It's got giant robots in it, but it's not a giant robot show. Let's just get that out the way firstly. Sure, there's action a'plenty in it, but this is a show first and foremost about the characters. Everyone may seem easy to stereotype at first, but there's a subtle complexity between everyone and their relationships, which is sorely lacking in other shows.

The character design and artwork is gorgeous, and the opening title song will be annoyingly stuck in your head by the end of this disc.

If there's one gripe i have, it's that the action sequences don't seem quite as clever as the rest of the show (or as in other mecha shows like Evangelion), but it's a small complaint as the rest is so good.

For five episodes, that's value you can't afford to pass up on, for one of the best series released in 2003.

(NOTE: This would be rated higher but I only give 5's to series I've seen all episodes of.)