STORY: There is in fact no linear plot in this anime, and I can admit that this was a turn off at the beginning of the anime. For a while, I didn't understand how this series was a parody, but just under half way through, I realized. I guess the reason why most people actually love this anime, is because of the way each episode is structured into a particular type of genre from visual/written texts (such as a musical, police drama, science fiction, etc.), and in some shape or form, pokes fun at it.
ART: It's oldish. So don't expect the nice clean designs you see in series created in today's time. However, other than the perhaps grainy appearance, you do on occasion come across detailed scenes (usually close ups of the characters) such as the opening. It's a shame that the quality of these character designs aren't throughout the whole series, because I probably would have given it a higher score. Another disappointing factor, was the animation. I mean okay, oldish anime /doesn't/ normally have the insane animation in series created today... BUT same with the design, there were some parts in the series well animated (again the opening in particular) but again, not through out the entire series.
SOUND: It's hard to write about the sound for a lot of anime, usually because I don't pay attention to it most of the time. I can't really write much about Exel Saga's, but I believe it was pretty average. On a side note, I'm pretty sure there was some music played for Pedro, that sounds like an actual old song? Actually earlier today, I'm pretty sure it was played on a disc in our house, but I have no idea who sings the song or what the song is called.
CHARACTERS: It's interesting to come across characters from completely unrelated series that look almost identical to each other, and on the rare occasion, behave almost in the same manner. I wonder if you've realized which two characters I'm talking about. Sonsaku from Ikki Tousen and Excel. Both are fang-tans, both pretty much have the same coloured hair, same bangs, same coloured eyes, and both have a loud personality about them. Anyway. Thought I'd just like the point that out since that's what I'm going to do from now on with other characters. Moving on... I will say they are all a different bunch of characters, all having some sort of bold personality (including Hyatt; dying over and over again along side her refined, shy personality, perhaps a little over the top like every other character?). Some may annoy you, some may not.
I'll say it now. I'm not someone who's into over-the-top 'humour'. I'm not someone who's into the parody genre. So watching this was painful, although it became less and less painful further on, as I got used to it. I guess I was dragged into watching this after watching the trailer on one of my anime DVDs. I'm thinking it was the art and animation that attracted me to it, and I was let down by the art/animation and story. Now that I think about it, I should probably be giving this anime a 5.5, only because of the cleverly thought up structure.
