Trouble is it’s hard to find any of the original unless you want to pay an arm and a leg.

I still think it’s pointless even if you have seen the series, unless you just want to see the WTF-level raised to 11. It’s almost like

Utena movie : Utena TV :: End of Eva : Eva TV

except that the Utena movie is not a conclusion, but an alternate telling. It’s the super-concentrated essence of the Utena story. It’s hard to elaborate further without blowing spoilers all over the place, so I won’t.

@Hanners:I don’t think I’m far enough into Furuba to really give a conclusion just yet, but I can’t agree more on Eden… and Clannad’s Tomoyo chapter.

@coburn: will the charm fade for me too? Tim will tell. I’ve heard good things about Mononoke though…and your taste often overlaps with mine too.

@kadian1364: I found episode #5 of Furuba to be my favourite so far – it’s fun but quite serious and meaningful at the same time. Banner of the Stars will have to be an import for me, so I’ll pick it up when the exchange rate is a bit better (the £ is still pretty bad against the $)

@gaguri: I never got into H&C I’m afraid, but this one sounds more Relevant To My Interests, as Solanin was (which is, by the way, AWESOME).

@lastarial: so I ought to put the manga on my ‘to read’ list afterwards then…?

@Sasa: yeah, Eve no Jikan is still brilliant. I watched the first series of Haruhi back in ’06 but the opening episode of the new season didn’t do much for me. I’m hoping I’ll enjoy the novel more, especially since I’ve started reading a lot again lately.

@Wildcard: my new build machine will only be a couple of months away but jeez…even 720p files are giving this old thing a hard time!

@bateszi: I gave in and tracked down a torrent for it. I remember reading your blog post on it ages ago but only recently found the episodes online…this weekend ought to be an interesting experience now!

@Peter S: I wish I shared everyone else’s love of Haruhi, I really do. I believe I have a copy of the Utena movie somewhere, but I read somewhere that it’s pointless if you haven’t seen the series…?

@ojisan: Kemonozume was innovative but weird…I prefer Kaiba and would recommend it if you haven’t seen it already. Natsume Yuujinchou was great…the first season, at least. Maybe now is the time for me to watch the second one…

And for Recommendations from Left Field, you’ve come to the right old man. Watch Kemonozume, Kamichu and Jungle Wa Itsumo Hale Nochi Guu. Natsume Yuujinchou is like Mushishi crossed with Fruits Basket. And if you have any stomach for good sports anime, Cross Game.

Agreed on Canaan: I was dazzled by the action scenes in ep1. If nothing else, it’s great to look at.

Didn’t watch much Hataraki Man, but enjoyed what I saw. And it’s got ADULTS in it!

Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 had a strong opening episode, even before the quake hits.

Bakemonogatari reminds me of a much bloodier Ef.

kadian1364 mentions Revolutionary Girl Utena. This series is a jaw-dropper. The story is genuinely exciting (and routine for an anime show, when you look closely), but loaded up with so much surreal imagery, non-sequitors, taboo sexuality, choral rock anthems, and flowers (lots of flowers) that I seriously could not believe someone had the imagination to think it up, much less the balls to produce it. Utena is a hallucination with a plotline. It is magnificent, and the only anime I’ve ever seen that matches Evangelion in terms of Just Plain Weird. Why it doesn’t get more attention I don’t understand.

Finally, I’m a Haruhitard, so I think we will always disagree on that show …

Seems the recommendations have already been made, but my picks at the moment would be Canaan and FMA: Brotherhood.

Personally I don’t watch much anime lately anymore at all, especially now that K-ON ended and I didn’t start any new shows so far at all. I will be following what everyone says about those shows and will keep them in mind though. I also have dropped Higashi no Eden midway and will be taking my time watching it considering that the movie is only going to be released next year.

Do I understand it that you have read the Haruhi novels by now? I have never come to like them (I read the first half of the first volume) although I too love Kyon’s sarcastic comments more than anything else in the show.