[@PlatinumSkink]

Sorry but nothing you really said made me inspired to commit to watching Anime. Maybe you could provide examples of what might be considered good.

As for GoT/ASoIaF.

I can only answer for the books because when the show started to diverge a lot from the book storyline I stopped watching.

For one thing, it's a low-magic medieval fantasy that isn't overly similar to anything else we have already seen a la LOTR, etc. It's also written for adults with a lot of mature themes and for many of us it filled the literary void left for us when Harry Potter was over and when we outgrew things like Dragonlance and Forgotten Realms. 

For another, there is a lot of political intrigue that can be complicated to follow, which makes the story a lot more fun, and to me it seems well-balanced with the combat/action and fantasy elements. Yes, people die, and they are often people who you might have grown attached to, but it has a very hyper-reality/visceral horror to it that only makes you wonder who is actually going to make it to the end. I don't know about you but part of the joy of reading is the genuine sadness when a character I like dies. Stories that are happily-ever-after are boring and unrealistic. I think a lot of people who read a lot as kids are enjoying having these books as adults.

Also, there are a lot of memorable moments and phrases from it that are fun to share. "The night is dark and full of terrors." "Oh, my sweet summer child." 

Also it has dragons which pretty much automatically sold me. ;P

The only thing I don't like about it (apart from the show going completely off-script) is that the author is taking a long time to finish it up. I believe there's been some concern about him actually completing the series.

Also, Peter Dinklage is fucking hot.