Remember what you're watching (Score 1)

When you're looking for anime, you should try to keep in mind that it typically plays first in Japan, and then in one of three forms: TV, movies, and original-run video series. I've heard enough complaints about "all that junk on TV" and "Hollywood movies are all the same crap" to think that maybe people might have a point. Japanese anime is the same way: it's TV and movies, for the most part, which means that while you'll find the occasional diamond in the rough, if you watch enough you'll eventually start seeing the same thing over and over again. Remember also that a lot of it is based around trying to sell toys to kids...do any of you have fond memories of G.I.Joe and Transformers? If so, you'll be seeing a lot of that again. That being said, there is, thankfully, a large variety of more mature material available...just don't start trying to convince yourself that anime is an entirely new form of media. Rather than simply give my list of faves, I'd like to list some development houses which do good work. If you see something you like, there's a good chance that you'll like other titles by the same studio/creator. Takahashi Rumiko: She's probably most famous for Ranma 1/2 and Maison Ikoku, although diehard fans probably know about Urusei Yatsura (LUM) as well. She's well known for making cute, romantic anime, but don't let that fool you: Mermaid's Forest and Mermaid's Scar can be rather disturbing. Otomo Katsuhiro: Best-known for Akira, although Roujin Z and Memories were also interesting. If I had to describe his animation style, the word "complex" comes to mind... Tezuka Osamu: The "father" of anime, you might know his work because you've seen Astroboy. His titles appeal primarily to children, although Dr. Slump is a notable exception to this...must watch this. Matsumoto Reiji: Possibly best known for Starblazers, everything I've seen from him seems to involve space travel. Galaxy Express 999 is simultaneously childlike and haunting. Shiro Masamune: Most famous for Ghost in the Shell, although Appleseed and Black Magic M-66 are also fairly well known. All of his anime revolve (loosely) around Cyberpunk genres. Miyazaki Hayao (Studio Ghibli): Probably Japan's most famous animator of the last 15 years, his films are legendary crowd pleasers of all ages. I personally love ALL of his work...what a shame that he has retired. Nausicaa, Laputa, Mononoke Hime...the list goes on. CLAMP: I love work from this studio primarily because I find the art extremely finely drawn. RG Veda is a short series which showcases their work and is easily found in North America. More recently, Card Captor Sakura seems to be on the verge of becoming the next Sailor Moon. Gainax: I suppose their most famous recent work is NG Evangelion. This studio is interesting in that all of their titles are fairly melodramatic, and usually have an interesting psychological element as well. Gunbuster and Nadia of the Mysterious Seas are older works by them. Oh well, I suppose that this has dragged on long enough...happy viewing.