Expectations: I saw the first series a very very long time ago and my memories of it are very hazy. It was one of the first thirty or so anime I watched, I remember I downloaded the thing in rmvb format… I remember I really loved this show in the beginning, the first episode was absolutely awesome, but then things became a bit muddled, either because my English skills were too bad to properly understand the subtitles, or because the story actually lost its way, I can’t remember anymore.
But one thing that I remember very well, is the great world-building and the amazing atmosphere that Last Exile had. I REALLY doubt this new season will manage to recreate that atmosphere. And I’m very sceptical about the story too. Unplanned sequels have a very bad track record (hell, even the planned sequels have a bad track record). I can’t get rid of this feeling that this anime is nothing more but GONZO’s lifeboat, and that it has absolutely no substance and no decent plot.
Impressions: Adolescent girls in frilly underwear… Ugh, I think I know what audience they are aiming for.
And oh my, the conspicuous and ugly CG! I know the first series wasn’t any better at this, but come on! The first series came out in 2003! It’s 2011 now, and GONZO still doesn’t know how to make CG look pretty!
As for the characters and the story… It all felt very standard, like I’ve seen it all already a million times over. The awesome atmosphere of the first series indeed is nowhere to be found.
Rating: 6.5/10 (This series severely lacks freshness and just isn’t worth watching.)
