This is just a short (but in progress) list of anime movies and series that I've really liked and recommend to those who are new to anime (Japanese animation) and to those that haven't seen the anime on my list. If you have any recommendations please feel free to leave them in the comments below. Again, I've kept the list rather short, because I've seen waaaay more anime than what is actually necessary to list here.
Cowboy Beebop: often credited with bringing anime into the mainstream in the United States, this anime weaves the tale of cowboy bounty hunters in space. Set to a fantastic soundtrack, it is definitely a must see for fans of any anime genre.
Ghost in the Shell: Cyber-punk plot that questions the concepts and morals behind robots and artificial intelligence.
Macross Plus (1994): a fantastic addition to the Macross series, this beautifully animated film takes you through a futuristic world where technology shapes our lives.
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya: The story of a girl who has always believed she was special, and indeed, her powers make her a high-school, girl-force to be reckoned with! This series is difficult to describe...but is full of science fiction, comedy and fun. It quickly became one of my favorite anime series.
My Neighbor Totoro: a family film by the legendary Hiyao Miyazaki that tells the tale of an enchanted backyard where the spirits play.
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind: (1984: Kaze no tani no Naushika) - Nausicaa tells the story of a girl who has the special ability to understand the toxic jungle that is spreading around her nation. It is her persistence and empathy that could save her nation, perhaps even the entire world, from its destruction. This is one of my favorite films of all time.
Princess Mononoke: (1997: Mononoke Hime) - Ashitaka must find a way to cure his curse, save the wolf girl, and help the forest spirit purge its land of the spreading disease. It's not really easy to describe this film in only one sentence... It's a fantastic legend with threads of shinto mythology woven throughout the film. Seriously, it's #118 on IMDB's Top 250 List for a reason!
Samurai Champloo: set in pseudo-historic Japan
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