The settings: It is based in our world with two gods - two giant Trees. What I like about it, is that the makers did do they homework on some of the mythological trees and brought it up at points. Also it then compares the trees to mythological snakes and dragons, there I was kinda sad they didn't mention Jörmungandr, but maybe not everyone shares my obsession with mythologies. The Magics and rules for using it plus the balance between Genesis and Exodus are well thought through. I personally love when the world where an Anime is set has its own coherent and comprehensive history, which this world has.
The Characters: There are two main characters, two less main characters and about a half of dozen not so main characters. The two characters around whom the whole story is revolving are determined to reach their goals no matter the cost. And they don't lose sight of their goals even if it means doing something they don't enjoy. They are just consistent enough to do what is needed to be done. And they are both thinking rationally, there is almost nothing done ilogically. Ever. They are both kinda enigmatic and we learn more about them from flashbacks, which some people don't like but I don't mind it. The two female leads are like opposites of each other. Aika is always composed, coldly calculating and her logic is just too awesome to be true. She likes to quote Shakespeare, which is a bonus point for her. She is the most enigmatic character in the cast by far, but there is still enough of her to connect some dots and make conclusions about her awesomness. On the other hand Hakaze is impulsive, very talented with huge power. She is the only one who kinda loses her goals without achieving them and the only one to act irrationally even though she is the Princess of Genesis and the logic of the world should favour her. Overall all those characters all well written and are given a lot of room to develop. On the other hand the rest of the people are neglected. I can't even write anything besides that, that's how neglected they really are.
Art and Sound: The art is ok, it is pretty standart for new anime like this one which I am really glad because I have sometimes problems dealing with "ordinary" anime. I am not an expert in animation, but I know a little something about music. And I loved it here, I think I'm gonna get the score for this one, cause it was really great. If you like something a bit more classical that is, but it usually goes well with the story so it's great.
Story and Enjoyment: What I love about the whole story and pacing is that it actually gives you hints throughout the anime as for what happned or will happen. When you connect the dots you can predict some of the things that will happen but it's just hard enough for it to be fun and not too obvious while still enjoyable. The story tries to address the "logic of this world" and what it means for this world to be logical, which is something I personally like. The pacing is good enough, it has a good and becomes better and better till the finale of the first 12 episodes, which was great. The first finale was as great as I hoped for it to be with great dialogues explaing a lot of the world and story and characters' motivations. 13th episode was recap which can't hurt and then the story kinda changed. It became less about fighting and more about emotions. I usually don't like these changes but I guess Zetsuen no Tempest had me hooked by then enogh for me not complain about it too much. Then few episoedes were just OK but then it went back to what I loved and it was even better than before. I would just rename the 24th episode to Epilogue because it was just tying loose ends while the true climax was 22nd & 23rd episode.
Overall I loved it. I probably always will. I would recommend it to almost anyone.
