Review of Shakugan no Shana: Season I

Shakugan No Shana is an anime set in our modern day. However, it also puts us in a kind of dystopia, having our lives played with by unknown entities. They make this theme work quite well, making it unbelieveable, and yet plausible. I truly enjoyed this anime, even though it isn't at all original. The story simply takes alot of the already well known "base" characters, and stuffs them together in a slightly altered present world. Therefore, nothing new character-wise. The way they "humanize" these "higher beings" is quite nice though. Merging the two worlds, yet still keeping them apart. The art is smooth and "bended". Again,not at all original, but just the way I like it anyway.
The sound fits in, but nothing extraordinary there.

I'll say it again; I really liked this anime. It has all the things I like. Seriousness and drama with a speck of comedy. Also a plausible fantasy-universe, with magic and medieval fighting.
The only thing that kept it from hitting the top for me, is its simple lack of having something new.