May 4, 2017
Alright. So, first off, I agree with Nyron in all points.
Cross Ange is a giant trainwreck. By watching it, you will likely experience some levels of self-hatred and you will most definitely question your sanity and self-respect, but.
If you're the type of person who's in for that - you'll usually know after the first or first three episodes - you'll get a heckload of enjoyment out of it.
If not, move on, call it a day. Simple as that.
Story - 7. Now, don't get me wrong. I adore the plot. Especially the way it goes up to the end of Hilda's and Ange's arc (episode 11).
...
Nothing is bad about this. It's a solid story, it does an incredibly good job showcasing that racism sucks despite being a fanservice anime.
The prison action is too edgy at times, but still, really good. The arc where they hang out in another world drags a bit, but establishes relationships we need later.
Up 'til this point, I'd still rate it 8. But then the Embryo deal comes along and honestly, I did not need this. I'm glad that a bunch of lesbians and one heterosexual team up against a mad scientist misogynist otaku crossbreed but, we really didn't need this. I also didn't need Tusk becoming relevant and invoking boring normal fanservice anime tropes. I preferred the sketchy lesbian fanservice a lot. Yeah.
Art - 7. The CGI is pretty; I like the chaser and mech designs a lot. Character designs are 'here's your fanservice cast', which, good enough for me tbh. One episode is really awful with off-model shots and since it's overall pretty average aside from the CGI... yeah, 7.
Sound - 10. I'm a sucker for Akiko Shikata's ominous chorus-heavy compositions such as the Villkiss theme. It stood out a lot to me. Aside from that, some really good insert songs (El Ragna's one-hundred versions). It just met my aesthetic.
Characters - 6. Alright here is where it gets awkward. It starts out really good on characterization; Salia in particular, desperate and frustrated as she might be, stays consistent until the very end.
Ange is really good, too, with how she turns from 'awful pampered princess' to 'reckless loner jerk with a heart of gold' to 'capable leader with some reckless tendencies'. It's good.
But then there's Hilda. Hilda starts out really good. Competent, prone to friendly fire, generally an awful person, would do anything to achieve her goals. That's good. Her arc shattering her was to be expected, the aftermath in prison with Ange is /really/ good, too, but after that she's more of a tsundere archetype than... anything else, really. She was really promising though, so I'll cut her some slack.
Salamandinay was... nice. Exactly what she should be, her dynamic with Ange was a good addition in this cast.
Ersha and Vivian were consistent. Tusk was Generic Anime Dude, but with Ange around he was sort of bearable. Their relationship felt forced. Could've been worse.
Then there's Chris, completely ruined by Embryo arc.
Rosalie was meh. Expected for a non-focus character, though. And Embryo was as hateworthy as he should be. Sylvia, too.
Enjoyment - 10. Yeah, you heard me. I don't mind sketchy lesbian fanservice, I don't mind cheap bait, this is fine for me. I admit I got creeped out by the spanking, but it's fine, y'know. I also sort of hate myself for enjoying but, oh well.
Overall - 8. Welp. That's me being nice admittedly, but come on.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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