Story 5/10
The story is told in a linear fashion with interesting backstories in between. There are nice slice of life and funny moments in preparation for what's to come. However, there are parts with rushed/cheesy romances, utter predictability (especially episode titles), and a few things left unexplained that can leave a sour feel throughout the series.
Art 5/10
It isn't as crisp, clean and sharp as the other 2014 anime but the aircraft battles that take place look/feel intense as well as the detail of the aircraft itself. The art could've been a little darker since there were themes of hate and revenge.
Sound 7/10
The show has lovely orchestral music to fit nicely with each scene from the happy and playful moments to the sad and depressing ones. The same can be said about the voice acting as well. The characters sound quite believable in most situations when conveying their emotions and desires. Although at times it can be overdone to the point where reducing the volume is the best option.
Characters 3/10
The main characters Claire & Kal-el receive interesting/dark backstories to get the viewer sucked in. The way they're both setup is quite intriguing. In contrast to that, there were two problems in the series. First is that there are too many characters to be developed in just 13 episodes. Second, there are moments for certain characters that are made so blatantly obvious that when it becomes their time to shine, the emotional impact doesn't deliver what's intended because of the predictability in past episodes. Couple this with the beautiful music just adds to the confusion of how one should feel about the characters.
Enjoyment 2/10
As for me, I grew to hate this series. It started off very well but the way the characters were setup halfway in the anime was beyond predictable. I just couldn't buy what was being sold to me after that point. Also, hearing the characters scream was an ear sore. And the student's fighting gear against enemies was questionable. The only thing that kept me in was the music.
Overall 4/10
If you like people with dark pasts, intense aircraft battles, nice orchestral music, and romance twist, then give this one a shot. My only complaint would be to tone down the cheesiness of the romance and the predictability of what happens to certain characters. Also, you should read episode titles after you finish each episode so you don't get spoiled when watching. If you can get past those things, you should try this one.
