It's been several months since the release of this episode, but given the responses here, I felt obligated (first world problems!) to sign-up for an account, just to furnish several "good" examples of ostensibly Japanese animation that may or may not tickle Dan's fancy. I am prefacing this list with the foreknowledge that I am not too big a fan of most anime, either, if only because the majority is, in fact, awful. Regardless, I suspect I have seen and liked more than Dan. My goals in that arena have always been to find the very best this genre has to offer and I believe the numbered list below contains much of it, at least of the more-accessible variety. For the record, I haven't listed any Miyazaki films; those gems are already well-covered territory.
Also, in regards to the other anime shows listed:
a. I'm not expecting Dan to have the patience for Trigun. In spite of the great overarching long-form story, the thing is a hideously cliched trope-fest in a box.
b. Cowboy Bebop, while excellent (yes, excellent), is beginning to show its age, and while even the initial episodes are good, it can still be borderline iffy in the eyes of some.
c. - Dan, for the love of God, don't start with the movies of Ghost in the Shell. The TV show is nearly flawless, however.
d. I tip my hat to the fine fellows who mentioned Code Geass, Baccano!, and Death Note.
My list:
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0. Ghost in the Shell TV show, seasons #1 & #2. These speak for themselves.
1. Darker than Black - interesting horror/shadowrun/x-men combination with its own set of rules. Yes, they eventually explain the "stars thing".
2. Mushi Shi - for a completely different and slow pacing, these mostly stand-alone episodes are simply amazing story-telling. However, the folksy opening theme (which I enjoyed) is apparently not for everyone.
3. Baccano! - only watch this if you're still interested in anime after watching any of the other items here. This is a superb series, but there are several spots in it where they pull a few anime tropes. Fewer than most. Unfortunately, they are still present. Just keep in mind when you begin watching that those two goofballs you see gold-digging in the beginning are decidedly not the main characters, as lovable as they are.
4. Moribito - this unnecessarily slows down in the middle of the story, but I still enjoyed it. The first few episodes have great pacing, and it does pick-up again, albeit with a bizarre but satisfying payoff. I think it deserves a watch.
5. Blood the Last Vampire - the movie, NOT the tv series. Stay away from the series!
This incredibly short gem of a movie was fun and filled with great promise until the series dropped in and ultimately ruined the character, her mystery, and her charm, entirely.
6. Hell Girl - another television show with completely different pacing, this little horror-show is composed entirely of stand-alone episodes with a highly entertaining twist on formula-style shows.
There's also the Leiji Matsumoto contingent: Yamato/Star Blazers, (2199 will dazzle when that gets released in the states), Arcadia of my Youth is fun, Galaxy Express 999 was fun.
There are many more I could've listed, but it would be in bad taste and form to immediately foist Ninja Scroll, Golgo 13, Jin Ro, Escaflowne, Avatar, Eden of the East, or a dozen others upon those who didn't know what to expect, well - yeah some of these just shock you, although Avatar is just plain fun & incredible story-telling.
