[justsomeguy]

Overall review:

* a unique plot for a mecha show, full of optimism and happiness. Heck, everybody except Moid got happy endings.
* pretty good animation from Xebec.
* a good soundtrack that was able to combine tension, sentimentality, hope, and youthful energy.
* likable characters with understandable motivations and backstories
* Madoka in particular, is a unique mecha protagonist, constantly defying expectations and bringing levity to even the most serious situations
* She, and most of the characters in general, were very understanding and and forgiving. I don't think any named characters died, though Moid vanished on his own, and as usual unnamed grunts dropped like flies. I can't remember any other mecha show where conflicts were resolved amicably, and all the foes let go of their hatred afterwards.
* IMO the two separate season format harmed the show a bit in terms of pacing, since instead of being able to spread the slice of life episodes a bit more evenly, they seemed to have gotten clustered into the second season. Those were a little boring to watch.

8/10.