Considering the fact that I'm watching this almost six years after it originally aired, I don't think it's a surprise when I say the video quality was terrible. On top of that, the quality of scenery was extremely poor, with water and trees looking fake. However, the redeeming quality in the art was the animation quality of the fights. What stood out the most to me was the Nietono no Shana and Shana's blazing hair, both of which exceeded my expectations for a six-year-old anime. Overall, it was watchable; certainly not up to par with today's 720p standards.
Characters (10/10)
After 24 episodes, it was evident that both Sakai Yuuji and Shana underwent massive changes in character. First off, the weak Mistes, Yuuji, became much stronger with the help of Shana; although his stupidity never ceases to amaze me. And for Shana, the new feeling of love gave her a newfound happiness, something that she did not have before due to her duties as a Flame Haze. The interactions our two main protagonists make with their peers and acquaintances, specifically Yoshida Kazumi, also help to shape them into who they are. In a more general view, Yuuji and Shana essentially changed each other as they have exchanged a piece of their world with the other - Shana learning about love in humans and Yuuji adapting to the reality of the world. Through their journey, it is evident that the bond these two is unbreakable, no matter how bad the situation may seem. It was also nice to see many of the supporting characters getting developed, even if only slightly, throughout the show.
Sound (8/10)
First off, I really liked both OPs because they were upbeat, catchy and had great vocals. The two EDs were also decent, but definitely not one of the better ones I've heard. As for the BGM, the only memorable one for me was the piano arrangement of the first OP. While not really significant, I guess the BGM did help enhance my enjoyment slightly. The only two VAs I was able to recognize with ease were Rie Kugimiya for Shana and Mamiko Noto for Hecate. It's nice to see that the voices of these veteran VAs haven't really changed, even after six years. Unlike visuals, sound is more or less able to withstand the test of time so I give this category an 8.
Story (9/10)
Having someone telling you that "You are no longer human. You are an object." is undoubtedly scary. But that is where the whole story for Shakugan no Shana begins. It is an interesting concept that takes skill to masterfully convey. Luckily, the staff was able to pull this off, though there were obviously some flaws. The story itself had great variety of drama/suspense and comedy/laughs while moving forward at a decent pace. Though sometimes too predictable, there were also some twists along the way, which I enjoyed. I think the presence of both romance and action was the selling point of the show, drawing viewers from both those genres. The good balance of these two genres kept things interesting and entertaining. In a more broad sense, I felt that this was a good start to the story, allowing season two, and maybe three, to continue building off of the solid foundation created by season one.
Overall (9/10)
I have to admit it, Shakugan no Shana is a good series. I was quite skeptical at first, even with the countless amount of praise given to it. The conclusion of season one made is making me crave for season two. I have to give the staff working on this project credit for being able to entertain viewers for this many episodes (I'm assuming season two and three will be successful as well). Anime lovers out there, Shakugan no Shana is a must-try if you enjoy romance, action or both. I, for one, wasn't disappointed with what this series had to offer. Now onto season two!
