The ANIME thread

[Bogeyman]

In no particular order:

Neon Genesis Evangelion

When a scientific expedition in the year 2000 discovers a mysterious giant of light in Antarctica, efforts to contain it result in a cataclysmic explosion that drowns half of the Earth's surface. Fifteen years later, Earth's surviving population are pitted in a battle for evolutionary survival against beings known only as Angels. A special government agency provides the last hope for the human race: the awe-inspiring living machines called Evangelions. This anime is teeming with religious and psychological references.

Cyborg 009

Black Ghost is an international consortium whose main business is the propagation of warfare across the globe. When they plan to extend their business scope to outer space as well, they abduct and surgically augment nine individuals from different eras and nations, engineering them to become super soldiers. The nine captives eventually escape their captors and fight their plans, while struggling to rediscover their lost humanity. Created by the late Shotaro Ishinomori, father of the Kamen Rider (Mask Rider) series. One of the first anime series with an overtly anti-war theme at its core.

Ghost In The Shell:Standalone Complex

In a world increasingly influenced by technology and rapid information exchange, cyber-crimes are commonplace. To combat it, the government relies on Public Peace Section 9, headed by Maj. Motoko Kusanagi, herself a specially enhanced cyborg.

Mobile Suit Gundam

A space drama of epic proportions that became one of Japan's most successful anime franchises. In the year UC 0079, the human race has been divided, with around half of the Earth's population residing in space colonies. War ensues between the Earth Federal Forces and the rogue colonies as the latter fight for independence. As the Federal Forces suffer tremendous losses due to the colonies' advanced humanoid weapons called mobile suits, they take advantage of a temporary stalemate to launch their own mobile suit program and turn the tide of battle. Beyond dazzling displays of weaponry and technological supremacy, MSG presents the hard realities of war and the often tragic cost of attaining peace.

Taiho Shichauzo (You're Under Arrest)

Based on the manga of the same name. Follow the day-to-day adventures of Miyuki Kobayakawa, Tsujimoto Natsumi and the rest of the Tokyo Police Department's Bokuto Traffic Station as they apprehend erring motorists, foil terrorist attacks and generally make Tokyo City safe for everyone. Highly recommended for all PNP-TMG and MMDA personnel.

Gatekeepers

Set in 1969 Japan, a special group of teenagers has been assembled by an international agency to fight mysterious malevolent beings known only as the Invader. These teenagers are called Gatekeepers, with the power to open the 'gate' that separates the Invader's dimension from our own, and this ability enables them to defeat the Invader threat on numerous occasions.

Cowboy Bebop

Spike Spiegel and Jet Black make the rounds of the known solar system as 'cowboys' (bounty hunters), seeking out criminals for a living using their ship, the Bebop. Along the way, they pick up Faye Valentine (a ***y pilot with a gambling problem), cyber whiz kid Edward (actually a girl) and Ein, a brainy Welsh Corgi.

Cowboy Bebop The Movie

Spike, Jet and company come face-to-face with their deadliest adversary ever: a bio-terrorist named Vincent. The movie is a prime example of life imitating art, depicting certain events that have been associated with the September 11, 2001 attacks and the subsequent anthrax scare, even though it was produced prior to these events.

Chobits

Hideki is an 18 year-old simpleton from Hokkaido province who travels to Tokyo to continue his studies. On his first day in the city, he finds an abandoned persocon (female android) in a garbage dump. As persocons were expensive and he had very little money, he rejoiced at finding one for free and promptly took it back to his apartment. After much fussing, he manages to activate it, only to find that it can only say 'chii' and that it has no OS with which to run. Hideki decides to name the persocon Chii, unaware that this particular unit belongs to a special class of persocons called Chobits, who are able to think and decide for themselves.

Ranma 1/2

Another riotous anime series. Genma Saotome is training his son Ranma in the martial arts, going as far as China to test their skills. A sparring practice in the hot springs of Jyusenkyo ends in Ranma and Genma falling into the cursed pools, turning the former into a girl and the latter into a giant panda. They revert to their normal forms when splashed with hot water, but cold water brings them back to their cursed versions. Further complicating matters is the fact that Ranma is "engaged" to Soun Tendo's youngest daughter Akane, Soun being an old friend of Genma's.