Story: 9
While it's nice that the synopsis doesn't really spoil anything, it doesn't actually tell you anything either. The premise (settings, backgrounds, and such) isn't particularly unique, but the story is interesting and not too cliched.
Art: 9
The art is of a much older style than what is popular nowadays, and they didn't bother adding tons of fanservice either. Art of course is a personal preference, but older art styles can be nice, where they don't just go around making girls have stupidly shiny skin (as if they were gladiators that oiled themselves every day), and guys being stupidly angular.
Sound: 8
The sound is fine; they didn't do anything spectacular, but it's fine. I really like the theme songs though.
Character: 7
While many light novel adaptations (mostly ones with high fanservice) would try to make the pace of the anime insanely slow, (with an episode exclusively about one character cooking, or something like that) and make several seasons of the same stuff with no development (allowing them to milk more $), Hitsugi no Chaika does the opposite and completely jumps the gun, skipping out on tons of detail, characterization, and somewhat importantly, explanation. All of the aforementioned are present in the novels, and the lack of can make this anime confusing, or make people unentertained, and pretty much not "get" things. (it's mostly character though). The anime adaptation is missing a LOT, and all I can say is that it could have been done better.
Overall: 8
As many may have noted, this anime is quite underrated. The truth is, people nowadays want and expect fanservice to go along WITH whatever it is they like to see in an anime; interesting plot, likeable characters, clever and entertaining dialogue etc. If there's a female character, they'd better make her show some skin, because that'll make people like it more, whether they realize it or not. I've no idea how well it's received in Japan, but for being different, Hitsugi no Chaika is most certainly lacking in love.
