EDIT: just watched episode 4 it was rather neat. The animation is definitely getting better and better my only peeve is that whenever natsu does an attack there not showing it. It's like: Attack than explosion.
This is what annoys me too. It was like this is the last episode also, except they used black screen. Its like they are scared to show stuff connecting.
And since I'm just jumping on this I'll go ahead and post my thoughts when I first seen the anime. Copy pasta style.
So yeah, I saw the first episode for the anime, and I was disappointed.
Key things I didn't like.
Character designs: they were a bit off from the original often times looking a bit "kiddy" and sometimes just plain bad lol gerald in the opening.
Animation: I don't know maybe the animation wasn't as bad as I ever seen but it could have been a lot better and after seeing the magic circles in action I can say I don't like them. They are kinda distracting and unnecessary. The magic effects were terrible, shit just looks like liquid cg sparkles and really doesn't match the rest of the anime. Anime is also kinda bright or something.
Voices: happy voice seemed a bit off but i think i will get used to it. Natsu voice I didn't really mind but Lucys voice I just plain don't like. I hope Erza and Grays voice will be better.
So all and all I say the first episode was crap. I hope some way it can get better but if it stays like it is all i can see for it is failure, but oh well least I still I have the manga.
I felt the way for the second episode too. Third episode was definitely the best so far except for not seeing stuff connect. 4th episode was ok. better than the first two but I think the third was better. Its a shame that that match the guy was gonna burn the book with is the best looking fire in the anime. Really don't like the reuse attack animation. Seems like a really cheap outdated method these days.
Another thing I'll note is Happys voice has grown on me. I think it suits him, but I still find Lucys annoying. Gray's voice so far doesn't bother me. Hope Erza sounds good.