I saw Akira like 10+ years ago... I should probably watch it again, 'cause I don't remember why I everyone loves it so much.
And Cowboy Beebop > Samauri Champloo... not by a lot, but there's something just so integrated about the universe CB takes place in. It's just so well done... sad yet exciting, exotic yet identifiable. Champloo's universe is sorta defined by the era, not a lot of room for innovation, though they were very clever mixing the whol hop-hop thing into feudal Japan.
However, the "main" plot of Champloo is a little better and more interesting than Beebop's... but the side plots in Beebop are much more entertaining.
I'd be nice to see a new Beebop movie... especially if they'd release it in the theaters. I bet it'd do well enough to make money.
As far as Evangelion, I've heard good things but I've never seen it.