Kannazuki no Miko is a show that demands apologists, but it's also sufficently vituous to have them at all. The somewhat intrusive mecha element, the fanservice (though it is *good* fanservice) and the badly developed and utilised villains are all present and accounted for, but the series has virtues that outshines its flaws. The central love triangle is robust, with all three characters carefully balancing virtues and flaws while remaining likeable. It's also important to note that the fighting aspect of the show is vital to underpin the character development as it occurs, as frustrations in battle and love both drag Chikane down relentlessly during the first half of the series. The show evokes strong emotional responses provided you can buy into the action- Chikane's dilemma is well-executed and episode 8 a heartbreaker. The pacing is generally very good, moving the story along at a fast pace, though it slides during an over-extended final episode.
The animation is servicable, while the villain's cast is rescued by the brooding figure of Tsubasa, and to a lesser degree Miyako, with the rest providing tepid comic relief. However, they are all utilised to demonstrate the trajectory of the major characters, especially in the second half of the anime. The show is dominated by the main characters and this works well; the yuri is in a shounen vein, with high emotion, tragedy and compelling meldodrama to follow a slow, powerful build-up. It is this aspect of the show that forgives shortcomings elsewhere, and if you appreciate tormented and ambivalent love stories this series is well worth a look. Otherwise, there are more balanced shows elsewhere.
