like it at first, but just hang in there. I have yet to have met someone that couldnt get SOMETHING out of this series. It wont make ANY sense the first time through, but watch it anyway.
If you havent gone insane as a result of the later episodes - a real possibility - check out the movie. If you havent gone completely *beep* insane by now - a SERIOUS possibility after the movie - check out the new movies that have been coming out in theaters over the last few years; which are a reimagining (to some degree) of the initial story.
FYI - This series can be painful to watch at times, especially with regards to (poor, poor) Asuka; but the combat, the mecha, the monsters, the characters and the story are EASILY worth losing a few points of sanity to watch. Definitely NOT for kids though.
Hope it helps.
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