Although the ships in Last exile are not exactly Mecha they are still pretty cool. Imagine Top Gun mixed with Steamboy. The animation quality is really good for an anime series. The story is original and the character designs are well done. It is probably one of the best at blending CG and cell animation. Produced by Studio Gonzo it is one of their best works to date.
The story follows a young boy Claus and his sister Lavie. They inherit their father’s airship when he passes away. The ship looks like a cross between an old school Bentley and an egg beater. I know it sounds weird but very original and they do a good job of explaining the physics behind it.
Claus and Lavie try to earn money as couriers and end up getting drawn into a conflict between warring nations. They pick up a little girl named Alvis Hamilton from another courier, and Claus ends up getting attached to her. She has some weird abilities and Claus feels he must protect her.
The series starts off a little slow but speeds up once they meet Alvis. The characters have distinct personalities although they are the typical anime types, it does not stand out like a traditional anime. The stories are well done and keep the series moving and interesting, and the ending is well done. I would definitely recommend this anime, not just for die hard fans but also those new into the genre.