Suggestions for a Newbie

[FireLight09]

If you like Sci-Fi then I was thinking Evangelion or a Gundam series. Looks like you all beat me to the punch, though. n.n

And, yeah, for a first anime FMA is great. Naruto's also a fun choice.

 

[PonyBoy&Dally]

Alexis agrees with John!! FMA is awsome!!

 

[coolkat1002]

Yea FMA is a great manga...The Anime and the movie was good too. I would recomend them.

 

[Dracil]

I began watching Ergo Proxy. It's very Western-flavored sci-fi stuff.

 

[MewBubbles]

Tokyo Mew Mew is good!!!!

 

[Argon88]

It depends on what kind of films you like. If you like serious things I can recommend quite a bit, but if you like comedies I have nothing to recommend except Excel Saga.

T.H.E.M. is an excellent site for anime reviews.
http://www.themanime.org/reviewlist.php

Things that I would easy to recommend

Fullmetal Alchemist
Genre: sci-fi
Not a bad series, but caution on the violence.
TV-14 or TV-15: some harsh violence and mild language

Last Exile
Genre: sci-fi
A very good series and I remember very little objectionable content.
TV-13 or lower: some action violence, and a little profanity.

Gilgamesh
Genre: sci-fi
An excellent series, but dark, and to some, depressing (I called it moody).
TV-14 or TV-15: violence, mature themes, and some sexuality.

Berserk
Genre: fantasy, horror
This is an older show, and the animation is a bit dated, but the characters and story are excellent.
TV-MA: Strong, graphic violence, profanity, some sexuality/nudity.

Ergo Proxy
Genre: sci-fi
You might have trouble finding this series because it hasn't been released in America yet, but if you have been watching anime for one and a half years you should know where to find it.
TV-14 or TV-15 (I don't know what to rate this because I haven't watched all of it yet): violence and mature themes.

Texhnolyze
Genre: sci-fi
If you like sci-fi films like Bladerunner, you will probably like this series. If you don't like slow, moody films, you might want to skip this one.
TV-MA: Strong, graphic violence, mature themes, sexuality and nudity.

Neon Genesis Evangelion
Genre: sci-fi
This is considered a classic in anime, and worth watching for that reason alone. I personally think it's over rated, but, that's me.
TV-MA: Violence, some profanity, sexuality and nudity.
Note: Some episodes of this series is actually only rated TV-13 or TV-PG, and some of it other ratings, but the final third of the series and the final two films are rated TV-MA so I give it that rating.

Serial Experiments Lain
Genre: sci-fi, horror
This is an odd series that you will love or hate. I thought it was one of the most frightening films I've ever seen, but, that’s me.
TV-13: Mature themes, some violence

Excel Saga
Genre: sci-fi, comedy
A very funny show that makes fun of anything and everything. It’s probably comparable to South Park. That’s only a guess though, I haven’t seen any of South Park so I don’t know for sure.
TV-15 or TV-16: I haven't watched all of it but so far: violence and fan service.

A lot of people like Elfen Lied, but I personally think the violence and nudity are gratuitously, (boarder line to exploitation) and tremendously overrated. I really wanted to like the series, but I really didn’t think it’s very good. I would recommend you stay away from it, but, the choice is yours.

 

[Argon88]

Also I would recommend you check out

Ghost in the Shell
Genre: cyber punk, sci-fi
It's considered a classic of anime.
Rated R: strong violence and nudity

Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence
Genre: cyber punk, sci-fi
I personally think this is better film than the original.
Rated PG-13: Some violence, mature themes

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Genre: cyber punk, sci-fi
Yes, I really like Ghost in the shell.
TV-16: violence, mature themes

Jin-Roh: wolf brigade
Genre: sci-fi
I think this is an excellent film, but a lot of people don't like it.
Rated PG-13 or R: violence and maybe some profanity

Akira
Genre: Post-apocalyptic sci-fi
This also is considered classic anime.
Rated R: strong violence, language, and a little nudity

Princess Mononoke
Genre: fantasy, drama
Even people who don't like anime like this film.
Rated PG-13: violence, mature themes, some profanity

Note: Any film by Miyazaki worth seeing, but since I haven't seen many myself, I'm not listing them.

Gunslinger Girl
Genre: military drama
It's not a perfect series, but I still like it.
TV-13: violence, language, mature themes

Haibane Renmei
Genre: fantasy drama
I haven't watched all of this series yet, but I like it so far.
TV-13: language, mature themes

Millennium Actress
Genre: drama
This is a very interesting film if you study film.
Rated PG: mature themes

Perfect Blue
Genre: drama, horror
This also is an interesting film.
Rated R: very strong violence and sexuality, language

Memories
Genre: drama, sci-fi, and comedy
There are three short stories on this film, some better than others.
Rated PG-13: violence, language, mature themes.