Anime review: Dantalian no Shoka (2011)

Finally getting to the bottom of my review backlog! This one I watched with some sort of "club" made by Anons who want to watch and discuss some older comfy anime.

Since this was Gainax, I had high hopes for it… which weren't disappointed! The animation was fluid, music always on point, characters and voice acting very good and its episodic nature never let it down (quality did vary, though). Both Huey and Dalian were a breath of fresh air as they come from an era where pretty boys could also be manly and tsundere goth lolis were done tastefully (full of personality but not pointlessly quirky).

The themes were often dark, but never bleak or depressing. Very picturesque, one might say. Perfect for the early 20th century England this takes place in.

I only have two tangible criticisms to give: the "mysterious girl locked inside the Archives" subplot felt unnecessary - almost bolted-on - and the Professor/Raziel duo was introduced much too late (during the last two episodes), creating loose ends that were left unsatisfyingly dangling.

Those aforementioned two last episodes thing really is sad, it should have proudly stayed episodic like the golden standard in this matter: Kino no Tabi.