Four posts and NO ONE has mentioned Cowboy Bebop. This is why I judge you people.

Top 3 Anime -

1. Cowboy Bebop

One of the absolute greatest cast of characters of all time. Even side characters that show up for one episode in this are interesting. In spite of the fact the show isn't building one solid narrative begining to end and is a lot more episodic, the way the relationships changes between the characters as the series rolls on is astounding and far more believable progression then pretty much any other anime.

Animation is top notch, and the fights look absolutely incredible and have an amazing sense of detail and awareness of surrounding. Look at the movie for example. There are two fights between Spike and Vincent, one taking place in a confined space of a train cart, and the other in a more open area. Even though they still use the same kind of styles in both fights, they are drastically different due to the space available in the scene.

I could go on, but I'll leave it at having the greatest anime soundtrack of all time, and I have heard nothing that can compare.

2. Monster (Honestly I could probably switch this and Bebop and be fine with that, it's a hard call)

Without any kind of supernatural element involved, Monster is one of the most legitametly smurfed up things I have ever watched. The real kick to the gut is how everything that happens in this show is not entirely inconceivable in reality. The messed up conditions of post WW II orphanages, brainwashing children in an experiment and just about everything else. There are a few aspects that stretch that a bit, but honestly not by a whole lot.

Amazing cast of characters, and a couple of the absolute saddest moments in anime history, right up their with the ending of Bebop.


3. Paranoia Agent.

This one is just surreal and amazing. Told from a few different points of view, I can't really describe what's going on without spoiling everything. Go watch this. Like, now. It's only 12 episodes, it's a short series.