Reviews

So much unrealized potential. I began watching Eureka Seven on the basis of the many positive reviews here and elsewhere, but was gravely disappointed in what I experienced. There is indeed the foundation for a great work here, and there is within it some exceptional parts, but they are too few and far between to support a fifty-episode run.

My principle issue is certainly with the lead characters, nearly all of whom are more frequently frustrating to watch than endearing and spend far too much time whining and lazing about like some useless wretches. There are numerous secondary characters who are far more intriguing and who barely get any screen time, or are elevated to a "mauve shirt" before vanishing or being killed off.

There is a good balance between mystery and explanation of the tech, which I like. Not too much is revealed but enough to give it some plausible functionality. Similarly with the historical background; much is left for you to fill in but this is more a benefit than a detriment. The score(s) have been universally praised, and with good reason, but the art is strangely inconsistent. Some of the design is clearly shared with Bounen no Xamdou (also produced by studio Bones), but it pales in comparison on all counts to it otherwise.