Excellent pacing. Each ep makes you want to see the next ep. [hence cocktease naturally]
The gals are hot so that does help a bit. [and fluffy chested too]
Studio Bones masterpiece perhaps...
"Strength lies in action. Let the weak react to me..." - Kamahl, Pit Fighter from Magic: the Gathering "That is a mistake many of my enemies make. They think before they act. I act before I think!" - Vortigern from Merlin ('98) "I AM REBORN!" - Dark Schneider Bastard!! OAV
Well, this show just finished, and to be honest, I didn't like it all to much.
It gets credit for having one of the most unique, unpredictable plots ever, but there were some points where I was thinking, "Okay, why are these people even doing this?" It's hard to explain, but towards the end of the series, the minor characters began to overshadow the main characters, and the plot was put in a blender with bananas and cream. The major disappointment I have with this series is that there were not nearly enough Xam'd fights. It was similar to Outlaw Star, in that the main appeal of the show was that the ships had grappler arms, but through the 26 episode series, they were only used about 5 times. The biggest bummer was that immediately after using the Xam'd arm for LITERALLY ANY REASON, the character using it would immediately begin to be consumed by red stone (a plot point I never fully understood) and they would be helpless and dying for the rest of the fight, waiting for rescue.
Speaking of a lack of understanding, the setting itself was never quite explained either. I don't recall a history lesson being given on the war between whoever and as to why there are Humanforms and Xam'ds and why we almost had an Evangelion-similar ending with the "Quickening Chamber." It's all a lot to swallow without a clear explanation.
Spoiler :
Another thing that gets a big is Raigyo's death. What the fuck? He was in one battle showing off his badass invincible Xam'd abilities, and later, without even going full Xam'd, he dies like a bitch from gunfire. Nice way to kill off the best character in your show, BONES faggots.
I am apparently alone in my complaints because everyone else I've talked to absolutely loved it, saying it's one of the best shows of the year. I also heard you'll have a lot better experience watching if you watch it in chunks rather than one episode at a time like I did.
Overall, it wasn't really a bad show, just mindbogglingly confusing at times. I say: 6.5/10
I thought the ending was gawdlike. Had a bit of a Tengan Toppa style epilogue with everyone all aged 9 years and such...
I think you're digging too deep into the explanations. Sometimes, when it comes to sci-fi anime such as this, you really should just take things at face value.
The red stone consumption I believe was explained as the product of what happens when you forget yourself according to Nakiami [mega hotz0rs btw]. Apparently, Xam'd possession rapes the minds and spirits of those possessed so you need an unusually strong spirit to manage one and prevent the stone from swallowing you.
And yes, Raigyo did NOT deserve that while Ishu must be the luckiest (or unluckiest) fanservice ever...
And I wholly disagree with you on the Evangelion style ending comparison. Xam'd's apocalypse is easier to tolerate than a world made of Tang and giant naked Rei. And on that topic, it's better than Ultimate Weapon Girl's finale too.
Xam'd fighting I suppose took a backseat toward the plot, especially with God Knows how many plot twists and flashbacks there were. My biggest peeve was how Akiyuki and Haru's relationship wasn't even mediocre. Kinda like how Clannad After Story's relationship between Nagisa and Tomoya is. UNACCEPTABLE! NEEDS MORE TOUCHY FEELY GARH!!!
"Strength lies in action. Let the weak react to me..." - Kamahl, Pit Fighter from Magic: the Gathering "That is a mistake many of my enemies make. They think before they act. I act before I think!" - Vortigern from Merlin ('98) "I AM REBORN!" - Dark Schneider Bastard!! OAV
OmniStrata wrote:And I wholly disagree with you on the Evangelion style ending comparison. Xam'd's apocalypse is easier to tolerate than a world made of Tang and giant naked Rei. And on that topic, it's better than Ultimate Weapon Girl's finale too.
Well, as if you think about it on a conceptual level, you'll really notice the similarities. And it's nothing like the Saikano ending. The connection I made was: Evangelion: The sleeping Lilith was awakened from the shock of Adam's egg being merged into his body. Lilith then transformed into a giant Godlike specter with wings in the appearance of Rei. Her presence dominated the sky and her influence caused all the humans remaining on Earth to lose their sense of individuality, and melt into LCL (or Tang). During this, the hero, Shinji, goes into the sky to confront Lilith and reverse the catastrophe, which he eventually does. Shinji and Asuka reawaken on the beach, having realized themselves, and await the rest of humanity to reconstruct itself.
Xam'd - Lost Memories:
Spoiler :
The sleeping Hiruken Emperor was awakened by the shock of the destruction of his containment chamber. He then transformed into a great winged creature and flew into the sky. Having the despair of life without a proper identity, the Hiruken Emperor purged the sky into darkness and unleashed black rain onto the land. All that came into contact with the black rain would become purple stone, losing their wills and identities. The hero, Akiyuki, goes to battle with the Hiruken Emperor, and it ends in Akiyuki losing, because since the Emperor has no identity, he cannot die and cannot rest. Akiyuki, about to be defeated, gives the Emperor his own identity, losing knowledge of himself and allowing the Emperor to die. After the Emperor's death, the Quickening Champer activates, and the dark sky is returned to normal. All those that were turned to stone regained their forms. Akiyuki meanwhile, having lost his identity, becomes stone and slowly regains his identity over the next 9 years with the help of Haru.
The ending was a bit different, but the event was essentially the same, if not much better presented this time around.
Ah, touche... Better presented is something that's agreeable...
"Strength lies in action. Let the weak react to me..." - Kamahl, Pit Fighter from Magic: the Gathering "That is a mistake many of my enemies make. They think before they act. I act before I think!" - Vortigern from Merlin ('98) "I AM REBORN!" - Dark Schneider Bastard!! OAV
I liked the show. Saw the first season through PSN in 1080. Yes, I helped support them. Waiting for the whole series to be released on Blu. I'll import it if they keep the subs, I mean, the work is already done so why not?
Overall, I thought it was a fairly good anime. =) I think the ending could've been a lot better (9 years later, and the only people who looked aged were Haru, Yango, and possibly Akiyuki. Definitely threw me off >_>), but the animation and the soundtrack were both excellent, and I'll probably end up buying this series on DVD once it gets released in Canada. =) (Hopefully the dub'll be okay.)
I thought the whole show was a trainwreck. Toward the end, minor characters that got hardly any screentime at all got whole plots about them, while the heroes took a backseat. And when the whole thing culminated at the end, most of the conflicts got resolved with little struggle and little interest. Bones could have done better.
on-topic: well i did finish the anime....3 days straight without pause. lol ^_^ every episodes wants me to go next, i dont believe fights makes the anime nor the violence but the appealing and unforgettable story its tells, it doesn't matter if the PLOT isn't vivid enough, the whole point I'm basing on is HOW MUCH you understand the each and every character they show . Great Anime, and im satisfied with the plot. anyone who doesn't understand this anime should re-watch, its definitely worth it >.<