Let's discuss the current state of anime, personally I like the current theme with Slice of Life but it's not for everybody and has lead to some opposition of what people think anime should be and label it things such as Otaku pandering forgetting it was much worse with the whole Mecha series as well as the fact that it has become much more acessible within the past 10 years.

It's like any form of media really, it's foundation is built on series which you could be considered cheap but caters to the basic premise of whats popular and easy to produce. Every few seasons there is a real gem which has a huge following and sometimes sets the trends or is part of the current trend and continues to purpetuate it.

There are several shows which go un noticed usually due to bad dubbing or just not enough exposure to the west. For instance One Piece is huge in Japan (I believe it's close to the best selling manga of all time) but under rated in the west due to the poor dub, instead Naruto is more popular in the west with weeaboos dressing up as their favourite chars lining up.

Shonen will always be popular, ever since Fist of the North Star people have been lining up for the newest adventure. I used to follow the Big 3 but dropped all but One Piece (though only seen the first 60 odd episodes) but there has never been room for much beyond that. Berserk and Claymore I considered to be the evolution but whilst they continue to be popular there is not much outside of that. The other alternative is shows like Fairy Tail which is flooding with fanservice (I like a bit of fan service) but is afraid to go beyond that because of it's intend audience.

As for Slice of life to most people Azumanga Daiou will be what really defined it and for good reason but to me personally Minami-ke (1st season only) is one of my favourite series. What can I say? I love it. Though for the most part Haruhi and then Lucky Star is what really defined it and K-on! is it's current baby and may lead to the evolution (though to be fair it's not that innovative it has become quite popular).

Comedy seems to be their weakest point as it is done via missunderstandings, absurdities and parodies but not beyond that. Don't get me wrong I am big on stuff like Gintama, Mitsudomoe and Sayonara Zetsobou Sensei but it can be kind of cliche and dull at times. Some of the tired gags like falling onto a tit and running with toast gags just become cringeworthy after so much times.

There is so many great shows that don't get noticed due to the nature of fansubbing and dubbing but from what you have watched what is your thoughts on the past 10 years of anime compared to 90s, 80s and even 70s anime?