5) Ah! My Goddess: The Movie (2000)

Airing in early 2000, this one barely slips in. The story itself is rather average, and won't make much sense to those new to the franchise, but beautiful animation of some of my favorite characters combined with a beautiful soundtrack makes this one of my favorite movies, and a fitting addition to the list. Hey, you didn't think I could let this list go by without at least one Fujishima property, did you?

4) Wolf's Rain (2003)

Slipping under a lot of people's radars, this science-fantasy show about wolves trying to find paradise ended up being way better than I had hoped. It isn't a happy tale, but stories about the end of the world rarely are. A stellar Yoko Kanno soundtrack doesn't hurt, either.

3) Pani Poni Dash (2005)

I realize this choice says bad things about me, but I can't help it. Of all the comedies I watched this decade, I laughed more at this show than any other. It makes no sense, but it is hilarious. A knowledge of anime and manga in-jokes is highly recommended to get the most from this show.

2) Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2002)

A tour de force performance from start to finish, this show spanned two seasons and a movie. Essentially a re-telling of the original story with more of a modern anti-terrorist slant, the animation and direction were spot on. An excellent English dub helped this show reach a wider audience than most.

1) Haibane Renmei (2002)

Describing this show as "spiritual" doesn't really do it justice, though it is accurate. The characters in this show have so many layers, and what you originally think the show is about isn't actually what it is about at the end. Beautiful background paintings blend with deep characters and solid acting and writing to deliver one of the best shows of the decade. I think about this show more than probably any other I have ever watched.