How did this turn out? I dropped it at episode 5. I wanted to like it but it seemed to be turning into your typical high school stuff at that time.
Season one was bogged down in the middle by what I would say was too much slice of life in the middle. The end redeemed itself though.
The second season is more of the same, but there's a much larger focus on the large overarching plot, and more focus on bringing all of that to the forefront instead of being overshadowed. Yes there's still some of the high-school stuff, but those episodes have been a lot less in frequency in the second season.
I mean, they are high-school kids so it's to be expected, but the emphasis on it isn't as great as a lot of other shows, and most of it moves towards the relationship between the three girls rather than school itself. The school-life plays a minor role in the shadow of the focus on the Jersey Club. To me anyways, i've seen it just as a way for that club to exist, which is just another means to flesh out Madoka's determination.
If you're looking for more intergalatic fun and such, the second season covers it and goes into it a lot more, to the point that it really makes the first season just seem like a setup for the second, to establish the characters, conflict, and universe. Yes, it's a little slow, but i've enjoyed it.
I think some of the pacing issues can be seen from how they take their time with each issue in that they actually take the time to make things happen instead of using devices such as brief flashbacks, one-liners that bring us to the present, or just time skips between events with recaps at the end.
It's a lot less school and more focus on the 3 main girls. I enjoy it, but it hasn't been everybody's cup of tea. I actually think the visuals and music are better than the story, but I find that the story is pretty watchable, and if you're able to keep track of it and comprehend what's going on, everything heats up pretty good. This is a show more about subtlety in story and leaving the characters at the forefront, rather than a tight integration of the two, so it plays off character dynamic more than explicit story, which is why it seems to be really hard for a lot of people to follow it. I for one have had no trouble following the meta-plot, but it seems to be of issue for a lot of people who just take what's thrown at the forefront of the show to be it.
I like it, it's fun, the girls are cute, and it has robots fighting. It's a good show.