TLDR; it's a techno-magical girl show where the characters derive their strength from myths and relics through the power of music. The animation, while not spectacular, is at least good if not above par in most areas. The music is used skillfully to compliment the show, as well as being the basis for it. The plot is not leakproof and the writing could be better, but there are moments where the writers clearly knew what they were doing, and I feel that it's enough to salvage the show into the “good” category. There are much more poorly written shows out there. It could have been great, but they just didn't quite make it there. Ultimately, the setup for season 2 probably hurt the show a bit. The characters are likable for the most part, and not so extreme or overbearing as to be obnoxious. Along the journey, there are even some good laughs.
If you like Macross, mecha and mahou shoujo, give it a go.
The extended version;
First the honest truth; I dropped the show after one episode. Later, I gave it a second go and found that I had misjudged it, but I still wanted to turn a critical eye to it since it was a show that at two different times, I had totally different reactions to.
The music; the core and its application;
It may seem obvious, but a show about music, had better have good music, right? It does. Don't worry about that. The folks handling the show know how to use that music, too – scores and tracks are cued at the right moment and lend a great impact to what's going on, right from the get-go with the opening sequence. The final scene of episode one I find very memorable thanks to the use of the opening theme and the sound effects used with the visuals. The MC's debut is handled in a similar fashion, matching up with her music.
The animation;
Initially it seems that the quality drops off after episode 1, but after further review I simply don't think that's true. The animation in the opening concert is of a completely different nature – not skill – than the rest of the show. The concert consists of wide-angle views with very little drastic camera motion, in contrast to typical anime camera movements. What you're seeing the characters do (a choreographed performance lacking complicated camera angles/cuts) is too hard to compare to a hectic fight scene. The fighting in episode 1 is pretty well the same quality as the rest of the show, perhaps being more concentrated in a bid for viewers.
The rest of the show, while not animated to Gainax levels of splendor, is not done poorly. Fights have fluidity, good cuts and use of the characters. There are some stills and reuse. Now, I don't necessarily condone re-using animation, but I can't really crucify a series for having some it of – it's pretty common in a lot of older shows that I hold dear and even some newer ones. Attacks are executed with a sort of retro/classic take on things, with stylized themes that are presented relaying the name of the attack. Usually these come mid-way through execution, but it's not like they're a still frame that is being slid around to replace character motion. They're a stylized flourish.
The show flexes its animation muscles several times, and each time it's a little different. For example, a fight between two Attuned (symphogear users) early on is very different from the MC's debut fight. The former is executed with wide-angle shots that the characters move rapidly and fluidly around in, rather than the latter which contained a lot of rapid cuts, impact and extreme camera shots.
The show manages to avoid those weird in-between frames too, where characters look downright wrong as they transition. They also get bonus points for not using CG that stands out like a sore thumb for the Noise – it would have been so easy to do.
Let's talk about likability;
The show pays some amusing homage to cultural icons. Using familiar things in this way is a pretty classic way to get people on board, and I had no problems with it. I actually love it when shows reference things like this. (Like Slayers showing up on the magazine cover in Full Metal Panic, or Love, Elections and Chocolate being referenced in Sasami-san@ganbaranai)
This show happens to be one of the rare instances for me where the MC is my favorite. It's also a rare show because I actually like most of the characters, save for one. Hibiki is not exactly original, but she is cute and her design and writing paired with Aoi Yuuki as her voice actress manages to pull off the clumsy, unsure but determined and headstrong character (at least she isn't useless as well, as that archetype can tend to be). Tsubasa does well supporting with her cold, emotionless exterior. The whole second branch crew, from Genjuro to Sakurai and Ogawa are likable and have an air of mystery about them. Especially Genjuro, who has an unexplained strength that the writers manage not to abuse as a convenient plot resolution device.
I mentioned earlier that there was only one character I didn't like; that would be Chris. I felt she was the only one that was a bit too much of the typical. She was trying so hard to be that kind of character that it was sort of obnoxious.
Let's talk about the writing;
Symphogear is guilty of introducing new elements a bit too late into the plot, but I hazard a guess that this is due to their hope for a second season. The writing, while not great, is passable for a fresh franchise. It could have been great, if they had done just a few things differently. But, they managed to salvage it. I can't say how since it's ultra-spoilery, but if you decide to watch the show, just look for the specific events that connect the beginning, middle and end of the show in a symbolic way and you will see what I mean.
One of the great lines of the show has to be, “the heels are in the way!”. I know other people have noted this particular line, too. It seemed to me like a stab at the impracticality of having what are essentially high heels on your battle armor or mech. How do you solve that problem, anyways? Well, if you're Hibiki, you just break them right the hell off and go about your business. If this is the female writer in charge of the show trying to say something, then it's even more awesome.
Symphogear also touches on a few things that I thought were important to its quality as a show. It poses a question that's been asked before; if there was a common enemy, would humanity unite against it, or would they keep fighting each other?
The other topic is survivor's guilt. It's a pretty serious thing to bring up in a show that bounces between the sad and happy, being related to PTSD and all. Thankfully it doesn't weigh too heavy on the show and take the fun out of it, but it is a nice bit of writing/insight into the characters.
Let's talk about... fanservice;
Well, I'm not really a fan of fanservice, and thankfully it's limited to a small handful of unflattering camera angles of the heroines. I count this as a net positive for the show. If you're looking for that sort of stuff, this show probably isn't for you.
Let's talk about the usually ill-conceived romance that plagues a lot of anime;
There is none! (I feel like we dodged a bullet with this one)
I'm happy about the total lack of romance, largely because in anime romance tends to be very transparent, poorly done and predictable. You could argue that there's a romance between Hibiki and Miku of the platonic sort, but I'm inclined to just call that a very long friendship. While it can be fun to see your favorite character go through the (often painful and hilarious) trials of love, I think that unless the series is more or less centered around that element, it should be avoided because it will be poorly done.
Besides, the Attuned gals of Symphogear don't have time for that shit, to put it frankly.
I feel like the show received a lot of harsh criticism that wasn't entirely warranted. Other shows skate by with many more egregious offenses and are still lauded and loved by many. I'm not excusing the things that the show did wrong, but most of them weren't so blatant or in-your-face as some of the crap that the big name shows pull on the viewers. Also, being an anime original with a manga accompaniment, I feel you have to give them some credit – the show was not directionless and the pacing was decent, which is more than you can say for a show like Occult Academy. Plus, for Symphogear, we're talking about a show that has a staff with very little credited to them as far as director, writer and Encourage Films are concerned. Their production was backed up by the veteran Satelite.
The last thing I want to touch on is the absurdity of the show; in both the setting, mythos and design. Yes, they are magical robo-amored girls that fight colorful, amorphous blobs with music and holy relics – when hasn't mahou shoujo and mecha been pretty well ridiculous? Throw in a dash of fight them with music”, and the party is ready to start. Just go with it. Don't start comparing it to down to earth shows, because it's not really a comparison that you can make. It's probably one of those shows that's best left to people already familiar with Anime, because it's pretty far out there.
All things considered, I think it came out well. I'm looking forward to season 2 (which has picked up some veteran staff apparently), and I hope that the franchise expands to give us even more than that.
