Anime for Picky People

List creator: EKissane Created on: July 7, 2003 - 2:55 PM PDT Description: Enjoyable anime with good production values, complex characters, and minimal cat-girl action. Designed for viewers who aren't already anime geeks.

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	movie title	related list	average rating	MPAA rating	watch	rent	buy
	Noir Vol. 1: Shades of Darkness (2001)			Not Rated
The pacing isn't always dead on, but it's a gorgeous series. Nikita-style action, lovely animation, cute music.
	Castle in the Sky (1986)			Not Rated
My favorite older Miyazaki. Really lovely and stunningly imaginative -- and this was 17 years ago.
	Serial Experiments Lain Vol. 1: Navi (1998)			Not Rated
Groundbreaking, confusing, and tricky. Well-sustained spooky tone, with some truly disturbing (and gore-free) moments.
	Spirited Away (2001)
Fabulous. Delightful story, fascinating characters, astounding visuals. May need multiple viewings to make sense, but you won't mind.
	FLCL (Fooly Cooly) Vol. 1 (2000)			Not Rated
Over-the-top design, incoherent plot, technically stunning execution.
	Descendants of Darkness Vol. 1: Vampire's Lure (2002)			Not Rated
Hot dead gay Daoist vampire hunters. Silly, slick, and totally entertaining.
	Cowboy Bebop: Session 1 (1998)
Satisfying space-bounty-hunter series with an outstanding soundtrack.
	Revolutionary Girl Utena vol. 1: The Rose Collection 1 (1997)			Not Rated
Utena's starting to look old-school, but the first arc (the Rose Collection) is still one of my favorites. Shojou-style high-school conspiracy with fencing.
	Perfect Blue (1997)			Not Rated
Also old-school, but still interesting. Anime as legit film.
	His and Her Circumstances Vol. 1: Appearance of a Normal Life (1998)
Addictive high-school drama with a surprising amount of soul; by the Evangelion crew.
	Bubblegum Crisis: Tokyo 2040 Vol. 1: Genesis (1998)
Pure fun. Even the cliched motorbike-riding rock star chick.
	Animatrix (2003)			Not Rated
Half of the shorts on this disk are stunning. The other half won't make you wince too much.