Anime recommendations (based on previous material)

Hi there,

I know there is already a anime recommendations thread here, but I would like to have some recommendations based on the material I've already seen and liked or disliked.

Well, I'll start with Studio Ghibli stuff:

Definitely loved:
- Princess Mononoke (my favorite 1)
- Spirited Away (my favorite 2)
- Laputa: Castle in the Sky
- Porco Rosso

Note: I really can't say which one ("Princess Mononoke" or "Spirited Away") is better, so both a my favorites

Also nice:
- Nausicaa
- My Neighbour Totoro
- Kiki's Delivery Service
- Howl's Moving Castle

However I don't favor these as much as I do the other four ones. Probably because the first ones are focusing on more serious thematics. Nausicaa is an exception, I just think it isn't that well done - the story is quite good but the anime conversion could be better. Well, just my personal opinion.

Didn't watch "Tales of Earthsea" yet, nor "Ponyo on a Cliff". Ponyo looks quite childish to me (hell, even the songs are) and Earthsea didn't receive that good reviews...

Now leaving Ghibli territory:

I really loved "The Girl That Leapt Time", have the collector's box here. Really, really beautiful anime

Continuing with "Paprika" and "Tokyo Godfathers".
"Paprika" is a real killer. I bought it without any high expectation, but was really blown away by the style and the story. "Tokyo Godfathers" is also nice, but IMHO it can't reach Paprika. Storywise it's of course also interesting.

Also watched and liked "Tekkonkinkreet", the visuals are just stunning. Very beautiful and good storytelling. You can argue about the storyline itself, but I kinda liked it.

Leaving anime movie territory and entering episode-based stuff:
I think the first anime episodes I ever watched were Hellsing and GANTZ on the german MTV, but lets talk about that later...

I own the "Elfen Lied" Slimline Boxset, can really recommend it. Story is top-notch, probably you have to get used to it. Keeps good balance between harsh violence and emotional events. Really touched me

I've also read the Elfen Lied manga, so I know the anime is just focusing on a small part of the entire story (and modifies the end). Nonetheless I think both the manga and the anime are great. Each one does it's best.

Already mentioned "GANTZ", but to tell you the truth: I wasn't that impressed by it. I know the manga is far better, but the anime... well, it's just that there doesn't happen a lot - it's lacking pace and the characters don't seem to develop at all. Again, just my personal opinion

Next comes the "Hellsing anime" and the "Hellsing Ultimate OVAs" - I disliked both. I think both lack proper character development. Also it's kinda boring when you know that Alucard is going to win the fight anyway, that destroys a lot of the mood and tension.

It's not that I don't like the vampire genre, because: "BLOOD+" OMG!!
I'm still trying to get hold of the first part DVD release (AFAIK it covers the first 25 episodes). That anime series is just awesome. I think it has everything a good series needs, making it impossible to stop watching it even if it continously does emotionally shock you. I never felt so bad when main characters died

If there is anything similar to "BLOOD+" I have to know it!! *g*

And last but not least: FMP / Full Metal Panic

I watched the first series, the FUMOFFU one and TSR (including the OVA). Because I couldn't get enough I started reading the first manga (the one by Ratsu Tateo), finished and started with the bits of the Sigma manga that were already scanlated.

After this material was gone I started reading the books. Bought the first three which already have an english translation by TokyoPop. Finished them way to fast and turned over to the fan translations of the other ones.

Still reading these and hoping for a "Third Raid" or something like that

Currently watching: "Eureka Seven", but not fully convinced that this is a good series. I'm probably using the wrong audio - I usually watch my anime either with english synchro or with original japanese synchro and english subtitles. Most german synchros are quite bad in my opinion, especially FMP doesn't strike me that much when it's not the japanese audio.

So, that's the material that I have already watched.
Based on this information, what can you guys (gals are also invited) recommend?

Greets,
liquid

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Hey, thanks guys! I already have access to Haibane Renmei (bought it for my sister's birthday so I think I can borrow it from her for a while), so I might watch this first.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Adding additional information:

I'm half-through Eureka Seven (now with the japanese audio track and english subs) and it developed into a great series. Lovable characters, interesting story and nice plot twists. Keeps getting better with each episode.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Thanks elwe! Honey and Clover looks interested, putting it on my "queue"

Also I just finished Eureka Seven. I can really recommend it!

Most amazing jew boots

I have finished and can recommend:
- Full Metal Alchemist (watched the 51 part series and the movie-length OVA)
- Romeo x Juliet

Currently watching Noein, kinda confusing at first - but I already like it

EDIT: Half through Noein - it's just great! Thanks again Miho for suggesting this.
I also started Honey and Clover, it's hilarious!

I was speaking idiomatically.

Finished the Honey and Clover series (both volume 1 and 2) and Tytania.

Honey and Clover is very different from the anime I have already watched. I don't consider this a bad thing. Actually, it's really refreshing.

I think it's the anime that features the biggest use of super deformation (at least from the the list of series I've watched)

Animation is decent and the characters are unique. It's not hard to get involved in their emotional world. Maybe it has already been mentioned, but it's bittersweet storyline - lots of comedy but also very emotional and serious parts. It's a good mix so to speak.

A big thanks therefore goes to elwe for mentioning this
It's not entirely like TokiKake IMHO, but still a gem.

Tytania was also a good recommendation. I liked the visual style, quite different from what I know.

Character design is very good - Hyulick being the hero, although he doesn't want to be one, it's a good starting point. The rest of the crew is also likable - however some chars lack development.

What I didn't like was how they dealt with the Lira Florenz char. Plus the anime is a bit too short for all the development going on. What's with Idris' ambitions? What happens with Lydia? And so on.

Still a very good show!

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I'm still watching Noein. And trying to get a hold on Last Exile, but the IRC bot I'm fetching this from is kinda slow.

EDIT: Oh yeah, I'm also reading the Suzumiya Haruhi light novel series on Baka Tsuki - currently at the second novel. Can anyone comment on the anime adaption? I read through the first novel is one day - it's a very different approach on storytelling (the story itself centering on Haruhi, but the narrator being Kyon).

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EDIT2: I finished Noein. Maybe I should quote Raiha, since like he already said: It (Noein) "left a strong impression on me". It's really well done, especially the visual style is very nice when comparing it to the usual anime style.
I'm also a big fan of time travel and alternative reality stuff, so this show really satisfied my need for that kind of material

Still haven't started Last Exile and Haibane Renmei.

However I somehow "started" Toradora by accident (grabbing the wrong file on IRC). After watching the first episode I became curious and voila... I finished episode 25 (the last one) three days later. It's one of those anime where you just have to know what happens next - at least it was like that for me.

I'm currently watching: Code Geass, K-ON! and Eden of the East.
Code Geass is fun to watch (I'm a mecha fan after all *g*), but Eden of the East is probably the best show I have watch recently. K-ON! is also nice, providing you don't expect too much story

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?