Xam'd: Lost Memories didn't recall all of its own memories, but certainly told the ones it did with such enthusiasm and devotion that one cannot help but enjoy it. The picture it paints resembles one created during the impressionist movement: enough details for one to understand the intended message, but enough missing for it to be evident that not everything is presented. And while one might argue that such details are not necessary for a meaning to carry, the absence of them leaves a feeling of longing; a desire to see the entire context and scope of the piece.

When it comes to first impressions X:LM hits the nail on the head. The opening sequence alone is amazing, growing more and more powerful as the characters develop, leaving me with no choice but to watch it every time. As for the story, Akiyuki (the protagonist) finds himself suddenly transformed into a Xam'd, but is saved by a mysterious red-headed girl. Cliched as the stoic "mystery girl" is, the initial setup will take you by the hand and tug you towards its final destination, but in doing so, the viewer is forced to move so quickly that he/she blows past several points of interest.

The world in which X:LM is war-torn, with the technology ranging from late industrial revolution to futuristic mecha. The war is between the Northern and Southern governments, with the distinction that the north has humanform weapons (bioweapons) and the south has anti-humanform weapons (mechs). While this sounds like a great opportunity to have a showdown between two, I often found myself wondering why the two were fighting in the first place, or even what was the difference between a northerner or a southerner. This isn't to say that there are not any "bad guys" however.

By the end of the series there is a clear line drawn between the "noble" protagonists and the "damned" antagonists. There is a sense of favoritism when it comes to justice, with sympathetic characters receiving mostly favorable treatment while the unsympathetic (as well as the masses) are bound to the law of averages (the conclusion is especially guilty of this). I'm not saying kill the main character as soon as he does something reckless, but rather have them bear the full responsibility for their actions. It should be noted however, that each character is uniquely human, with their own share of strengths and flaws. Every one is alive, growing and changing throughout the story, for better or worse.

The one ball X:LM hits out of the park is its animation. Every frame feels alive, from the dynamic action sequences to a glorified prison cell. One great feature is the dark/night scenes, and only being able to see exactly what you would see in real life (a half of a coat you may be wearing, the edge of a desk). The music too, while fully orchestrated and very beautiful, isn't afraid to be quiet and let the ambiance and dialog alone tell a story. In both these features by showing a lack of something, be it light or song, allows the viewer to appreciate the presence of those very things that much more, as well as give significance to each.

In the end Xam'd: Lost Memories is an enjoyable watch, with enough excitement, sights, and wonders to get you to the end it seeks without it being a chore. There were no loose ends left, but the story at times feels hollow. Nice guys rarely finish first, and maybe with a bit of darkness, not only will the full picture come through, but each will compliment the other and make the light that much brighter.

I love this series. The plot is extremely addicting and the battle scenes are worth it. At first glance, the art style looks old, but it's actually a very new art style. I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes a good mecha anime or an anime with suspense. This series is full of influences from various movies by Miyazaki, which prevents this story from being completely original, but the series makes up for it by adding great suspense and plot twists. The ending was bittersweet, yet satisfying. I recommend this series to anyone and it will definately go in to my list of all time favorite animes.