Anime Lover Needs The Next Step Up...UPDATED!

[Fensfield]

Bokurano.

That anime is truly brilliant in my opinion.. albeit pretty dark. But wonderful music and a really clever, subversive spin on the giant mecha genre.

And, well, that intro... wow.

 

[Ignatz_Zwakh]

Eureka Seven. Go watch it, NOW.

 

[Troublesome Lagomorph]

Spice and Wolf, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Cowboy Bebop, Baccano!, Bakemonogatari, Sword of the Stranger, Rourouni Kenshin (aka Samurai X), Trigun and Darker than Black are the ones that I'd recommend that aren't reference heavy.
[sup]*somehow managed to stop self from posting a wall of text.[/sup]

 

[shadyh8er]

I specialize in comedy animes, so the best ones I can think of are:

1) School Rumble: This puts a clever twist on the "love triangle" plotline. Basically it's 26 episodes of a girl trying to get the attention of a guy she likes, while another guy tries to do the same to said girl. It sounds repetitive, but it's always interesting to see just how badly the characters always screw up. Plus the opening credit sequence is really catchy!

2)Azumanga Daioh: I've seen this anime's influence in every high-school based anime I've seen after it. It follows a group of girls through all three years (remember, this is Japan) of high school. It proves that an anime can hold its own if the characters are solid.

(I admit, I'm a little hesitant to recommend this but here goes).

3) Lucky Star: I'm a little unsure about this one because it's definitely not for everyone. It's pretty slow-paced for a comedy, kind of like The Office (I'm not saying it's as funny as The Office mind you, I'm just saying it follows a similar style). Give it 5 episodes, and if you don't like it by then, skip it.

 

[Troublesome Lagomorph]

I specialize in comedy animes, so the best ones I can think of are:

1) School Rumble: This puts a clever twist on the "love triangle" plotline. Basically it's 26 episodes of a girl trying to get the attention of a guy she likes, while another guy tries to do the same to said girl. It sounds repetitive, but it's always interesting to see just how badly the characters always screw up. Plus the opening credit sequence is really catchy!

2)Azumanga Daioh: I've seen this anime's influence in every high-school based anime I've seen after it. It follows a group of girls through all three years (remember, this is Japan) of high school. It proves that an anime can hold its own if the characters are solid.

(I admit, I'm a little hesitant to recommend this but here goes).

3) Lucky Star: I'm a little unsure about this one because it's definitely not for everyone. It's pretty slow-paced for a comedy, kind of like The Office (I'm not saying it's as funny as The Office mind you, I'm just saying it follows a similar style). Give it 5 episodes, and if you don't like it by then, skip it.

All are good.
But don't you think they're... a little reference heavy for a new person?
[sup]it's why my list was so small... I stopped myself from posting stuff like Lucky Star and Azumga Daioh.[/sup]

 

[Jonny The Kay]

Baccano, Baccano, Baccano, Baccano, Baccano, Baccano, Baccano, Baccano, Code Geass R2

 

[ilion]

Ill say again LEGEND OF THE GALACTIC HEROES.

 

[BOXN]

Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni is very good, but the first season episodes (up to 17 i think) are the arcs known as the 'Question' arcs (it's based on a sound novel...so yeah), and Kai is canon, which answers everything and has the "good" ending.
Lucky Star is funny, and slow based like what shadyh8er said, and probably Cowboy Bebop. I wouldn't recommend Black Cat, since the manga is far better than the anime.

 

[AgDr_ODST]

I'd recommend Blue Drop, Inuyasha and Full Metal Alchemist

 

[shadyh8er]

I specialize in comedy animes, so the best ones I can think of are:

1) School Rumble: This puts a clever twist on the "love triangle" plotline. Basically it's 26 episodes of a girl trying to get the attention of a guy she likes, while another guy tries to do the same to said girl. It sounds repetitive, but it's always interesting to see just how badly the characters always screw up. Plus the opening credit sequence is really catchy!

2)Azumanga Daioh: I've seen this anime's influence in every high-school based anime I've seen after it. It follows a group of girls through all three years (remember, this is Japan) of high school. It proves that an anime can hold its own if the characters are solid.

(I admit, I'm a little hesitant to recommend this but here goes).

3) Lucky Star: I'm a little unsure about this one because it's definitely not for everyone. It's pretty slow-paced for a comedy, kind of like The Office (I'm not saying it's as funny as The Office mind you, I'm just saying it follows a similar style). Give it 5 episodes, and if you don't like it by then, skip it.

All are good.
But don't you think they're... a little reference heavy for a new person?
[sup]it's why my list was so small... I stopped myself from posting stuff like Lucky Star and Azumga Daioh.[/sup]

Lucky Star, yeah, School Rumble, a little bit, and I don't think Azumanga was really reference heavy. If there were references, then I missed them! lol.

 

[bartman675]

Excel saga
Chrono Crusade
Devil May Cry
Rave Master
Big O
Cowboy Bebop
and it is not really anime but Megas XlR is worth a watch

Final fantasy: advent children is the only good final fantasy movie, so try to avoid the other one

 

[ChromeAlchemist]

Now I've loved anime since well 2007ish when I started college and introduced . I've gone through some of the obvious titles, and not actually knowing much of the anime scene, want to know what I should move onto next. I'll list a few and see what you think I should try next in the general genre:

Death Note
Bleach
The Ghibli's - Cat Returns, Spiried Away, Howls
Black Lagoon
Afro Samurai
Halo Legends and the two Final Fantasy films

[sub]Don't worry about suggesting any obscure ones. My mate suggested Battle Vixens this morning. I'm going to search it no....OH MY GOD! Yeah why not...just won't show my girlfriend...who lives with me[/sub]

Okie dokie...

Samurai Champloo
Noir
Perfect Blue (Film)
Darker Than Black (Film)
Ninja Scroll (Film)
Sword Of The Stranger (Film)
Devil man 1 and 2 (Film)
Gundam Wing
Naruto

That's all from me. Everyone here is giving you pure gold, take a look and see what you think.

 

[wooty]

I'm nearly done on Higurashi no Naku Koro ni and all I can say is....wow. Very good anime, not sure why I always held off on getting it.

That is very good, but I wouldn't recommend the second series at all though.

Really? I'm halfway through it now, and very happy to be getting some answers at last as to whats going on. Nipah!

 

[Ildecia]

Speed Grapher
Hell Girl
Witchblade
Gunslinger Girls
Basilisk
Monster
Cyborg 009
Detective Conan
FLCL
Big O
Full Metal Alchemist
Full Metal Panic
Highlander movie (anime)

OH! Almost forgot. a show called Rurouni Kenshin. Thats awesome! So add that to the list: Rurouni Kenshin

I don't get why Rurouni Kenshin wasn't first on your list. before i get nuked, your list is fine and good, nothing needs replacing or omitting, its just that... how could you forget Rurouni Kenshin??? probably one of the BEST samuri/feudal japan/ass-kicking anime i've ever watched/read.

EDIT: post 600... woot.

 

[J.McMillen]

One of my favorite series was 'You're Under Arrest'. Probably because it's a little more grounded in reality (but not completely). The original series had 51 episodes + 1 special episode, a full movie, and one DVD with a bunch of 6 minute shorts. A second series has started, but the first DVD is the only one currently available (in the US).

 

[Troublesome Lagomorph]

I specialize in comedy animes, so the best ones I can think of are:

1) School Rumble: This puts a clever twist on the "love triangle" plotline. Basically it's 26 episodes of a girl trying to get the attention of a guy she likes, while another guy tries to do the same to said girl. It sounds repetitive, but it's always interesting to see just how badly the characters always screw up. Plus the opening credit sequence is really catchy!

2)Azumanga Daioh: I've seen this anime's influence in every high-school based anime I've seen after it. It follows a group of girls through all three years (remember, this is Japan) of high school. It proves that an anime can hold its own if the characters are solid.

(I admit, I'm a little hesitant to recommend this but here goes).

3) Lucky Star: I'm a little unsure about this one because it's definitely not for everyone. It's pretty slow-paced for a comedy, kind of like The Office (I'm not saying it's as funny as The Office mind you, I'm just saying it follows a similar style). Give it 5 episodes, and if you don't like it by then, skip it.

All are good.
But don't you think they're... a little reference heavy for a new person?
[sup]it's why my list was so small... I stopped myself from posting stuff like Lucky Star and Azumga Daioh.[/sup]

Lucky Star, yeah, School Rumble, a little bit, and I don't think Azumanga was really reference heavy. If there were references, then I missed them! lol.

You're likely right. I've only read School Rumble's manga and I have yet to see Azumanga.

 

[Ildecia]

Outlaw Star. I don't even like anime but Outlaw Star is a great show.

thank you. Outlaw star+ Rurouni Kenshin= my childhood, and that was back in the olden days of when toonami was good. good times... *sigh*