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The following are my picks for the Top 10 anime that have been released on DVD in Region 1. Alot goes into what I pick for my top 10 list including animation quality, story and writing, replay value but most of all, my personal enjoyment factor.
I can't say that all of these series will be favorites of yours but these are definately series that I would reccomend to anyone.
1. Princess Nine (ADV - 2001) - One of the most under rated titles in history. This is a sports anime about high school girls forming the very first all girl's baseball team with the intention of playing the boys and winning the national tournament at Koshien Stadium. It's more than just girls on the baseball field though, this is an anime with tons of heart!
2. Azumanga Daioh (ADV - 2004) - Told in an hilarious format, this series is about a group of high school girls and their daily lives with an insane homeroom teacher. This series goes beyond hilarious and with a stellar dub cast led by such veterans as Luci Christian, Monica Rial, Jessica Boone and others; you really can't miss with this series.
3. Petite Princess Yucie (ADV - 2005) - Based on the game Princess Maker 2 by Gainax, this is a series that tells the story of Yucie, a 17 year old girl who is trapped in the body of a 10 year old and her quest to become the next Platinum Princess and get one free wish... to become a full adult. Filled with heart, humor and a fabulous performance by Rachel Rivera as Yucie, this is another series that you can't go wrong with... no matter if you're a child or an adult.
4. Madlax (ADV - 2005) - One of the most incredible action dramas that I've seen in my life, Madlax is a mercenary in the civil war torn country of Gazth-Sonika with a past that she can't remember. Margaret is a young girl from another country with a past that she can't remember but somehow these two are related and finding out the truth will either destroy them or make them truly complete. This is not a series to miss because of it's stellar story and writing but if you need more, try the music, animation and hilarious 'Conversations with SSS' extras!
5. Please Twins (Bandai - 2005) - The sequel to the wonderfully sweet romantic sci fi comedy, Please Teacher, this series really lessens the sci fi and tells a sweet story about a high school boy living on his own when two girls show up on his doorstep, both of them claiming to be his long lost sister. What follows is 13 episodes of heartfelt storytelling leading an incredibly dramatic conclusion. This was a serious contender to top my 'Best of 2005' list.
6. La Portrait de Petite Cossette (Geneon - 2005) - With it's groundbreaking animation, very deep and original story and haunting soundtrack composed by Yuki Kaijura, this was an OVA that didn't get nearly as much attention as it deserved upon it's release in late 2005. Incredibly under rated, this release showed an incredible range of artwork that has never been seen in anime until now. It was only a matter of time before someone in Japan cashed in on the Gothic Lolita fashion and I'm glad that this was the result.
7. Interlude (Toei Animation - 2005) - Another release that got almost no attention upon it's release because the company that released it handled it so badly, this OVA told a remarkably complex story and had incredible animation throughout. Despite it's terrible dub titles, this release deserves to be viewed by everyone at least once.
8. World Of Narue (Geneon - 2004) - With it's incredibly cute cast of characters, this sweet sci fi romance really took me by surprise with how good it really is. Kazu is a jr. high student when he meets Narue and becomes her boyfriend after he finds out that she is actually an alien! Lots of great comedy and romance is in this series along with a stellar cast makes this one a great viewing.
9. Sakura Taisen/Wars (ADV - 2003) - One of the stronger franchises that was released in Japan, this series has undergone tons of incarnations including more than a few video games, radio dramas and stage productions but the TV series released by ADV will always have a special place in my library. With tons of action and a theme song that will get stuck in your head for days, this is a series that I think will always have a place in my Top 10 list.
10. Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 (ADV - 1999) - As an anime fan, I have to admit that there is almost nothing more entertaining than walking into a room full of anime fans and asking everyone to share which version of this series is the best and then watching them argue about it all night long. For my money though, this will always be the best incarnation of this series with it's incredible animation and a story that lasts all the way through to the very end. Add in Christine Auten playing the hard as nails Priss and an incredibly rocking soundtrack and you have a series that stands the test of time!