I haven't been as conflicted about an anime as I have been about this. I find the character design, audio design, OST, and general "feel" of the anime really high quality. I watched the sub and it is well acted. The battles and tactics really reflect a reflexive D&D thinker, and it is really refreshing to see an anime based in a Fantasy setting that is more about tactics and just "what works" over fancy techniques and abilities. Need to kill a large enemy? Lure it over a tripline, have it fall down, stab it in the back of the head. No need for some amazing STABBY DEATH move.
Yet, its overabundance of fanservice and the disappointing shock-value use of sexual assault is really disappointing. Especially since the first episode when it aired did not have a warning about it. My wife, who LOVES anime, was negatively affected by some of the imagery to the point she couldn't watch the rest of the series. It is "triggering" to those who have lived through sexual assault, and there was no warning, no indication that such content would be part of the series.
It seems they learned their lesson, as nothing was as... exploitative throughout the rest of the season, but it was still disappointing.
I will personally watch whatever they do next as I feel everyone deserves to learn from their mistakes. The quality is up there, and if you want a more gritty fantasy setting with an intriguing, oddly complex main protagonist, I'd definitely give it a shot. Just be warned, the first episode is VERY graphic. Like, Berserk 1990's level of graphic.
Good analysis. I haven't been watching much anime but I like reading up on this stuff ---