Alright, I'm done searching...

[Blacksmith]

...for good anime. Besides Death Note, I have been on a never-ending search for the next best anime I could actually pay attention to without getting deja vu that it' basically like all the other average anime out there. And by average I mean the , A) Typical anime about some high-school kid with has/or gets super powers and is dumb as hell or the, B) Anything that has a shitty mediocre story, characters you can find any almost any anime, and rehashed animes that have the SAME damn story of other anime. Think of something like yugioh, but not as popular.

I'm sick and tired of it and I want new refreshing experiences with original, non-cliche, interesting animes that don't end up being the same as everything else. Take Busou Renkin as an example. There are some pretty interesting things in it, but in the end it's as typical as it gets with an idiot high school main character with "incredible powers" that eventually goes "super saiyan" and fights to "protect the ones he loves"! -sticks fingers into mouth to make vomiting sound-.

Now, the reason I am making this thread is to see if any of YOU can solve my problem with good suggestions. Can't say it's certain in helping me find some new and original animes, but I honestly don't know where to look anymore. At one point I even went through the entire list of anime on wikipedia [took me half a week] and only found about 3 or 4 anime that interested me in the least. I'm losing faith in anime and it saddens me.

At this point, however, you're probably wondering how can you give me any good suggestions unless you know what I like? I shall get to that now.

I like a lot of different kinds of anime, but above all I mostly enjoy mature, intelligent, and less childish anime that go beyond the typical "anime falls" and chibi art. Anime like Berserk, Samurai X [main movie], Twilight of the Dark Master, or X. Stuff that is not just a cartoon. Hell, here's a list of anime I've seen.

.hack//Legend of the Twilight, 3X3 Eyes, Akira, Angel Sanctuary, Appleseed, Astroy Boy, Baki the grappler [+Remake of series], Basilisk, Bastard!!, Berserk, Beyblade, Big O, Bleach, Blue Gender, Blue Seed, Bubblegum Crisis, Candidate for Goddess, Cardcaptor Sakura, Castle in the Sky, Chrono Crusade, Cowboy Bebop, Crest of the Stars, Cutie Honey, Death Note, Demon City Shinjuku, Digimon (first series, others sucked + movie), Dirty Pair, Doomed Megalopolis, Dragonball (original, Z, and a few movies), Ergo Proxy, Escaflowne (movie + series), Fatal Fury (all movies), Final Fantasy (legend of the crystals + Unlimited), Fist of the North Star (movies, series, and new FOTNS), Flame of Recca, Fullmetal Alchemist, GANTZ, Generator Gawl, GetBackers, Ghost in the Shell (first movie), Golden Boy, Gundam (every single series + movies), Gunsmith Cats, Guyver, Hamtaro, Heat Guy J, Heavy Metal, Hellsing (series and latest OVA), Inuyasha, Karas, King of Bandit Jing, La Blue Girl, Lupin the 3rd, Monster Ranger, Naruto, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Nightwalker, Ninja Scroll (movie + series), Ogre Slayer, Outlaw Star, Peacemaker, Pet Shop of Horrors, Pokemon, Princess Mononoke, RahXephon, Ranma 1/2th, Record of Lodoss War, Reign, Robotech, Ronin Warriors, Rurouni Kenshin, Sailor Moon, Samurai 7, Samurai Champloo, Samurai Deeper Kyo, Samurai Pizza Cats, Samurai X, Silent Mobius, Slayers, Sol Bianca, Speed Racer, Street Fighter 2 the animated movie, Tekkeman Blade, Tekken (animated movie), Tenchi Muyo (and every other Tenchi out there), Tenjho Tenge, Texhnolyze, Transformers (yes, it was an anime, lol), Trigun, Trinity Blood, Twilight of the Dark Master, Vampire Hunter D (Both movies), Vandread, Voltron, X (movie + series), Yu Yu Hakusho, Zoids, Zone of the Enders 2167 IDOLO

NOTE: These are not a list of my "favorite" anime, lol. Oh, and I probably left a few if not many anime out that skipped my mind.

Lastly, considering what genres I like are: Shonen [duh], Seinen, Sentai's alright, mecha, Post-Apocalyptic, and Harem. Then when it comes to specific genres I enjoy fantasy, dark fantasy, some sci-fi, medieval/historic, modern day [only if it's GOOD], and futuristic. I usually love comedy, but "anime comedy" seems too childish to me some times so it's not my favorite thing [Unless there's something that goes beyond the typical "anime falls" and chibi illustrations of characters].

Suggest away and revive my love for anime.

EDIT: Doh, wrong forum, lol. Move to the animation forum.

[Mistress Sheena]

Newsflash. Nothing is non-cliche anymore. And also, 90% of Shounen series are what you label as the same damn thing.

Except One Piece. I urge you to watch that. Though, start in the Arlong arc to see if you will really enjoy the series or not, because the Arlong arc is really where it starts to shine. (I think somewhere in the 40+ eps?)

Busou Renkin was also a good series. I think you're just close minded, really. =\
There are a lot of good series out there. Who cares if it's similar?

Watch Tenshi na Konamaiki, and also Law of Ueki. Murder Princess, Air Gear...

http://myanimelist.net/animelist/TophBeiFong

Seriously, just check out my list of what I've seen and am currently watching and see if you like it.

Though my very first recommendation is to get out of that close-minded mindset if you want to watch anime. =\

Otherwise you won't like ANYTHING. EVER.

[Cain Highwind]

Wow, you've got a really nice list there. Well I stated all the important stuff about why you need to watch OP in the Latest Anime Watched thread. But of all the Anime you listed, I'd say go for Martian Successor Nadesico. It's a funny Romantic Comedy with Mechas with tons of parodies (I'm just buying the series myself thanks to a sale Rightstuf is having right now).

Also I don't see any Miyazaki/Ghibli movies on your list (wait, I spotted Princess Mononoke). Especially if you like comedy but not "wacky" comedy, stick with his lighter stuff. Totoro, The Cat Returns, and my favorite (voted Second Best Anime of all time in Anime Insider) Porco Rosso.

[Blacksmith]

Originally Posted by Toph Bei Fong

Newsflash. Nothing is non-cliche anymore. And also, 90% of Shounen series are what you label as the same damn thing.

True, lol. It's hard to find something that's doesn't have something cliche in it, but what I'm talking about is animes created solely based on other ideas and simply rehasing a storyline to the point that it becomes repetitive.

Originally Posted by Toph Bei Fong

Except One Piece. I urge you to watch that. Though, start in the Arlong arc to see if you will really enjoy the series or not, because the Arlong arc is really where it starts to shine. (I think somewhere in the 40+ eps?)

Yeah, I've been watching One Piece this whole time and I actually must say it's definitely getting better. I mean I find it similar to Naruto for the fact Luffy wants to become the pirate king [I.E. Naruto wants to become hokage], but I find the character much more refreshing and quirky, as well as skilled when it actually comes to fighting without doing the same move over and over in the same way [I.E. Naruto using shadow clone technique with everything he does]. So far, I have much better hopes with this anime compared to pthers.

Originally Posted by Toph Bei Fong

Busou Renkin was also a good series. I think you're just close minded, really. =\
There are a lot of good series out there. Who cares if it's similar?

I never said it was bad. In fact, I liked it a lot more than many other animes similar to it. Again, the "similarity" is based on the repetition of animators writing and creating the same stories/characters you've seen in hundreds of animes before.

Originally Posted by Toph Bei Fong

Watch Tenshi na Konamaiki, and also Law of Ueki. Murder Princess, Air Gear...

http://myanimelist.net/animelist/TophBeiFong

Seriously, just check out my list of what I've seen and am currently watching and see if you like it.

I will indeed check that out.

Originally Posted by Toph Bei Fong

Though my very first recommendation is to get out of that close-minded mindset if you want to watch anime. =\

Otherwise you won't like ANYTHING. EVER.

Not true. I thought I'd never like Death Note, but ended up loving it. I agree with Cain that light was an annoying character, but at least the main character wasn't some high school kid that wanted to protect every little thing and without any wit to back it up. Overall, I liked most of the other characters.

Anyway, I wouldn't call my mindset "close-minded" as I know exactly what I like. Not wanting to watch animes that are too similar to each other is simply because I hate repetition. I like the creators to hit me with something different and impressive instead of putting something together just to make a buck. I'm the same way with movies. Some times I might like some mindless creativity [Shoot'em up with the guy killing people with carrots], but eventually I grow tired of the simplistic films that I'll soon forget. I like to be entertained with GOOD art, not something that barely gets a passing grade.

[Lucid]

You should try Sisters of Wellber. It's a pretty interesting series. I first started watching it mostly because I'm a big fan of fantasy type anime, but I'm glad I did because it turned out to be really good.
2nd season has already started as well.

Another pretty funny show is called Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei(So Long Mr. Despair). It's freaking hilarious so far. XD

Also, if you like Harem types of anime then I would suggest Rosario + Vampire, although it's a bit on the cliche side...
There's tons of panty shots and fanservice though! XD

Looking through Toph's list, I can already tell you to NOT check out Kodomo no Jikan because it's a loli anime. :x

[SOLDIER #819]

Originally Posted by Lucid

Looking through Toph's list, I can already tell you to NOT check out Kodomo no Jikan because it's a loli anime. :x

Please, please, please, PLEASE don't throw assumptions like that around. I'm not going to contest the content of the jokes (emphasis on the underlined) nor am I going to say that it is for everyone, but it is not what you're making it out to be. Second-hand knowledge and brief glimpses simply will not create a good basis for an informative opinion.

--

Kame, I don't really know what your tastes really are, so I'll recommend some of the same things I normally recommend.

For the love of--Jungle wa Itsumo Hare nochi Guu (Hare+Guu). Hilarious after it warms up.

If you can handle a slow pace and lots of talking, .hack//SIGN (I'm surprised you haven't listed it). Even as a prologue to the game series it holds up very well on its own. I don't believe it's much like Legend of the Twilight either, for good or for worse.

On the action end Coyote Ragtime Show is great, reminiscent of Outlaw Star. Also Darker than Black. The title doesn't do much for it, but it's solid all-in-all.

Despite what you say the third Digimon series (Digimon Tamers) was quite interesting, if I recall. One of the major players in Serial Experiments Lain (and Texhnolyze to some extent) had a hand in it. It's probably still aimed at younger ages though.

[Blacksmith]

Originally Posted by SOLDIER #819

Kame, I don't really know what your tastes really are, so I'll recommend some of the same things I normally recommend.

My list shown in my first post reveals what kind of taste I have, but as life itself changes, so has some of my taste. As such, while I do enjoy a good action/funny anime that's quite common these days, I'm beginning to become tired of the "funny" aspect of anime. To be more specific as to what I'm honestly looking for, I'm wanting to find new darker and mature anime. The light-hearted stuff just doesn't cut it for me anymore as most of the "new" shit in the present day aren't like the anime I grew up with.

I want animes that are gritty, edgy, and without the typical comedy of anime. Anime like Berserk, Gungrave, Akira, or even somehting like Twilight of the Dark Master. Animes that are intelligent, mature, and push the boundaries of what is seen as normal. That is what I look for and what my taste in anime has become over the years.

Oh and I'll definitely check out some of those animes you listed.

[Lucid]

It may not be hentai, but there's no denying that the subject matter is loli based, especially since it's about a 9 year old girl trying to seduce her 23 year old teacher(looked it up on Wiki).

I'm not judging anyone. I don't care what people are into, I merely stated the fact that it was "loli" because I was under the impression that Kame didn't like that kind of thing, so I was just informing him to avoid it. *Shrug*

[Meier Link]

ok i didnt see them in your list above (pretty nice)
so i am going to have to recommend
Perfect Blue (movie)
Spirited Away (movie)
Blue Submarine (series and movie)
and
Devil Man (if you can find the entire series kind of older anime)

all are great and i feel kind of fit your motife

[SOLDIER #819]

Originally Posted by Lucid

It may not be hentai, but there's no denying that the subject matter is loli based, especially since it's about a 9 year old girl trying to seduce her 23 year old teacher(looked it up on Wiki).

I'm not judging anyone. I don't care what people are into, I merely stated the fact that it was "loli" because I was under the impression that Kame didn't like that kind of thing, so I was just informing him to avoid it. *Shrug*

I wasn't saying that you were attempting to judge people. My problem lies with the fact that out of all the titles on Toph's list (who's color scheme burns my eyes) you singled out Kodomo no Jikan and denounced it alone. Chances are you had only skimmed through his list until you found something of interest to comment on, but even now you continue to try to substantiate your hasty opinion with a Wikipedia synopsis of all things. I agree that this series wouldn't be to Kame's interest. I just don't understand why you'd single it out, especially if it's only something you've heard through the grapevine.

Originally Posted by Kame

I want animes that are gritty, edgy, and without the typical comedy of anime. Anime like Berserk, Gungrave, Akira, or even somehting like Twilight of the Dark Master. Animes that are intelligent, mature, and push the boundaries of what is seen as normal. That is what I look for and what my taste in anime has become over the years.

I wish I could say that I've watched more anime like that. Two titles that come to mind immediately are Le Chevalier D'Eon and Monster. I've heard they're both excellent, but I can't say I've seen much of them. Perhaps they're what you're looking for.

[Sean]

I really enjoyed the first season of Beck, if you're into music. The storyline was great, and the music and all in all, the entire experience, was wonderful.

Call me crazy but I really like the "New" Gundam series'. SEED, SEED Destiny, and now 00 were all rea