However for the show's plot itself at least at present (cause it could always pick up in the future) is rather dull, a lack of a clear and threatening enemy grinds the concept of the show to quite a halt. Yes there are plenty of times where the JSDF finds a purpose to use its overwhelming firepower over its mid-evil enemies and environment and at times finding themselves wanting to go out and shoot up a dragon that's burning villages to the ground. But politics loves nothing more than getting in the way of such actions.
But concerning the plot, it does evolve, but over the past few episodes nothing overly significant in terms of progression towards what people could call an "End" to the story. The story seems to find excuses to perpetuate the story further with small but not always insignificant events. Such as Itami and company's visit to Japan due to a summoning by the Japanese DIET, or their prolonged political battle for a peace process with an empire that takes much of the same mentality as the Roman Empire. Not an easy or quick task to say the least.
However despite the dullness of the story thus far it has HUGE potential. (and don't get me wrong I love watching political debates, political blackmail, and black op events stir up emotional results but when that's the most tense action you see it's difficult to keep excited about the story). Japan at present is the only country with access to this world at least at present, it's always possible that other countries including but not limited to the US, Russia and China could also find access to this world through their countries. Or possibly other worlds with similar, or even much more advanced technology or magical abilities could also open up.
But getting outside the big "What ifs" of this story's potential, the world called the "Special Region" of Japan so far has only 1 outpost for the JSDF and their exploration of this world is so far quite limited only operating within one country the Empire that attacked Japan through that Gate that appeared in Ginza (creating the "Ginza Incident"). Thus the JSDF is rather reluctant to go outside the Empire's borders and many other countries and races exist beyond the empire. So in short there is still a huge world out there that has yet to be explored.
The political side to the story takes a very dark turn turning into what others have also criticized the story on being a purely "Good vs. Evil" with no in between. Having the JSDF being the unbending and ever noble good guys while every other entity has proven themselves to be sketchy at least or out right obnoxious at worst. Even the Big 3 countries US China and Russia also earn their place in this with the Chinese expressing that they want to take the special region so they can relocate millions of people there. The US president wanting to annex the region for its resources potential. Russia hasn't expressed anything directly yet but has participated in trying under handed tactics much like the US and China. But the US earned a special place in this story by resorting to Blackmailing the Japanese Prime Minister to try and abduct the Emissaries from the "Special Region". China and Russia tried the same thing at the same time minus the black mail which ended up the special agents from all three countries wiping each other out with Rory's help.
Not much can be said about artwork other than it's AMAZING. Beautiful and vibrant colours and not short in detail when designing either world. While Japan does take a slightly more dull environment colouring and brightness unlike the fantasy world I'm willing to bet that's because they want the attention and interest to be on the fantasy world rather than becoming invested in 'our' world.
Sound has been slightly disappointing to me at times. It's not that they get the wrong sounds or ignore important sounds. They just seem to like to tone the volume down on many sounds and events that would bring some extra excitement to me. Maybe it's because I'm a big movie theater guy and love nothing more than having the sound of a tank firing or a helicopter AT missile explode that can not only be heard but also felt. The music on the other hand is excellent nothing short in helping define the nature of the plot along with the op and ed videos.
Characters in this story is rather mixed for me. I'm loving the HUGE variety of characters in both design and personality. There is no shortage of characters, you will find a character type you love, or would love to strangle with a corded phone, whether it's a strong minded female who seems to enjoy nothing more than close range combat, a military nurse with a heart of gold, a princess who loves her country but isn't above making tough decisions for her country's benefit and using others to do so, or a Prince who's arrogance, and abuses of slaves/prisoners (both physically and sexually) need to have him learn humility in the most painful way possible. GATE doesn't disappoint with character variety.
However character development is somewhat lacking, while some characters do develop with their struggles and learning how to operate in this new and alien world, the struggles they have to endure or overcome haven't yet proven to be detrimental to the plot or create events that would put the main character or the JSDF's mission in peril.
Overall I'm enjoying this series and hope that it continues into a long running series which includes other countries becoming involved in this "Special Region" but hopefully not in conflict with each other, nothing ruins a story for me than pointless conflict between nations.
