I don't really watch anime anymore, so I can't be specific...
But really, just take a character you like and cosplay them. It's not like it's a professional thing, so who cares how close you are to them? I don't know, I would go around asking people for ideas for my first time cosplaying, because you're doing it for yourself, and I wouldn't want to feel like, "Oh, I don't know who this character is/I don't like them, but I guess people want me to do this so I should."
Really, just pick a character you like. You're the best judge of who you like and who you'll have the most fun running around as.
Also, keeping it easy is good for your first cosplay. My first thing I sewed definitely didn't turn out horrible, but I had no idea what I was doing so there's a bit I would have fixed had I more knowlege... (Unrelated, am I maing sense right now? I'm really out of it and tired...) And you can always order something on eBay, but sewing is a lot more fun (I think, anyways...) and it's a bit more personal than HEY I'M WEARING SOMETHING SOME CHINESE GUY SEWED I'm not stereotyping! Really! I've ordered cosplay on eBay and everything I've ordered has been from China! Just look at the seller profiles, they're ALL in Hong Kong! D8;;;;
But really, it should be up to you, so choose someone YOU like.