I've been watching Naruto...up to episode 86 or so ( I lost count). I have watched tons of anime, but this is by far the best anime I have ever seen. The storyline just keeps getting bumped up a notch, and never in a corny or predictable way. I also have really enjoyed Ninja Scroll, Lain, Animatrix, Princess Monanoke, and so many more that I am too tired to remember their names...
Lesse.. My favorite anime series would have to be a tie between Neon Genesis Evangelion and FLCL. Both are so very awesome and FLCL is the kind of anime you can just pop in while you're doing something else and it will still entertain you whenever you glance over at the screen. I also really enjoy watching Serial Experiment Lain but that kind of anime demands your full attention.
As for movie wise I would have to say Akira because in my mind it is the end all be all of anime movies. Admit it, it owns you. Ghost in the Shell comes in second but Akira will always be the originally bad ass anime movie. You can't beat an opening scene that includes rival bike gangs trying to annhilate each other in a post-apocolyptic neo-Tokyo setting.
You really got to watch any foreign flick in the original language!! Put on the subtitles and hear the real voice actors. Even learn a bit of Japanese if you have to, but it really makes oyu appreciate it a lot more.
Robotech isnt really "traditional anime cause its made in america but its the first series I ever watched.
Movies would have to include Spirited Away(Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi), Ninja Scroll, Jin roh (theres a lot more to this film than meets the eye, watch it a few times and get into the layers of this film), Ghost in the shell and many many more. Grave of the firelies is on my wish list at the moment.
I havent bothered with many of the series, hard to come by the complete set to rent and its too damn expensive to buy. Exceptions being LAain which was awesome and Neon Genesis which is by far the greatest Ive ever seen.
Cowboy Bebop
Last Exile (enjoyed it almost as much as Bebop)
Azumanga Daioh (intensely cute/funny)
Haibane Renmei (love this series)
Texhnolyze
Kino's Journey
Dead Leaves
FLCL
The Twelve Kingdoms
Crest of the Stars/Banner of the Stars
Princess Mononoke
Berserk
Arjuna
Outlaw Star
RahXephon
Serial Experiments Lain
Gantz
Boogiepop Phantom
Requiem From The Darkness
Kai Doh Maru
Zone of the Enders: Dolores
Kare Kano aka His and Her Circumstances
Noir
Sol Bianca
Elfen Lied
There might be a few I'm forgetting, but those are amony my favorites.
This movie hasn't been mentioned yet........but I have to say I enjoyed watching M.D. Geist.......the story wasn't that great but the action i spretty good........that and akira are my favs fo sho