Tokyo M8 has a number of strong points, and a number of weaker ones, so this review will actually be component-developed (e.g. "let's discuss the art!") rather than pro-con comparing, in order to keep complexity to a minimum and meaningfulness to a maximum.
So, let's discuss the art! It is widely resonating with the anime: while showing the harshness of the context, it does let a few rays of hope through. You can see actual people with dreams, fears and hopes walk on the gritty textures of concrete blocks and the asphalt. However, this sometimes works against certain climaxes (which I won't mention as not to spoiler anything). The colour palette however does let me a bit down: considering the drawing style, I'd have adapted a more vivid could range, maybe thus further emphasizing the greys. All in all, the art isn't bad at all, but I'd work on the colours. Nothing that a good post-processing can't fix.
The sound is widely enjoyable: the voice actors do get in the part, and perform extremely well. Ambiental sounds are very accurate too, which isn't banale when working with huge events or big machines.
On to the supposedly strong point of Tokyo M8: Characterization. It should be noted that the authors took a clear stance on this, as they follow the story from the eyes of a 12 years old girl, certainly one of the most psychologically turbulent ages of one's life (usually).
Taken the authors wish in consideration, one surely appreciates the emotional journey of young Mirai and her sidekicks, her little brother Yuuki and delivery-woman Mari. The dialogues are meaningful, well tought of, and carefully phrased. Not once a character is estranged from his role. However, this inherently implies a rather linear developing of the plot, if one can read through the characters.
A funny note: maybe the authors didn't realize, but they quoted a play from ancient rome, the Heautontimorùmenos (big bad ass greek compound for "The self-punishing"), where a character says "Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto", through the answer Mari gives to the question "Why are you helping us?".
Overall, Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 is widely enjoyable, and may teach us something we didn't know about Japanese disaster handling (which I regard as state of the art in its sector). Look at it, it won't be time wasted!
