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And they could do Tuxedo Gin while they're at it. (Or has boy meets girl, is killed, returns as a penguin been done before?)

I don't really agree with you.

For those who visit my website, you would know that I am a big fan of the Ranma 1/2 anime and manga. Recently, I had the opportunity to obtain a complete, free, fan-translated run of the manga in GIF format. Each page was its own image, and had to be read with a web browser or image viewer like IrfanView (free) or ACDSee (not free).

Despite the fact that I already have it in a digital format, I continue to pay for the 'legitimate' release of Ranma 1/2 as it comes out, month by month, at $3.95 an issue.

When I want to re-read a story or figure out a particular reference for a fanstory, however, rather than reaching for the stack of manga... I pop in the CDR containing the digital versions. Not only is it easier for me to read than the text version, it's quicker, you don't have to hunt for issues, etc...

I've also recently obtained the 'Complete MAD Magazine,' which is a 7 CD set containing every issue of MAD magazine between the first issue in the 50's to around 1998 if I'm correct. True, some of them are dogs, especially the newer once. My old stack of MAD's hasn't been touched since, however.

If you have indexing of any kind, you can search on that. If not, you can search on filenames. While I think that the current e-book formats, all of which are burdened with copy-protection, are inherently flawed, they have a great deal on print books.

I especially like the PDB (Palm) format, which can be used with or without copy protection, and allows you to read books on your organizer. With the aid of a few utilities, said PDB files can be easily converted to HTML, Star, Word, or ASCII Text.

I don't think copy protected e-books will go over very well, but I *do* think that the e-book is only going to get more and more popular.

As for episodes, just about every POS DB/DBZ site will give you episode synopses, or you can just go to IRC and download the episodes yourself (dalnet/#DBZIRC is a start).

You're welcome.

Just an adaptation of a small part of a much larger Manga called Gunnm(Battle Angel Alita in the US), translated and published by Viz. Consult your favorite online bookseller to purchase.

I'm giving up promoting my personal favorites... they aren't primarily comedies, they aren't all that well covered here, but... hey, what sane moderator will browse ~700 comments at 1 or less??

...I'd like to suggest some older shows that have apparently been forgotten under the current blitz of Lain, Slayers, Evangelion, Gundam Wing, etc.

Otaku no Video (Fanboy's Video), available in English from AnimEigo:
This mockumentary is requisite viewing for every fan. Think your anime addiction is just a harmless hobby? Watch as these otakus (fanboys) redefine obsession as they spread the joy of anime and quite literally take over the world. The first time you watch it, it's hilarious. The second time through, it's humiliating; you can't help but see yourself in the none-too-flattering mirror they hold up.

Kimagure Orange Road (Whimsical Orange Road), available in English from AnimEigo:
A charming high school comedy/drama about Kyosuke Kasuga, a teenager stuck in a love triangle between the irrepressably cute Hikaru and the quietly enchanting Madoka. The story takes its time to develop over 48 TV episodes, 8 OAVs, and a full-length series-ending movie, with everything coming together to paint a memorable, almost nostalgic view of growing up in a more innocent time.

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, available in English from ADV Films:
From the people who brought you Neon Genesis Evangelion, a romping-good comedy/adventure loosely based on the works of Jules Verne -- or as some would say, set in a Verne-esque world. It is the story of circus acrobat Nadia, her pet lion cub King, her friend Jean the boy-genius, and the band of misfits they gather as they try to escape from a mysterious organization.

Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory, available in English from Anime Village:
Almost universally considered by hardcore fans to be the best Gundam series ever; today's Gundam Wing is just a mediocre, angst-saturated rehash in comparison. Four years after the One Year War (UC 0079), the forces of Zeon have regrouped for one last attack on the Earth Federation. This time, however, they have their own prototype heavy weapons Gundam -- complete with an outlawed nuclear warhead...

Koko wa Greenwood (Here is Greenwood), available in English from Software Sculptors:
Kazuya Hasukawa starts the semester late because of ulcers he developed when his own brother stole away his first love. When he finally gets to Greenwood Dormitory, he discovers his roommate looks like a girl, his classmates are sadistic freaks, and the brother he left home to get away from is the school doctor! Aaaauugghhh! Often underrated by fans hyped up on more frenetic shows, this is yet another wacky, charming OAV series about high school life in Japan.

Video Girl Ai, available in English from Viz Communications:
Youta is heartbroken: the girl he secretly loves has confided in him that she has a crush on another boy. Hurt and confused, Youta wanders into a mysterious video store and rents a Video Girl video to help him forget his pain. At first blush it seems like just another "dream-girl come true" contemporary fantasy like Oh! My Goddess, but it quickly descends into a surreal nightmare as the truth behind the video store and its magical Video Girls is revealed.

Giant Robo, available in English from Manga Video:
It's "Johnny Sako and His Giant Robot" retooled for the 90's! It's Big Fire versus the Experts of Justice! It's campy super-spy action kicked up several notches and crammed to the gills with gut-wrenching cliffhangers and positively THUNDEROUS music!

Wings of Honneamise, available in English from Manga Video:
A favorite of mine, this film is nominally about the early days of the space program on an alternate earth. However, it gradually delves into the meanings of and frequent conflicts between war, religion, politics, history, love, celebrity, and heroism. Admittedly not for everyone.

Grave of the Fireflies, available in English from Central Park Media:
No list is complete without this profoundly human film about a brother and sister struggling to survive during the last days of World War II. Words fail me, so I'll just defer to Roger Ebert who has named it one of the Great Movies of all time. Warning: you WILL cry -- it is impossible to not -- so if you insist on remaining a manly-man, you'd better steer clear.

...I'd like to suggest some older shows that have apparently been forgotten under the current blitz of Lain, Slayers, Evangelion, Gundam Wing, etc.

Otaku no Video (Fanboy's Video), available in English from AnimEigo:
This mockumentary is requisite viewing for every fan. Think your anime addiction is just a harmless hobby? Watch as these otakus (fanboys) redefine obsession as they spread the joy of anime and quite literally take over the world. The first time you watch it, it's hilarious. The second time through, it's humiliating; you can't help but see yourself in the none-too-flattering mirror they hold up.

Kimagure Orange Road (Whimsical Orange Road), available in English from AnimEigo:
A charming high school comedy/drama about Kyosuke Kasuga, a teenager stuck in a love triangle between the irrepressably cute Hikaru and the quietly enchanting Madoka. The story takes its time to develop over 48 TV episodes, 8 OAVs, and a full-length series-ending movie, with everything coming together to paint a memorable, almost nostalgic view of growing up in a more innocent time.

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, available in English from ADV Films:
From the people who brought you Neon Genesis Evangelion, a romping-good comedy/adventure loosely based on the works of Jules Verne -- or as some would say, set in a Verne-esque world. It is the story of circus acrobat Nadia, her pet lion cub King, her friend Jean the boy-genius, and the band of misfits they gather as they try to escape from a mysterious organization.

Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory, available in English from Anime Village:
Almost universally considered by hardcore fans to be the best Gundam series ever; today's Gundam Wing is just a mediocre, angst-saturated rehash in comparison. Four years after the One Year War (UC 0079), the forces of Zeon have regrouped for one last attack on the Earth Federation. This time, however, they have their own prototype heavy weapons Gundam -- complete with an outlawed nuclear warhead...

Koko wa Greenwood (Here is Greenwood), available in English from Software Sculptors:
Kazuya Hasukawa starts the semester late because of ulcers he developed when his own brother stole away his first love. When he finally gets to Greenwood Dormitory, he discovers his roommate looks like a girl, his classmates are sadistic freaks, and the brother he left home to get away from is the school doctor! Aaaauugghhh! Often underrated by fans hyped up on more frenetic shows, this is yet another wacky, charming OAV series about high school life in Japan.

Video Girl Ai, available in English from Viz Communications:
Youta is heartbroken: the girl he secretly loves has confided in him that she has a crush on another boy. Hurt and confused, Youta wanders into a mysterious video store and rents a Video Girl video to help him forget his pain. At first blush it seems like just another "dream-girl come true" contemporary fantasy like Oh! My Goddess, but it quickly descends into a surreal nightmare as the truth behind the video store and its magical Video Girls is revealed.

Giant Robo, available in English from Manga Video:
It's "Johnny Sako and His Giant Robot" retooled for the 90's! It's Big Fire versus the Experts of Justice! It's campy super-spy action kicked up several notches and crammed to the gills with gut-wrenching cliffhangers and positively THUNDEROUS music!

Wings of Honneamise, available in English from Manga Video:
A favorite of mine, this film is nominally about the early days of the space program on an alternate earth. However, it gradually delves into the meanings of and frequent conflicts between war, religion, politics, history, love, celebrity, and heroism. Admittedly not for everyone.

Grave of the Fireflies, available in English from Central Park Media:
No list is complete without this profoundly human film about a brother and sister struggling to survive during the last days of World War II. Words fail me, so I'll just defer to Roger Ebert who has named it one of the Great Movies of all time. Warning: you WILL cry -- it is impossible to not -- so if you insist on remaining a manly-man, you'd better steer clear.

While I'm a big fan of Miyazaki's, I wouldn't recommend this as his best work.

I was actually quite surprised that Mononoke was chosen to be the "breakthrough anime" that was supposed to reach a wider North American audience. If I were to choose an anime feature to bring in the big audiences, I'd go for Castle of Cagliostro with a summer release. It's your typical summer blockbust with action, adventure and humour - just animated. It's also a good one to recommend here since, as it's available in DVD.

My personal favourite is Totoro , but then again, I still like to read children's books so I don't think I can speak for everyone. I also like Maison Ikkoku (by Rumiko Takahashi, famous for Ranma 1/2 or Lum/Urusei Yatsura). I can't speak to the feature length film version (which I haven't seen), but some of the half-hour episodes are available on video and the entire story is now available in graphic novel format.

It's an interesting story very told in a unique manner. It essentially starts in the middle, and fills in backstory as the action happens. It takes a bit to get into it, but I think it's worth it. Saw it on the local PBS station (they're playing Urersei Yatsura and Neon Genesis Evangalon now), but it's on video (DVD on the way).