The anime isn't actually a school setting anime and instead focuses on six characters divide into three groups which run and defend their respective districts.
The plot:
After an attack by a species known as "unknowns" humanity is able to organize itself and create a stronghold which is under constant attack by these "unknowns". This time however they've gained a power known as "Their World" which allows them to combat these unknown. Thanks to these powers they actually make light work of their attackers. Or so they think.
So those who have "World" are limited to teens, but per usual in anime it does a nice job of covering its track. "World" is a manifestation of the dreams of the individual when they were put in a cryptic sleep after the unknown invasion. It has a nice message of while adults don't have powers it was adults who paved the way for the future generations. In terms of details to the story it does a pretty good job. Like the crow which was killed at the end of episode 1 was revealed in episode 11. Or the true nature of Hotaru's ability which was never explicitly explained, but hinted at for the moment it would be needed.
Something I enjoyed about this series was that it was anime original(kind of anime original) and used that to its advantage. It plays to a mystery element and the more you learned about the setting the more you questioned it. Alongside that it drops hint here and there even in the opening which it actually has two of despite being a 12 episode anime. It also has three endings which are lovely to listen to, but are aesthetics. It's however fitting how each ending changes when the "baton is passed". Like mentioned the story places focus on three groups of characters which the focus switches around on either because one was killed, incapacitated, etc. However as far as the revelation angle it plays, don't expect much.
Like mentioned the anime is pretty standard, but I don't find much fault in it other that. Especially considering how it's a 12 episode anime. As a 12 episode anime the pacing is nice having a quick chain of events while also having an episode to slow itself down when it needs to.
Even the second episode which second half was a poor choice of idea with how they went with a form of swimsuit episode felt like important set up to the next chain of events.
While the anime does have after credits scenes they're not necessary to watch, but add a cliffhanger effect leaving you waiting for the next.
Characters
The characters there's not much to them in terms of personality, but their interactions amongst each other can be amusing. At the same time the anime seems to be self aware poking fun at Suzaku and his A-1 Pictures predecessors with bad social skills. (Seen in Episode 1)
One thing I didn't like about Suzaku was his character development. For one; the direction of his character development can be seen a mile away. Egotistical guy grows to trust his comrades. K.
But it's when he first goes into this "emo" phase which I found cringy partly due to how sudden it was, but aside from that scene his phase is handled nicely.
Getting to Canaria she is the only person Suzaku cares, but still gets chided by him for what comes off as her fakeness with her peppyness.
In terms of Canaria's character her gimmick is having a gimmick. Alongside that her World is of interest painting a nice picture of the maiden who sings during battle literally setting a soundtrack. (I've never seen Guilty Crown btw.)
With that Suzaku and Canaria make an interesting pair with how you'd think the two wouldn't get along since Suzaku's an ego maniac, but you have to note he became that way because he hated his own weakness and want to protect Canaria.
I'm a sucker for characters of his type. I found it funny when he felt so superior he couldn't remember the name of a blue haired girl named Aoi before finding out she had a useful ability. Or his policy for answering phone calls.
Overall in terms of comedy it does a nice job not trying to be in your face. The jokes are more quirky than funny which gives it charm.
Next I'll bring up the sibling from the Chiba District.
Kasumi is made to be the rival of Suzaku and is an opposite to him. Where else Suzaku is always serious, Kasumi doesn't care or so he appears. Again in contrast to Suzaku he doesn't look for recognition and acknowledges how he has his position due to his sister's influence. His sister claims that it is actually beneficial that the two butt heads due to Kasumi's way of interaction. Being Kasumi's sister Asuha knows how to get under his skin and teases him a lot. Naturally the two care about each other, but Asuha rather confused on a romantic level, but Kasumi on the other hand purely see her as a sister. And in that sense it may be fair to say that Asuha's affection is natural with her brother beng the only one she has at her side.
Finally it comes to Kanagawa district. Similar to Canaria, Maihime has this gimmick character of the hyper leader who's overpowered. And Hotaru who has this disciplined gimmick, but who is doting of Maihime and admires her. These two really don't seem like they should go together, but as friends they are convincing. When the story focuses on them it plays well to the suspense that Hotaru isn't going to make it only for it change up the meaning of Hotaru arriving or not.
Despite their base Maihime in particular recieves good characterization.
Animation and Sound
If someone told me they blew all their money on the artist they hired I'd believe them. At the same time. The OST wasn't anything godly. And for some reason they only gave Canaria one song. The animation can be be sloppy at times the most notable being when Maihime and Suzaku combine their attacks and it end up being a slideshow. The still images were sloppily drawn as well. If there's anytime animation shouldn't drop, it there.
But episode 12, the last one was horrendous. And I'm not talking about badly drawn. I'm talking about how they made you look at a wall while the characters fought. The movement was so slow as well.
Slideshow the animation is what it was. As the final fight episode that it was it was a failure, but in terms of ending the series it was well done.
So as mentioned, it's second episode and poor animation give people an easy reason to drop it.
As a time waster it was worth my time and something to look forward to each week. So I'll leave it with a 7/10.
