I second 7seeds, although there is an awful lot of tragedy in it, which you said you tend to avoid in your original post, so... but, I think it's really worth reading. I can't think of many manga more powerful than this. I also second Onani Master Kurosawa and Watashitachi no Shiawase na Jikan.

Hm, I can't really think of anything else off the top of my head, although I thought the anime Code Geass was very powerful and made me feel all sorts of crazy things. Ah, and I loved the movie Tekkonkinkreet, although it doesn't seem to be very popular so maybe that's just me. And Grave of the Fireflies (the animated film) - although, again, it's a tragedy, one of the most heartwrenching tragedies there is, so if you are really, really averse to tragedies, avoid this like the plague. But I think it's so worth watching. (Although you might never be able to bring yourself to watch it a second time because it's so depressing.)

Might be worth checking out this thread too.

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世界のどこかに 必ず
キミの居場所が ある筈

Have you tried Mars?

Anime: Rainbow
I haven't read the manga, so all I can say is that the anime should not be overlooked.

Mars by Souryo Fuyumi (this does deal with rape, but it was one of the first manga i read and i have continued to read it, it is really, really, really good)

Fruits Basket (once you get into the meat of it it really is a brilliant manga, also one of my favorites, it has coerced tears from me and i am not one to cry easily, but it is beautiful and very gentle. Reading it made me become a better person... i think...) people often dismiss this as being silly and girlish, but, although it is a bit girly, the character development and how the think and feel is very reflective on those around us. It is about hate and anger, misunderstandings and selfishness, greed and common sense, don't take the anime of it as law though, it finishes not even half way into the manga before it actually becomes really meaningful.




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We work in the dark, we do what we can, we give what we have, out doubt is our passion and our passion is our task, the rest is the madness of art. Henry james

Annarasumanara
beautifull, sad and magical. highlights the bad sides of todays society

Basara
if you really get into it, leaves a very powerfull impression. actually made me change the way i view the world.

Please Save My Earth
starts our slow...but a good story. Really makes you think about the meaning of rebirth

Vitamin (SUENOBU Keiko)
short and intense, a story about bullying. very inspiring, makes you believe you can overcome any hardship

Trace you must read this. It's fantastic.

I have to second Fruits Basket, for all the reasons given by RattixEmpire. It is one of those things that is popular because it is that good.

Same for Fullmetal Alchemist.

Princess Tutu anime. It is not what you might think.

Revolutionary Girl Utena anime. This is not something you watch and forget what you saw.

I recently saw the movie Summer Wars. It makes you laugh, it makes you cry, it makes you clap and cheer. Excellent movie on many levels.

Most any Miyazaki movie.