There is nothing subtle about death note. that's like saying evangelion is subtle
but I do agree with appleseed. even for an 80's anime, I'd say the animation is good even by todays standard. the cg version is ok too

Revolutionary Girl Utena the animation leans more towards abstract at times, but it is very good making your brain feel all melty

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Oooooh! I'm so glad that Natsume Yuujinchou got a nod!

As for something that has a surreal animation (soft-on-the-eyes) quality like Natsume Yuujinchou, try Honey and Clover - both seasons... But that's only if you're into slice-of-life, josei, and slow development, but it hits you... It has great music to boot too (I love the ending credits)! Damn it... I love this anime... and thought that nothing could top Natsume Yuujinchou... well, it's a tie for 1st place in my book!

As for something philosophical with great animation, Mushi-shi... yup!! Haven't finished watching it yet... but the art is gorgeous.

You could also try Bartender... it's seinen, slice-of-life, and episodic. Plus you get to learn about cocktails and the history of spirits like tequila! Haven't finished watching it yet... but the art's clean.

Death Note had really strong animation... like: DAMN, it's so smooth.

Death Note, Code Geass and Clannad. (Sorry if already mentioned)

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Code Geass' animation kinda sucked sometimes, why do people recommend it? And Clannad, although has excellent animation, is from origin a VN so it doesn't really count I guess. (But it's still a must-watch for every anime fan though.)

I thought Kure-nai and Candy Boy had sweet and smooth animation, I really recommend them, though Candy Boy isn't originally from a manga. (the story continues as a manga though.)
I also really recommend Ouran High School Host Club, I thought the art was slightly better than the manga.
Lovely Complex has some good animation too and interesting art, at least a little different than the usual anime style. It's really nice.
Hatenkou Yuugi also had good animation and especially good art but it's been a while since I saw the anime (or a scene of it) so I don't really remember it well.
Maybe Myself; Yourself but the origin isn't from a manga but from a VN... and like Hatenkou Yuugi it's been a while since I saw it so I'm not sure...

Edit: lol I almost forgot to mention Black Lagoon, Ef -A Tale of Memories-, Skip Beat! and Nana. I thought these had good animation and art too, but they've probably been mentioned already. (didn't have read the whole thread.)

Last edited by Koetsjie at 2:51 am, Oct 18 2010

Seconding the original FMA anime rec.
FMA:B's also good, but the art is more manga-ish. Anyways, I love both of them

Since some have been recommending movies:
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006) - tell me if the animation isn't excellent!

GHOST IN THE SHELL the animation for innocence is brilliant get a high quality and or a blu ray version if you have a blu ray play and an hd tv. seriously the great blend of 2d and cg is i can't even describe it just watch it.
stand alone complex and 2gig both have great animation also.

I don't know if all of this are adaptation but they have great animation.

Karas
FMA: brotherhood
Eureka 7
7 Samurai
Samurai Champloo
Darker Than Black (though the animation is good the atmosphere doesn't suit that kind of plot)
Metropolis
Appleseed (you either like the 3d animation or hate it, I personally don't like it. i think it should have been done in 2d.)
Blood+ ( i think the plot is okay but the Saya is annoying. I prefer the Saya from the last Vampire)
Durarara!
Gilgamesh (the animation is brilliant and the atmospheric feel post-apocalyptic world is one of the best I've ever come across)
Death Note
Angel Heart
Steam Boy


Honorable mention
Trigun
Akira
Gungrave
One Piece
Black Lagoon
Gintama
Code Gease
Fullmetal Alchemist
Blood the last Vampire
Fairy Tail
Reborn!
Lovely Complex
GunXsword
I"s
Mai-Hime
Mai-Otome
Rave
Soul Eater
Eyeshield 21
Chobits
Kaiji
Full Metal Panic
Gantz


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Thanks to you guys I've now bought Gilgamesh and am lining up other series! You're brilliant! Keep 'em coming!

yeah, Gilgamesh is awesome

Cowboy Bebop - technically it fits the description. great animation and was made into a manga. A bad one, but nonetheless...

Moyashimon - Pretty spot on to the manga.and well damn its about brewing alcohol.

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fullmetal... either of them