I usually prefer my fanservice to be subtle rather than overt. Thankfully, GAINAX is the master of subtlety in fanservice. Some might take issue with that point, but compared to shows like, say, Ikkitousen, anything GAINAX has done lately has been fairly tame. The fanservice in This Ugly and Beautiful World is the kind I like. It's not annoying, and it doesn't feel out of place. Of course, that could change in later episodes...

As could the mood. While this initial episode was heavy on the action and drama, experience tells me the show will be lighter than it appears. But, I could be wrong. In fact, I hope I'm wrong. Obviously, the show has a strong Mahoromatic vibe, and while I far preferred the comedic elements of Mahoromatic over the dramatic, I think the setup for This Ugly and Beautiful World is better suited for drama.

The question, I guess, is, "Will GAINAX see it through properly to the end?" Well, I enjoyed this first episode enough to feel like finding out.