Can't exactly place the first, but I do believe it might have been the film The Fantastic Adventures of Unico. Also, Nickeldeon in the late 80s / early 90s had this show which consisted of anime adaptations of various fairly tales (The Musicians of Bremen, Twelve Dancing Princessess, etc.). Also also, I remember my older brother wouldn't let me watch Akira when his friend brought it over.
First anime you purchased?
That would be a VHS volume of Ranma 1/2 (containing episodes 59 and 60, if I'm not mistaken) from the local gaming / bookstore (Bookvilla, we miss you). Just picked it up randomly. Of course, this started a trend where I woud less-then-discerningly pick up VHS anime that seemed vaguely interested to me every now and then; some of the titles I picked up in this phase include BioHunter, Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals, and Wrath of the Ninja (The Yotoden Movie). Not that these are necessarily bad titles, but I'm pretty sure these are collecting dust in a closet at my Mom's house right now. However, during this time I also picked up the Yu Yu Hakusho movie, volume 1 of the Tenchi Muyo OVA (subbed, too) and Green Legend Ran, titles which I feel still hold up.
First anime series you watched and completed?
All the way through? This is tricky; even though I caught most of several series on Toonami (Dragon Ball Z, Gundam Wing, Robotech (Super Dimension Fortress Macross), and the rest), I believe I finished Tenchi Universe first. Back then, I regularly taped lots of shows from Toonami and actually finished several (The Big O, Outlaw Star and others).
However, I still own some series I haven't finished; I just get side-tracked and lose momentum if it doesn't 100% hold my attention, even if it is a really good series.
Favorite female anime character?
Possibly the independent and observant Kino of Kino's Journey or, more likely, the sympathetic Okonogi Yuko (Yasako) of Dennou Coil.
Favorite male anime character?
One of the most intriguing protagonists I've ever seen is the selfish, sadistic and abusively manipulative Nogami Neuro of the anime/manga series Majin Tantei Nogami Neuro (Demon Detective Nogami Neruo), though the series itself has some shortcomings and I had yet to finish reading this yet-to-be-licensed series before OneManga was taken down. Otherwise, it's between Monkey D. Luffy of One Piece and Gash Bell of Golden Gash Bell!!, both of whom are similar characters, but, even though One Piece is the hands-down better series (though Gash Bell is good, too), I might like Gash 1% more than Luffy.
Most annoying anime character you have ever come across?
I know that I’m going to get some flak for this, but it might be Ikari Shinji. Don’t get me wrong, I understand that he has an incredibly huge burden to bear, but his whining and reluctance gets to point where I want to say “Man up, Shinji! People are counting on you!”
Best ‘bad guy’ you’ve seen in anime?
This technically falls under the jurisdiction of manga at this time, but, currently, it’s the sadistic and two-faced “Wet Hair” Caribou of One Piece. Villainous, that guy.
What mecha would you love to pilot?
Let's go with Big-O.
Which anime ‘world’ would you like to be a part of?
As much as I love One Piece and would love a devil-fruit ability, I’d be scared of constant pirate massacres…
Name an anime that went way above your expectations?
Both One Piece and FullMetal Alchemist were shows about which I had heard some buzz and started watching on a whim. As an anime, I feel FullMetal Alchemist functions better, as it maintained its high quality of animation and story throughout, whereas the OP anime fluctuates in quality (due to the need for filler material).Oh, also Dennou Coil was a great show. Also also, Monster is quite amazing, though I feel its slower pace works better in the manga sometimes and sometimes an especially action-filled or dramatic chapter works better in the anime.
Name an anime that was bitterly disappointing?
Again, hearing some buzz, I started watching Burst Angel on a whim. I believe I made it through five or six episodes before I gave up. Total crap show. Way too dependent on fan-service, of which I’m no fan.
Name the most obscure/ ‘unpopular’ anime you’ve seen?
Kaiba was a show that interested me based on its art-style. The plot’s not super-original, but for a twelve episode run, I feel it held its ground. I’m also somewhat surprised more people haven’t heard of Monster (the manga, especially).
Favorite anime theme song?
Though I haven’t seen the series, “Give a Reason” by Megumi Hayashibara for Slayers NEXT caught my ear many, many years ago. Also, “Two of Me in My Heart” for Haunted Junction. Yes, the J-Pop of the 90’s.
Favorite Anime at the moment?
Unfortunately, being short of time and great of laziness, I haven’t been consistently watching any anime in a long time…
Do you read manga as well?
Yes; One Piece nigh-religiously so.
What is your favorite manga?
Again, One Piece, though I have yet to finish Monster.
What anime are you currently watching for the first time?
As said above, I haven’t been watching anything really. However, as of last spring, I had started watching Darker than Black.
What is one anime that everyone should see?
While I consider many of Miyazaki’s works to be fairly accessible, I feel that Spirited Away to be perhaps the best.
