The world building, real life parallels, characters, animation, and story telling is PHENOMENAL. And I was inspired that the mangaka is a woman, and her series reaches all audiences (well, I feel anyone can relate). This series is a masterpiece. I enjoyed both the OVA and Brotherhood, as well as the manga.
And
What can I add to the discourse? Sailor Moon was my gateway drug (as I didn't realize the Rankin and Bass cartoons were essentially anime XD). Pretty girls, pretty guys, representation, magic, fighting, glitter, emotions, everything I could ever want, wrapped up in a slightly episodic Scooby Doo show. There was an over arching story, but also a monster of the week. Perfect. Got me in anime (I mean, I SAW Ninja Scroll, but again, it didn't process as "anime" to me at the time XD)
And
Yes, Battle Tendancy is my favorite, though Stardust Crusaders is up there :3 I enjoy them all.
God, why do I love this!? It's absurb, pure fun. Fashion, action, stylized dudes. It's funny, serious, colorful, and just AMAZING. What's not to like?
And the affore mentioned Cowboy Bebop.
I can't express in one thread why I like Bebop. It is quintessential.
Favorite anime film? So hard to choose!
I love this film. It tackles the complexity of human actions. How we harm what we need to survive, but that the issues aren't black and white. I helps people step back from important topics and realize there can and must be a compromise. There is the celebration of both nature, and man-made creation. This film is magnificent.
or
I just love it. Violence, desperation, politics...the human condition at its worst and best. It's amazing, and I don't have time to go into huge detail, but the filmography of this was also just top notch. A fantastic film, even if it does stray from the manga.
Or
I cry every time I watch this. I cry and cry, and smile. It is beautiful and telling...the way reality blends with fantasy and what makes our lives real? What is reality? Our own memories are faulty, and we in our every day lives misremember things, but that becomes our reality. It is a gorgeous, touching film.