Story: 8
At first glance the plot of Hitsugi no Chaika may seem "dull" or "cliche", but Chaika ultimately stands to deliver a fresh, new kind of plotline that is rather unprecedented in my opinion. It's not often you find adventure shows with three characters traversing the Earth and having badass fights every episode. Personally, the story saves Chaika from mediocrity and adds a lot of originalty.
Art/Animation: 7
Okay, yes, the art style of Chaika was probably the largest turn-off for most people. But all in all, the art actually complimented the show quite nicely. Although Studio Bones did choose an original style, overall it doesn't really compete with some older anime. The animation however was decent enough, and each fight scene was very engaging, especially considering how they fought. Another thing about the art that stood out were the 3D magic effects. On their own they looked nice, but together with the normal art made it seem out of place most of the time.
Sound: 9
The sound/music of Chaika is arguably one of the highest points in the show. The voice actors for Toru and Akari fit their personalities and roles quite well. Chaika herself stands out the most...why? Well...Her actress did portray Chaika well enough, but at times her voice did make her a little annoying. Also the opening (DARAKENA) is an Excellent choice for the show's tone. Personally, I couldn't get through it each episode without replaying it.
Characters: 7
The three main characters: Chaika, Toru and Akari are definitely some of the most original characters I've seen in a while. Both Toru and Akari are perpetual badasses, and while they don't have much of an outstanding personality, they are still very likable. Now, Chaika is a cute character and all, but most of the time I found myself getting very annoyed with her character because she doesn't do much more than just sit back and act as the show's Damsel in Distress.
Enjoyment: 9
I think it goes without saying that this is very enjoyable show. Not necessarily a diamond in the rough, but definitely something that will keep your eyes peeled almost every minute.
Overall: 8
Hitsugi no Chaika is definitely one of those shows that was massively overlooked during it's respective season. One thing, if any, is that Chaika does not fail to administer a dose of "originality" something that most anime seem to lack nowadays. Something as refreshing as Hitsugi no Chaika is meant for everybody, and should not be missed by anybody.
