So I decided to sit down and marathon this show and... it's pretty much a joke. There are so many issues with this show it's hard to tell where to begin:
Unless I'm missing something, I don't get the "omg this show is amazing!!!111" commentary that people seem to be giving it. I know Tomino is doing a lot himself, but since I haven't seen a lot of his other shows like Ideon, Gainer and Brain Powered, am I just missing something and this is just... the way he does stuff? 0_o;
I've similarly marathoned much of it lately after falling quite far behind, and just have episode 14 left before catching up (which I'll do this weekend). I'd recommend checking out Overman King Gainer and Turn A Gundam as the past Tomino shows that are most similar to this.
I find the show amazing in certain aspects while quite frustrating in others. On the frustrating end, I find the pace quite poor. Things were moving slow for several episodes in a row, then are very, very rushed in episode 13 as the 'Moon Race' shows up, most of the characters and factions who have been at odds team up and the white flag battle is pretty much over before it starts. From the other end though I'd say that was almost certainly my favorite episode of the series thus far since things finally seemed to be moving a long and a lot of characters got to meet up with each other. Design-wise, this is probably the most beautiful anime I have ever seen. Everything design-wise, from the characters, the mecha, the backgrounds, etc... is amazing. Some great word building as well. For example I love the whole Kuntala thing, as well as the Capital Tower. I both enjoy and am frustrated by Raraiya. A very unique and funny character, but if they never explain what is truly going on with her or make her normal, I won't like all the time spent on her. My big fear is whether Tomino will be able to properly resolve this show in a satisfying fashion, given that we're already at the halfway point of the show and from what I've heard we won't be getting a second season. I do not want to see them pull an Overman King Gainer and give us a non-ending.
Can't wait to see a new opening theme for episode 14; I love the music but am quite annoyed by them only using clips from the show for it. In a show where the design and animation is the show's greatest strength, not having a real opening is quite frustrating.
MAHQ Staff - Dunbine, L-Gaim, Escaflowne, Ideon, Gasaraki, The Big O, Overman King Gainer, Zambot 3 and FLCL
In my search for justice, I created war. In my search for war, I created death. In my search for death... I have lost my soul.