an assessment of The Eminence in Shadow that doesnt go in-depth
i hope it serves as a good read and gives you a decent idea of what i felt about the show :D

Art and Animation
for a show with so many characters, it's honestly impressive that every one of them got a distinctive look. the fight scenes were well animated too, providing the clear visual highlights of the series. however, the scenary and overall style of animation was nothing to write home about, amounting to just about right for a well-produced show. but hey, not every isekai can be like mushoku tensei.

Sound
i am atomic.
yeah thats about anything of note with regards to the sound effects and music department. not really a knock against the show, the OPs, EDs and BGM were still decent and left me feeling satisfied, but never compelling me to give them another listen. OH but i did especially like the ED for S2E7 (Everything is Changing by Mayu Maeshima) and am confused as to why it appeared only once.

Enjoyment
my GOD was this show fun. words fail to describe the pure idiocy of the show and how absolutely entertaining all of Cid's monologues and interactions with just about anyone were. it takes a lot for someone who hasnt been able to finish an anime for over a month to finally complete one but this show has done it with flying colours.

Thematic Execution
the overarcing theme/gimmick of this show is simple. there is a man who strives to be powerful. more powerful and destructive than a nuclear bomb. he has pursued such power since birth and holds on to his heroic ideals that he claims every child once had. everything he says, everything he does, and everything that courses through his very being is corny. but he doesnt care and neither does the show, because what looked like a surefire recipe for disaster (OP AND edgy main character with cheesy one liners and an evergrowing harem) turned out to be an absolute masterclass in thematic execution. not ONCE did i cringe or have to pause the show to register anything Cid said or did. he is just so unapologetically him that you almost have to stand and applaud, but i settled for laughing at what i KNEW were absolutely the cringiest things ive ever heard. it takes some good work to make such an effective parody of the most despised stereotypes and tropes in isekai.

Characters
cant have a great show without stellar characterisation and i would argue that the most impressive trait of Eminence in Shadow is its cast of lovable and most importantly, memorable characters. Cid is the only star of the show, an overpowered MC done right. yet, i found myself rooting and genuinely caring for so many other characters, all unique in their own ways. i will remember the quirks of each of the 7 Shadows (less Zeta and i guess Eta but i know their characters will be fleshed out eventually) and also remain interested in the journeys of Alexia, Iris, Rose and even Sherry from season 1.

Story
the backbone of any show will always be its storyline. i wouldve eventually gotten bored of the Shadow Garden and their gimmicks if not for the countless events taking place in the show, with each one of them progressing the story and providing information about the history of their world. it gave them a reason to fight and meaning behind their unwavering admiration for Cid, who involuntarily solves every problem before him. the mystique surrounding everything in the show makes it so interesting and left me wanting to know more every time an episode ended. i know the story isnt even close to being complete, but that makes it all the more exciting.