This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
For those that don't like anime, or many of the Japanese/Asian animation styles, you need not apply. This is not for you, and it won't convince you that it's the best thing.
For those who are fans, this is a classic, and very unique story, and presentation. The story is a delightful twist of medieval fairy tale, with a time period that doesn't quite fit a late 19th century setting, with a boarding school for the arts, and specifically ballet. The presentation is the original 4:3 aspect ratio, with a few episodes showing some visual artifacts from poor de-interlacing filtration (even one episode that is just stuttery). There are also some odd inconsistencies with subtitles showing the romanized sounds, or a translation (particularly common on the theme song). However, the dub is pretty fun, even if it is showing its age, and it is hilariously fun to mock. Much less violence than most animes, although it does present some odd themes in light-vs-dark. Similarly, while it does not have much that would be considered "fan service", you have to wonder what they meant with some of the characters being replaced with animals rather than humans.
Overall, this is a well presented production, given what the source material was. There are some flaws in the visuals and audio, but they are mostly forgivable since this is not a big, expensive production, that got the white-glove treatment. It's fun, lacks some of the material that many would object too as gratuitous "fan service", or graphical violence. It's far more old school, and cheeky.
