This is a general list of "must-watch" anime oriented for those who are new to the medium. Each title that is added to this list should have at least a small description on its own page. The following shows are popular and critically acclaimed, though some may not align with your own personal taste.
Also check out EcchiMaster's Recommendations(nsfw)(if you're into that kind of thing).
For other general recommendation charts check the /a/ wiki . In fact this wiki is loosely based on this chart .
Editor's Note: Please keep each genre limited to 12 recommendations each. Any more than that has a tendency to be overwhelming to people new to anime.
Action
Comedy
Cromartie High School
Hayate the Combat Butler!
Seitokai Yakuindomo
Drama
Air
Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day
Kanon
Kimi ga Nozomu Eien (Rumbling Hearts)
Maria Watches Over Us
Saikano
Tsuritama
Fanservice
Girls Bravo
Kiss x Sis
Queen's Blade
To-LOVE-Ru
Fantasy/Adventure
The Beast Player Erin
Xam'd: Lost Memories
Fullmetal Alchemist & Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Record of Lodoss War
Harem
MM!
Tenchi Muyo!
Utawarerumono
Horror
Magical Girl
Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha
Mai-HIME
Martial Arts
Baki the Grappler
Ben-To
History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi
Shura no Toki
Seirei no Moribito
Tenjou Tenge
Mecha
Mobile Suit Gundam Movie Trilogy
Macross: Do You Remember Love
RahXephon
RideBack
Movies
Colorful
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
Grave of the Fireflies
Millennium Actress
Perfect Blue
Princess Mononoke
Tokyo Godfathers
Whisper of the Heart
Music
AKB0048
Detroit Metal City
Full Moon wo Sagashite
The Idolmaster
Mystery
OVAs/ONAs
Denpa Teki na Kanojo
Eve no Jikan
FLCL
Golden Boy
Kowarekake no Orgel
Pale Cocoon
Read or Die
Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal
Voices of a Distant Star
Psychological
Ghost Hound
Haibane Renmei
Mawaru Penguindrum
Romance
Chobits
Ef - A Tale of Memories & Ef - A Tale of Melodies
Kimi ni Todoke
Onegai Teacher
Sci-Fi
Blue Submarine No. 6
Dennou Coil
Ghost in the Shell
Legend of the Galactic Heroes
Memories
Noein
Now and Then, Here and There
Planetes
Toaru Majutsu no Index & Toaru Kagaku no Railgun
Slice of Life
Croisée in a Foreign Labyrinth
Genshiken
Ichigo Mashimaro
Kaleido Star
Sora no Woto
Tamayura & Tamayura: Hitotose
Usagi Drop
Working!!
Sports/Games
Akagi
Bamboo Blade
Cross Game
Eyeshield 21
Hajime no Ippo
Hikaru no Go
Initial D First Stage
Kaiji
Major
Saki
Slam Dunk
