So, this was an upcoming anime of this fall: Was it good? Well yes and no. Don't get me wrong the first episode is really strong, decent at best. But... we'll see were this show goes. Expectations wise; not too high but not too low.

Plot - The Academy City on the water, Rikka (otherwise known as Asterisk) is the world's largest stage for the integrated battle entertainment, "Star Wars Festival." The young boys and girls of the "Starpulse Generation" belonging to the six academies made their wishes with Shining Armaments in their hands, vying for supremacy—Amagiri Ayato is one of them.

Ayato arrived at Rikka at the invitation of the Student Council President of the Seidoukan Academy, Claudia, and right after that he incurred the wrath of the "Petalblaze Witch" Julis, and ended up having to duel her.

(Events of episode 1): After the duel between Julis (there 'duel' is made void by Claudia), Ayato is taken to Claudia's office suite were he says that sister 'attended' Asterisk Academy although school records show other-wise, but combat data from the wepaon she used was still somewhat presesnt (and in the opening intro before the opening credits, we see 'her' in a under-ground battle of sorts). Ayato after goes to class; Julis says that she 'owes' him one after getting her hankerchief back (which caused the fight because... fan-serivce) and Ayato makes a new friend: the member of the newpaper club (sorry, forgot his name) and learns some back-ground history on Julis.

Yeah. Just your avergae set-up episode... but they went and explained most things straight of the bat along with some incredible action scenes (opening fight between Ayato v Julis) and leaves the mystery of Ayato's sister. We also know the ranking system for the 'Genestalla' race: Along with getting information on how Julis became top dog of the school (she didnt get along well with others; most people took it she was being anti-social hence Julis rose thruogh the ranks within weeks). At the end we see a rival for Julis calling for blood claiming he would 'surpass' Julis then saying Julis fights for 'fun', Julis annoyed then shows (sory forgot his name; info about the show right now is finite at best as of right now) showing her flames that she means bussines. By the way Julis is a 'strena' Genestalla; also known (in english) a 'witch' her most people know her as: Rank 5 of Seidōkan Academy and also known as "Gruene Rose" or the 'Witch of the Resplendent Flames'. The episode ending with Ayato saying her full name in curiousty.

"The greatest academy battle entertainment, begins here!" (A Hunger Games based-like tournament to show which academy has the best of the best; broadcast all over the world. The battle is called: Festa)

Animation & Sound: The animation for this looks amazing! A-1 Pictures has done an amazing job when it came to the effects of the 'Genestalla' powers and weaponry, as well as making the city of Asterisk look JUST AMAZING. 3D CGI is meh though (you see a little at the early through the episode).

The OST (Soundtrack) for this show is just amazing, the techno rock vibe I get from this is so awesome. Also 'duel' music for the show is awesome. (duels are the 1v1 battles; Julis V Ayato is a duel) the music for this show is awesome, visuals just as awesome. A-1 Pictures done good in both departments. And the ending credits song, man.... listen to it. "Brave, new world" sung by Shiena NISHIZAWA sounds brilliant but music is subjective so, its your call on that.

AYATO AMAGIRI:
A scholarship student who transferred into Seidoukan Academy High School. Although he's carefree and upstanding by nature, he can also be somewhat boneheaded; a newbie at romance, he's quite clueless. Born to a long line of practitioners of an ancient martial art called the Amagiri Shinmei Style, he's been a student of the style since childhood, and his skills are elite. Although he was born with an extraordinary amount of mana, that power has been sealed.

JULIS-ALEXIA VON RIESSFELD:
The first classmate Ayato encounters at school. With bright rose-colored hair and blue eyes, she's a princess of a small European country called Riesstania. Prideful and strong-willed, she has few friends, but at heart she's gentle and sometimes sweet. As a Strega (magic-wielder), her skills are among the best in Asterisk; able to manipulate flames at will, she's a member of the Seidoukan Academy's Page One (Top Twelve), Rank #5. Also known as the Witch of the Resplendent Flames (Glühen Rose)

CLAUDIA ENFIELD:
The president of the student council at Seidoukan Academy. She is the daughter of an executive at the conglomerate that supports Seidoukan Academy. Always with a smile on her face, she's mild-mannered and courteous to all, but underneath it all she has a calculating personality. A member of Seidoukan Academy's Top Twelve (Page Ones), Rank #2. Her alias is the Master of a Thousand Eyes (Parca Morta).

SAYA SASAMIYA:
A childhood friend of Ayato's, who lived next door to him during grade school. The daughter of a meteor researcher, she entered Seidoukan Academy hoping to extol the virtues of the Luxes her father built. Though laconic and devoid of expression, it's not as if she has no emotions; she just doesn't show them. She's an expert when it comes to handling guns, but she has little interest in combat, and doesn't take part in any official ranking matches.

KIRIN TOUDOU:
A first year at Seidoukan Academy Junior High. Born into the founding family of the Toudou Style, which has numerous disciples, she possesses natural-born talent when it comes to sword skills. In fact, she's even better than Ayato, but she's a timid, withdrawn girl, befitting of her age. She's undefeated in both duels and official matches, and reigns as Seidoukan Academy's Rank #1. Her alias is Lightning Blade Speed.

Overall: Concept sounds cool, set up was average; I will be watching this, I personally think this will end up a farly good series. All in all: It looks promising.