The soft magic system makes the battles almost feel like plot devices to move the story on as the viewer never really knows the limit's of each character's ability. There is a lack of suspense and the victors seem predictable.
With the exception of Arata using his illusion at the end of his fight.
The idea or message behind her finding self acceptance while not being special. Is completely undermined immediately by the story revealing that the whole entire time she was actually super special and is deeply desired by her secret family.
What does this show want to be, a josei/shojo love romance story or a battle shounen story? Not so say that you cannot interweave them together , but there wasn't enough time to properly develop either.
animation and music was great tho!