Anime that makes sense to Westerners

[jaguar]

Don't forget about Ninja Scroll http://us.imdb.com/Title?0107692 It's a classic. Well worth the time.

First anime I ever saw. Had no idea what to expect, within 5 minutes about 50 guys had be graphically slashed to bits and one was being raped violently by some kind of giant mutant type fellow if memory serves me correctly. Not one for the kids. That was an intersting experience. That said, Ghost in the shell rocks, Cowboy Bebop is great, Akira is awesome & Perfect Blue is worth your time.