Hello, this is my first review on this site, so I'd like you all to keep that in mind. I have reviewed other anime, but that was on my facebook page.
WARNING! WARNING! SPOILERS MAY BE PRESENT IN REVIEW!
Story: 8/10
For story I gave it an 8/10 for a good reason. While many may disagree with me on the score, I feel it is well deserved. For one, the anime did impressively well at fleshing out as much as it could in only 12 episodes while also not overflowing or underwhelming us with information about the series. They; introduced the threat of the anime, showed why they're
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a threat, made us aware of the main characters and their backstories, fleshed out the relationships they had with other characters, explained plot points about sky wizards (such as how non-sky wizards lose their memories of sky wizards who die), and still managed to give us just enough. However, being that it is only 12 episodes long, there were a few things off.
For one, the Sky Beetles. They are the main enemies of the series, but we don't learn very much about them except that they're apparently really powerful and attack in swarms, but retreat if their commander is killed. We do not learn of their origins, nor do we learn of what figure head seems to really command them except for "chimeras" who act as generals. There's too many questions to be asked.
My next issue is that we also know very little about the sky wizards themselves. How did they come into existence? Where does their magic/power come from? Why do "naturals" forget about them when they die? I have to go a little easy on the series, though, because none of these questions for either the beetles or the sky wizards are the focus of the series.
Rather, the focus of the series are three girls who make up a squad of failures, and it's up to a young man branded a traitor despite once being hailed as an elite. (He was branded a traitor because he refused to return to battle; The truth is revealed that after a very tough battle, Kanata was almost defeated in battle but instead gained powers of the Sky Beetles, the anime's main enemies. He didn't want others to find out.) So most of it focuses on them while feeding us more about other issues that exist in the anime. The Sky Beetles do play an important role, kind of, in the end but this is mostly plot driven. Granted it was developed over several episodes. I'd go on, but the rest will be talked about in my character section.
Art: 9/10
The artwork for this anime is very nice to look at. The dynamic colors and how it helps distinguish background and character designs I thought did a good job at making things easy on the eyes. However, I fear I cannot go further as my opinion on art is exactly that, opinion. I can't say with confidence that it is unbiased.
Sound: 6/10
Believe it or not, the soundtrack for the anime was pretty decent. It helped create the mood during several scenes. It really made me feel the kind of pressure the main girls were under, and it also made me feel excited when things were going well. However, I have to admit that sometimes the soundtrack was lacking a bit and I barely noticed it.
Character: 8/10
The anime is focused on four main characters, as well as several other characters who interact with our main four. I have to say, not a single character felt like they fit one particular archetype. This is especially since the characters develop so well. Each one changes in their own way, and each character has their own identity and quirks that make them unique. Sure, some of them retain some early characteristics, but they truly grow and overcome things in their lives thanks to one another. Each character has something to make you care about them, and I feel that there aren't any weak characters in the series. They pushed you to feel something for them, be it a desire to see them eat their words or the drive to cheer them on. That's what characters should do, drive emotion out of you and onto them, and it is exactly what they did.
Take Lepty for example. She starts out super shy yet determined, but by the end of the series though she may be shy, she can also look her opponents in the eyes and not hesitate like she used to.
Even more satisfying was watching the four main characters grow and bond as a team, more so for the three girls bonding as a team and learning to trust each other and their instructor.
Enjoyment: 9/10
I truly enjoyed the series. I do hope that the show gets a second season as it left a bit to be desired, though not to its own fault. This is definitely something I would recommend to anyone looking for something short and enjoyable. It is action packed, has fun and engaging characters, and has pretty nice artwork. The characters are easily the strongest suit.
Overall: 8/10
I've said plenty of what I feel I needed to say. Good story, good art, lackluster soundtrack, well developed characters, and high entertainment value. Many may disagree with my score, but I say give the anime a chance. Come into it with an open mind, but don't forget that everything comes with a bias, even people who try to be as in the middle as possible with their reviews.
Nov 3, 2016
Hello, this is my first review on this site, so I'd like you all to keep that in mind. I have reviewed other anime, but that was on my facebook page.
WARNING! WARNING! SPOILERS MAY BE PRESENT IN REVIEW! Story: 8/10 For story I gave it an 8/10 for a good reason. While many may disagree with me on the score, I feel it is well deserved. For one, the anime did impressively well at fleshing out as much as it could in only 12 episodes while also not overflowing or underwhelming us with information about the series. They; introduced the threat of the anime, showed why they're ... |