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After reading the latest Kami-no-inai light novel and following the latest anime episodes (no manga read unfortunately), I've got only one thing to say about this.

Magnifique!

Gorgeous artwork done in all of the medias of this series, a very different storyline than your average booksale, characters that you would always remember. And god the music, wonderful effects alongside the animation effort done.

Oh wait, God should be gone in this anime (haha).

As somebody very kindly told me about it, I will edit the review and add this

... SPOILERS AHEAD, TURN BACK IF YOU DON'T WANT ANYTHING SPOIL!

for the first chapter of the anime.

(It is awfully hard not to spoil absolutely anything in a review, how could I explain anything without a tiny little bit of plot? OTL)

Story 9/10

As there cannot be any spoilers, and obviously light novel is far ahead of the anime plot, so this is my opinion based on light novel and anime adaption.

The light novel compared to animation, is written in more details, describing the adventure of the main heroine, Ai in a mission most people deemed impossible. The story structure (the world) is very different to how a normal reader would find, and in many cases in both anime and novel, you would have to put yourself into the characters, and blend the world's ideals into your own in order to fully understand.

As you continue watching, there might be some confusing ideas, and small loopholes that could be neglected. This is the result of cropping the massive storyline of the original plot to fit into the 13 episodes series, and it might result in some unanswered questions. But they also cropped out some of the repeated and long plotlines in the novel, which might bore the readers, and there would be an urge in our minds, wanting the story to progress faster. (especially the Ortus arc, towards the end I just felt a massive drag in plotlines)

Art 10/10

Best thing in the anime and the first reason when I bought the first novel from the online store, the gorgeous gorgeous illustration of Ai in the front cover of the book. And I could say the same with the anime, the first episode is absolutely beautiful, and it quickly took me in. The golden mists flying randomly in the atmosphere, the evening skies illuminating a quiet and simple countryside, and the characters populating the area. The artwork is that amazing, that I was slightly surprised when I found out the villagers are not as normal as you think, even though I had read the first book 2 years ago.

The artwork also delicately described every possible detail of the characters beautifully, following the novels, so the readers would not feel a massive differences between the animation and manga/novel. And the eyes, the EYES! They definitely drew me in, mesmerizing me and if technology allows, I would slowly walk into the screen and fall into the world.

Way too exaggerating on that part, but thats the magic of the artwork.

Sound 9/10

Music, soundtrack, although it is not as strongly described as the artwork, but it also mixed into the story very well. Although there isn't a miracle magic happening when the music and the plotline comes in the right moment, but it helps fill in emotions and feelings that couldn't be easily discovered through the anime. And to be honest, an anime with bad or no soundtrack (background music) behind is definitely not an appealing anime to watch.

Seiyuu-sans did very well in giving life to the characters, Aki Toyosaki did a great job in voicing Ai, the always growing and learning Ai (although there are still some naivety left in her heart as she is only 12!). But the best seiyuu in the anime in my opinion is definitely Daisuke Namikawa, who voiced Hampnie Hambart, the cold-blooded corpse killer and the first mentor and savior of Ai. When his voice rang up, I shivered slightly from that metallic voice-over, and the two conflicting ideals of the character's mind are shown, with a slight warm feeling in the cold hard demeanor.

Music is the biggest factor in pulling the scores up to a 9, the Opening and Ending of the anime is absolutely marvellous, building up such a tension enough that I looped both songs three times before watching each episodes.

Character 8/10

Characters! Totally loved them!

The authors have amazingly created these characters that are perfectly suitable in the twisted world structure. Ai, the main heroine, is one of the miracle child in the world. Living in a protective dome, surrounded by adults that pampered her greatly, and so she is ignorant of the perils and chaos in the world. But she is also an analyst and a very observant character, and with her limited knowledge of the world she managed to understand by herself (although most people would still deem it naive or mad).

Hampnie Hambart is also a great character, in the first few episodes you might think he is a skilled assassin who kills without remorse, but in truth he isn't trained at all, with only the ability of immortality to protect him. The two radically different viewpoints of the character is what makes it a very memorable character in the anime. Sadly he is a side character and we wouldn't be able to see more of him (Really expecting a side story depicting of Hambart's past!)

Wanted to score it higher but I reserved a few points for future episodes to see the full cast.

Overall 8/10

I scored it 8 in the same reason as the character.

I really loved this series and I am absolutely thrilled to see it on animation. And I definitely wanted it to continue past the absolute barrier of 13 episodes.

-EDITED PART AFTER THE 12 EPISODES-

Enjoyment 8/10

I have scored it 8, bit lower as I have expected. I did not enjoy it as greatly as hoped, and the reading of light novel might have wrecked it. As the light novel is written in much detail, I have hoped the anime staff would choose some favourite parts to re-animate from the books (I have to find all the illustrations arts for the novel as I have lost them :( ) And in the end they have whitewashed the series and made it quite bland in my taste, losing some of the best climax scenes in the novel and left a sour note at the ending. I was totally shocked when the anime staff took away the entire TOWER chapter, its reasonable as it is one of the longest after the Dead City, but it is just pure horrible to see it not even appearing as there are some very interesting philosophies of life and the struggle of mankind, and I recommend any new or fans who have read and enjoyed my review to read the chapter; confusing, but also very interesting.

Even though it is not as perfectly ended as I had hoped, but with the mild and warm artwork and music complimenting the anime as it goes, it will still draws me to watch it. (Although not as much re-watch value as the light novel).

And to finish up for the edited part, I would recommend every single one of kami-inai fans to read the light novel, at least after dead city (as it is the part where Alis began his entry, and where the story starts to strip away).

Shaedowfang 13/10/2013
:)

Suisei no Gargantia by Gen Urobuchi, as a fan of Gen Urobuchi's anime series such as Fate/Zero and Madoka, this review is really hard for me to write without a strong bias towards it.

This is a anime released in 2013 that have a strong and innovative storyline, beautiful artwork and soundtrack and well-developed character design all together (basically an awesome anime). And with one of my favourite anime studio, Production I.G. behind the reins, this anime nailed itself in the top of my list of highly anticipated anime in 2013.

Story 8/10

After watching the series, I can't help but to compare the script with other ... Gen Urobuchi's series such as F/Z, and I was slightly disappointed (may be 0.5%) of the scriptwriting. It is overall a very well written script, with great insight into Gargantia, the flotilla state sailing on a planet with ocean only! But it lacks a small drop of Urobuchi's cinematic and serious moments in his script, such as the ending of F/Z that depicts of the devastation of various characters, and SoG lacks some of it (but I still enjoyed it immensely). The story is mainly describing the daily lives with life-changing events that I would not spoil, but it also details the two very different lives of Gargantia and Galaxy Alliance (I made that up as I watched it in Japanese), and the representation of the two are projected in the two main characters, Amy and Redo. The story sparks when the two radically different ideals clashed together; they had heated arguments in trying to convince each other, but they also tried to understand and accept them.

Although people might think the story is quite dull in the first few episodes, but the team constantly brings new surprising elements into the world, energizing the atmosphere with a breath of fresh air, and to keep us entertained throughout the series.

Art 9/10

Rating for artworks in anime differs between every audience of the series; some people love it, some people won't enjoy the style of the artwork. In my opinion, I absolutely enjoy the artwork of SoG. The beautiful variation of bright colours of the giant flotilla is just pure amazing, and placed on the beautiful background of the blue ocean displays the ships in a lively and exciting way.

The design team definitely caught the idea of "Exciting yet peaceful lifestyle" perfectly in the series, detailing every moment of Gargantia's residents lifestyle with near-photograph quality, and innovative machineries reminding us that they are on a tight-decked ship. The contrast of various districts in the cabins also creates a more interesting environment, and to describe the story of the characters in a refined method.

The underwater artwork are also done in a realistic view, detailing underwater ruins describing of another civilisation (SPOILERS), and even though there aren't as many colours as the flotillas, but the ever-changing environment drew so much of my attention, admiring the beautiful micro-orgasms floating in the ocean sparkling in its unique way. And with deep sea salvaging as the prominent occupation of Gargantia, there are good amount of scenes underwater that would satisfy all of us.

There are also some elements of combat, and although they are all well-developed gundam style combat scenes, but there is only one thing that I would complain. THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH! :D there should be a couple more scenes detailing on how awesome Chamber fires its megapower awesomeness at the enemies, frightening the souls out of them (quite literally)!

Sound 8/10

The soundtracks are done very nicely to dress the anime, suitable yet not dominating over the other elements. The calm soundtrack detailing the ocean waves and cries from the seagulls, to the intense and rough soundtrack in combat scenes that would make your blood rush in excitement. I only gave it an 8 because I compared it to other anime series with even better soundtracks (Angels Beat, F/Z. This is my preference, don't rage on me :D)

Character 8/10

Very good development of the characters, with detailed back story for most of the characters, and it helps understand the personality and found out the reason behind their actions. The anime design team certainly made a strong effort in creating the characters suitable in the world with lots of ships and water.

Redo and Amy, the two major characters in the series, are very well described as the two radical ends of the horizon, with Redo as a soldier and Amy as a postwoman for Gargantia. The two of them had radically different ways of living; Redo lives as a loyal soldier, with orders being the creed that determines all his actions, while Amy values living in its best. In time Redo was influenced by Gargantia and eventually started to understand life, and the process is never dull to watch. Amy served as the saving rope for Redo in the series, reaching out for him when he is alone in the planet without his comrades (except the robot), and supporting him during his weakest moments. The classic 'boy meets girl' moment is displayed and it doesn't bore us at all.

Another major character of this anime that I should definitely mention is the 'Machine Caliber' robot that crashed into the planet along with the pilot Redo, Chamber. He is one of the prominent characters that lightens the mood of the series while instilling serious ideals, a feature in many of Urobuchi's scripts. Chamber serves as companion, friend, teacher, comrade and moderator of Redo, teaching him of many things Redo never learnt, with the classic mechanical tone of an A.I., it also surprised many of the residents in Gargantia because of its advanced technology in destruction, but also in creation and harmony, creating the image of an "Angel" in the hearts of the primitive citizens (in space-faring civilization's view).

Enjoyment 9/10

Suisei no Gargantia is a very enjoyable anime in 2013, the well-written storyline matched with art and sound kept us entertained, and the intense moments took us in and we could feel it as if we are in the anime itself.

Overall 9/10

Overall, I absolutely enjoyed Suisei no Gargantia and definitely would call it as one of the best in the 2010s series. I would recommend it greatly to any Gen Urobuchi's fan, and also any newcomers to the series. The exciting adventure of Redo and Chamber along with the peaceful and symbolic Gargantia would definitely make many people watch this over and over again.

Very looking forward to any future projects of SoG

:D