Hrmmh, I watched the original FMA (2003-2004) but was highly disappointed.
I did not read manga or novel however, so maybe that was the reason. And did not even decide to start with FMA:B yet so maybe if I do I'll get a better opinion about this series.
Fantasy, something with magic and awesomeness.
I don't really like Sci-Fi stuff, unless it is made of win (Gurren Lagann).
A bit old post, but care to hear my suggestion for good Sci-Fi?
PlanetES:
Extraordinary. More of a drama, rarely a comedy but with great characters and superb storyline that just gets better and better until the end...Quite touching and intelligent also. Just glanced once over manga and it seemed story is even deeper so I'll definitely get to it some time.
Mobile Suit Gundam:
I am currently specializing in Gundam universe so I must add this.
Do not let this giant-mecha anime fool you - it is not your ordinary sunday-morning kids show. Sure, it's a bit old in terms of animation. Sure, Gundam itself is piloted by a kid. But damn was I surprised. The way how serious this anime gets and the way it handles morality of war...Not to mention action which is far from "AMCHARGINMAHLAZZOOOOR!!" but indeed quite tactical and military-like. So all-in-all it comes to no surprise why it was (and still) regarded as simply groundbreaking when it first came out.
Just do not watch any later series, at least not before this one...they are just...not so good (except 2 OVAs).
Ginga Eiyū Densetsu aka
Legend of the Galactic Heroes:
...Well, it's epic.
No, scram that.
It's
beyond epic.
110 eps spawning epicness of large-scale military conflict, political scheming, ambition, treachery, corruption, cunning war strategies, simple acts of bravery and honour.
Just watch it and let your jaw drops.
The Super Dimension Fortress Macross:
The original Macross. I like it. Good action, interesting characters, enjoyable soundtrack, transforming robots and some neat ideas/twists. Last 10 or so eps kinnda disappointed me, but the rest was very enjoyable.
I did heard however that the American adaptation, "Robotech", pretty much massacrated whole story, characters etc. And I do not like "Macross: Do You Remember Love?" movie neither later series "Macross 7", but I did not finnish watching that one yet.
I could find more, but this is all I can remember for now.
And of course, "win" is very subjective here, I just listed what I like and
think it's more or less good anime.