First off the artwork was, at best, mediocre. Considering it came out in 2002 doesn't excuse it from having such sloppy art.
Music? The same song over and over. Don't get your heart set on hearing anything great. Before some of you get knots in your panties - yes I know the song has meaning behind it. They smashed that into your brain enough throughout the series.
Actual Story I give a 5. I made it through the entire series even though the plot holes are bigger than the Grand Canyon. It had some good moments and then some moments where I'm sitting there thinking "Please hurry this part up - we know what's going to happen - so stop dragging it out.".
Characterization? The best characters in the anime are the support characters. Akemi and Atsushi had more true emotions and thoughts than the leads. Shuji seems to be borderline narcissistic/sociopathic. Always worried about himself first and others second. Running from everyone and anything that makes him feel emotion. Chise is what she's intended to be - emtpy and trying to fill the void in her emotional self. It's just too over the top in a number of places in the story - for me.
Overall I give it a solid 6.
