Currently about halfway through Cross Ange and I'm definitely into it.
I went in knowing basically nothing about the show other than that Meyfey was a pretty big fan of it, so I was slightly sure what to expect. Then about 1 minute in I immediately knew what to expect.
So where to start, where to start...let's go with the fanservice, I suppose. That's where I started with Mayo Chiki, that's where I'll start with- oh right, about Mayo Chiki. So, ended up finishing the show. The ending was actually pretty alright save for the fact that it ended on a very OVA-esque note thanks to the what must have been obligatory episode 13. It surprisingly (and rightfully) never dipped into full-on harem territory and actually had a conclusion of sorts, and I really like that sort of thing, certainly wasn't expecting it. I'd basically be throwing my voice into an echo chamber by saying this since I know how well regarded MC is, but if you're interested it gets better as it goes so I'd recommend giving it a shot.
Anyway, back to Cross Ange. So generally I'm not a fan of the fanservice of this show, and that draws less from how it's used and more from the character designs. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I don't really mind shameless fanservice in a show. It's not that I generally like it or anything, but I do think there's a pretty big difference in a show just randomly showing some teenage girl's panties from a low angle and a show episode one being like "look, this show's got scantily clad girls, fragile clothing, and a very horny cast so if you aren't into that aesthetic than maybe this show isn't for you." This show is definitely the latter, so it comes with the territory and I'm fine with that.
But the character designs really look Sunrise, and they're animated and (on occasion) storyboarded in ways that make them look very...Code Geass, I suppose. Problem is, not a lot of the designs look very interesting or unique or, probably the most important piece to this little wall of text, attractive, which makes the scenes where some girl's just chilling in a bath or has her armor broken seem really odd, if nothing else.
This in mind, Ange, post-haircut, has miles and away the best design in this show. Very pleasant to look at and generally just good for whatever they want to use it for.
Speaking of animation and storyboarding, this show is very peaks and valleys in regards to that. In general most of its fight scenes, particularly the ones that aren't 2D, are pretty well animated and the mechs bring out just about everything I like about a good mecha show. They also have these sleek designs that I've always been a fan of for mechs- not that they're my favorite but when they're animated well they feel very nice to use which, in turn, makes them fun to watch. Then there are the non-battle scenes, which are pretty alright sometimes, and other times it seems like the team completely forgot that shading exists.
Mooooooving right along to the story and characters, I've been pretty happy with how the show decided to pace itself at the beginning, mostly in terms of Ange's feelings in regards to norma and how she went about excepting herself as one- well, particularly that she doesn't for a solid amount of time. One could easily write this off as them trying to fill two cours with padding, but I'll take any show that realizes a character with deep-seated beliefs won't be so quick to undergo any sort of paradigm shift and give it a thumbs up, and this show absolutely nails that.
Speaking of the characters, I'm enjoying them so far. Ange's a good deal of fun, cold-hearted as she is, the candy gang (as I call them) are basically Mean Girls- yes, the movie- if they were in a mech show, and they really bring that teenage dramedy vibe that really hangs over this show (and it's better off for it). Then there's the Ange Support Group, and I pretty much liked them since moment 1.
So all-in-all, I'm liking it and do think it's a legitimately pretty good show. Props, Mey, you finally made me say it.
