I know there is already a thread about favorite anime...this is different-this isn't about favorites-it's about what the anime is constructed from. It always seems to me that people like anime that's...well not spectacular. It's always the same story-one of the characters is somewhat cool(in the viewers opinion) or the story is a little interesting so the entire anime is then considered great. I'm very picky when it comes to anime..like video games(they are always rated so in depth) I like ALL of the components to stand out. What do you guys think? What anime fits this description in your view?I always have trouble finding fault in stuff like Cowboy Bebop-great animation, good story(it isn't too lengthly) catchy music...I also have a respect for Escaflowne because the story and character development is outstanding-even if some of the ideas are a bit recycled.

Can you list a couple more animes that you found to be stellar? I could list off that animes that fit your description--ROD TV, Chrno Crusade, Eureka seveN, Full Metal Panic!, Jigoku Shoujo, Juuni Kokuki, exc--but Cowboy Bebop and the Vision of Escaflowne (TV series right?) are a little too different to construct a specific list. For instance, I find Cowboy Bebop to be like ROD -the TV-, but some people think that Samurai Champloo fits Cowboy Bebop better.

At what point do you think an anime is too long? It is 2, 25 cools? or is it the excessive 12X episodes to inuyasha? If I could look at a list of animes you found good, I could make a general decision about the animes by your preferences.

I don't think that they have to be the same genre to be good-I don't cling to one specific one. I think originality plays a big role. As for others...I think that Milenium actress was great-the story was very independent from stereotypes and it had good animation to back it up. Furi Kuri, even though I don't really like the story has excellent movement(animation and plot-wise) The dubb is pretty good and what better music to match it with than the pillows! I don't really have a long list of them...I want to know what you think fits your top list-and why...I just wanted some reassurance that there were still some people out there with good taste!
Oh yeah length-I tend to like the shorter series like 26-something episodes..anything longer than 100 better have something up their sleeve-it seems that the short ones spend more time on individual episodes. How's that M?

Okay, I'm kinda pissed off, because I wrote about 12 pages worth of text while in this window and then acdentally hit the back key on my mouse and it all decided to dissappear on me. So instead of giving you the full reviews, I'll list them off with short responces to them.

But your elaboration did help. At the bottom is my suggestions derrived from what you thought was ideal. The following is just a list of anime that you might like, but they don't fall directly in line with what you find enjoyable in anime.

.hack//SIGN & .hack//LIMINALITY - An impressive drama that takes place in 'The World', an MMORPG. While the story seems to get drawn out, it does a good job in presenting psudo mideval(sp?)/modern themes.

Air TV - Just watch and see...

Azumanga Daiou - Utterly hilarious and full of mass hysteria

Chobits - A decendent of Saber Marionette series, it's a romance between man and machine.

Chrno Crusade - Very good plot, and effective animation (though not perfect)

Cossette no Shouzou - Want to be freaked out? This anime is a horror romance. I found it pretty original and highly gothic in style and meaning.

Elfen Lied - Another horror flick, though this one isn't really romantic. The first ten mins is nothing but a very graphic display of beheading, stabbing, shooting, and cutting. I have never seen an anime do what this anime has.

Futakoi Alternative - another hilarious anime, yet it does have an effective story line.

Green Green - I cannot leave out the most Ecchi anime I have ever seen. This one bends the rules on just how much you can show in an anime without calling it a Hentai.

Haibane Renmei - a piece of life anime. No action, but a bittersweet story about understanding one's purpose. The animator is the same as the one that did Serial Experements Lain, so expect some great stuff.

Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora - A hospital romance between two recovering characters. Oddly querky, and original. It reminded me of the /h/ game Immoto Kana.

Iriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu - A romance (*shock*) of an anemic girl that is to save the world. Animation is awsome.

Juuni Kokuki - Better known as The Twelve Kingdoms. Not a romance (finally). This is a drama (damn I hit the other one...) that ... Well, I cannot really explain it too well. It's very orginal, and based off of fantasy a book over in japan. I found it enjoyable.

Kannazuki no Miko - Yuri & Mecha DO mix. A romance (once again. I need to expand my repetor), that focuses on a love triangle between a guy and a girl chasing after another girl. It was my first Yuri anime, and I found it as a great gateway to the genera.

Kanon - Powerful story, weak animation. This is made by the same people that developed Air TV. It is going to be remade this fall. Keep your eyes out.

Kenpuu Denki Berserk - War. This anime shows what it was like in the dark ages, ending on some pretty gothic/dark terms. It freaked the hell out of me.

Kidou Senkan Nadesico - Mecha, Comdy, Romance, and Azumanga Daiou all mixed into one. Check it out for yourself.

Kidou Senshi Gundam SEED - Kinda new, yet it isn't. This is an impressive story centered around a character named Kira. It takes you though all the hardships one experences from battling against your own kind, and quite story about love.

Kimi ga Nozomu Eien - a mature anime (some hentai, but not overly ladened) that pulls off what some call the 'most influenial romance anime that has ever existed'. I beg to differ, but it is still worth the watch.

Koi Kaze - Ever wonder what goes through the mind of people when they take to incest & pedophenilla? This anime is about a brother whom is in love with his sister. It will change your outlook on these social matters.
Kono Minikuku mo Utsukushii Sekai - a let down anime. The animation is awsome though.

Koukaku Kidoutai STAND ALONE COMPLEX (better known as Ghost in the Shell) - As they say, It is a cyberpunk anime that deals with androids and robots. Very unique.

Kumo no Mukou, Yakusoku no Basho - (The place promised in our early days or beyond the clouds, the promised land) The animation of this anime is awe-striking, the storyline is great, and the music emphisises(sp?) it all. A must watch.

Last Exile - A sci-fi that depicts a future world where it is divided in half. One land made of ice, the other of desert. The two are at war, and it all occurs in the skies. This is a drama that focuses on a Piolet (Clause) and what he encounters in this war.

Mahou Sensei Negima! - A shoujo anime. It's cute, it's sweet, and it does an exelent job for introducing you to the Shoujo genera. It stars Negima, a 10 year old high school teacher (yes that right) who is partaking a trial via the magician's guild.

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha & As - The only Magical Girl anime that comes close to comparing to Card Captor Sakura, but it is still a long shot. Check out the first series to determine if you like it or not.

Mai-HiME - Very different from the manga it orginated from, Mai-HiME is about the young girl Mai that gains a specal power and magical beast by coming to a private school. A mature version of Pokemon, in a way. The ending has an interesting twist.

Monster - This one I'm currently watching. It's a horror, and a drama. Though character design is not my type, I still find this animation to be quite likeable.

R.O.D -THE TV- - Offers some of the most impressive battle scenes I have ever seen in an anime. It is centered around the Paper Master Sisters and what they encounter (more focused on the youngest, Anetia). The sisters have the unique ability to manipulate paper in a mulititude of ways.

Rozen Maiden - Unique concept. It's kinda like Chucky meets Barney. It is about Dolls, whom act on their own, that battle one another to become the perfect doll.

Rurouni Kenshin - you've heard enough about this one. Google it and find out why it's on this list.

Seihou Bukyou Outlaw Star - An action anime (OMG! IT'S NOT ROMANCE OR DRAMA?!) centering around Gene Starwind and a ship that has mechanical arms, called the Outlaw Star.

Seikai Series - Better know as Crest/Banner of the Stars. This is an impressive Sci-fi romance. Watch it.

Serial Experiments Lain - this anime will confuse you. It basically takes you on a trip searching for the meaing/purpose of life.

Shinseiki Evangelion - Better known as Neon Genisis Evangellion. Wow. Just wow. This anime will take you on a moral trip. After watching the series, watch Death and Rebirth. It complments the anime nicely.

Speed Grapher - An Action/Romance title that features the photographer Saiga who gains the power to destroy objects by snapping pictures. It gets repetitive near the end, but the concept is unique.

Trinity Blood - Even though I haven't seen it all, it is an impressive vampire show with some great graphics.

Wolf`s Rain - Impressive story, awsome graphics. Look it up to find more info.

The above is what I found to be on the high marks list. As for what I would suggest to you, I'd go with:
Evangelion (http://anidb.info/a22), Wolf's Rain (http://anidb.info/a449), Outlaw Star (http://anidb.info/a171), ROD -the TV- (http://anidb.info/a894), Last Exile (http://anidb.info/a581), Beyond the Clouds-the Promised Place (http://anidb.info/a469), The Twelve Kingdoms (http://anidb.info/a26), Elfen Lied (http://anidb.info/a1544), Chrno Crusade (http://anidb.info/a1052), and, possibly, Air TV (http://anidb.info/a2002).

The master has struck again I suppose XD
Oh and thanks for the list! It really gave me ideas on what anime series I could watch next

mmm:\ I don't think your quite getting the point of the thread. I'm not LOOKing for new anime to watch, just curious to see what other people find great-and to dicuss them...although your list does mention some good aspects of the anime, the thread won't do well if people just list off a bunch without explaining more of them...^.^ I really don't know how to say this...thanks for the giant list though!