I found Patapata Hikousen no Bouken to be a very enjoyable anime. The characters swept me off my feet right from the start, and the story was just as good. This would be a good show to watch with the family; adults can find several hints at the ending that would be missed by children, and there is little swearing, and no nudity.
Story: 9/10
The plot had many twists and turns that made each episode interesting in its own way. Most of the twists were minor, not really necessary, but they were excellent opportunities to showcase character development, which was done beautifully. The one problem I have with the plot is that I was able to guess who the evil mastermind was by episode three, although I had to wait twenty episodes to confirm my suspicions.
Characters: 10/10
The characters were what really made this show shine. I even shed a few tears over their pain, which I don't normally do. Every character displays depth, and most develop as the series progresses. Certainly all of the main characters do. Even the aforementioned evil mastermind changes, perhaps more than some. It is also possible to feel sympathy for the evil mastermind, once they have been unveiled. I found that difficult, but I can see how it would be possible. Most of the characters also have a backstory, which makes them more realistic.
Art: 7/10
This is an older style anime, which is perfect for the time period, but that isn't my preferred style. The scenery is amazing, but the characters look a little young for their ages.
Sound: 8/10
Overall, I liked the music, but I have to admit that nothing really stood out to me. On the other hand, I found nothing that repulsed me either, so this gets a high rating. One note on the theme song: While the music is the same, the pictures do change, and are mostly clips from the show.
Overall: 10/10
This show hooked me from the very beginning, and kept me entertained the entire way. It made me laugh out loud, cry like a toddler, and left me wishing for a sequel. I could have watched another three dozen episodes about the characters. This one gets top marks.
