This is meant to go at the end of the 'Newbie Anime' thread, but I thought it important enough that I didn't want it to get lost in the pile of replies.

I'm a BIG fan of Kawamori Shoji (who wrote 'Escaflowne', directed 'Macross Plus' and was in charge of mecha design for SDF Macross, a.k.a. 'Robotech', someone can check me on these). If you haven't seen 'Escaflowne', 'Macross Plus' (or - God forbid - Robotech, but I can't imagine anyone here having missed that one), you MUST GO OUT THERE RIGHT NOW AND GET THEM! They are, quite simply, the best - that is, if you enjoy being totally engrossed in a story line to the point of losing touch with reality altogether.

(I also loved the original GiTS and NGE, but found 'Lain' a tad contrite and depressing, although stylistically perfect.)

And if you don't mind a little shoujo, 'Fushigi Yuugi' is another fabulous title.

'Now and Then, Here and There' is another relatively obscure title which you abolutely must check out.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

P.S. - And the 'Urotsukodoji' OVA is a great gift for your Valentine. ;p