Ah yes an Action show that's actually worth it. You heard me right. While short indeed, this show doesn't fail to deliver it's action. From the Manga by Mayumi Azuma a splendid story emerges from the pages of the manga to an Anime series that has all the fun you need. A fantastic blend of Sci-Fi and fantasy, with the touches of romance on top.
After a routine raid, the rookie sky pirate Cou finds a most unusual cargo in his mates' cargo hold: Ren, an "Edel Reid", a race prized by humans for granting special combat power to their partners through "Reacting". He quickly discovers, however, that Ren is even more prized than he expected. The pirate ship is visited by three members of the Edel Reid Complete Protection Agency "Arc Aire", who try to purchase her. When Cou refuses, the ship is suddenly attacked by a mysterious force, and Cou's captain charges him with Ren's protection. In this series, there are three human "species", humans, Edil Raid/Eden Reid and Sitting Raid. The Raids have magical power and can "react" with human beings. If they do so they become living weapons with several great abilities. Sitting Raid are artificially created Edil Raid. The sky pirate Could, the extremely strong and legendary, but newly awaken Edil Raid girl Ren and three members of Arc Aile, an Edil Raid protection organization, are on a journey to the Edil Garden. On this "journey of love adventure" they experience many problems between the different species, because Edil and Sitting Raid are often used only as weapons, as well as fights between Arc Aile and "Chaos Choir", an organization that wants the Edil Raid to rule the world. Due to the developing love between Ren and Could they can reunite humans and Edil Raid with an ancient song after many funny, exciting, but also tragic adventures. (Edil Raid songs, also called psalms, are used to set free immense magical power).
This show needless to say stands out to me more than most action series. Unlike typical action series, namley naruto the female characters aren't easily faded into the background. While Ren can be the damsal in distress, there's no denying her own strength and abilities and there is certainly no denying her desires to protect Cou as he protects her. But probably Cou impresses me the most. At first appearance he seems to be your typical male character full of christma a bit cocky but you can clearly tell that he not only loves Ren and wants to protect her with all his might but he can be humble as well. Mostly it's because he can be humble respectful and take defeat that makes him a mature character almost unheard of in series like these. I think this probably only one I've seen, with a strong ensemble cast of males and females. He doesn't act macho all the time and doesn't have an enormous ego.
Animation wise well it's probably not THE most impressive in the world. Especially in the way it will suddenly go Chibi on you, or the fact background look like colored sketches. However the characters look splendid.
Ah music. Yuki Kajiura seldom disappoints me. Giving the mystical and bit of Irish-Celtic feel to the shows original score, while occasionally breaking out into her trademark style, of vocals and elaborate piano melodies. But I wish she would do her fanciful violin trademark some more! Music scores often suffer in action series but the original score for this show shines out as another bonus quality.
However the show is not with out it's flaws. Some beaten down clichés (Namley food food food!) are quite used as well as gender confusion, for the one of the characters who looks a bit boyish but really is an adorable little girl. (In her words anyway) It can be funny yet amusing at the same time. Fortuantley the cliché doesn't always fall into the lap of the male character. (As is commonly done) Admist these clichés the series isn't beaten down with them. Hey what show doesn't have it's share of flaws? (Even my most favorite have a fair share)
My final thoughts it's pretty unusual that I review and Anime before I even finish it. But this I just felt strongly that I should.
