Well this is unprecedented in the time since I write reviews: I actually waited for my impressions on Argento Soma to cool off before I actually started writing this review or else I might have succumbed to rating this anime as a 9.5+ series. Why? Because I simply loved Argento Soma to bits. I've been at a stalemate with mecha anime recently so AS came as a refresher after a lot of anime that really couldn't appeal much to me. So I watched AS after having put it off for about a year. I must say it has been one of the best anime experiences I ever had, partly because of the main character that I found to be at times extremely interesting and at others very annoying (more on this later) and partly because of the story that truly becomes a masterpiece as it progresses and lastly...because of the mecha action of course. He he...read through this to see my reasoning for my noting.

Animation
Let's start off with the character designs and the mecha designs shall we?
Actually I really can't say much on the matter. I found the designs for AS to be quite original and very attractive. I am talking about characters and mechs as well. Especially the mecha designs were very original, the headless, transformable mech being quite interesting, especially later in the anime as some things happen.
Next, Frank's design was a bit awkward at first but you soon get used to him and his Frankenstein type of look.
And lastly on the design scene we have the aliens that almost always look the same with very little differences from foe to foe. It's somewhat understandable as the aliens are what they are (as show in the latter episodes) so I shall not consider that to be a minus.
Each and every single scene is beautifully detailed as are the characters and mechs...the animation is not put to shame even by current standards. I say this because the anime really manages to be quite lively when it comes to battles which are in all and every way beautiful, combined with the characters and their personalities...I must say I was on the edge of my seat at times. I can't find many flaws in the animation style so I can't really say anything bad about it. It was a beautiful anime with character and mech designs that were both pretty original and interesting.

Sound
Argento Soma could have been one of the best anime when it comes to music. Indeed, the opening piece is marvelous. It's truly a work of art such a beautiful song it is...Silent Wind. Sadly, the ending is far from the quality of the opening so I just skipped it most of the times. The voices were good so I have no complaints on this part either...the VAs were great and brought their characters to life admirably.
The problem is the BGM. The producers really only managed to hit it 50-50 here. Although there are quite a few tracks that are wonderful, the problem comes because of the fact that the music is badly placed. There are times in which heroic and spirit lifting music is used in situations when it is completely unneeded and situations that could be made better go without the aid of the music. That is the only thing that disappointed me.

Story
I have seen in Argento Soma a development of a seemingly average story into a masterpiece as I never hoped to see. The anime starts off as being episodic with a really confused story (note: not "confusing" but "confused") that has no idea as to where it wants to go and it jumps around with absolutely no idea as to where it was heading. The first episodes are chaotic in the very least, characters come and go, and even characters that seem to have a greater role in the story are brushed aside in mere minutes. It was somewhat satisfactory to see death so ever present but in a way I found it annoying that potentially interesting characters are set aside with no second thoughts. But what it lacks in coherency in the first episodes, the anime manages to replace with action and character interaction. I really could not get annoyed with the plotless first episodes.
The story continues pretty decently, although at times just seeming to concentrate on the everlasting "monster of the week" cliché it manages to gain momentum as it goes on, and simply explode in the final episodes. The end of this anime (episodes 24 and 25) simply left me with my mouth opened and my heart stopped in suspense. One of the best, most touching endings I have seen. Plus that it is one of the few anime that shows what happens after the alleged ending to the actual action and goes into the future of the anime.
I loved Argento Soma's story...truly a masterpiece by my standards.

Character
And now we have the characters. First off I must say that the only character I had the slightest problem with was Ryu Soma. The character just seems to fit into anything, he was a Jack-of-all-trades, nothing was unknown to him be it alchemy, bionics or piloting a mech. At first all of this seems to just encumber the character and he looses any and all credibility he may have. But soon, each element starts to fit into its own socket and Ryu Soma becomes a very interesting character through his interactions with the others and, ultimately, through his very evolution which is completed in the very last episode. I can only admire this character through his grief, his reactions, his petty obsessions and his overall attitude.
The supporting cast is all but to be brushed aside. Each character is developed with their motives brought to light, gently but surely. The OVA released 2 years after the original series completes the character Sue who was the only one that annoyed me because she was simply there, with no reason or background. Well, that is forgiven.
And lastly, I mustn't forget good, ol' Frank who actually turns into a character in the end, a stunning turn of events in the story-line.
I believe I've said enough on the characters of Argento Soma, one of the best casts I have had the pleasure of watching in the past months.

Value
This was an anime that I have enjoyed like none other for months. I trully loved the story, the characters, the graphic style and even the music at times. I will surely rewatch the whole thing because it is rare thar an anime comes this close to my all time favorites.

A side note: I am fully aware of the shameless inspirations from Evangelion but I am not taking down points for this for the simple fact that the elements "borrowed" are put to work decent enough to keep me interested in the anime. I don't mind rip-offs as long as there is a good use to it.

A wonderful, truly wonderful anime.