I don’t watch that much anime. However, I’ve liked almost all of the series that I watched. I like to think this is because I was very selective in picking only highly recommended anime, but I suppose it is possible that I’m just gullible in my tastes!

I like anime for a couple of reasons. The main reason is probably that it is one of the only venues in which interesting science fiction concepts can be explored realistically. With few exceptions (Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica), television science fiction shows have to limit their scope to keep production values low and dumb down their stories to gain a wider viewing audience. In animation, a lot of the production value problems are addressed (though it is still a big problem), giving some science fiction themes, as well as fantasy themes, a viable and believable venue in which to be explored.

The other main reason is the window on Japanese culture that anime offers, even if limited to one small section. I like to hear the Japanese voices; also, they remind me of my time learning Japanese.

My favorite series are below.

Cowboy Bebop

Cowboy Bebop has an awesome story with excellent character development, all in the backdrop of a vividly imagined world put to excellent music. Think bounty hunters in the wild west, except the “new west” is our solar system that has been mostly colonized. Space review has an interesting article about this series. I had the privilege of hearing Shinichiro Watanabe give a speech at the Japanese Consulate in Houston about this series that he produced. It’s a great series and I have no hesitation recommending it to anyone.

Full Metal Alchemist

A very interesting fantasy story about a pair of brothers studying alchemy, a power that lets them change matter into objects and structures they can use in battle and to solve problems. Again, the story in this series is so rich, and you truly grow to love the characters. This anime had a great emotional effect on me. The theme of “brothers” is also richly woven into the story, and I actually watched the whole series with my younger brother, strengthening the emotional grip. Please watch this series, you won’t regret it.

Hellsing

Only thirteen episodes long, this is one of the coolest vampire stories I’ve ever watched. I don’t know if I can make any intelligent comments about the story or the character development, I just thought this was a really cool series. Alucard is a badass, as simple as that. It’s pretty short and should be quick to watch.

Eureka Seven

This is a pretty long series, but one that I enjoyed almost as much as FMA or Cowboy Bebop. Like FMA, I watched the entire series with my brother, perhaps strengthening its emotional effect. It has an interesting premise, a world where changes to the atmosphere allow some to “surf” through the air using special surf boards. It follows the story of a young boy trying to prove himself and save the world in the process, and hopefully save his love. There are giant robots that can surf in the sky, too. It sounds strange, but the action is very well done and the there are many memorable characters and an interesting storyline.

Last Exile

Taking place in an interesting sort of steampunk world with lots of aerial combat, this show follows the story of two young pilots named Ravie and Clause. Like all my other favorites, this has good character development and a fairly interesting storyline. It’s pretty short short, too, only thirteen episodes.

Hoshi no Koe (Voices of a Distant Star)

Only one short episode, you owe it to yourself to see this. A beautiful, gripping story artfully told in such a short period of time. I’m continually amazed at the effect this show can have on me in such a short period. For those twenty five or so minutes I feel truly immersed. No explanation is needed, it’s less than a half hour of your time. You might even find it at a video rental place. Don’t think, just watch it.

These are a few I’m adding more recently. I’m less enthusiastic about them, but I don’t regret seeing them and I still have something to say about them.

Death Note

This show is ridiculously popular in Asia, such that even as I was traveling through middle of nowhere China on a bus the girl next to me was reading a Chinese translation of the manga. The anime is really good for the first season, the second and third season drop in quality, somewhat. You’ll still watch them because you want some closure, though. I put it here because it really deep and delves into some serious philosophical issues. The action and plot are all moved forward by what amount to logic puzzles, but it is edge of your seat exciting. It is really something special.

Black Lagoon

The first two episodes of this are a story in themselves. If you don’t have time for the whole series, just watch the first two episodes. The whole story is about a Japanese salaryman who becomes a smuggler in the south seas. The action is great. The story becomes less believable in the second season, but it is still enjoyable. Like I said, just make sure you see the first two episodes.