Okay so I plan to read the light novel and fully expect some deeper explanation on many of the underlying phenomena occuring in the show.
Story: 7/10
I love the high fantasy mech combination, and I love the world created and its relation to Hitomi Kanzaki because its a playground for her growth as a character. I have a few issues as to why drac-energists and the technology surrounding them wasn't expanded upon. Although it makes Gaea special, as it is this mysterious life energy that seems to be powered by fate, it seems like drac-energy is mostly a tool to advance the story. Girl screams and wishes things to stop and through the magic in her pendant they just magically stop. This could have been avoided if they expanded upon how these cores powered all their machinery and fueled nearly all their scientific advances. I expect some of my qualms to be settled upon reading the light novel. Overall, I enjoyed the story but what really makes me enjoy Escaflowne is how the characters interact and grow with each other over such a short time.
Art: 9/10
For a 90s anime the art is beautiful. Many 90s anime don't come nearly as close to Escaflowne and its beautiful, richly detailed world. Not much else to say, I'd be hard pressed to believe you if you thought this anime was unattractive in any way.
Sound: 10/10
The composed soundtrack is gorgeous and elegant. As a musician I was completely moved by it and I find it an tasteful and eclectic decision to incorporate an entirely symphonic soundtrack. The key changes at every turn really add to the magnitude of the situations and the composer deserves an award.
Character: 8//10
I would have given a 9 because nearly the entire cast plays well together and we're handed both characters to love and hate as the world of Gaea plunges into chaos and our main characters embark on a journey full of growth and self-acceptance; however, there are one or two characters who could have been omitted from the show and it would have been better off.
Enjoyment: 9/10
I love this anime, as a fantasy and mech fan this anime delivered pretty well on both ends. Some action scenes could have had a little more choreography in the Close-Quarters Combat department but this isn't an action anime, it's a mech romance fantasy with action elements so it delivered where it claimed it would.
Overall: 8/10
On a first watch I'm just gonna round up to 8 because there is no 7.5 rating, but this anime is everything you'd expect and Juuust a little more ;) very satisfied and I will read the light novel!
