The other two that I’m compelled to recommend are Gurren Lagann and Bokurano. Where Lagann is just insane and fun, Bokurano is rippling with dread and suspense. Both are mecha anime, but basically approach the genre from polar opposites. Both are refreshing takes on an old genre, and Gurren Lagann has some awesome animation too (FLCL-style fluidity).

I do think it falters for a few episodes in the late 30s but in my mind the final ten episodes are so strong that it’s irrelevant. The final ten episodes are in my mind the best of the series and cement it as one of the memorable ones Ive seen in quite a few years. Well episode 26 alone cemented the show as an absolute success for me anyways.

I completely disagree with Micheal Bs opinion that the carefree nature of several parts of the series does a disservice to the story being told. If anything, I find it much more believable. The youths are sheltered and dont know much about what really happens in their society, the adults, products of war, try to escape their past and live under a false pretense of a fun life. In fact its made severly obvious at many times, that no matter how "fun" life in Gekkostate seems to be for Holland, underneath he’s miserable…he’s just putting on a facade. And while I love the works of Daichi that I’ve seen, I haven’t seen NTHT, but from what I know of the setting, it’s not exactly comparable to the setting of Eureka Seven. While I also agree Dai Sato should refocus on what he is trying to accomplish as a writer, I think this is the wrong series to level that complaint at. Of course Im talking about Ergo Proxy, which had a real problem on where and what it truly what it wanted to focus on. As a whole Eureka Seven is pretty consistently written and the themes and messages Sato and the director Kyoda wanted to convey from the start are delivered.

I can only agree with what you’ve said about NT,HT. The reason I mentioned it in comparison to E7 were the thematic similarities, though both are polar opposites is terms of actual follow through. I’ve only seen NT,HT once but some of the scenes are still so clear in mind – many of which involve the unfortunate Sara.
I love that it was directed by Akitaro Daichi too, it really goes to show his diversity as a director.

The power of N&TH&T is the very fact that from the start it portrays its world in a serious light. "Where the hell am I?" – this quote best demonstrates the stark contrast between "our world" and "their world" (Earth and the world where Hellywood exists). In fact, up until the point where Shu enters the other world (one episode), N&TH&T is actually pretty upbeat, even as Shu battles the Hellywood soldiers. It is not until he enters the other world that the mood alters dramatically, and with it, the utter realization of the seriousness of his situation.

Euraka Seven, and most other anime shows, don’t capture this feeling. The mere fact that N&TH&T portrays the civilized world and the third world in such a dichotomous light sets Daichi apart from others who have attempted to tackle the topic of child-soldiers, and the brutality present in under-developed countries.

Euraka Seven makes life in these areas seem carefree, even a little fun. Portraying life in this way is a disservice to the people who’s story you are supposedly trying to tell (and yet another reason why I feel that Dai Sato needs to take a break from script writing, to refocus). I won’t say that living there is hell, but living under occupation and in a perpetual state of war is anything but fun.

What I like most about N&TH&T is the ending. It concludes not only cleanly, but beautifully. Shu’s experiences capture the feeling of maturity that one feels after enduring hardship, and not only that, but a more endearing view of life. Lala’s appreciation of the sunset that is so beautiful, but so ephemeral, gives Shu a new appreciation of his own life. The world he returns to almost appears alien, from all that he has experienced, in its serenity.

"Because ten billion year’s time is so fragile, so ephemeral, it arouses such a bittersweet, almost heartbreaking fondness."

I’m expecting the worst now!

The first 30 or so episodes are pretty good. No one aspect of the series is amazing, but as a whole, it’s very fun; those early episodes with the Gekko State crew playing pranks on Renton were particularly enjoyable.

And, IMO, the strong point of E7 *is* the Gekko State crew. I couldn’t remember at the time when I had last seen a series with such a nice, wide and varied cast. A bit more background to them all would have been nice (how’d they all end up in Gekko State?) but they’re a joy to watch as simple, fun, clear cut characters.

Holland is excellent at this stage too. He’s an asshole but it’s nice to see a character that can fluctuate between cool leader and immature young man so easily. It’s all very well having a super-cool amazing leader who can do no wrong (such as someone like Captain Nemo from Nadia) but it’s also good to see a character like Holland who’s a bit more three dimensional with his obvious failings.

Oh, and in an age of loli and moe, GOD, was it a pleasant surprise to see a woman like Talho on the scene. Where has that kind of female character disappeared to in anime?

Anyway, anyway, it’s after the episode 30-ish mark the series started to lose me. Some of it is too spoilerish to talk about, but generally I found the series became too serious and angst-ridden for its own good. The fun just seeps out of the series and what’s put in its place wasn’t much of a replacement for me. Don’t know if you’ve seen it, but it’s kind of like Slayers Try in that respect (Try just gets too serious for my liking and ruins what made Next so awesome). Certain other changes occur later in the series which I didn’t think much of but they’re more minor details.

As ever, it’ll be interesting to see what you make of it, and don’t let this comment fill you with a sense of foreboding xD

The subtext and pop culture references, I missed completely. I wasn’t looking for them. I guess I was blinded by the giant wind-surfing mecha.

[shhh, don't tell anyone I was here...I'm supposed to be studying...]