really? As an Anime connoisseur, what have you seen? I don't mean that in a snarky way - I know that some things that are absolute canon amongst the otaku are just... shit. Wings of the Honneamase, for example. Blood. Appleseed. For me, I pretty much break it up into "Miyazaki" and "things that are not Miyazaki but kind of worth watching anyway." It's a short list - Ghost in the Shell, Akira, Ghost in the shell... ...Akira... EDIT - man, that came off even more dickish than if I hadn't said "I'm not trying to be a dick." Lemme try again: I'd love to find some anime that isn't woman-hating paper-thin rip-offs of Western movies. I actually really liked Genesis Climber Mospeada but everything I've tried since has been... underwhelming. Except Miyazaki. Even Ponyo was rad, once you accepted that you need to be on mescaline to truly appreciate it.
I only really remember the ones that I really REALLY enjoyed. I call myself a connoisseur because I don't just binge on anime in general, because a lot of it doesn't sit right on my gaijin palate. So, Miyazaki (Howl's Moving Castle above the others, but all Miyazaki is great to me) Cowboy Bebop, including the movie Samurai Champloo (Essentially Cowboy Bebop in a different setting, but still amazing to watch and a GORGEOUS soundtrack) Neon Genesis Evangelion, including the movies. (Yes I know it doesn't make a lick of sense, I don't care, it's pretty and fun) Akira - Obvious reasons Ghost in the Shell All of the .hack// properties that I've seen have been really awesome Fullmetal Alchemist is pretty good in general, some bad episodes, and Brotherhood is better than the original. YuYu Hakusho was the tits when I was younger, not sure how it held up to time. And lately I've been drooling over Attack on Titan. Edit to include, seriously, go watch Attack on Titan. Strong female characters, refreshing combat techniques, really unsettling enemies/premise.
I'm on episode 3 and there's a TON of crying but I can't say it's unwarranted. Enjoying it thus far.
Yu Yu Hakusho!!! I love TV occult Anime my favorites are 3x3 eyes and Mermaid scar.
You need more over-the-top, Ben. Nothing like robots the size of the universe punching each other in the face with galaxy-sized fists to really pump you up. And that soundtrack. unf. Attack On Titan is so horrendous in pacing that it almost made me quit. But I'm reading the manga, so there's that.
There's over the top, and there is absurd, GL crosses into absurdity for me, and I can't take it seriously or find it funny. It's like the running gag in Anime that the main character has to be obsessed with food, anything that follows that trope ruins my immersion.