An anime of Gargantuan proportions?

The main cast, and..Amy, pose for the camera.

It's not everyday I get to discuss or review an anime series; it's not everday I watch anime, so when I saw a preview of Gargantia on the verdurous planet I had to give it a shot. The writer of the preview on Animevice said that this show is potentially better than Attack on Titan. Now AOT or Shingeki no Kyojin as some fans prefer to call it, is set in the distant past on an alternate earth that is overrun by giants that eat people. The people somehow created a means to keep the hungry giants, called titans, at bay using  3-Dimensional maneuvering equipment to move quickly around the titans, and is powered by gas, a la Spider-man. Gargantia, however, fills a different premise. This series takes place in the far future where humanity's descendants are now fighting huge flower like creatures called the Hideauze (sounds like hideous), and have developed giant mechanoids that are piloted to defend their world from the onslaught. If they sound completely different, then they are.

The only series that I saw that the writer could compare this series to was Neon Genesis Evangelion. Both have similar premise, takes place in a futuristic setting where humanity's best hope for defense against an extraterrestrial force is do engage in combat using large mechas. There are some similarities, such as the young age of the protagonist, the desperation of humanity, large mechas, an overwhelming enemy, the feeling of the hopelessness of a win, but no sheer anxiety, which is what SNK has successfully accomplished in broadcasting.

Overall, SNK is based off of a titular manga and follows that plot; Gargantia is an original production I.G. anime series that has a manga based off of the show.

The first episode, the only one I've watched so far, did draw me in. The main character is likeable. I had no problems with his portrayal so far. The show immediately drops you into the action as Ledo, the character's name, is analyzing the situation with his mech a.i., Chamber. Both characters have good chemistry, and despite the obvious fact that Chamber is a monotone A.I., it displayed a lot of humor.

The show was also written very intelligently with the lead character not being the typical hothead who would rush into a situation and somehow come out alive; we've already seen enough of that. The only annoying presence in the anime were the character designs. At 16 I would expect the protagonist to look a bit more masculine and older. Large eyes on a 16-year old signifies youth, but smaller eyes on a protagonist could also represent some kind of maturity. The other characters did not bother me that much, only the designs of the female characters kind of struck a nerve (I have a low tolerance for big-breasted anime girls who jiggle everywhere).

And to think a hug was all they wanted.

The mecha designs also fall in line with the cute character designs. Like I've stated, the only flaw is the character designs, as they are too lighthearted in my honest opinion. The enemy designs for the Hideauze could take some warming up, though. Their appearance wasn't menacing at all. Their looks ranged from flower like to cephalopodic. We do see them as a force that is overwhelming, though. That's about it.

The music brought along that sci-fi feeling, as it should. There wasn't a time where the music did not fit in. Hopefully there will be silent moments. The art was beautiful. This isn't the best I've seen Production I.G. work on, but this has come close. The animation is locomotive; the human characters move fluidly through the background and foreground. Most of the characters have shown their personality. There's one character I will keep an eye out for, and that's Amy. She's a 15-year old girl and has this optimistic, bubbly personality that will probably urk me. Other than that, the show has hooked me on for episode two. Let's hope this show has consistency, because if it does, I'll be a new fan.

I won't rate this show with a number, I'll simply say that this series is worth watching and is good so far. Stay tuned for more updates on the series.