So I'm about to get into Anime...

[Talaris]

anything labeled yaoi

LOL jk

Future Diary is finally getting a dub

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvC9cRAyJX8

Dammit, video not available in the UK. Mirai Nikki (a.k.a Future Diary) is one of my favourite shows, and I'll most definitely re-watch this series when the dub comes out, if the voice cast is up to par. Though I don't think hearing Yuno cry out "Yuuki!" in a crazed manner will be as effective. Whilst I'm on the subjection, has there been any news on the Mirai Nikki: Redial OVA that was the continue the ending? I read a while back it was to come out in June.

As it's been a while since recommended, I will throw Deadman Wonderland back in the ring. An action series set in a weird and corrupt prison, it has some of the best visuals and atmosphere I've seen for anime, with quite a dark and twisted narrative. Be warned, high levels of violence and gore (for recent anime at least).

 

[Cloudydays]

Accel World
Baccano!
Blood+
Blue Exorcist

Just a few to get you started with :3

 

[rob_simple]

Most of what I'd have suggested is already up, so I'll just throw Ghost Hunt into the mix. It's not sci-fi but it is a pretty solid show and pretty different from anything else I've seen; a bit too wacky at times but the actual horror aspect is done surprisingly well.

If you don't want to watch the whole series, they're broken up into several-episode-long story arcs, and I'd thoroughly recommend watching The Bloodstained Labyrinth arc that starts at episode 18 and concludes in 21. As far as horror in anime goes, it's one of the creepiest things I've seen; really, really well done.

 

[Lugbzurg]

Science Fiction Action? Astro Boy. The original TV run of Astro Boy began in 1963. It was the first animé TV series EVER. There was also a reboot from series creator Osamu Tezuka in 1980. Ten years ago (2003), a third generation came out as well. This would most likely be the one you'd enjoy the most.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfr-48LJ-yI

Martin Mystery
Canadian animé! I didn't see very much of this series back when it aired on Nicktoons, but I know it's science fiction! Something of a mix between Scooby-Doo and Ben 10 in a way, I suppose. It involves some dude, a girl, "and a caveman in a suit" solving supernatural mysteries with futuristic gadgetry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ETpe2qILJo

Soul Eater
It involves a high school run by the grim reaper who is training students to fight monsters called "Keishin". Students go out in duos as the "Meister" does the fighting, while their partner actually has the ability to transform into a weapon. Some can actually become multiple weapons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fviG6uUH9a0

Death Note
A high school student named "Light Yagami" stumbles upon a black notebook with "Death Note" written on the cover. Inside, it reads that if the name of any human is written in the notebook, that person will die. He passes it off as a joke, until out of sheer boredom, he tries it out on a criminal seen during a live news broadcast. The Death Note is real, and he plans to use it to kill all of the world's criminals. However, this isn't exactly legal. A detective known only as "L" is sent in to find the killer and both will go to great lengths to find the other and end him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGQAjAjsZNo

Disgaea
An angel goes to the Netherworld to assassinate a demon lord, but comes across his son instead. Both discover that the demon lord is already dead, so the son feels he's ready to take the vacant position, stepping into his father's role. But the angel is hoping to find some good in him and influence him with "the power of love" along the journey to the overlord castle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCUP87k4vy4

Durarara!!
This show is very... varied. It tends to shift a lot between genres, tones, and protagonists. Though, you still be seeing plenty of action from characters like the otherworldly Celty, the dangerously-strong-and-short-fused Shizuo, and a few others.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O9hRcIAza0

Kekkaishi
I never understood how this slipped past the radar. It involves two high school students who fight monsters known as "ayakashi" every night on their school grounds. The school sits on a piece of land that gives off a lot of energy that ayakashi are attracted to and it makes them stronger.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT0mDgj_Cqs

Rosario + Vampire
So, this one dude gets enrolled into a new school. With me so far? It should be normal, right? Well, it's not. And that's because his new school was actually intended for monsters. Most people would probably flee for their lives by this point. But he just met a nice vampire... and a succubus... and a witch... and a snow woman... uh oh. Also, expect several literal monster-of-the-week fights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xz9ptREQGo

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
Alchemy... The science of understanding deconstructing and reconstructing matter. However, it is not an all-powerful art. It is impossible to create something out of nothing. If someone wishes to obtain something, something of equal value must be given. But what could equal the value of a human soul?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uq34TeWEdQ

Dragon Ball Z
Ok, you MUST have heard this title at some point in your life. Pure shounen action. Although, there is a large amount of padding and it's over 30 years old. In which case, I might recommend the 2009 remake, Dragon Ball Z Kai. Not the Nicktoons version, though. If you get it on DVD or watch it online, that should get you the unedited, uncut version (not counting being dubbed in English, of course).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqrv1gf3NXU

Now, here's some animé I haven't seen just yet, but I might still be able to recommend from what I know.

11eyes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYTkJDhKcc4

Baccano!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUjqlVt6y2A

Black Lagoon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JJNgjYWndU

Future Diary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql0NtjXIv_s

Black Rock Shooter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPBUC1ZF6dE

Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPmWUiq1ec8

Date A Live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze6koVN5CYU

Guilty Crown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjUtmbZt8zc

Hayate the Combat Butler
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3IoMx3VffI

High School of the Dead
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqHeSaAIl4c

Shakugan no Shana
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3j4kg_b1ZE

Dream Eater Merry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zABhkgcXE7k

INVADE! Squid Girl! The Invader comes from the bottom of the sea!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hI3FymTz4Q

Attack on Titan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFDQuGX1JT0

 

[Dr. Cakey]

If I don't second something, I either didn't like it or didn't watch it. You'll have to guess which for yourself. Or, don't guess [http://myanimelist.net/animelist/DrCakey].

Sci-Fi, and Action:
Neon Genesis Evangelion*
Code Geass
Trigun
Darker than Black
Gurren Lagann*

Action, not Sci-Fi:
Fate/Zero
Fullmetal Alchemist/Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood (either one)
Baccano!
Meduka Meguca Madoka Magica
Soul Eater (sure, why not)
Claymore (sure, why not, once again)
Hellsing Ultimate (I don't think it's finished yet...)
Attack on Titan (currently airing)
Future Diary(aka Mirai Nikki)

Sci-Fi, not Action:
Steins;Gate
Psycho-Pass

None of the above:
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Death Note
Spice and Wolf
Durarara!!

*These shows don't seem like good starting places to me, however, they both got massive numbers of people into anime, so what do I know?

Not to hijack OP's awesome thread, but I feel like this would be a good time to ask. I'm just about to finish Darker Than Black as my first anime (thanks to Fappy for indirectly recommending it to me), and I really like it. Which anime would be a good one to watch next that's similar to DTB?

Hm...Trigun might be what you're looking for, actually. Other than that, you might try Psycho-Pass, Baccano!, or Durarara!!, which are each similar to DtB in completely different ways. Oh, and Madoka Magica, because that's my answer to everything. I'm experimenting with its uses as a cure for cancer.

 

[Lovely Mixture]

Most suggestions in this thread have been good.

However, on Madoka Magica, It is indeed a good show (I rank it in my top ten, I've been a big fan of the studio, writer, and director)). But using it as a first time show is problematic because it's based in the magical girl genre of anime with significant differences (no, I'm not gonna say deconstruction because that term is unnecessary).

So while you will likely still enjoy it, you might not grasp the tropes that it's trying to showcase and change up. Before watching Madoka I'd recommend watching Nanoha S1, any of the Precure series, or a bit of Sailor Moon.

Also I have to strongly express my extreme dislike of Sword Art Online. That show is literally the worst anime I have ever forced myself to watch. But if you enjoy it, that's fine. Accel World is acceptable though, it's silly but it at least makes sense as a story.

 

[dscross]

My fav is Neon Genesis Evangelion by quite a long way. The ending is v controversial though, although I enjoyed it.

If you want a break from your actiony sci fi trip though take a look at some Hayao Miyazaki films. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away are fun.

 

[The Consequence]

Blue Gender

 

[sb666]

I recommend: Cowboy Bebob, Samurai Champloo, Monster and Mushi-shi.

 

[Ocelano]

I guess A Certain Magical Index is a good sci-fi action show worth watching if you're just getting into the medium.
Not very Sci-fi but plenty of action there is Fate/Zero.
If you like jazz there's Cowboy Bebop, because someone will say it eventually, but it's nowhere near as good as most people would make it out to be. Trigun is slightly better in the same regard and also worth a watch.
Sword Art Online and Accel World are shows I recommend here often since they're set in video games of the not so distant and distant future. Regardless of people bitching about them because of wasted potential, they are both actually better than people would make you believe.

If you're going to reccomend trigun perhaps a good jumping in point would be the movie? minimal problems from spoilers one character who is introduced halfway through the series but again not even anything about him that isn't revealed early on in his arc.

For my own recommendation I know this is a little off genre but perhaps Clannad? the box descriptor made me cringe but I ended up loving this series

 

[Dr. Cakey]

Most suggestions in this thread have been good.

However, on Madoka Magica, It is indeed a good show (I rank it in my top ten, I've been a big fan of the studio, writer, and director)). But using it as a first time show is problematic because it's based in the magical girl genre of anime with significant differences (no, I'm not gonna say deconstruction because that term is unnecessary).

So while you will likely still enjoy it, you might not grasp the tropes that it's trying to showcase and change up. Before watching Madoka I'd recommend watching Nanoha S1, any of the Precure series, or a bit of Sailor Moon.

Also I have to strongly express my extreme dislike of Sword Art Online. That show is literally the worst anime I have ever forced myself to watch. But if you enjoy it, that's fine. Accel World is acceptable though, it's silly but it at least makes sense as a story.

Thank you for saying that about SAO. I would have, but I didn't want to be That Guy. Which makes you That Guy, but...

As for Meduca Meguca, I'm of two minds. On the one hand what you say sounds correct. On the other hand, all you really need is to have heard of Sailor Moon before.

If you're going to reccomend trigun perhaps a good jumping in point would be the movie? minimal problems from spoilers one character who is introduced halfway through the series but again not even anything about him that isn't revealed early on in his arc.

Wouldn't a good jumping-in point be, I don't know...episode one? That seems like a logical place to start to me.

 

[Odbarc]

Berserk - Reason? Wicked story, awesome action. Too expensive to produce a second season so I don't think we'll ever see one. (Kickstarter should be made for this)

Dragon ball Z - A classic. Go with Dragon Ball Kai for the improved visuals and cut out filler.

Death Note, season 1. - Epic story, cliff hanger endings in each episode, very interested psychologically.

 

[Jarlaxl]

As long as there are a pile of anime fans gathered in one place: why anime?

I mean, I do like a few animes I've caught on Toonami (Fullmetal Alchemist, Cowboy Bebop, and Trigun come to mind), but I like them independent of their being an anime. My roommate watches a lot of anime, and I've caught some of what he watches - right now he's watching (all subbed) Attack on Titan, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, The Devil Is a Part-Timer!, and Gin Tama - and I just can't get into it.

So, besides the simple "you're just not that into it," why do you watch anime over other things?

 

[krugerrand123]

I don't think I saw anyone recommend Full metal panic yet. It is about a soldier assigned to protect a high schooler, but has plenty of action with mechs. Also, I found gunslinger girls to be very good, its about the Italian government converting orphan girls into cyborg assassins. Both shows are well worth the watch.

 

[Lugbzurg]

Death Note, season 1. - Epic story, cliff hanger endings in each episode, very interested psychologically.

To this day, I've never understood all the hate for those last few episodes. The closest thing to a reason I've heard is the outright lie that the cat-and-mouse games end, when they flat-out increase!

As long as there are a pile of anime fans gathered in one place: why anime?

Because the original poster is unfamiliar with it and wants some recommendations.

Recommendations like Higurashi: When They Cry? 'Cause, That's what I'm watching right now.

 

[Dr. Cakey]

As long as there are a pile of anime fans gathered in one place: why anime?

I mean, I do like a few animes I've caught on Toonami (Fullmetal Alchemist, Cowboy Bebop, and Trigun come to mind), but I like them independent of their being an anime. My roommate watches a lot of anime, and I've caught some of what he watches - right now he's watching (all subbed) Attack on Titan, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, The Devil Is a Part-Timer!, and Gin Tama - and I just can't get into it.

So, besides the simple "you're just not that into it," why do you watch anime over other things?

Hrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrm...

Well, I'll pick out one thing you said: "but I like them independent of their being an anime". I don't like all anime. I mean, I didn't like Kite, or Witchblade, or Daughters of Mnemosyne, or Rosario+Vampire, or Black Rock Shooter, or Eden of the East, or Sword Art Online, or...actually, I'm going to stop here, because the more shows I list, the more likely it is I'm going to upset someone. I mean, I assume you already know this, but our quality filters don't just turn off because it's anime. At least not for most some a few of us.

Maybe it's the difference between "I liked that, that was good" and moving on, and "I liked that, that was good, I wonder if there's anything else like that"?

There are also people who like anime because they are terrible and watch terrible things and should feel terrible about it.

 

[Xhoyl]

Hmm...action-y? Well, I got one, but it's not very sci-fi though. It's more modern-esque with some futuristic tech. But nonetheless, it's widely considered one of the best anime ever made. Code Geass. Just...just watch it. Trying to explain it will only waste my time. First 4 episodes, and you will be hooked. And before any contends my choice for favorite anime ever...*nahnahnahnahnahcanthearyounahnahnahnahnah*

Edit: Yes, I've read through the comments and some people do suggest it. But no one seems to love it as much as I do and I'm afraid I must insist.

Also, to the guy who called it campy...what? At best you may be referring to the more humorous episodes, but even so. The ending (and a few other points) literally make me cry every time I watch it. It's one of the most genius ends to a character arc and plot ever conceived in anime. And once again, if you want to contend with my opinion...well, you know the drill.

 

[Keiichi Morisato]

Boku No Piku