Anime Recommendations?

[Storm Dragon]

I'm looking for a new anime series to check out, and I was hoping someone here could point me towards something I'd like. I'm not interested in long-running Shonens like Bleach or Naruto, I prefer the standard 26-episode-long ones. I'm not big on the "Slice of Life" genre either, it's just not my thing. Also I'm more in the mood for a serious show than a comedic one right now.

 

[Xjin]

Attack on Titan.
Black Lagoon
Blue gender
mobile suit gundam 8th ms team(short, but damn good)
samurai champloo
Big O
berserk
Ghost in the Shell
Outlaw Star (Has a good dose of comedy, but still has a solid plot and good action. Sits in the middle- more so latter on if you discount the hotspring gag)
Buccano
Gunslinger Girls

And a lot more I'll post latter. I should be studying. And sleeping.

 

[dyre]

There's a lot of anime out there...do you have any further specific preferences?

If you haven't watched Cowboy Bebop, do that immediately. It's about 75% serious and 25% comedy, but more importantly it has some of the best writing and best characters in anime. I'd almost go so far as to say it doesn't belong in the medium (which is plagued by mediocrity).

If you have seen it, here are some other suggestions. I'm only a moderate anime watcher, so my list will probably be less robust than others.

Stuff I'd recommend:
Berserk (very good, well written, artwork has clearly aged though)
Black Lagoon (starts out pretty bad, becomes rather good. Suffers from two boring protagonists and a lot of pseudo-intellectual nonsense, but the side characters give this show a lot of charm. Watch dubs rather than subs for this one)
Code Geass (copious fanservice, a bad sequel series, okay writing. I don't think one could objectively call it a great anime but it's oddly likable and very enjoyable. Well-made entertainment)
Samurai Champloo (sort of like a slightly inferior version of Cowboy Bebop, made by the same people. Which is to say, it's still very good. Probably slightly more comedic than Cowboy Bebop)
Sword of the Stranger (a feature-length OVA, not a series, but I'll recommend it anyway. Well written, non-ridiculous story - rare in anime!- cool characters, lovely soundtrack, and by far the best combat scenes I've ever seen in the medium. A good example of what anime can achieve as a film style)

Stuff I wouldn't suggest:
Claymore (dull, one dimensional characters, incredibly whiny male protagonist, mediocre writing)
Hellsing OVA (holy shit, the story here is beyond moronic. Good production values but boring action)
Attack on Titan (well, this one's okay, but the pacing is really terrible and there's a bit too much whining for my tastes. The manga is lots better)

 

[Tanis]

MAL - MyAnimeList:
This will guide you to great things!


OT:
Vision of Escaflowne - Mecha, magic, drama, and fantasy.

Wolf's Rain - Drama, themfeels, and great art.

Cowboy Bebop - Classic series, mixes the drama with the comedy.

Turn-A Gundam - A little long at 50 episodes, but kind of great nonetheless.

Hellsing (OVA) - Series is okay, but OVA is better.

Berserk (series) - Decent, 18+, animation is a bit 'outdated'.

Berserk (Movies) - Follows the manga better, 18+, with solid animation.

Black Lagoon - Just a fun series that can go from 'heh' to 'omg wut'.

 

[StormShaun]

Another member with "Storm" in their name, it is indeed good to see it!
Other then my obligatory "Watch Clannad" choice, it is slice of life, but it can pretty but kill your heart from some of the scenes. A good romance, tragedy is what I would say.

Seemingly enough, not your thing, understandable. [sub][sub]seriously go watch it when you want to.[/sub][/sub]

BUT, more into your tastes. I have marked those that might be in your area with smaller text.

Hellsing Ultimate - Blood, supernatural and very large guns. Heck it is even rated R here in Australia. >.<
Cowboy Bebop - If you want more of the old and smooth anime which has good action!
Log Horizon - Like SAO except more character development (Well a bit more), fantasy world politics and world building!
Sword Art Online - Like Log Horizon except it is focused on mostly one character and his adventures in a world that can kill you ... also forced romance, bleh.
[sub]JoJo's Bizarre Adventure[/sub]- It has it's serious moments, but has it's "THIS SHIT IS SO SILLY IT IS AWEEEEEESOME AND BAAADASSS" moments, good if you like that over the top stuff.
[sub]Kill la Kill[/sub] - Speaking of over the top, this takes "Being serious" over the top. That should be enough ... might be too much comedy.
Baccano! - Baccano, a great gangster story with a good twist into the supernatural, sure it may have some comedy, but it is the comedy that fits right into the moment. Also it is a fun title to just say.
[Durarara!! - This anime ... man it has so many characters and conflicts that tie in, and it is done well!
[sub]Getbackers[/sub] - Okay this fits into the old section like Bebop over there smoking it's cigs, GetBackers is a personal favourite of mine, two foolish partners who has badass powers that pretty much blow up the show.
Deadman Wonderland - Basically more bloody flesh, except more horror like and a prison setting with a super power twist.
Another - An anime final destination that isn't stupid at all, has horror and made me cringe in horror.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - If you like action, powers and two strong brothers which one is a midget alchemist and one is a suit of armour, go watch it, highly recommend it!
Mirai Nikki - More horror except with supernatural phones and a bitchy protagonist with a stalking girlfriend. Fun. (Not bad for a early horror starter)
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - Another horror, wow, basically Groundhog Day meets mystery and craziness.



Uncertain stuff

This is uncertain stuff because I haven't watched it.

Steins;Gate - Time travel mindfuckery.
Gunslinger Girl - Little girls trained in the art of guns ... doesn't sound too bad when you imagine a 13 year old shooting a FAMAS.

That is all I have, hopefully you shall find what you want in this or other people's posts. ^_^

 

[Sniper Team 4]

I liked Shakugan no Shana. You might want to give that a try. However, unless you really love the show, I would say end it after the first season. Seasons 2 and 3 do not do justice to the first season in my opinion.

 

[Queen Michael]

Kino's Journey is great. It's about Kino, a traveller, who's travelling the world on a sentient motorcycle called Hermes. It's very philosophical, very serious[footnote]I can't recall a single joke in it[/footnote], and very beautiful when it comes to scenery and music. It's my favorite anime series of all time.

 

[Gigano]

These are all a few years old at the least, but I don't recall [http://myanimelist.net/animelist/Imperator_DK&show=0&order=4] any serious quality anime of late.

Baccano! [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/reviews/anime/6404-Anime-Review-Baccano]
Death Note [http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=1000]
Monster [http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=969]
Steins;Gate [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/steins-gate/episodes-1] (The game it's based on has recently been released in English though)
Spice & Wolf [http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=1055]
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/reviews/anime/6503-Anime-Review-Higurashi-When-They-Cry] (and Kai [http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=1397])
Kara no Kyoukai - The Garden of Sinners [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.304952-TYPE-MOON-Review-Anniversary-Kara-no-Kyoukai]
Grave of the Fireflies [http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=110]
Phantom - Phantom of Inferno [http://www.nihonreview.com/anime/phantom-requiem-for-the-phantom/]
Puella Magi Madoka Magica [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.275533-Puella-Magi-Madoka-Magica-Review]
Fate/Zero [http://www.lostinanime.com/2012/06/fatezero-series-review.html]
Usagi Drop [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/usagi-drop/episodes-1]

 

[gagagaga]

Maybe Mushi-shi? It's a pretty chill and sometimes melancholy show about a dude who goes around 1800s era Japan helping people out when nature spirits cause problems for them.

 

[V4Viewtiful]

Afro Samurai, Gantz, Shigurui, Moribito, Elfen Lied (If you want to feel sad)because no one mentioned them.

But things I think you must watch no matter what

Cowboy Bebop
Outlaw Star
Wolf's Rain
Vision of Escaflowne
Ghost in the Shell
The Big O
Samurai Champloo
Neon Genesis Evangelion (many may not like it think it's over rated or not good however it holds a place in anime history that must be observed)
Gun Grave
Trigun


Lupin III maybe, I love the series but rarely gets a look see. Watch the latest short series "The Woman Called Fujiko Mine"

 

[Story]

Yet another opportunity for me to recommend Princess Tutu to someone.
And so I'll do just that. Watch Princess Tutu. It's a nice twist on the Magical Girl genre and while it isn't as dark as Madoka Magica, it is still very fun to watch. It's my personal favorite anime.

Otherwise here are some not mentioned yet:
Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo: Love or hate it art style with a twist on the classic The Count of Monte Cristo. It works better if you aren't familiar with the plot of the book.

Paranoia Agent: A dark physiological tale centered around some very distraught characters, it has lots of wtf moments. I'll just recommend the other movies by Satoshi Kon too like Perfect Blue and Paprika. Op, I think you would like this one the most.

Welcome to the NHK: A bit on the comedic side and slice of life-ish, but I still recommend giving it a try. It is also currently on Netflix.

Ergo Proxy: Neat post apocalyptic anime, lots of philosophy...if you like that sort of thing.

Oh and Death Note...but I'm guessing you've already seen that.

Hm just a side question not directly towards the OP: Why is it that when ever these forums come up it is always the same 20 or 30 shows that are recommended? My picks aren't exactly inspired as well, but this is just something I've noticed.

 

[Mossberg Shotty]

I think the big one's have already been covered.

Attack on Titan, Deadman Wonderland, Elfen Lied and what have you.

Don't really have anything new to contribute, but I'd like to add an additional question. I just started one call Ergo Proxy. Does anyone know if it's good? I'd like to know before I commit.