The first arc is rather grounded (which is odd considering the subject matter) but from there it develops into a standard action fare. I actually just rewatched the whole series (dubbed) because of the funamation breakup with VRV soon.
In any case, I really like the idea of each story arc. But the transitions between them are rough and most of them are just a smidge too long. A supercut of the show a la DBZ Kai would likely get an 8 or even a 9 from me. The random ass-pulls of power from friend and foe alike do not inspire hype, but rather make me sad that they didn't it all up tightly in each arc.
That being said, the characters are great, if a little one note. The art style shifts around quite a bit: I personally liked the post-dark tourney animation a lot. But what I don't like post-dark tourney is the overwhelming sense that they have reset the character power scale. Like, they did a great job with the human psychics and enforcing new constraints that weren't just *more spirit energy*. But as soon as all but the big bad are out of the way in that arc, the whole rest of the show loses to the power creep.
I like it, it can be sweet and sentimental. It can be tightly paced and interesting. But there is a lot that seemed stretched out for no good reason and that is a shame. Music is good, but sound design wasn't always on point. Just a solid show of its time, really.
I thought going back and rewatching it I would like it more, but I found my overall enjoyment was the same as when I was a teen: some things I liked more, some things less, but it balanced.
