[Kaoru Chujo]

Well, my favorite series is Simoun. I suspect you will feel like dropping it after the OP, which includes an apparent yuri kiss, but try to forge on. Great science fiction, in my opinion, and the best show I have watched about the nature of war and peace. It just happens that in the show's world, everyone is female until they reach the age of 17 and choose a gender. You can see gender-like differences among the several female priestess/pilots who make up the excellent ensemble cast of real actresses (Takahashi Rieko, Koshimizu Ami, Noto Mamiko, Nazuka Kaori, Yukana, Kuwashima Houko, Tamagawa Sakiko, et al.). And the character design, both original and animation, is by Nishida Asako, who is the animation character designer of Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko. She was also the overall animation director.

I'd also suggest the Ghibli (but not Miyazaki) film Whisper of the Heart. A real romance, dealing with the intersection between romantic feelings and future career.

I'm also a big fan of Natsu no Sora (to abbreviate the title), Saraiya Goyou (which you like, too), Kara no Kyoukai, Planetes, Haibane Renmei, Crest of Stars, and NANA, all of which other people have mentioned.