The opening "Asa e no Brilliant Road" is one of my favorite songs now. (pet peeve--combining the particles with words in romanji so it's hard to separate them, ie "Asa eno Brilliant Road." But enough of that.) The image of Shima's Bianca weaving in and out around a Katie (Rice-Box translated it as "Keitty") sticks out in my mind every time I see the opening. Oh, and "I beat my invisible wings. Fly Higher" strikes a chord with me, though I don't understand why. I watched the opening each time, when I normally skip the opening when I watch a series of episodes in succession. There is a slower version of "Asa e no Brilliant Road" which is just as good as the original.
I immediately identified with Shima, as I also had an awkward childhood. Even though I've heard people complain about how much of a crybaby she is, I don't see that. She's a 16(?) year old girl, with the fate of the solar system riding on her shoulders, a perfectionist, and unsure of her relationship with Kouta. It's natural for her to break down and cry. When I first saw her hairstyle, I could only think 'Sailor Moon."
Kouta was probably my second most favorite character. I'm a sucker for the quiet, serious type, I guess. That, and he's just so, well, cute. I'm just unsure why he was initially chosen for the Great Mission, with his mediocre grades. Did Richard-san know something nobody else knew about Kouta?
The blond girl from the Big Four was ... interesting. I liked how she tended to be silent, only speaking words from Shakespeare.
I wish we had learned more about the aliens. For some reason, they reminded me of insects, with their noses "buzzing" in communication, I assume. And how did Hutter-sensei infiltrate his way into such a high position, in the confidence of one of Stellvia's leaders?
Rumor has it there is a sequel in the works, but about Shima's little brother. I'm looking forward to it if that's true.
Samantha
Last Exile's