Let's just say they did, but the negative aspects were amplified hundredfold.
First of all, the story. I'm going to be honest and say the idea seemed a bit weird, if not stupid, but I decided to give it the benefit of doubt. Giant humanoid cockroaches commanded by another pretty much immortal giant cockroach? A martian virus? A possibly alien civilization wanting to destroy the earth using muscular bugs? Okay.
I gave it a six simply because of the concept. It is not original by any means, but it's got a couple unique aspects. And hell, it was entertaining.
The art wasn't bad at all. Those cockroaches are easily the creepiest things I've ever seen in anime, and I've seen plenty. I kind of find it odd that Mars could seem to alike Earth, even with the moss growing around, but I'll call it artistic license. I liked the characters' designs and the slightly more realistic way in which they were drawn, and I even found some of the characters to be handsome in an unconventional way. I gave it an eight.
The OSTs weren't the best, but they were fitting enough. The wailing woman in the sad moments seems to be a must in these sorts of shows. I did like both the OP and ED. A seven seems a bit too kind, but there were a cuuple OSTs that did get me pumped up in moments of tension.
Now, the characters.
This show has one of my favorite male characters in anime, Adolf. It's frustrating how little screentime he got as he's easily the most developed and had so much more potential. I won't say anything else, cuz spoilers.
I wasn't really fond of anyone else, I must admit. They just had too little screentime and many backstories seemed very soap-operaish. Perhaps if they had givevn more focus on the character their deaths could've had a much bigger impact, sans a certain character. But I have to admit, though, that me being the softie I am did suffer every time someone died, but seeing the other reviews that's probably just me.
The only other character for whom I really cared was Michelle, who I hink also had great time for potential. And well, she's really badass.
Because of the potential each character had, and because of Adolf, I'll be extremely generous and give this area a nine.
If one thing's for sure, I was hooked. Even though most of the tension consisted of cheap shock value and I'm pretty sure they're all going to die at ome point, I found myself on the edge of my seat several times (particularly on the parts revolving around Adolf). The sort certainly had the element of tension, and fot that I'll five it a seven.
It wasn't as bad as some people put it to be, in my opinion. It just suffers from not being executed well enough. For me, its major flaw was the lack of development, the pace, that sort of stuff. The themes were good,a nd even if it was not directly put, a certain one about how death is in te end futile got me thinking a lot, and I love animes that get that reaction from me.
Especially... well. SPOILERS! When Adolf died. He tried dying at first, but ultimately realized his he did value his comrades and proetected them until the end. And the fact the cockroach leader survived a lightning bolt falling directly on top of him was kind of an asspull if you ask me. The worst part is, he died without saving anyone. But he did die among comrades, so I guess that kind of shows that in the end, death is not entirely meaningless.
I did hate his whore of a wife, though.
Would I recommend it? Yes, but only to a certain public. One that could see a show for what it is despite its flaws.
