Conceptually Spectacular, but Hampered by an Overly Formulaic Plot

Rating: 7/10 (11 February 2019)

Manga-influenced, team-based teen superhero antics with an emphasis on engineering over fantasy and mysticism. Nobody's struck by a meteor or experimented upon by the government, they're all just classmates at a prestigious technical school with a very specific set of strengths and passions. That's refreshing, both for the way it keeps the story grounded and for the limitations it places on the core characters. They're each decidedly human, even the cute inflatable robot whose personality is dictated by a memory card. Paired with a bright, friendly sense of style and a spacious, unique world that's loaded with fun little surprises, it's a visual and conceptual triumph. Unfortunately, the greater plot runs a bit generic, its well-worn twists and turns telegraphed a mile away, so those quirks and design touches are leaned on quite often. It's well-made, good natured, unique in a very crowded crossroad of genres, but too complacent and vanilla with its storytelling. Given a little more ambition, a sequel could do really well.