5) Yugo the Negotiator (2004)

Yugo is a series that I was skeptical about, at first; however, I had to give it a shot after some very positive words from a few friends. The show blew me away. Watching Yugo talk his way through the harsh conditions of Pakistan and Russia was simply exhilarating. The two arcs felt more like parts of a film than episodes in a series. And, the excitement and danger of a negotiator's life was conveyed beautifully as Yugo earned the trust of militants, and secured victories through his missions.

4) Ai Yori Aoshi (2002)

Ai Yori Aoshi is one of those shows that comes around every so often. It's a harem show, yes. But the relationship between Kaoru and Aoi is one that just felt, well... real. The experience declines somewhat once the gears shift from romance to a strange cross between drama and harem, but the main story is strong enough to pull Ai Yori Aoshi through all 36 episodes.

3) Black Lagoon (2006)

Black Lagoon was just too fun to avoid mentioning. It is an excellent action show that doesn't go too far with the fantasy, nor does it hit the now-normal high levels of emo. It is just Revy, Dutch, and to a lesser extent Rock and Benny kicking ass and earning their pay on the high seas. The action is fast and furious, the kill counts are high, and the adrenaline just keeps up through all 26 episodes. The characters are likable, and more down-to-earth in their quirks.

2) Haibane Renmei (2002)

I'll admit it — Haibene Renmei caught me by surprise. I really didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. On that note, I also didn't expect a show to make me think as much as Haibane Renmei, either. The amazing artwork, the lush visuals, and excellent music really come together to help bring the world to life. However, it is the top notch writing and characters that really makes this special. It is one of those shows that gave me a bit of an existential moment as I asked, "why?" when the end credits rolled. But, at the same time, I didn't want to see more — I knew the show had run its course, and run it well.

1) Ah! My Goddess TV Series (2005)

I'll admit that I have been wanting this for many, many years. I love Ah! My Goddess, and ate up all of the OVAs. The TV series ended up being everything I hoped for, and then some. The story is still as sweet as I remember, and the characters are just as lovable.