This is one of the hardest lists I've had to make, simply because of the fact that I wasn't sure how I was going to number my top 5 picks.

I also know that my list doesn't contain a lot of the usual fare (Evangelion, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, etc.), but that's why it's my list. I do really enjoy an extremely wide variety of anime, but these are the ones that just stand out the most to me.

10. Record of Lodoss War (NOT the TV series!)



The best way to describe this one is as Dungeons & Dragons: The Anime. It has all of the classic D&D ingredients: dwarfs, dragons, wizards... everything. Mix in a good soundtrack and a not so bad story, and you have my number 10.

9. Mobile Suit Gundam 0083



This is, by far, my favorite entry into the Gundam series. It has excellent animation quality, a very serious storyline, and some of the best mech battles. It's a short one, being only 13 episodes, and it serves mostly as a prologue to Mobile Suit Gundam Z (which is also a great series), but it's well worth the time. And hey, the first Opening Theme has the lyrics "I've got a burning heart", sung in english in the middle of a bunch of japanese. I love it when it seems like they just throw random english into songs.

8. Blue Seed



This was the first series I watched after I first discovered anime, and to me, it's still one of the best. It's a story that takes place in modern Japan (well, modern 10 years ago) about the descendant of a bloodline that has the power to destroy a bunch of plant monsters, who has to figure out how to destroy them without becoming an actual sacrifice. Throw in a human who has the power of 7 of the plant demons and also acts as a love interest of the main character, and it makes for drama as well as comedy. And again with the amazingly awesome lyrics in the opening song: "Mysterious Tokyo, Pick me up foxy night game". Awesome.

7. Naruto



I know, I know. "Naruto is a kid's anime". Well, if you watch just the edited English dub, you would be right. However, as evident in the English dub as well as the Japanese dub, it's a kick ass show. Lots of "Holy Hell, did you see what he just did to that guy" moments, and lots of comedy. Uzumaki Naruto is one of those characters who acts like an idiot most of the time until it comes time to kick your ass, then he will make you wish you never crossed paths with him. Of course, he DOES have an ultra powerful demon living in him... that might have something to do with it. And this show also has one of my all-time favorite soundtracks to it, and one of the closing themes is my all-time favorite Japanese song.

6. Trigun



Another anime with a guy who acts like the world's biggest idiot that is also one of the most feared fighters, Trigun plays out like a classic TV western with a sci-fi twist. Kinda like Brisco County Jr. This show also has one of my favorite supporting characters of all time: Nicholas D. Wolfwood.

5. Cowboy Bebop



Bounty hunters in space. A girl named Ed who is a genius computer hacker. A welsh corgi "Data Dog". Faye Valentine. All set to an amazing soundtrack. Mix them all together, and you get one of the most popular anime series of all time. Did I mention that it also has one of the most controversial endings to a series ever?

4. Outlaw Star



What's this? Outlaw Star rated above Cowboy Bebop? This guy is insane! As I stated from the start, it was hard for me to determine an actual order to the top 5. Between the two though, I do give the slight edge to Outlaw Star. Honestly, I can't put my finger on why either. I just like the characters a little bit more I guess.

3. FullMetal Alchemist



I thought the overall top 5 was hard, but the top 3 was astoundingly difficult. I absolutely love FullMetal Alchemist. And yes, I know that halfway through the series, they just kinda veered away from the manga (because it was still ongoing and they caught up to it), but I have never read the manga, and I probably never actually will. Anyway, this is the most emotionally charged series I have seen, and it pays off in every way. And hey, you can't go wrong with a show that starts off with the main character losing an arm and a leg and lying in a pool of his own blood.

2. Ronin Warriors



Ronin Warriors at number 2? Yep. This was it. This was the show that taught me what anime was. This started it all for me. I saw this during it's initial American run, and it has stuck with me ever since. I'm actually watching it as I am typing up this list. Now, I know it's not the greatest anime in terms of story, but dammit, I love it anyway. QUAKE WITH FEAR!

1. YuYu Hakusho



And this one is the best. When I said the top 5 was hard to number, I really meant numbers 2 through 5. I knew the entire time what my number 1 was. When this show first started airing on the original Adult Swim Saturday Night anime lineup, I was immediately hooked. A show that starts off with the main character's death? Sign me up! The part that really clinched it for me though, was when Yusuke fought Suzaku of the Saint Beasts. That is, for me, the greatest moment in any anime series ever. nothing has beat it yet, or even come close for that matter.

Honorable Mentions: Neon Genesis Evangelion, Gantz, Bleach, GitS:SAC, Samurai Champloo, Saint Seiya, Generator Gawl, Escaflowne