Starting with flaws, the story itself is fairly average, with several generic character and story tropes thrown in. Because of this, it makes it a lot harder for this show to stand out among its competitors, and it may not be interesting enough to keep some people interested in it. It also may limit what will be able to be done with the story in the long run.
What's not so easy to overlook is the art. The hand drawn animation overall looks solid and the action scenes look good, if a bit stiff. CGI is used very often, however, and there are certain scenes that easily could have been done normally instead of CGI. It can make some shots seem awkward or clunky. Also, every vehicle is CGI. It feels weird and out of place, and it kind of feels like a cop out (heh). For some, it could very easily become a make-or-break kind of deal when it's that obvious.
Despite these flaws, Cop Craft has a lot of strengths to it that add to its charm and help to overcome its issues. For one, the vibe is awesome: it's gives off a buddy-cop movie kind of vibe with some extra darkness and grit, and it's further emphasized by how well the main leads, Kei and Tilarna play off of each other. Their relationship is cute - kind of adorable, even - and helps to lighten up some of the darker scenes.
On that note, probably what gives me the most enjoyment is the writing and the dialogue between characters. The script writers did a great job of interjecting humor at the right times with great wisecracks and witty banter, and it really helps to add a little depth to the characters and helps to lighten up an otherwise gritty situation.
Though the story itself may be lacking, the setting for it is pretty neat and will look familiar to those who have watched GATE or Blood Blockade Battlefront. What really gets me, however, is how 'human' many of the other-worlders look, and I think that's a great take on it. They blend in easier with Earth society, and you aren't always able to tell at first glance who's from Earth and who isn't.
And the OP is straight dope, easily one of the best of the season and a definite contender for THE best. It's flashy, it's fun, it's jazzy, what more could you want? And the soundtrack also helps to further push that American buddy-cop vibe.
Overall I found myself enjoying Cop Craft very much. It's a nice break from the loads of Shonen and Isekai that have been airing recently. And despite its average story it's a good take on what would happen if magic and our modern world collided. It has to be enjoyed for what it is: a fantasy-buddy-cop show starring a grizzled detective and his elvish partner busting bad guys and solving crime. I'm looking forward to seeing how the rest of the show will play out over the course of the season.
