Brynhildr in the darkness first impressions

Well this was fun.  I thought the pacing of the episode was really well managed, with enough plot development during the present day scenes and the flashback being interspersed throughout rather than all in a block.

We definitely got enough material here to allow us to form a connection with the main character (though I've forgotten his name - oops - but I am writing this up 4 days later). I feel that there is a real darkness within him - he definitely seemed ready to die when he made his decision at the Observatory.

I have enough questions after this first episode to keep me watching- for instance who is on the other end of the radio? Who was Akane San?

I wonder how much of the OP is exposition. The song hasn't registered much, either for this or the ED. The animation in the case of the later reminds 

me most of the Gin no saiji ED ☺️ all that walking...