Actually by first, I mean this is the first BONES production that hasn't wowed me. I've been making my way through the BONES anime and so far they've been outstanding. While Mars Daybreak was good, I can't say it held up to the standard that's been set to this point...

The setting for this series holds promise, as does the storyline - however, the devil is in the details and this is where Mars Daybreak falls flat. While I found myself drawn back for each episode, there was always something missing. My wife and I watched the entire series waiting for the heartpounding action, the tender romance, the heartbreaking sob story, the edge of your seat peril... sure, it had all those elements, but none of it really grabbed you by the throat and shook you up. The action was solid, just not thrilling. The romance was cute, just not tender. And most of all the peril, well, I never really felt like the characters were in any peril and that most of all is what deflated the series like a dead balloon.

Technically, this is a very well done anime. The visuals for the most part are great, although the style is a little old school almost cartoony. Backdrops were excellent and the animation itself was fluid. The music was appropriate although not memorable. The VA's were good and you could tell they did the best they could with the dialogue given to them.

In the end though, the build-up to buried treasure, political intrigue and betrayal, Mars independence and massive RB battles went out with a whimper. Don't get me wrong, this series was good, but it was just that. Good. Not great. Not excellent like so many other productions by BONES. (show less)