From my perspective, Granbelm's story is the strongest point in the series. The plot configures two worlds where all the characters interact. These two environments, a real-world, a combat scenario, are directly affected by magic and are the premise of several details that will appear as the story progresses. The idea of the combat scenario is to create a world where the main characters or the selected magicians can use magic robots called "Armanox," and they fight for all the magical power that disappeared from the world (Magiaconatus). The last standing magician will become the "Princeps Mage" and will be worth to use the Magiaconatus. Yes, I know what you're thinking, what the he ..., that sounds messy, the story can be confusing at first, but it is entertaining. I can not explain more because it could spoil the plot with small details. Following that order of ideas, the main characters are the mages who will fight each other. I find it very interesting how the authors fused the two worlds with the help of the characters. They compete in the magical world, and they can be friends, enemies, in the real world, and they do not know what could happen after each fight.
The characters are the magicians. Unfortunately, one of the things that could have scared many viewers is that the entire cast is feminine, so a large group will think it could be a junk story, a fan service story, cute girls doing cute things, but none of that fits this show.
There are two main characters, Mangetsu and Shingetsu. The rest of the cast is secondary because they stimulate Mangetsu and Shingetsu’s traits.
Mangetsu or the girl who has nothing. She appears in the magical world without any magical knowledge and is found worthy of using an Armanox. As the story progresses, its complexity and behavior run brilliantly.
Shingetsu "the white." However, her Armanox is black, but she is wiser than Gandalf. I wanted to give a little magic reference lol. She is one of the strongest magicians. She fights following her ideals and wants to become Princeps for a personal reason. She needs Mangetsu to become a good character. Sometimes her decisions are painful, and she fulfills her role fantastically.
Suisho or the girl who will die soon, I thought that. A complex character with a lot of background. You must pay attention to all her information because it is the most complex character in the series.
Nene or the magical genius with an exciting story. She is the most resourceful character, and her background is a need for the story progression
Anna or cry and angry girl. She considers herself very special and powerful. Maybe it is, or perhaps it's just another aspiring magician. However, she fulfills Shingetsu emotions and boosts her traits and background.
Shisui or she will fight for her. She fights for a relative, and she is a need to show the real face of a certain mage.
Rosa or the girl who steals some time in front of the screen. She fights ... without further details.
All characters contribute to the story in some way. The most important part, they give and add details to the story, and their features are totally different. Furthermore, their background is diverse, so their actions and development vary, which gives the story a refresh of the casual generic characters that appeared in the season * cough tra *.
Art and animation are good. The fights are not ugly; the effects are acceptable, followed by good movement and a proper configuration that varies from one mage to another. Also, the powers and Armanox are subtle. The real world has beautiful and vivid colors, and the magical world changes according to the scenario.
The sound is excellent and the VO is acceptable. I think the most influential part is how the interpretation conveys some feelings to the public. I know it's not a great VO, but it's okay. Also, I'm glad to hear Aoi Eir singing again (well, she came back several months ago, but I'm happy she has recovered as I expressed to her in the past), the opening is good and has good lyrics.
Finally, the show has a different air than the usual magic fight series. It is refreshing, and if it was an experiment, it ended acceptably. I cannot complain about Granbelm. The series has good pacing, the story fragments are explained in the perfect time, and they help the characters to grow and shine. Yes, the show is not excellent, it could have been better, but it is the season's hidden gem and deserves to have a second chance.
