For instance, it takes the first third of the first season to finally introduce the reason behind Kaname's importance, conflict between Sosuke and Gauron, and Super PrototypeArm Slaves Arbalest and Venom, with the first few episodes as comic filler followed by a slow-paced lead-in to the action; not exactly a good way to start off a series. The second season does pick up the pace, however.
Speaking of Humongous Mecha, the good part about the mecha battles is that some of them do have a touch of realism, such as the Helmajistan battle with the communications failure that raises the tension. The bad part is that the Arm Slaves are woefully under-equipped for their size; I would think they would have room for a few fixed guns, and come on, mecha-sized combat knives, REALLY? Not to mention that the Green Lantern style Lambda Driver basically turns the mecha battles into Dragonball Z style fights in an otherwise realistic setting.
Entertaining but with Several Problems
This show has a premise that can only lead to Hilarity Ensues. Have Sagara Sosuke, a trained Child Soldier and assassin who is dead serious, Crazy Prepared to the point of paranoia, whose first solution to any problem is More Dakka, and has No Social Skills or experience in civilian life, be sent as a bodyguard for Hair Trigger Temper Tsundere Chidori Kaname, who is targetted by Large Ham Depraved Homosexual Gauron. The interaction between these and other characters can be quite hilarious. Conversely, the serious side of the show could be executed better.
For instance, it takes the first third of the first season to finally introduce the reason behind Kaname's importance, conflict between Sosuke and Gauron, and Super Prototype Arm Slaves Arbalest and Venom, with the first few episodes as comic filler followed by a slow-paced lead-in to the action; not exactly a good way to start off a series. The second season does pick up the pace, however.
Speaking of Humongous Mecha, the good part about the mecha battles is that some of them do have a touch of realism, such as the Helmajistan battle with the communications failure that raises the tension. The bad part is that the Arm Slaves are woefully under-equipped for their size; I would think they would have room for a few fixed guns, and come on, mecha-sized combat knives, REALLY? Not to mention that the Green Lantern style Lambda Driver basically turns the mecha battles into Dragonball Z style fights in an otherwise realistic setting.