I know that title is a cop out, but I feel too torn on this to really fit it in there.
I always saw this on the Netflix anime queue, but never really watched it. One day I had nothing really to do, so I decided to give it a look, where I noticed that while the reviews were generally scathing, it had a score of 4.5/5, so I decided to give it watch as well. After binge watching it, I'm left with this question: what the heck was that?
Its not an exaggeration to say that almost every mecha trope one can think of, is in this story. The characters are pretty much just blank slates to push those cliches onto. The idealistic princess is the idealistic princess, the hard logic soldier is the hard logic soldier, and the disillusioned soldier is the disillusioned soldier. Inaho almost never expresses emotion, and while usually anime give reasons as to why their acting like that, this one doesn't, he's just completely emotionless. As for Slain, this guy's motivations and characteristics change so abruptly multiple times, its almost impossible to get invested him; not to mention what motivations he has are very thin and confusing. If I had to choose, I guess one could say Asseylum was the best character, but even she is somewhat of a blank slate; there's no character beyond her idealism, and her guilt. The series also really wants us to believe there is a great rivalry between Inaho and Slain, but in all seriousness there isn't any at all. They only really interact a couple of times, and I think only really speak once or twice. Even Asseylum and the boys don't have that much time together. The only relationship I think is really believable is the one with the secondary characters, and I often found myself think why couldn't they be the leads?
That all said, one thing I will argue is good, is the story. While it takes a moment or so to really understand the conflict (and the exposition is clumsy), when I did get a grasp, it was surprisingly engrossing, making me want to keep watching the series. Sadly, it doesn't have the characters to back it up. The Vers Empire is completely one dimensionally evil, with characters who exist for about one episode, before being destroyed by our Mary Tzu of a protagonist. I figure that the point was to really make the audience hate them seeing as how they're all just racist douchebags, and I suppose in that way it succeeds, but they have no character or personality beyond that. Aldnoah itself was an interesting idea, but all we really get of it is how amazing it is, and some of the abilities are so bizarre, that they borderline on being just plain magic.
That all said, I can't find it in me to say I hated this show. Much to the contrary, something kept me engrossed. Not sure what it is, but I kept wanting to move onto the next episode, and I even find myself wanting to rewatch some. I don't what's wrong with me, but perhaps its best for you to make your own choice about it.
Best to make your own decision
I know that title is a cop out, but I feel too torn on this to really fit it in there.
I always saw this on the Netflix anime queue, but never really watched it. One day I had nothing really to do, so I decided to give it a look, where I noticed that while the reviews were generally scathing, it had a score of 4.5/5, so I decided to give it watch as well. After binge watching it, I'm left with this question: what the heck was that?
Its not an exaggeration to say that almost every mecha trope one can think of, is in this story. The characters are pretty much just blank slates to push those cliches onto. The idealistic princess is the idealistic princess, the hard logic soldier is the hard logic soldier, and the disillusioned soldier is the disillusioned soldier. Inaho almost never expresses emotion, and while usually anime give reasons as to why their acting like that, this one doesn't, he's just completely emotionless. As for Slain, this guy's motivations and characteristics change so abruptly multiple times, its almost impossible to get invested him; not to mention what motivations he has are very thin and confusing. If I had to choose, I guess one could say Asseylum was the best character, but even she is somewhat of a blank slate; there's no character beyond her idealism, and her guilt. The series also really wants us to believe there is a great rivalry between Inaho and Slain, but in all seriousness there isn't any at all. They only really interact a couple of times, and I think only really speak once or twice. Even Asseylum and the boys don't have that much time together. The only relationship I think is really believable is the one with the secondary characters, and I often found myself think why couldn't they be the leads?
That all said, one thing I will argue is good, is the story. While it takes a moment or so to really understand the conflict (and the exposition is clumsy), when I did get a grasp, it was surprisingly engrossing, making me want to keep watching the series. Sadly, it doesn't have the characters to back it up. The Vers Empire is completely one dimensionally evil, with characters who exist for about one episode, before being destroyed by our Mary Tzu of a protagonist. I figure that the point was to really make the audience hate them seeing as how they're all just racist douchebags, and I suppose in that way it succeeds, but they have no character or personality beyond that. Aldnoah itself was an interesting idea, but all we really get of it is how amazing it is, and some of the abilities are so bizarre, that they borderline on being just plain magic.
That all said, I can't find it in me to say I hated this show. Much to the contrary, something kept me engrossed. Not sure what it is, but I kept wanting to move onto the next episode, and I even find myself wanting to rewatch some. I don't what's wrong with me, but perhaps its best for you to make your own choice about it.