Only animes that have made me shed a tear or two, are Kanon 2006, Little Busters: Refrain and Clannad ~After Story~, and coincidentally those are all Key adaptions. They're masters at making good, yet poignant drama. Best drama anime/visual novel industry has to offer. They're like Naughty Dogs of Visual Novels: Talented and experienced. Cannot wait for Charlotte, it ought to be good. Glad they're still in the business.
Charlotte could crash and burn for all I know, but given their track record I'd think it's safe to say the one thing it will certainly have is a powerful and solid theme that sets up its potential.
So here's the list of anime I've watched in the past 2 years
Madoka Magica: 8.5/10
No. 6: 10/10
Cowboy Bebop: 7.6/10
Disgaea: 6.8/10
Fate Zero: 8.1/10
Psychopass Season 1: 9.9/10
Kuroko no Basuke: 8.3/10
Free!: 8.8/10
Shingeki no Kyojin: 7.5/10
Sword Art Online: 5.9/10
Hellsing: 7.4/10
Anohana: 7.1/10
Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi: 9.5/10
Junjou Romantica: 6.6/10
Higurashi: 9.4/10
Love Stage!: 8.2/10
Psychopass Season 2: 6.3/10
Parasyte: 8/10
Fate Stay Night Unlimited Blade Works: 8.4/10
Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood: 9.6/10
I consider anything I rated above 9 to be a gem. The two big turds in the list are SAO and Psychopass: Season 2. However, I don't really watch anime that I dislike, so everything on this list was still an interesting experience at least.
The ending lead me thinking a few things more I did not remember to equate to the sum:
-Comedy, which worked, but only at times.
-Not cliche, but neither strong dialogue.
-The music; there could've been so much potential, especially as this is a musical. However, it sticked with the most overused songs from Chopin and little from Bach - most of the songs were from Chopin, albeit there could've been sonatos from Beethoven or Mozart, from other famous composers. Strange how a show like this doesn't focus more on its own element.
-Predictability. I've never seen a show as predictable as this; you can actually deduce the epilogue from the first episodes alone.
I cried like a girl yestarday, regardless. Very good show, I'd recommend watching, and not only because its a musical, but if you like to watch a story about characters wearing their big, messy hearts on their sleeves.