In need of new anime

[trunks]

Hello all,
I've been a huge anime fan for years and am finally very close to being caught up with my backlog, so I thought I'd ask for recommendations for some more anime to enjoy. Here are anime series I currently own/have tried:

LOVED:
long shonen series (DB/Z/GT, HXH, YYH, FMA, Bleach, Naruto, One Piece)
Ouran High School Host Club
Eden of the East
Case Closed
Cowboy Bebop
Birdy the Mighty: Decode

LIKED:
Tenchi Universe
Kenichi
Flame of Recca
Gundam Wing
Beck

DIDN'T REALLY LIKE:
Death Note
Inuyasha
Prince of Tennis
Ranma 1/2
Sgt Frog
Shin Chan (Funi's humor got old)
School Rumble
Slayers
Black Lagoon

TO-WATCH LIST:
Trigun
Soul Eater
Sacred Blacksmith
Summer Wars


I don't know if that list helps clarify my likes and dislikes or not. Essentially, I like a good plot that isn't too serious (Death Note) or too goofy (School Rumble). Perhaps Fullmetal Alchemist or Bebop are good examples. They have nice plots with comedic character interactions spread throughout. Anyway, having said all that, anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks in advance! =)

[njchobitsfan]

Some older shows that may tickle your fancy:

R.O.D. the TV and OAV (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=1989) Excellent concept, awesome animation, (espcially the OAV which should be watched first) and great characters. One of the best overall series I've seen.
My-Hime and all sequels (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=4155My ) Another great action series with nice character designs, (try and pick your fav, very hard). One every action fan should watch at least once.
Shakugan no Shana (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=5943) Hot red-headed tsundere actioner, (if you like tsundere characters). I was happy that the second series was picked up, YEA!

More recent shows:

Toradora! (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=10050) One of the best, if not the best rom/coms that's not as goofy as School Rumble.
Spice & Wolf (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=8537) Really different but well worth watching, plus you can check out an episode or two streamed on ANN.
Sekirei (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=9561) Some nice kick-butt action with fanservice, (may not be your thing, but it doesn't hurt :nosebleed:).

[TheInfiniteAbyss]

FMA: Brotherhood....first 7/10 episodes have the major points in the original, but with slightly different twists. after that, it's a completely different story with new characters and new events. still has the serious and comedic elements.

Fruits Basket....good plot/story. has a lot of heart warming moments. the only bad thing is the end makes you want to know what happened next. this will make you to want to read the manga (to see what happened afterwards and what they didn't put in the show).

Romeo X Juliet....really good story. if you're not a fan of the storyline of the play...not sure if you're gonna like this. it's really good, although towards the end it kinda trails off, but gets back on course by the last episode

Code Geass...mecha. very well written and keeps you interested to the last episode.

Baccano....well written. the only downfall is that you sorta have to marathon it because the episodes are intertwined and they jump back and forth in time and view point.

Durarara!!!....if you like Baccano, you'll like this (same creator)...same style, but doesn't jump around in time, only sometimes changes from whose view point you're watching from.

Hetalia: Axis Powers...basically, historical humor. the only downfall is if you don't know your history, you probably won't get some of the jokes....they do have text on the screen about historical context. some of the main jokes you'll definitely know.

Full metal Panic....honestly, i've only gotten around to watching fummofu!, but it's good. the first season and second raid have serious tones...while fumoffu! is more on the comedic side.

Most of these you'll probably end up just liking.

[davesimmons]

Buso Renkin was a fun and relatively short fighting series that pokes a little fun at the genre without being a parody.

Tenchi GXP - it's the Tenchi universe (OVA version not Universe version) with a different main character and a new group of women.

Black Lagoon - John Woo's Hong Kong action films as anime (suggested because you liked Cowboy Bebop, though not really that much like it).

[Buckeye]

The one that best fits your tastes would be Full Metal Panic. It has a good storyline with great humor (and with Fumoffu, it's over-the-top). You will also like Nadesico and To Aru Majutusu no Index (coming to R1 soon) as well.