Plot 2-3/10:
In general, the method of how girls become magical girls is hard line to skate between reasonable suspension of disbelief and stupidity. It can be done well which can be seen in the go-to gritty magical girl show Madoka Magica. However the show definitely under-performs here. The backstory is vague for basically every plot point, for how powers are acquired, why some girls are chosen over others or even establishing power levels for the MCs. The show starts by putting magical girls on this pedestal, as saviors of humanity and stronger than whole platoons of elite soldiers. However, it continually relies on putting the main characters in far-too-close fights, calling into question the core assumptions of them being just super strong. Regular humans stand more than a chance against some of the best fighters of the group. As for the rest of the plot, the enemies seem to have no real motivation other than destruction and chaos, which once again can be done, just not here.
Characters 4/10:
While far from redeeming, the characters are definitely the highest point of the show. To get it out of the way, many of the characters, even the main ones, feel like nothing more than NPCs, delivering their lines and serving their stated purpose of exposition/pervert/etc before leaving. Outside of a few exceptions, no character feels real or likeable unless you like their artstyle. However, Asuka, Kurumi and Chisato all get decent exposition, but it is far from perfect. Kurumi has an interesting dark side from a dark, pre-magical girl past, but the show can't let that just work, so they decide to turn it into a joke towards the later part of the season. Asuka is depicted with symptoms of PTSD and survivors guilt, but the show fails to fully realize or focus on these quite real effects of war. Chisato's backstory leaves much to be desired, but this sort of evil awakening ark she goes on is compelling, and was by far my favorite part of the show.
Art 1.5/10:
It looked terrible, plain and simple. Besides subjective character design choices like huge eyes and everyone has big tits, which I personally hate, nearly every shot in the show looks bad. Closeups of characters talking might look passable, but when any shot zooms out just slightly from this, the art looks sloppy nearly one hundred percent of the time. The fights are lackluster, despite having a lot to work with in terms of cool magical weapons. The magical girl outfits are incredibly plain, looking like they were designed in 20 minutes by an intern told to show as much cleavage as possible. And the famous hallmark of magical girl shows, the transformation scene, are just a different background, a flash a of light and then they are in the new outfit. I can't tell if the staff was overworked, underpaid or just didn't care, but whatever the reason it doesn't excuse the show looking like it was animated more than a decade ago.
Sound 1/10:
For a good few episodes, there was nearly no music of any kind. Exposition scenes and establishing shots are left entirely quiet, with the dialogue left to fill the enormous void. Even when music is played, it sounds like it was taken out of a file named "generic as hell anime music." Ever watched any beach episode in any anime? Imagine what kind of music is playing. That is what Spec Ops Asuka uses. No originality or personality is present throughout any of the soundtrack.
Opening/Ending 2/10:
Generic night core opening. It's all shot in black and white with the exception of a red rose. Totally overdone, and even if you toss originality to the sideline, they do nothing interesting visually with only a black and white palate. The ending is even more forgettable, with a slideshow of shots in black and white again. The song here I find personally more palatable, but its not memorable at all.
I came into the show skeptical based on trailers, and was thoroughly unimpressed all the way through. It might have a few moments that I didn't totally hate, but overall your time is spent watching a different show.
