Perhaps once you get rid of these less important stuff you become able to truly enjoy the anime: the aesthetics, the unique art, the amazing soundtrack, the fights (this is one of the few animes that can make episode-wide spanning fights that are still interesting and exciting), the personalities (that fully compensate the shallowness of the characters) and the over-the-top manliness of it all.
From the Phantom Blood arc to Battle Tendency some of these characteristics are intensified. It is more unambiguously over-the-top, the art style gains more intent and uniqueness. The plot gets more complex too, but nothing too worthwhile. By the end it starts losing steam, the disregard for story starts hurting and draws negative attention to it. The final battle is specially disappointing and feels kinda rushed.
Also worth noting are the amazing openings and endings and the famous "to be continued" that truly lives up the meme it inspired
