Favourite/recommended Manga/Anime

[Xiahou]

Second part, The Innocence, is a good example on how to exceed something that is already excellent. Has a great Blade Runner feel, nice soundtrack. I recommend it.

I guess Ill add that to my netflix cue.

As a side note, I heard that both movies were pretty much total flops when released in Japan and the second was made with the US market in mind, since the first did so well here. Know if that's true?

[Kanamori]

As previously mentioned, Cowboy Bebop is really good, I love the style. Also, I'm a fan of Neon Genisis Evangelion, Boogie Pop Phantom, and Serial Experiments Lain. I also love the color styling in the two former animes. At times though, it seems the plot is just complex for complexity's sake.

[Byzantine Prince]

I guess Ill add that to my netflix cue.

As a side note, I heard that both movies were pretty much total flops when released in Japan and the second was made with the US market in mind, since the first did so well here. Know if that's true?

Those movies were huge in Japan. The Innosense one was crap too, and it still did very well there.

[Kagemusha]

One very good Scifi Anime i saw reacently was Appleseed 2.I recommend.

[Duke Malcolm]

I have enjoyed Cowboy Bebop; Trigun; and something Nadesko (sp) (can't remember the full name, but it about a fancy spaceship called Nadesko...)

[AntiochusIII]

Cowboy Bebop will always have a special place in everyone's heart. Do not hesitate to watch it, and haters be damned.

For weird, but absolutely awesome, FLCL. That piece was...artistically wild.

For those of high taste, I suggest Gankutsuou, a futuristic reinterpretation of Alexandre Dumas' classic, The Count of Monte Cristo. A classic-to be, and one of the most imaginative risks that anime directors have taken in quite a few years.

Since you already have all the Miyazaki, I don't feel the need to recommend those world-class pieces to you. Remember, however, that Tonari no Totoro is the only anime in existence that is scientifically proven to heal Aids and every other ailments that ever existed to plague humanity. Highly recommended for world leaders who desired to dominate the world and launched Jihad/Crusade/Inquisition, after watching it, I'm sure they would rather hug their friends and families and the heretics and infidels than conquer the world.

For shoujo fans (none? here? Well, I shouldn't be surprised, this is a male-dominated forum), Fruit Basket is an easy-to-reach, mainstream, and wonderful cross-genre one. But the epitome of true shoujo, however, would be Kaleido Star. Highly recommended for those who do not feel the need to display their macho capabilities everyday.

I'm not one of the mainstream, long-running crap. [Propaganda Mode, Warning]For those who like Inuyasha, Naruto, even Bleach (which is quite good), try the real anime and forget those mainstream crap![/Propaganda]

For slick action and the Japanese interpretation of rap, and the younger sibling of Cowboy Bebop, go Samurai Champloo. Way better than any Hollywood actions out there.

For the masterpiece of anime, however, Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal, or, as it was originally known, Rorouni Kenshin, the OVA (1st one), is the masterpiece, available on DVD.

For artistic supremacy and sci-fi in action (and, of course, good action), the complex GiTS:Stand Alone Complex, and its second season GiG2, are brilliant and available on Adult Swim.

There are much more brilliant anime out there, but I'd think I should stop now.

I'd not recommend hentai, however, as it is generally known to be perverted, sick, and of very low quality. You do not watch anime at its best when watch hentai, but its most perverted and least appealing. Bondage, rape, and other sick activities that would've made Marquis de Sade proud abound. Stay away for your own sanity.

And I'd not recommend Pokemon, One Piece, and such to anyone, either.

And oh, how can I forget! Neon Genesis Evangelion is the most controversial and arguably the most influential anime out there. Look for the Platinum Version, it's worth it. Oh yes, and Fullmetal Alchemist. You might have to stand the shame of watching the same show as those 13-years-old idiots whose motto is Edward Elric, but the show is very, very good--a classic to-be, as well.

[Voigtkampf]

As a side note, I heard that both movies were pretty much total flops when released in Japan and the second was made with the US market in mind, since the first did so well here. Know if that's true?

Can’t tell how well it went in Japan, but it was not made with USA in mind. Its too tough, complicated, impregnated with symbolic… Nah, won’t even try to describe it.

Innocence is simply a great anime, a must see.

I have enjoyed Cowboy Bebop; Trigun; and something Nadesko (sp) (can't remember the full name, but it about a fancy spaceship called Nadesko...)

Martian Succesor Nadesico. My WoW hunter is called that way.

FLCL, Fullmetal Alchemist, Outlaw Star, Seril Experiments Lain... The good things.

[matteus the inbred]

thanks people, this is the sort of stuff i wanted to hear about...Play.com are having a sale on DVds right now, including manga/anime, so i'm gonna abuse my credit card over the weekend.

[Vladimir]

I didn't understand FLCL until late in the second time I saw the series. Too weird but when I got it, I wanted to get it some more .

[Csargo]

Bump.

I watch Bleach a lot, FLCL was good, Fullmetal Alchemist, Trinity Blood, Rurouni Kenshin, and so many others... Bleach has gotten really boring lately though it's kinda sad.

[Lemur]

I don't watch a lot of anime, but I loves my manga. Any Lone Wolf and Cub fans I can shout out with? Anything by Koike and Kojima is fine by me. I was okay with Samurai Executioner, and I'm enjoying Path of the Assassin. I've also been reading Satsuma Gishiden of late, and grooving on the old-school samurai politics.

God bless Dark Horse Comics for making all of these classics available to round-eyes like me ...

P.S.: Dirty secret -- I really love Usagi Yojimbo.