Recommendations

These are some of what I consider the best in animation (at least that I've seen).  The quality of all of these is, in my opinion, excellent - both in story, animation, and the treatment of gender issues.  Anime recommendations are given by the Japanese titles with the US release title in parenthesis. 

Level one recommendations: 

These are shows with no violence or very little violence, romance but no sexual innuendo, and simple themes.  In other words, suitable for all ages.

• Ah! Megami-Sama
• Anastasia
• Bambi
• Barbie as Rapunzel
• CardCaptor Sakura
• Finding Nemo
• Lilo and Stitch
• Majo no Takkyuubin (Kiki's Delivery Service)
• The Secret of NIMH
• Tonari no Totoro (My Neighbor Totoro)

Level two recommendations:

These are shows that have more complex and mature themes, and may contain some violence, some sexual innuendo, or casual nudity.  In other words, suitable for older children.

• Bishôjo Senshi Sailor Moon (Sailor Moon)
• Hotaru no Haka (Grave of the Fireflies)
• The Last Unicorn
• Metropolis
• Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke)
• Mulan
• Ranma 1/2
• Robot Carnival
• Tenko no Shiro Rapyuta (Castle in the Sky)
• Titan A.E.
• Transformers: The Movie

Level three recommendations:

These are shows that can have very mature themes, and can often contain violence, some nudity and sexual activity.  Some of these, like Gravitation, are here simply because of thematic content rather than violence, sex or nudity.  In other words, suitable for teens and adults.

• Ayashi no Ceres (Ceres: Celestial Maiden)
• Gravitation
• The Hakkenden: The Legend of the Dog Warriors
• Hellsing
• Jin-Roh
• Kokaku Kidoutai (Ghost in the Shell)
• Perfect Blue
• Pet Shop of Horrors
• Shinseiki Evangelion (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
• Shoujo Kakumei Utena (Revolutionary Girl Utena)

Level four recommendations:

These are for mature audiences only, and have either extremely graphic violence, sexual activity, or both.

• Kite: Special Edition Uncut