What Magical Girl anime would you recommend?

[discolun]

I finished Madoka about a year ago and loved it, and was (somewhat forced into) watching the first Nanoha movie... and loved that too. I'm not sure which ones are essential viewing though, since there's lots of choices and I don't know what to watch next. I've never seen Sailor Moon, nor any of the 'Cure' shows, though I've heard great things about both of them. I guess I'm asking what you folks consider to be the most important shows to watch for someone breaking into the genre! I like things with a good story and cool fight scenes, if any of that matters.

[requinix]

Maybe try Cardcaptor Sakura or Sailor Moon. I have NOT seen either series but have heard good things about them.

Also do not expect other magical girl shows to be like Madoka, as that is not aimed at the same target demographic as traditional magical girl shows. And with that this thread has entered DEFCON 2. Let's not get too excited now :-P

[Fluro]

Ah definitely try Sailor Moon~ I watched it ages ago but remember it being really great

[enmaai]

If you liked Madoka, I would highly reccommend Princess Tutu and Uta Kata. Though Tutu has a seemingly girly name and premise (magical ballet fairy princesses fighting for the heart of a prince), it gets real dark by the seventh episode. Uta Kata, though heavy on unnecssary fan service, presents a unique look at the magical girl genre, with each outfit the girl wears changing each episode (and each outfit in turn is designed by a different artist from other famous anime series such as Macross). I'd also reccommend Panty and Stocking if you like off-color parodies, and Black Rock Shooter for its badass action sequences

[requinix]

Speaking of dark magical girl series, Revolutionary Girl Utena is on my must-watch list. Not the to-watch list, the must-watch list. Worth checking out but I need to prepare myself for it before I start.

[osha]

Does magical boy in magical girl count for you ? 
if yes then try "Kore wa Zombie desu ka" , it's really funny, but has some "moving-to-tears"

I've tried watching Sailor Moon because, I had some good opinion from friend, but I found it too dull (maybe because I'm a boy (man) )
I've seen & really loved Panty & Stocking (maybe for the same reason   ) and I4; still waiting for a second season but be prepared :
the most of the graphic style seems like cartoon, but it's still an Anime and it's pretty Mature .

I've also seen BRS and I liked it but I'm not sure it's stay in the "magical girl" type, anyway it's a good Anime

Note to self : watch Card Captor Sakura & search for Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles link in it

[Chii]

Revolutionary Girl Utena all the way homie