General

akira

literally ghost in the shell

[quote=Kazzooey]That's pretty rude to say, not everyone has watched hundreds of shows to know the full list of the genre.[/quote]

there were only like three recommendations that even fit TS's criteria when i came in to read the thread. a lot of the unrelated recs didn't bother to warn that they were unrelated, nor did they try to find a contact point with what TS wanted. posts that aren't even going to consider what is being asked deserve to be called out imo, not that my single generic insult is going to do anything.
like i'll admit me recommending stuff like Planetes and Tylor isn't __exactly__ what TS asked for either, but both series have several points of contact with their request. they happen to be more human drama (Planetes) or humor (Tylor) with incidental action, but are good to bring up as recs that branch into other genres/experiences. yeah having a breadth of anime knowledge helps, but it's really just more important that people rec stuff on-topic, regardless of it being "entry-level" or whether it's one of the only shows they've seen.

Triage x is action packed and hilarious

Space dandy
gintama has aliens so it counts

[quote=Deciduous]y'all suck at this[/quote]

That's pretty rude to say, not everyone has watched hundreds of shows to know the full list of the genre.

Saber Marionette J its futuristic yet not at the same time.

Arpeggio of Blue Steel perhaps?

Legend of the Galactic Heroes takes place in like the 36th century, and there are no mechas. But it's not that flashy... I can guarantee you, though, that it's good.

y'all suck at this
obvious answer is Outlaw Star. other good space shows are Bodacious Space Pirates, Planetes, Yamato 2199, Space Dandy, Irresponsible Captain Tylor

[quote=SwordsLust]Fate franchise.
More specific
Fate/Zero
Fate/stay night unlimited blade works(TV)(2014) how ever its refereed as.

Code Geass (yes it has mechas but its worth the watch) I would be a bad person to work with haha recommending something someone doesn't want but like its a good show if you take away the mechas.
Claymore (BUT it has a unfinished ending, its a "read the manga" ending which i hate so half heartily recommenced)
Black Lagoon
Hellsing Ultimate
Ao No Exorcist
Mirai Niki[/quote]

How is fate zero futuristic? Or claymore lol. It seems like it's just a list of your favorite shows to me and not what the OP asked for lol.

OT:
Guilty Crown - Does feature a few Mecha every now and then but it's not the focus of the show at all. Stupid show that's fun to watch with pretty visuals and fan service, extremely similar to the way SAO plays is cards. 1 season and 1 or 2 OVA.
Ghost in the Shell - Plenty of action and very smart story with a ridiculous budget. You might wanna try our the new Arise/Alternative Architecture series currently airing. You got 3 movies and 3 seasons to watch if you like it. Mecha free minus a few small armored suits here n there
Psycho Pass - Haven't watched it but it is definitely futuristic.

Not futuristic at all but Baccano does have that same 1940s feel to the show so you might enjoy that

Psycho-pass

Sounds like a FPS game

Fate franchise.
More specific
Fate/Zero
Fate/stay night unlimited blade works(TV)(2014) how ever its refereed as.

Code Geass (yes it has mechas but its worth the watch) I would be a bad person to work with haha recommending something someone doesn't want but like its a good show if you take away the mechas.
Claymore (BUT it has a unfinished ending, its a "read the manga" ending which i hate so half heartily recommenced)
Black Lagoon
Hellsing Ultimate
Ao No Exorcist
Mirai Niki

Sword Art Online?