This anime is absolutely amazing. I haven't read the original novel, and I know many were mad because it heavily deters from the original, but it is still -blam!-ing amazing. It is definitely one of the best written anime to date. Only really making this thread because the fact I rarely ever hear people talk about it. I just finished it last night, and I highly suggest watching it. It is probably up there with my favourite anime of all time (definitely in the top 10).