Instead of a full rant, may I present you with several "Mini Rants" instead? Wont as I am to take an idea and run with it, I seem to be in a creative rut this June. Fear not, fellow ranters! This too shall pass!
Ok, before this get's any longer.
*Begin Rant(s)*
1. UNDERDOG OVERDRIVE?!?
Did ya ever notice that the villans are always soooo much cooler than their counterparts? Honestly, the only things the good guys have going for them are more stage time, and a tendency to labor under a tasteful excess of morality.
For example:
One look at the Suzaku-7-vs.-Seiryuu-7-lineup, and it's more than obvious that Seiryuu's gonna lay the smack down. More power, More will power, bigger weapons, more skill, etc. But never fear! Bumbling naivety triumphs over calculated stragedy every time!
... How else do you explain Rayearth?
2. JAILBAIT JAMBOREE!
Remember when an anime character (female) could be over 14 years old and still save the day? *nostalgic glow* Or what about that time when it was ok to be a female in her 20's that wasn't
a) A cyborg
b) A Cop
c) A mother
d) The subject of a chalk outline
They may even stretch the "coolness age" to 19... but you'll have to be content fighting sans the aid of magic or anything else that could destract one from the current "wacky misunderstanding" or panty shot of our middle-school aged heroine.
I don't know about you, but I'm not really anxious to place my life in the hands of Usagi.
3. ARE WE ON A COSTUME BUDGET???
Ok, think WAY back now. I'm talking Starblazers. I'm sure that making all the women look exactly alike kept cosmetic costs down but... um... at least say they're sister's or something!
4. JUST 'CAUSE!
I can't stand it when a plot twist or event is obviously just thrown in for the shock value it will have.
"Oh! I know! Let's throw in some obscure, alternate sexuality relationship because that'll be cool!"
"Hey! Let's kill someone for no reason!"
"WOW! We could totally have this buxom girl snag her panties, leaving her exposed at a rather inoppourtune time! Yeah that's it!"
At LEAST make it fit with the plot! Anime shouldn't have to sink to the same deapths as "Must see TV"
*End rants*
Hope that gave you a more enlightened sense of being! Have fun and keep nitpicking!
