I can't find an anime good enough for me since Ghost in the Shell.

[MammothBlade]

Serial Experiments Lain. Though it is less heavy on characterisation and more on cyberpunk themes.

 

[Kahunaburger]

You should check out the works of the late great Satoshi Kon.

 

[Jazoni89]

You should check out the works of the late great Satoshi Kon.

This, this, this...

Especially Perfect Blue, that shit is a masterpiece!

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

Elfen Lied, I really enjoyed the characters, plot and action.

Death Note, because come on, it's Death Note.

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

as much as i like Foster's, I can't get into MLP:FiM because I feel like I'd have to give up my man card. Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

Probably millions of people have turned in their man card to watch this show. C'mon, man, join the party.

 

[Freaky Lou]

Why hasn't anyone suggested Elfen Lied yet? It sounds pretty close to what OP is asking for.

EDIT: Ninja'd.

 

[MurderousToaster]

Why does nobody on this website ever mention Evangelion? And only one Cowboy Bebop mention at the time I wrote this? I am disappoint, Escapist. Also, FLCL, for something simultaneously mature and childishly upbeat. Just do it. And don't discount films, either - Akira is a classic for a reason (even if it is kind of incomprehensible).

I did try watching Death Note once and found it incredibly overhyped with fairly bland characters and shoehorned philosophical debate. Just my opinion, though.

 

[Durgiun]

I hear ''Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise'' is pretty good.

I also suggest Monster. A slow, but atmospheric and enjoyable anime about a doctor who's hunting a serial killer whom he (unknowingly) gave a second chance at life.

 

[Ultress]

Monster and Baccano! for reasons already mentioned. Also Time of Eve it is a bit on the short side(5 15 minutes Ovas and a 30 mintues finale) but it packs quite a bit in; which seems to be Yasuhiro Yoshiura specialty.It deals with aspects of human/android relationships and our treatment of androids.

Mawaru Penguin Drum:A bit of a mind screw series about 3 siblings and possibly revolutionizing the world.It's plot is a roller-coaster ride of awesome,starting out as a search for the mcguffin plot and slowly becomes a web of lies and intrigue around an terriost plot that happened around 10 years prior.It's currently airing at 21/24 episodes,so nows a good a time as any to catch up with it in time for the finale.

 

[The Abhorrent]

I need help. I can't seem to find an anime with near enough quality as Ghost in the Shell. I watched everything from the old movies to the tv shows, and I can't find anything even close to as good as it. Do any of you have suggestions? I prefer heavy intensive plot and character development, and I'm not really into the whole middle and high-school camp that seems to be everywhere.

Ghost in the Shell is generally considered one of the best anime films (and series), so very few are actually able to compare to it. Still, that doesn't necessarily means there's nothing better than it; several of the suggestions already are quite good (and some of them I really have to get around to watching).

---

Anyhow, I'm thinking the focus is on anime with a strong narrative, good character development, as well as a side of intellectual musings and/or generally thought-provoking (which usually means a bit of philosophy, but not necessarily). Here's a few quick suggestions:

Neon Genesis Evangelion
It should be noted that this is referring to the original series (and the follow-up film, The End of Evangelion), not the more recent Rebuild of Evangelion films (1.11 & 2.22). It's notoriously divisive, easily one of the best known examples of "love-it-or-hate-it" in any medium. However, it could be exactly what you might be looking for. The plot can be a bit straight-forward and generic at first (though exceptionally well-executed, to the point many people don't realize it actually can be called a Monster-of-the-Week series), but towards the end it becomes a brutal satire & deconstruction of the "mecha" genre as a whole (if not anime in general). The characters are much of the same; initially being fairly close to archetypes, but it soon becomes an analysis of the psychological issues associated with them. This is also why the series can be so divisive; there's a LOT of angst (justified for the situation, but more than a lot of people can tolerate), and quite often the heroes aren't exactly heroic. Anyhow, it's a ground-breaking series which has had a lot of influence on later works; that alone means it's almost certainly worth checking out.

Fullmetal Alchemist
Either the first anime series or Brotherhood (the latter being more faithful to the source material) will do here, but it's just a great series from the modern era. It can be a bit generic at times (Brotherhood in particular), but very well-executed throughout. For the most part, it's aimed at a younger audience; but at the same time it can be quite mature. Has a bit of a steam punk rather than a cyber punk (which would be GitS) vibe to it, but there are some similar themes there. To tell the truth, there isn't a lot which is special about this series... except for how well done it is.

Serial Experiments: Lain & Texhnolyze
Two series from the same studio, both with heavy themes of cyber punk and a hearty dose of mind-screw (which NGE above is also known for). Characters aren't quite as well developped as many other examples, but the focus is on how thought-provoking these series can be. Sometimes they can be a bit hard to understand what's going on, largely because the viewer cannot simply sit back and be entertained while watching these; you need to be engaged and thinking about the events on screen. Anyhow, very interesting just the same. I believe Ghost Hound is from the same studio, but I've yet to see that one myself.

Berserk
A bit out of left-field here, but an interesting series just the same. The plot & characterization are quite good (though the ending is a cliffhanger, cutting off at a major event; it should be noted that the source material is still on-going, which makes it fairly obvious why), but the series is moreso known for it's rather graphic depiction of violence. The parts the anime series covers is rife with political intrigue and interesting characters, making it worth checking out in my opinion.

Paranoia Agent
Thought-provoking (read: yet another mind screw), surreal, and interesting. From the late Satoshi Kon, a great series.

 

[aegix drakan_v1legacy]

Hmm...

I found Gundam 00 to be pretty freakin good. On one hand, it has a lot of brilliant plot points and some damn good politicking, and on the other, it has some really good action.

 

[plugav]

You should check out the works of the late great Satoshi Kon.

This.
Admittedly, I only know one of his works, Paprika, but it's got to be the best anime I've seen so far.

 

[Lilani]

I need help. I can't seem to find an anime with near enough quality as Ghost in the Shell. I watched everything from the old movies to the tv shows, and I can't find anything even close to as good as it. Do any of you have suggestions? I prefer heavy intensive plot and character development, and I'm not really into the whole middle and high-school camp that seems to be everywhere.

I highly recommend:

Cowboy Bebop
Toradora!
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

The main things I love about these shows are the characters. They aren't the typical anime archetypes, they act like just real people. They have flaws and unique quirks. Even if at first they seem like archetypes, they will later come back to surprise you. And the animation is all very beautiful--ESPECIALLY Bebop and Brotherhood.

Oh, and Durarara. Durarara has everything and pulls it all off flawlessly. And don't forget to watch episode 12.5.

 

[Max Smolaks]

I had a simmilar problem. Ghost in the Shell is just too good!
I would reccomend Darker than Black, especially the first season. Downbeat sci-fi with original characters and music by Yoko Kanno, the lady behind GitS soundtrack.
Also Cowboy Bebop. Again, sci-fi and music by Yoko Kanno.
My favorite anime of all time has to be both versions of Fullmetal Alchemist. Yes, it's about children. But there's buckets of phylosophy and the art is just superb. Give it a try, maybe you'll like it.
My latest discovery is Durarara! This one is all about the incredibly complicated story, set in the modern day Tokyo. Yes, it's children and there's a lady without a head, but sit through the first three episodes and you'll be hooked.
Other than that, there's Trigun, Hellsing and Welcome to the NHK.
It's definitely getting harder to find quality anime. After watching everything mentioned above, the likes of Soul Eater and D.Gray-Man just don't cut it anymore.

 

[mcdain]

Another vote for Cowboy Bebop here. The opening theme alone is enough reason to watch it.

 

[Jonluw]

Snip

Listen to this person.

I really recommend Clannad, but I know a lot of people can't get past the high-school setting, which is such a huge pity it makes me sad.
Steins; Gate is great.
FLCL, if you look past the childish wrapping.
You might like Elfen lied, although some people hate it with a passion.
You could watch Serial experiments lane if you want something really pretentious.
Cowboy bebop is fairly good.
Baccano is pretty awesome.
And Gurren Lagann is great, but I suppose your aversion to silly anime might keep you from appreciating it for what it is.
And I believe a second mention of Welcome to the NHK is in order.

Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

Oh, and don't listen to the people that say Death note is deep. It's well made and it's got a very engaging plot that sadly turns to shit in the last half, but it isn't something philosophical.

 

[tealc25]

I am saddened that no one has recommended Darker Than Black. Intensive plot and character development, it is all there.

 

[xXGeckoXx]

I'mma throw One Piece out there. It's art style is cartoonish, but it manages some intense drama.

I love one piece but it is clearly not what he is going after.

I for some reason could not watch Baccano! but I have heard good things so try that. I am currently watching Monster and that is very good.

Darker than black is my last recommendation withing your boundaries.

This may be a slight deviation but the three best non-seinen anime/manga are as follow all three are incredible and though they are nothing like ghost in the shell you should watch them:

Cowboy Bebop
Samurai Champloo
Rurouni Kenshin (manga)

Afternote:

snip

snip
Neon Genesis Evangelion
It should be noted that this is referring to the original series (and the follow-up film, The End of Evangelion), not the more recent Rebuild of Evangelion films (1.11 & 2.22). It's notoriously divisive, easily one of the best known examples of "love-it-or-hate-it" in any medium. However, it could be exactly what you might be looking for. The plot can be a bit straight-forward and generic at first (though exceptionally well-executed, to the point many people don't realize it actually can be called a Monster-of-the-Week series), but towards the end it becomes a brutal satire & deconstruction of the "mecha" genre as a whole (if not anime in general). The characters are much of the same; initially being fairly close to archetypes, but it soon becomes an analysis of the psychological issues associated with them. This is also why the series can be so divisive; there's a LOT of angst (justified for the situation, but more than a lot of people can tolerate), and quite often the heroes aren't exactly heroic. Anyhow, it's a ground-breaking series which has had a lot of influence on later works; that alone means it's almost certainly worth checking out.

snip

N.G.E is the only one I can vouch for here. I have mixed feelings for this, I can positively say that it is rather fantastic artistically (although it probably relies too much on angst) and its self questioning philosophies are very in line with ghost in the shell however the anime is hindered by an essence of what I could only call "media schizophrenia" it becomes slowly harder to understand and more and more vague. It is worth watching even if you come out of it with out much reverence for it it is an experience. It (along side FLCL) is the LSD of anime.

After afternote: It is a shame you won't be able to enjoy gurren lagann. If you enjoy samurai champloo and cowboy bebop you might be willing to make the jump to a more silly but enjoyable anime. So honourable mentions to gurren lagann.

 

[Tallim]

PlanetES, Ergo Proxy, Darker Than Black. In that order I should think. Not enough people watched Planetes, very sad, it's a hard sci-fi show and has really good characters.


Although original language is much better, don't think much of the dub, it's not awful but not great.