story: though the story was a little predictable, the overall story arc was well thought out. I'm sure many will disagree with this assessment, so let me explain. At first glance, it might seem like there is a huge mood whiplash between the first and second halves of the story. Certainly, the mood of the first half is much more lighthearted. But if you look at it thematically, the first half of the story is a mirror to the second half; it foreshadows what is to come. The first half serves to educate Ledo and Chambers, demonstrating that a) their notions about the purpose of existing might be incorrect and b) educating them on how to live in a new environment. The first half creates an emotional bond between Ledo and the people of Gargantia. Without that bond, what happens in the second half wouldn't have had as much meaning. I won't write any spoilers, but essentially the first half is essential for informing the decisions made in the second half. Other than the actual plot, I think this show does an excellent job creating an interesting, unique futuristic society on Gargantia. There isn't a lot of drawn-out exposition; it's explained subtly through character interactions and the environment.
characters: it is easy to think that the only characters with any real depth in this anime are Ledo and Chambers, but it is also a misguided notion. Without a doubt, the "alien" and his robot do undergo the most growth and development in this story, but that is to be expected; this is THEIR story, after all. It's ABOUT them coming to a new planet and having all their notions about duty, humanity, and life challenged. Moreover, there are only 13 episodes, so there really isn't time for every single character to go through a full character arc. Think about it this way: characters exposed to the biggest challenges are the ones that will change the most. Life doesn't change that much for anyone except for Ledo and Chambers, so it makes sense that those two have the most development. Furthermore, Amy as a female lead is representative of the ideals and mindset of the people of Gargantia. She is symbolic of the society she was raised in. Amy is carefree, helpful, and accepting. She might not stand out as a particularly unique character, but that doesn't mean she's just another two-dimensional character. She has a strong will and desire to help all her friends, including Ledo. She tries the hardest to understand him and in turn help *him* understand her world. Her character has a subtle strength rarely seen in media. As for some of the other minor characters, we don't get much of a backstory for them, but it's not really needed. This isn't one of those "everyone gather around the hero" stories; each character has their own life and goals the dictate how they interact with the main characters. Pinion isn't really bad or good. He's motivated by his own interests. We learn enough about him to understand why he's willing to risk so much to go to the whalesquid nest, especially because it seems to contradict what most people in his society believe about the whalesquid. While initially distrustful of Ledo, Pinion comes to see that Ledo can help accomplish what was once only a dream. His behavior towards Ledo changes once he realizes this.
Final thoughts: Apparently, Suisei no Gargantia is not a show that suits everyone's tastes. If you're willing to reflect on it a bit, it certainly does have a deeper message about coexistence, humanity, and the meaningless follies of war. It probably won't change your life or tell you anything you haven't heard before. What it does do is provide a lens to view our own society by making the familiar strange and the strange familiar. It's an interesting series and short enough that you won't feel you've wasted your time.
