Marshal Codius

I'd leave out the serials, plain and simple. They really didn't have any sort of necessary contribution to the story, and didn't even execute the world-building aspect that well. Instead, they just created loose ends and plot holes. Getting rid of them wouldn't affect the main story at all.

 

Oh, and definitely end it at 2008.

The serials were some of the most enjoyable reads though. While it's true they weren't at all pertinent to the actual main story arc, I'd disagree with you and say they executed worldbuilding very well.  

Strange... Yeah, I couldn't see that ever happening here in the US.

Brutaka was my favourite I think. His size was impressive for his time, and even now holds up to the later sets. It also utilized new techniques at making titans, and did so spectacularly.