I'd like to start by complimenting the amount of work put into the characters in this show. Gundam 00's writers successfully build an enormous ensemble cast, with several characters from each of the three sects all receiving impressive development. The show's lead is clearly Setsuna F. Seiei, but he's only a small piece of the huge world the writing staff crafts. Sometimes, however, the show loses focus on some of its players. Saji and Louise's romantic subplot isn't fully paid off until episode 18; far too late in the series to justify all of the time we've spent on these two who, up until that point, hadn't been driving the events forward at all.
The story is also well-crafted, although the work put in here isn't quite up to the level of the characters. On many occasions, coincidences or last-minute Gundam power-ups are used to prevent Celestial Being from getting their asses handed to them throughout most of the series. This makes the writing look lazy, although the show does make up for most of it by riding up the intensity of the action occurring throughout the show's many action sequences even if we know that somehow and someway, the Gundams will always win.
Next up is the animation, which is mostly consistent. Character designs are solid, and the chaotic action scenes are well-constructed. Unfortunately, there are a few flubs here and there throughout the show, but the show benefits from having a much smaller episode count and thus can stretch out its production budget more efficiently. So, it's not perfect but it's better than what this franchise had seen recently (looking at you, Seed and Seed Destiny).
Of course, being the Kenji Kawai whore that I am, I have to comment on the soundtrack. Overall, it's really good, but far from Kawai's best. The main problem this show's soundtrack has is that several action pieces tend to sound out of place. On one occasion early in the show's run, the women of Celestial Being are all playing on the beach but the piece playing is obviously intended for an action scene. Also, aside from the main theme of the Gundams, the remainder of the score is mostly forgettable. It sounds great while it's playing, but once it's over it's hard to remember the piece. Both opening themes are instantly memorable across the board, but both endings have bland vocals. As much as it pains me to say it, the soundtrack overall is a mixed bag.
So, to sum things up, Gundam 00 may not satisfy the die-hard fans of the franchise. The Gundams have questionable designs (seriously, hair?), but they're better than the clunky and interchangeable designs from Seed and Seed Destiny in my honest opinion. However, as a futuristic war story, it excels. Honestly, I think the war story angle was what the writers set out to do in the first place. Die-hard fans can complain it, but they have Universal Century to suit their needs. The Ado Domini universe is one of the most interesting universes the Gundam franchise has ever told, and all they had to do was go 300 years into OUR future to tell it.
Now, onto Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Second Season...
