I might MIGHT have enjoyed the story if I hadn't read the manga first.
As it is, I read the manga first, fell in love with the way the characters were portrayed there, and hated the anime.
I'm normally not such an elitist when it comes to this (manga-only fan or anime-only fan)... I usually can appreciate both even if I have a preference. Chrno Crusade is not one of those series. The manga meant a lot to me... it is my favorite series ever and I considered it pure gold. I loved the way Rosette and Chrno were portrayed in it and how their relationship came along. I loved how the series ended. I loved everything about it.
In that light, the anime was a travesty.
I'm trying to rewatch it again (and actually finish it this time) and keep an open mind this time and not get all bent out of shape. I've made it through 5 episodes unscathed. Episode 7, however, will be a trial (A DOLL... YOU MAKE HER INTO A DOLL! AAAAAH, GONZOOOOOO @#$!@#%$#^@@#$!@#$S!)
I will say, on a positive note, however, that the beginning episodes are actually decent, episode 5 does a good job in being creepy (even during the first time I watched it I got chills up my spine), and I do like the last episode (yes, I have seen the end even though I haven't watched all of it). The anime ending is nowhere near the level of the manga ending, but Gonzo did do a good job there... it was one of the few highlights of the whole series.
/end snobbish rant