1. Trigun. Because it's perfect. We wrote about this series exhaustively so we don't see the need to expand further. Except that every person identifying as male should see this show. The artistic style might seem too simplistic at first, but stick with it; it won't seem that way after a while.
1. Princess Mononoke. It's one of our favourite movies ever. Of course it has to tie with one of our favourite TV shows ever. Miyazaki (together with Hisaishi) is a fucking genius. This is absolutely the best fantasy film ever made. It refutes the argument that fantasy can't be deep and thought-provoking.
3. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (manga). The film is bloody brilliant. However, the manga is simply better because it's more extensive. There's more time for other characters as well. For example, our favourite character ever from Miyazaki's canon: Kushana. Please read it. You do not know what you are missing.
4. All other Miyazaki films starting from Nausicaä (1984) to Wind Rises (2013). Go to his Imdb page to get the full list. Wind Rises is a recommendation for those who generally don't care for anime. The man is unable to make a bad film.
5. Neon Genesis
Evangelion (the series). After we found out that the film wasn't even originally part of the story but a giant fuck-you to the complaining fans, the movie is to us the same as Star Wars prequels, ie. it doesn't exist. This series is pretty
fucking great. We must be the only ones in existence who actually liked
the series' ending. All in all, this show is basically Ender's Game but better. Do watch it and don't you dare skip that opening.
6. Noir. This show is especially for those who do not hold an interest for anime. Because it lacks all of the usual anime clichés. The animation and music are superb. It's almost baffling to see an anime where women kick ass without being overly sexualized. Sure, much like Trigun this requires a lot of patience as the idea really kicks in later. It is completely worth it though. This series is criminally underrated. We cannot comprehend how this show isn't a household name in geek women circles. Repent all ye sinners.
6. Koe no Katachi. We just wrote about it so we don't feel the need to elaborate further. It's just a damn good movie and possibly one of the best coming of age stories out there.
7. Nodame Cantabile (manga). This is one of the funniest and most heartfelt things you'll ever read. The namesake female character is especially brilliant - she is both funny and serious, which is incredibly rare for women in anime. Also, the romance is surprisingly funny and subdued, unlike most anime romances that come across as disgustingly sappy.
8. Only Yesterday. This is our pick from Isao Takahata. You could watch Grave of the Fireflies, just prepare yourself for the crushing despair to follow. Only Yesterday is very much the opposite to the latter. It's so happy and incredibly sweet. We love the watercoloured background that gives this movie its distinctive visual look.
9. Rurouni Kenshin (manga - Remembrance arc). You can watch the OVA, but the manga is better so we'd suggest that you listen to the OVA's soundtrack (which is awe-inspiring) while reading this arc from the manga. If you want, you can watch the Shishio Makoto arc from the anime (the music and animation are pretty great) but it has substantial problems. The creator botches the main female character. It has other issues as well, but that's the worst one. The Remembrance arc is some seriously good shit though.
10. Bleach (manga). This is the most basic anime/manga we have on this list. It's your usual teenboy hero power accumulation fantasy story. Iiiiiit's pretty okay though. It's surprisingly entertaining, because all the characters are actually likeable. If you want to torture yourself, you can also check out the anime that never had the last arc, thus making it feel incomplete. We would advise against watching it also since the gazillion filler episodes do not make it worth your while.
11. Berserk (manga - Golden Age arc). You can read the first three volumes as well, but the Golden Age arc is the best one. The story's basically a variation on the Arthurian melodrama (think Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot) with a mix of Faust. This is our Game of Thrones and much like GOT, the creator did not know when and how to finish the story. We appreciate that the manga shows all the nobles as horrible depraved people unlike most other fantasy does. Unless you really hate women, we would urge you to stop reading the manga when the group descends to Hell.
12. Ranma 1/2 (manga). It's crazy and it's funny. You can read the whole thing, the last chapter is still actually really funny. And dear god, do not skip anything that has Nabiki in it. Our personal favourite chapters would be the Romeo & Juliet ones.
13. Fullmetal Alchemist (manga). We have some mixed feelings about this. Because we would have wanted that this story would have taken the depressing male characters from the 2003 series and the female characters from the manga. Furthermore, if those had been combined with the music and visuals from the 2003 series, that would truly be something to behold. Alas, the best thing about the manga is the adults and the flashbacks to the war.
If you want other recommendations for shits and giggles (aka guilty pleasures), we can give them privately.
