@kusterdu

I've recommended the Galactic Heroes a few times (it's in my opinion one of the best series, if not the best, out there). I have--I mean a friend of a friend hypothetically has--the LoGH books, and you might not not be able to find the links in the 'totally innocent books thread' here on the forum if you don't have them already. I haven't read them but I look forward to doing so.

Hmm...so many to mention, and I'm not sure how to describe them all, so for now I'll just be dull and list some.

Seconds/thirds/eleventy-thirds to things like Mushishi, Kino's Journey, Cromartie, Sexy Commando Gaiden, Baccano! and Lucky Star.

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned* Bounen No Xam'd, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, Higurashi No Naku No Koro Ni or Outlaw Star yet. These shows have some fairly typical elements, but either subvert them or take them to such an extreme that it's thrilling.

*Apologies if I skipped over anyone's post, it wasn 't intentional.

If you guys like the fantasy vibe, (and if you're French learners), check out the new Wakfu flash animated series. It's great, and there're some epic battles.

Gainax's new anime definitely isn't typical..

It's pretty damn crazy though,
http://randomc.net/2010/10/01/panty-stoc...erbelt-01/

Thank you bombpersons.
Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt is really like watching the Power Puffs on drugs. It's almost like Dead Leaves: I miss the old style, but...

EDIT: I can't believe nobody mentionned:
Dead Leaves, the most untypical anime movie I ever saw. 53mn of pure adrenaline bliss (speedy punk sf).
Shikabane Hime (屍姫) which kicked ass (a shinto-ghost series set in modern Japan)(it's almost mainstream though, like Claymore).
The Tower of Druaga (neo fantasy), it's subtlely atypical. Great watch.

list of my +1s in this thread (my thanks to all who recommended them):
Black Lagoon, Dennou Coil, Kemonozume, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, Durarara!