**** = great show!
*** = pretty good show
** = okay show
Fushigi Yuugi (Mysterious Play) *****
15 year-old Miaka and her friend Yui find a book in the library that transports them to another world, (either actually or similar to ancient China) where they become separated. Miaka learns she is the Suzaku no Miko (priestess of Suzaku) and must gather the Seven Suzaku Seishi to summon Suzaku, who will grant her a wish. The Seishi are cute!!! Complicated, 52 episode series. Worth watching.
Tenkuu no Escaflowne (Escaflowne of the Skies) *****
Hitomi, high school (?) girl, meets a boy from another world, Gaia, who takes her to the other world with him accidentally. Van Fanel (the boy) is actually a prince of this fantasy-like world where nobles fight each other by climbing into mecha, of which Escaflowne is Van's. Also is Allen, Knight and Merulu, cat-girl. Shorter series. Fantastic plot!!!
Marmalade Boy ****
Schoolgirl Miki's parents want to divorce and remarry this other couple they met. The other couple has a son, called Yuu, who's really cute but kind of strange - loves to tease Miki. All six live together. Lots more characters than this, with long and comples storyline. 76 episode series.
Rurouni Kenshin (Wanderer Kenshin) ****
Story about a former Samurai after Samurais were outlawed. Very historical, but also very funny. Kenshin is a clown when he's not fighting, and spooky when he is. He carries a sword with the edge reversed so it's difficult to land a killing blow (which is the only reason he's allowed to keep it). Basically, he's just cool. The story arcs grow a tad repetitive after a while, though.
Neon Genesis Evangelion *****
Schoolboy Shinji is main character in this postapocalyptic world where the bad guys are alien like things called Angels that cause mass destruction and can be fought only by the Evangelion, which are big robot mechas, controlled by Shinji and a few other children like him. (age 14). Highly technical, complex sci-fi plot. Subtitled generally has three to four lines on screen at a time, so not for slow readers. 18? episodes.
Tenchi Muyo ***
Tenchi is a guy minding his own business when gorgeous female aliens invade his home and use it to fight each other. After the smoke clears, Ryoko and Ayeka both decide they want Tenchi. Kind of ditzy, but a funny series. Haven't seen very much, so I can't say much.
Here is Greenwood ****
Very strange series about a guy who goes away to school, where his roommate looks like a girl and his best friends tease him unmercifully. You kind of have to see it to understand.
Vampire Princess Miyu ***
She's a vampire. There's a human witch on her trail, but we’re not sure if Miyu is really a bad guy. This story delves into the wealth of Japanese ghosts, very cultural. Somewhat gruesome in parts. Way spooky in others.
Ushio and Tora ****
Ushio uncovers a demon in the Temple he and his father tend. The demon looks like a tiger, thus is called Tora (which means tiger). It's about to kill Ushio when he stops it with this spiffy magic spear. The spear is the only thing that keeps the demon at bay, so Ushio must always carry it. Funny series.
Record of the Lodoss War ****
Beautiful miniseries about a world about to be torn by conflict. Main characters are Parn, the young warrior trying to follow in his father's footsteps, and Deedlit, an elf girl. This has an almost Tolkein like air to it, very Western. And very good! Some classic moments of anime.
Studio Ghibli (Miyazaki's works)
Nausicca of the Valley of the Winds ****
Postapocalyptic tale of a princess in a world being swallowed by poisonous dust, with giant bugs called Ohmu. Story is well done, with interesting vehicles.
Princess Mononoke *****
GO SEE THIS!!! A boy warrior goes in search of help and finds a war between the gods of the forest and the humans of Iron Town. Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous and that's just the plot! The animation is equally wonderful. It has been released in American theaters.
My Neighbor Totoro *****
Children's story, but you'll love it. Two kids move in with their father to a new house in the country, and find a very odd, magical neighbor.
My Neighbors the Yamadas ****
It’s Ghibli. A story about a family, and their life together. Very sweet, very well done.
Laputa ****
It's a beautiful story about a girl who can fly, thanks to a special rock. And of course, there's a floating castle. Certain characters are hilarious; it’s well worth going out and finding.
Kiki's Delivery Service ****
Story about a witch girl who strikes out in the world with her broom, her cat, and her courage. Another wonderful tale.
Lupin III ****
Crazy crazy crazy. Japanese version of James Bond, with a healthy dose of absurdity for your viewing pleasure.
~End Ghibli.
Clamp (group of animators and story writers, all women- I think)
RG Veda ****
Fantastic animation, beautiful beyond belief. Must have been a lot of work, which I suppose is why it's so short. I forget what it's about. ^_^ The art is the best part.
X
Takes place in 1999. End of the world as we know it, thanks to this one mysterious guy. Don't know much, just love the artwork.
Magic Knights Rayearth ****
Children's show with lots of spiffy colors and magic flying every which way. Three school girls end up on another world where they get neat weapons and have to fight big bad guys. It's Clamp, of course it's good.
Hamelin the Violinist ****
It's Clamp. Therefore, it's stunning. Visually, anyway. There is a music theme (figure that).
Card Captor Sakura ****
Very cute show about a fourth grade girl who has to recapture a deck of mysterious cards, one by one. Of course, they fight back. She has a cute talking stuffed animal (Kero-chan!) and her film-making, costume-designing best friend Tomoyo to help her.
~End Clamp.
El Hazard ****
Boy travels to another world and is mistaken for the princess, who is missing. He has to dress up like her and take her place on a journey so that in exchange they might send him home. Or something like that. This series spoofs a lot of other anime shows.
Ghost in the Shell, Appleseed, Dominion Tank Police (Masamune Shirow) ****
Don't know how much of his work has been animated. It's all kind of weird, but very sci-fi ideas that get you thinking. Plus a good time.
Sohryuden *****
Hard to find series that is SO COOL!!! The four Ryudo brothers are being mysteriously hunted by what look like authorities, or else goons. But the brothers have special powers, and it looks like maybe they're becoming dragons . . . (haven't seen much) WANNA SEE MORE! ...sorry. don't mind me.
Detective Conan ***
Teenage detective what's-his-name is unbeatable. That is, until bad guys force a experimental liquid down his throat that turns him into a little kid. Then he has to pretend to be someone else in front of everyone he knows, including the girl he's interested in. So since he's a fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, he becomes Detective Conan.
Ah Megami-sama! (Oh My Goddess!) ***
Boy calls out for pizza, dials the wrong number, and gets the Goddess Help Hotline. Now he has a goddess, Belldandy to be exact, following him around. Of course, she may be nice, but she has sisters who don't feel so obligated.
Iria (there's more to this name, damned if I know it!) **
Young woman in futuristic world is a bounty hunter. And she has adventures.
Kimagure Orange Road ***
Boy with special powers moves to new town and meets some intriguing people. Like Madoka, a girl who is simultaneously tough and romantic. Interesting series.
Gundam Wing ****
Five fifteen year-old boys are chosen to save the space colonies from destruction by a tyrannical Earth government. Great if you love mechs, and very incredibly good if you love philosophy about war and the nature of humanity. 'Cause they go into that a lot.
Kodoma no Omocha (Kodocha) ****
If you've seen Marmalade Boy, you'll love this. If you haven't seen Marmalade Boy, you'll love this. It's been described as "Marmalade Boy on speed". Fast paced show about a girl in grade school who happens to be the star of a tv show. Hilarious.
Green Legend Ran ***
A boy, living in a post-apocalyptic world, meets a girl with silver hair. Of course strange things happen. What do you expect from a girl with silver hair? Though to be honest, most of it isn’t her fault.
Arslan/Heroic Legend of Arislan **
I think it's a good series. It was hard to tell through the bad subbing followed by the bad dubbing. Damn suppliers. It had lots of pretty faces... anyway, a prince has to reclaim his kingdom, and he's got a lot of trouble in the way.
Lain
Um. I feel like I stepped into somebody else's drug trip. Very very very weird series. It makes the end of Evangelion look like a Ghibli film. It's very weird (did I mention that?) I'd love to say what it's about, but I'm not sure. Eep.
Devil Hunter Yohko **
It's almost on the order of Sailor Moon. I mean this not in a good way. But there are some cool parts. Yes, it's about a girl who defeats devils by ripping her clothes off and having new, fancier clothes magically appear. Mm-hm.
Galaxy Express 999 ****
Old. But good. Boy gets on a train that takes him on a journey through the galaxy. THINGS happen on this journey. Hey, much more than that would give the plot away.
Irresponsible Captain Tylor **
I have nothing particularly nice to say about this show, but I'll try. Lessee. Irresponsible boy goes to space and becomes captain of a ship, but remains irresponsible. There.
Run Melos ***
It’s probably pretty hard to find, but it’s definitely worth it. It takes place in the ancient Mediterranean, and deals with friendship and trust.
Key the Metal Idol ****
What do you do when you're a robot and you need 30,000 people to love you in order for you to become human? Well, you get a couple friends.
Mint na Bokura ****
Not even sure this has made it to animation, but the manga is great! Made by the people who did Kodocha and Marmalade Boy. It's about a boy who has to dress like a girl so he can go to the same school as his twin sister.
Takahashi Rumiko
Ranma 1/2 ***
Boy turns into girl when you get him wet. Has fiancee Akane.
Martial arts comedy. Whole bloody lot of episodes.
Fire Tripper ***
Time travel is a spooky thing.
Laughing Target ***
Beware the little ghosts that feed on dark emotions.
Mermaid's Scar **
Immortality really is overrated. End Rumiko
Battle Ship Nadesico ***
It's a little silly, but if you like silly, you'll like this. Another series that takes place in space and involves big space ships, big guns, big mechs, and cute girls.
Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne **
Speaking of cute girls. This story involves a cute girl running around at night in disguise destroying evil monsters that have possessed people.
Please Save My Earth ****
Again, I think I've only seen the movies... but I could be totally wrong. I saw something. Anyway, a couple teenagers discover that they are the reincarnations of aliens who died on the Moon trying to protect the Earth. Of course, there are complications.
There's so much more, like Slayers and Bakuretsu Hunters and Blue Seed . . . but I haven't seen 'em yet!