The standard transforming teen warrior device is given some
heft by a well executed time-travel story about a trio of boys sent from the future
to prevent disaster in the present day. The short length of the show keeps the
plot rolling along and doesn't hamper the various twists of the ending. This could
have easily turned into a more mundane student-life series, but the sci-fi and
suspense elements are always kept at the forefront here, despite the frequent
forays into lighter, more comedic territory. The boys are all nicely distinct
and strong in personality. Ryo and Koji more or less carry the story and provide
most of the exposition, while Gawl takes care of the more
emotional, human
side of things. The girls who get caught up in the adventure are less successful,
both suffering from bizarre character designs. Spunky Masami is engaging, but
too often is cast as an intrusive snoop, and cloying Natsume is admirable but
dull. Our villainess, Ryuko, is a bit underdeveloped, but hard not to watch every
time she's on screen.
High-end animation is dynamic
and put to great use in the large scale action sequences. The writing is focused
and nothing feels extraneous, even in the episodes that are obviously filler.
Music is pretty standard, but the opening and closing sequences are great. A few
repetitious and juvenile instances of dialogue do crop up now and then, but are
easily ignored. This, and a slightly questionable plot device at the very end,
are the only real detractors. Otherwise, it's a better series than first impressions
might make it out to be, with a very good, well executed story.
(3.5)
