Another sliglty new anime that I feel is a 
decent representation of anime's direction 
lately is .Hack//Sign
I know that is has been out for a little bit 
already in Japan, but not too long, as it is 
CG.  What's good about the show is that it is 
inventive and creative with a complete world all 
its own.  And, it's combining a video game world 
with an anime world, a trend that could catch on 
(if you ask me).