In June 2013 I found on r/animesuggest an interesting list of worthwhile anime[1], represented below.
I did not write any of the below myself (just organised the list into subcategories).
List of Worthwhile Anime[]
Last updated 10/18/2011
Version 2
Introduction[]
The primary purpose of this list is to showcase a selection of above-average Japanese animation and to promote "quality awareness" within the medium. The shows here were selected because they are original, influential, controversial, or regarded as classic, considered a representative specimen of a particular genre, or otherwise demonstrate exemplary quality in storytelling, character development, or artistic experimentation.
This list was not designed to be a beginner's recommendation list, or to cover the broadest spectrum of genres and styles in anime. While some of the titles are very popular, others are somewhat "advanced" and may not appeal to newcomers. Nevertheless, this is a good plaec to start for people who enjoyed titles like Cowboy Bepop, FLCL, and yet are looking for more.
Addendum to the 2nd Version[]
According to the easymodo.net archive, version one of this list has been reposted on /a/ around 400 times in the last year. Those archived threads were thoroughly read and considered in the updated version of this list. Additionally, this list has appeared on a few blogs and numerous forums since its creation.
The original intent of this list was not to provide a "beginner recommendation list." I think the initial mindset was something like a "list for interested film students", but since its inception it has taken on more community influence and tries to be a more general "list for adult anime fans", while still strictly quality controlled. Some advice for new viewers has been added as well as a "core viewing" mark, and a mark to denote worthwhile manga.
The list[]
Completed[]
- 5 Centimetres Per Second
- Akira
- Dennou Coil
- Eve no Jikan
- Ghost in the Shell
- Grave of the Fireflies
- Howl's Moving Castle
- Jin-Roh
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
- Paprika
- Princess Mononoke
- Spirited Away
- Serial Experiments Lain
- Neon Genesis Evangelion
- The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
- Sword of the Stranger
- Tekkon Kinkreet
Started[]
Know of[]
- Planetes
No experience[]
- Azumanga Daioh
- Baccano
- Barefoot Gen
- Berserk
- The Big O
- Black Lagoon
- Claymore
- Ergo Proxy
- FLCL
- Freedom
- Gankutsuou
- Genius Party + Beyond
- Golden Boy
- Haibane Renmei
- Hellsing Ultimate
- Kaiba
- Katanagatari
- Kino's Travels
- Last Exile
- Legend of the Galactic Heroes
- Maison Ikkoku
- Mardock Scramble
- Memories
- Metropolis
- Michiko to Hatchin
- Millenium Actress
- Mind Game
- Mononoke
- Monster
- Mushi-shi
- Outlaw Star
- Paranoia Agent
- Perfect Blue
- The Place Promised in Our Early Days
- Read or Die
- Samurai Champloo
- Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei
- Shigurui
- Steamboy
- Tatami Galaxy
- Texhnolyze
- Tokyo Godfathers
- Vampire Hunter D + Bloodlust
- Welcome to the N.H.K.
- Wings of Honneamise
- Usagi Drop