First I would like to discuss the first 15 episodes. These episodes had an amazing quality to not only animation, characterization but also story in general. The show heavily borrowed from other Mecha shows such as Evangelion, and Gurren Lagann, but in these episodes it managed to show them in a newer way. However many people can dislike the show for its "lack of originality" I enjoyed its unique take on the themes to other similar shows. Through a balance these episodes achieved an effect on me that I had not felt for a while since I started watching anime, So I give this aspect of the show 9-10. This is because it created unique characters and a great setting and feel in these episodes
However, just because the first 15 episodes where handled in my *opinion* almost perfectly, it cannot excuse the lackluster, and awful quality of the remnants left over namely episodes 16-24. These episodes display an extreme lack of quality and direction. I believe that after 15 they had Absolutely No Idea where the story had left to go, and instead focused on the battles which was not the primary thing that interested many in the story. Diverting their attention from more pressing drama they instead decided to add a backstory episode ruining the immersive feel of discovering the world with the cast, only to add more fights and end with a lackluster space battle. All of this DESTROYED the tone, character development, and story in my opinion. ALL of these episodes are below a five. There are so many different ways they could have ended it, maybe one that actually aligned more with the themes showed in the first episode, but instead they had to ruin everything.
Its possible the ending could have worked if they had more episodes to flush out the story, and fix problems that could have been fixed with more planning. It feels as though they only planned up to episode 15 and then just went 'well... what now.' the characters are together and happy for a moment how do we end this off?' and someone replied 'PUT IT IN SPACE AND TURN EVERYONE INTO A FLAT CHARACTER, F*** YEAH!' and they actually listened and did it.
To fully show my opinion on the show I will average my thoughts of the episodes individually to show how I rated the series.
I rate the first 15 episodes with a 9.5/10 making 142.5
the 16th episode is a 4
17 and 18 are 3
19 is a 1
20-24 is 2
Averaging 142.5 +4+6+1+ 10=163.5/24 = 6.8125 which when rounded is a 7 so that is my overall rating. Instead of completing the themes it brilliantly layed out in the first minute of the first episode with its imagery and symbolism it ruined everything it built with a poor fitting ending and destroying anything positive
I suggest that if you are going to watch this show watch the first 15 episodes, and no more. Also the manga is looking pretty good so far, but it could turn into a crapshoot as well. Hope they decide to make it good.
