Alright well I'm going to be different here and suggest something a tad more recent. Two new animes that have become my favorites:
Elfen Lied (it's actually German folks in terms of the title and the opening uses Latin. Which is always cool for me). If you like to see a soft hearted girl with horns cut loose with psionic abilities that would make the STNJ of WHR fame piss in their boots. Yeah it's got some nudity but it's got a god for real plot, some interesting characters AND the backgrounds/sounds are sweet.
Samurai Champloo. If you love Cowboy Bebop, this is SO for you. Sure it's in Edo Era Japan but it's got some funny stuff, some great lines, great characters, etc. Oh yeah and the rapping is nice too.

Trust me, watch the first ep. If you're not hooked by then, then you have no taste.
I do know that both are licensed but not sure when they are to be released here in the US. Elfen Lied is based of the manga (comic) by the same name. However no idea which is better as I've only see fan subs of anime.
But these are for me great anime. (Not that Howl's Moving Castle, Spirited Away or Princess Mononoke aren't either but just saying.)