I'm just going to get straight down to it here. I've seen reviews that rate it a one because of all the fan-service, I've seen tens for the same reason. I've seen people praise it and people loathe it, with very little middle ground. Allow me to be that middle ground.
It's a good show, I won't give away the overarching plot, but I found it interesting. It's a bit 'monster of the week', but it is able to link most of the stand-alone episodes into the main arc quite well. Most episodes are 2 parters, too, which give time to develop the minor arc's plot better. It also lends itself to building tension between the weekly releases.
The animation is good, the sound is phenomenal, given Gonzo's penchant for hit-and-miss audio, and the fights are amazing. The dialogue is interesting, I didn't zone out at any time like I do on some shows, and it's well paced and funny at the appropriate times. BA has found a balance between good action, good dialogue, and good characters.
But that's the thing. It's good. It's not 'great'. It's above average, in my opinion, and I find it wildly entertaining and it has re-watch value, but it's just not 'the greatest'. That being said, I think that it has something some other animes lack, character and heart. As another poster said, it's the refuse of anime all tied together, but it's got a certain something more. That is, in my opinion, what brings this show from 'above average' to 'my favorite anime, one of my favorite programs' and separates itself from the pack.
Granted, the fanservice can be a bit much. In my opinion that's something that held it back. Had there been less emphasis on cup size, I think many people could have taken it more seriously. They're between the ground of no fanservice and Highschool of the Dead fanservice, which is a limbo that turns off people on both ends.
Overall, a good show, and if fanservice doesn't bother you you'll love it. 8/10
