This anime is great for many reasons, the story, the art, the music, the battles. All really good. Want an anime with ship battles that do not seem contrived? Watch this. Want an anime with epic story, lots of characters and a bit of romance? Watch this. Want a good space opera that is not ashamed of being seen as "soft" scifi and uses it to all it can? Watch this. Really, there is just so many reasons to watch it even if you have never heard of Leiji or have seen anything made by him. I can honestly say that even the slower episodes provide greatworld building and character building.
Honestly they could have easily released the second season and a third season, there is just so much of possible stories there.