Manga / Anime

Do you prefer watching an anime before reading the manga, reading the manga before watching the anime, doing both at the same time, or only sticking to one and ignoring the other? 

Common examples include Ranma, Rurouni Kenshin, or any long storyline where plots are different in the manga version.

There are very few cases where the anime is 'better' than the manga. Elfen Lied is one example. The manga of that almost seems like a drawing board for the anime. So it shouldn't be read before the anime. Stuff like Gantz, though; the anime is like paraphernalia for fans rather than an actual series; the manga does a better job there. And then Berserk which is an in-between. The anime is an introduction to the series, sort of like marajuana to heroine, but it's also dedicated to the longtime fans. Overall, I'd say watch the first episode of the anime, and the first issue of the manga and that should give you a good idea.

i usually read manga.  but that's because i'm living on a budget and boox are cheaper than dvds.