I love the anime a lot... up to about episode... 35 or so? At which point it diverges from the manga and does terrible things with the characterization of pretty much everyone I like. >_>

But it's really pretty, and the arc ending at 25 is amazing, so it is a great way to get hooked, even if it does start slow. 1-3 are just introductory episodes, but 4-5 will get you to Stein, who is pretty awesome. ♥