"Samurai 7" is a retelling of Kurosawa's "The Seven Samurai" in episodic format and set in an anime future (i.e., swords and giant robots). I've watched the first three disks so far, and have bought the others. I recommend it.

I also recommend "Samurai Champloo." He might find "Hellsing" to his liking, if he likes horror. I would recommend "Read or Die," but he probably should watch the three-part OAV first, to see if it's to his liking. If so, then he should check out the "R.O.D. TV" series.