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Rating: 8/10

Japanese Title: スカイガールズ
Genre(s): Mecha, military, science-fiction
Episodes: 26
OP: “Virgin’s high�? by MELL
ED: “True Blue�? by Saori Goto
Producer(s): JC Staff, Konami
Official Site: http://www.skygirls.konami.jp/

Impressions:

Executed excellently, presented well and throws everyone straight into the Sky Girls universe—this show for now is on par with Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai for me. I adored everything in the OAV and was disappointed that there was no anime. Of course now that there is, I’m just as excited about it as I am for, say, Shakugan no Shana 2. If you haven’t seen the OAV and plan on watching the anime, I say you must check it out. Also if you didn’t like this first episode, maybe you should take a look at the OAV anyway, since I’m pretty sure those of us who’ve seen the OAV know the potential that this show has (and yes, it has a lot of potential indeed).

The main three characters make their appearance in this first episode, though from the looks of the OP, there’ll be more Sonic Diver pilots to come. The OP itself is pretty good in my opinion; something that I can definitely grow to like. For now though, I prefer the OAV OP, Baby’s Tears, which I cannot find a full version. (T_T) The ED is a little to high pitched and fast IMO, as I had been expecting a slower ballad to go with some relaxing shots of background scenery and the three pilots etc, which quite a few shows do. As for the OP, I still believe I can get used to the song pretty quickly (I’ve only heard it once so far heh).

Otoha, Karen and Eika: the three main pilots-to-be are yet again young pilots of mecha weapons, which I guess is somewhat like Idolmaster. The characters in Sky Girls though definitely have a lot more personality show, and aren’t TOO stereotypical. Eika isn’t really a tsundere, though she does act very tsun-tsun in front of others since she’s the ace pilot of whatever base she works at. Karen’s nature seems to be slightly different from the OAV: here in the TV series she’s quite reserved and shy, though she’s a lot less so in the OAV. Otoha remains pretty much the same: normal (lol). But then again, the OAV does take place later in the storyline…

Sky Girls can probably be viewed as a JC Staff version of Sunrise’s Idolmaster. If Sky Girls can live up to anything like the OAV, it will exceed Idolmaster in everyway possible, and that would be awesome! The cast is pretty good too. Voicing Otoha is Ayako Kawasumi, who’s done some well known roles such as Kaori from Kanon, Nodame from Nodame Cantabile and Yoshida in Shakugan no Shana. Karen’s seiyuu (Saori Goto) doesn’t have as much experience, though personally I like her voice the best out of the three girls. Finally, Eika’s seiyuu, Shizuka Itou, has had roles such as Wilhelmina in Shana, Linali in D.Gray-man and Hinagiku in Hayate no Gotoku.

So, will I be blogging this? Yes definitely—all the way to the 26th episode (if I don’t die before then xD). I can confidently say the quality will not drop to crazily low standards by next episode, as Yoakena did (Yoakena was horrendous lol), and the plot and action will soon pick up. Of course the things that the OAV lacked (the intros, backgrounds, character developments, training etc) should all be covered by the anime. Sure, Sky Girls most likely won’t turn out to be another Suzumiya Haruhi…Ouran High School Host Club…or Code Geass in terms of popularity, though nevertheless it will be enjoyable to watch.

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