Tenchi Muyo!, It's creative and what all anime needs for success is creativity! Plus, the characters aren't like a lot of others. In most cartoons you don't see cabbits that turn into humans and spaceships.
Full Metal Alchemist, I find interest in shows with action, adventure and comedy
Love Hina, I'm into the shows with 5 (or 6) girls livin in a house with one guy XD cause comedy rules over the world ((along with action))
Detective Conan (Case Closed in US), ........ i just like it for no apperant reason
Sorcerous Stabber Orphen and Wolf's Rain (tie), same reason as Detective Conan
Juuni Kokki- check out the trailer http://www.madman.com.au/12kingdoms/
Crayon Shinchan - for pics from one of the movies http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/Nova_usagi/masaokun.jpg
Atashinchi - http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/atashi/
Adolescence Apocalypse
I don't have a 5th favorite yet, but maybe I'll enjoy Monster. It looks like a promising show. http://www.ntv.co.jp/monster/