As for the pacing, I have no problem with it. After tormenting myself with the pacing, character, plot, and visual horror that is Nanoha StrikerS this serving of moderate pace, reasonably well written characters, and nice visuals is extremely refreshing. I’ll be looking to Sky Girls for my aerial combat fix this summer.

The slow pacing doesn’t surprise me that much. Honestly, I think it usually makes for better episodes later. I’m hopeful that all this background information means that someone actually thought about giving the series a plot, some pacing, and fleshing out the personalities. Given the suspension of disbelief we’re already being asked to make concerning the mecha’s physics, I think it’s nice that they are at least not asking us to do the same for the plot and personalities so far.

Speaking of which, Erica’s personality is pretty believable to me. She’s a military lifer who has probably already spent several years learning not only how to fly, but also in being the best pilot at her base. Being beaten would easily stick in her craw. Finding out she was beaten by a “helper” just makes it so much worse. Saying she’s being paired with two civilians when she’s been working her ass off for the same possible position – yeah, I can see how she’d be less than cordial to her new teammates and commander.

Anyway, I’m liking Sky Girls for what it is – a summer action show. It’s probably worse than half a dozen other shows out there already, but unlike say Darker than Black or Code Geass, it’s not a hard show to follow. It’s also got more of a plot than Hayate or Lucky Star, but it’s not as cute, either. It’s pretty much your standard mecha show, but with some good art, decent personalities, and perhaps a decent plot (with 26 eps we won’t know until around ep 10 to 13 what is really going on, if this is a standard series).

Looking fun so far, in a visual appealing without much thought needed way. Perfect for summer!