Preview
In 2071, Mankind was suddenly attacked by the WORM, advanced machines that are created by merging millions of "cells" as if some sort of artificial life form. As most major cities and armies where leveled, UN had little choice other than deploying a massive WMD attack, which successfully destroyed the WORM, but seriously destroyed nature and the environment, the climate went insane, the ice-caps melted. Now, 10 years of reconstruction, mankind is finally getting back to it's feet. Enter the Sonic Divers, a new technology which promises to be the new age of multi-purpose use, from rescue to military - except it can only be piloted by a select few with the same DNA structure, all girls.
Pacing
Sky Girls is the usual mecha anime with strange (yet, this time, believable) mechas and, obviously, a strange villain - by adding the spice of cutesy into the formula, you get cute almost "chibbi" girls piloting mechas that look more like exoskeletons (since the girls are exposed to outside threads, while using a "nanoskin" gel to protect themselves).
As much Sky Girls will never shine as a sci-fi or action thriller, what really makes up for the cliché mecha genre is the character interactions, developments and even how the plot advances. The girls do not simply "get selected and magically pilot as ACE pilots who always did that". Most anime covers their selection, than initial non-combat training, their interactions with their comrades and friends, and only eventually after almost half the show, actual combat training and finally some action. Not only the girls have to learn AND PRACTICE every new move or strategy, but the whole crew has to get used to new equipment and situations they were not ready for, and that's not something you see on most mecha titles.
Things do no magically get known or developed, and there is a clear learning curve, as well a learning character personality development that is followed. While most of the focus is at Otoha, all the main characters, initially three (Otoha, Ichijou and Karen) but than reinforced by the cute yet arrogant Elise, get the spotlight and most of their circumstances and motivations are well development.
Conclusion
Sky Girls is NOT about the wacky enemy or the strange mechas, but it's about the Girls in "Sky Girls", and their dreams of flying thru the sky, trying their best or simply surviving situations they wish never came to be. Do not watch expecting a sci-fi or action packed anime or you will get disappointed. Most people are sarcastic towards this title as if this was the biggest disappointment they would ever let, but the funny thing is that Sky Girls was released little after the super-hyped and famous "Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann", which is actually a lot more nonsensical and lacking of any plot or character development quality of a good anime if compared with Sky Girls. What makes that title get more fans? Gurren-Lagann was meant to be a funny nonsensical "burning spirit" mecha, while Sky Girls is about it's characters and visuals, not some ridiculously huge mecha fighting talking armadillos with a 8 worded "move" and fancy glasses.
If you want the talking armadillos and the fancy glasses, you are better off not watching Sky Girls. Sky Girls is a nice entertainment with plot and character development, more character development than actual plot, and the cutesy here is important to the series in the same way comedy is important to most nonsensical mecha titles. Do not mix your beans and choose wisely, and you will be fine.
A series for all those looking for a nice subtle character development inside a sci-fi plot, where said plot or its robots (though a lot more believable than most giant mecha titles) is NOT important.
Sky Girls OVA (in other review) show us what could be a typical mission a little after the "war" started (about half way the show), but does not show us the forth main character Elise, neither it manages to show you the process the characters went thru to get where they are (training, learning process and social conflicts)
Trivia
It seams some of Kyouro bridge sounds are the same from USS Enterprise's bridge from Star Trek Original series. Some sound effects outside are also from that series. Pay attention and you will notice!
