I don't watch much anime these days so I'm not up to date on all the new shows but I just caught Bunny Senpai. It had one of the most sincere emotional connections in an anime romance I've ever seen - the characters actually flirted, admitted they liked each other, and got on with the business of being humans dating. It was held back a bit by the decision to sort through a bunch of other girls' supernatural mysteries to add them to the harem-esque roster. I suppose that trying to make anime without a harem is like trying to write a YA novel for girls without a love triangle. Verboten.

 

Not sure if you two follow the news, but the Shirobako movie was announced on Anime Japan. Some details.

 

I've become crazy picky in regards to any kind of media I consume. I know anime is just another medium, so every 3-6 months I'll take another shot and try to get into a few shows that are recommended.

Sadly enough that rarely works out. The vast majority is utterly drowning in tropes, naive characters, ridiculously exaggerated emotions for entertainment value, and on and on. Cardboard characters lacking depth can easily kill an entire show, no matter how interesting the universe or story might appear at first glance.

Anyway, there are four recent shows that I'd recommend as worth giving a shot:

• Made in Abyss — watched a few episodes and it seems to feature a really imaginative setting, might continue.
• A Place further than the Universe — just started watching this, but it seems really enjoyable so far.
  
• One Punch Man — fun, action-y anime for non-anime watchers, a condensed DBZ, whatever you want to call it. Ridiculously well animated.
  
• Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon — Yes, maids. And yes, dragons. Also characters, with depth. It's amazing. And adorable.