Can't tell if your first list of examples arethings you like or not...
What's offensive about Maka? Her position whilst extreme is understandable, not that it's a healthy one. Her male role model failed her so she hates him. That's the most defining trait I can think of, so I don't know what's bad about it. My parents split when I was 7. They weren't even ever married. But they have both been married, just never to eachother. Remember, a series isn't trying to generalise, just bring out a possibility. So you shouldn't be offended. Although I am prbably missing your criticsm of her.
Hellsing's supposed to be awesome fun.
Haruhi is just slice of life trying to have a plot, and that adds novelty to the usual formula. I actually think the movie makes the philosophical side of it more interesting, but you'd have to suffer the second season to watch it.
Highschool of the Dead is an ecchi. I understand that it seems to degrade women, but they aren't pushing for a political statement here. It's basicaly a step short of porn, but with a plot, and it cna be enjoyed for that.
As for Higurashi, I'm probably in your boat. Doesnt stop it from possibly being good though. It just doesn't seem to be your thing.
The problem you seem to have, and the reason people might suspect you of hating anime, is that you seem to expect an attempt at something great and meaningful in everything, when somthings are just tyring to be fun. This is relatable to the haters because some claim they've tried to watch anime but "It's all ", which is untrue, but a stance people will default to when intimidated. A prime poblem with bringing anyone in is they have high hopes, thinking if tons of people enjoy something, they must enjoy it too for it to be really good, without considering variation for taste because they think of anime as a genre, so they expect it all to be the same. So when you introduce them to something, trying to show the best of the best, you can end up shooting yourself in the foot, and alienating someone, just because they'd prefer something else but don't know it exists, or you do actually show them something good, and they spend the rest of their time with anime disappointed, trying to relive their high
because you succeeded in showing them the best.
I just look for stuff and if I enjoy I watch it. I'm fairly good at accepting things as they are, and since they're are many different options I usually just move on. The reason fans need to overblow things and go "THIS IS GOOD" when it could be greatly opinionated is because they're tyring to stop people trudging through this every season, looking for something good:
A massive list of usually untranslated names with generic descriptions.
People often recommend things, saying they're good without saying WHY or what genre it is. However I am person that enjoys quite diverse things so I have no trouble jumping on trains and deciding for myself. I'm glad that you say you like anime, much for the same reasons I do. Just tyr not to be disappointed when something's hyped. Like others I say Death Note, because it usually works to demonstrate to people that anime can have a decent plot and can lack some annoying, commonly perceived tropes. It just introduces a concept, then goes along with it. If you watched Code Geass, you should have no trouble. Code geass is usually my follow up reocmmendation for people who liked Death Note. Death Note is Code Geass without the anime tropes liken highschool and robots. It also has what most perceive as a less redeemable main character. It works well to pose the quesiton of how black and white moral are etc. But don't be upset if you find it too pretentious, or overrated. Just learn from what you've and move onto to more that you enjoy. Don't listen claiming to have more informed opinions. I know this sounds up on a high horse, but they will help the idea that all anime is a certain thing and that can sting if you don't like it. Anyone trying to profess one thing over another MUST give a reason. As you can see, many people in this very thread have written off genres that they particularly don't like. The best critic doesn't just tell you what's good and bad. They say what is good and bad, and msot importantly, they tell you who will enjoy it. If you thought my summaries of series were too opinionated, ignore them. I try to be more objective and educational.
I can rant like this forever. I now feel like I should be hired to review anime...
