Story: 10
The story is extremely well put together and told in a way that doles out information on a need to know basis, while tossing out little tidbits of what is yet to be told that tantalize and, all too frequently, leave the reader with a hollow feeling in the pit of their stomach that is commonly known as dread. Meanwhile, it tends to take a lighthearted approach much of the time, keeping the mood in tune with the characters emotions, but never really getting rid of the increasingly intense sense that not only is something not right in the world, but, perhaps, nothing is actually right at all.
The setting is a world that is dystopian, war torn, and gradually sliding toward chaos and oblivion. However, that is not really what the story is about. It is about two young people who decide to start dating, much to their mutual surprise. When things get tough, they think of quitting, but when they actually talk things over, they find that they both are feeling the exact same thing and they agree that they are going to stick it out a bit longer, but now they are going to get serious about falling in love.
However, when things get even more complicated, it will take every ounce of love and devotion they have to stay together. They don't succeed completely, but can they make it work in the long run?
Some of the themes presented include young love, secrets, long distance relationships, infidelity, unrequited love, and, of course, how to deal with the fact that your girlfriend has been turned into a cybernetic super weapon.
Art: 10
I seriously debated about the ranking for art. I was going to give it an 8, but the amazing background art and frequently breathtakingly romantic scenes with our young couple pushed it up to a 10.
The character designs are typical for Takahashi-sensei, with most of the characters having rounded features, wispy hair, slightly stout figures, and a certain level of cuteness. He gets good mileage out of chibi transformations and exaggerated facial expressions when portraying emotion, but when things get serious, the character art is stunning and the emotional love scenes are remarkably touching and romantic.
The real standout in the art, however, are the backgrounds. From incredibly detailed views of towns, cities, or countryside; to amazing action scenes with explosions and chaos; to air raids and, of course, a cute little ultimate weapon with giant rocket launchers, energy beams, and dragonfly/fairy wings that are beautiful at a distance, until you see the damage they wreak on the clothes and body of Chisa as she returns to her "normal" self.
Character: 9
The characters are strong and, for the most part, likable. (At least when you are supposed to like them.) The main couple are both wonderfully crafted, with Chisa being a shy, soft spoken, but surprisingly strong girl. The process of watching her gradually gain confidence while simultaneously getting further and further from being truly human is amazing. The heartbreaking middle section, where she loses out to her growing ability to "know too much" and longs for people who can just look at her and tell a bald face lie to make her feel better, despite the fact that the earnest (if not always faithful) and loving people around her cannot bring themselves to do her that favor.
Shuji is gruff, sharp tongued, and, with the exception of on a few choice topics at a few choice moments, honest to a fault. His love for Chisa grows as she becomes more dangerous and harder to love. However, the hardships of their relationship and an extremely ill-timed reunion lead to some very poor decisions that make him seem less of a "nice guy." In the end, he is one of the few people who is always thinking of what is best for his diminutive super weapon.
The side characters are strong, especailly Akemi, the best friend of Chisa and former track teammate of Shuji who, quite obviously, harbors a longstanding unrequited love that leads to tragic outcomes for more than one character. Some of the soldiers are also well done. One of the characters I cannot bring myself to like, but I don't know that you are supposed to like her.
If there is a weakness, it is in the amount that suspension of disbelief needs to be stretched for the process by which Chisa becomes the Ultimate Weapon. Her blithe acceptance of her fate and complete lack of anger, at first, that she seems to have had this done to her without consent, at least of her parents, is dumfounding. She really seems to be saying that she met with the people, then woke up and was a cyborg. It makes no sense and could have been handled better.
Of course, it could be that she just couldn't tell Shuji about the details, but we never see the details in the sections when we look at the world through her eyes either, so it seems off.
Enjoyment and Overall: 10
This was a roller coaster. It had highs, lows, gut wrenching twists, dizzying heights, and devastating. earth shattering descents. The ending is phenomenal and, I should say, incredibly, profoundly, and touchingly sad.
