Thanks, it was a shortlist from the 700+ anime DVDs and BDs I have, with the intention not to have some obvious suggestions in there - although there ended up being a few fairly standard in the list.Nice list you got there carera most i have. I cant stand grave of firefl8es its just too darn depressing i only watched it once and never again lol.
I like Grave of the Fireflies but you're right, it's perhaps the most remorsely depressing piece of media I've ever seen. It's a good rebuff for the "all cartoons are for kids" argument though.