Sword Art Online (light novel)
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| I'm glad that they did a full and conclusive epilogue (yeah, I know, it's kinda ironic that I say that since it's heading for a second season). Awwwn, he almost killed Sugou, even if it would have been a bit too brutal, I would have wanted him to slit is throat :( Maybe that's just my morbid curiosity :P I found it disconcerting that Asuna looked exactly as normal as before. I expected her to be like Kirito when he woke, skin and bones. Still, was a nice kiss :3 What I liked about this episode is that we know what happened to each character after SAO. Silicia, Liz, Asuna and Kirito are back to a special school for the survivor. Klein is still the same old single man, Agil still own a bar, that other guy married that other girl. Everything ended happily :D I laughed that Kirito asked for whiskey but he's a minor. What was he expecting? xD Now, I think it's important to come back on the whole serie since it was really hyped and controversial, since the anime community was really divided on it. I think that what can describe the serie the best is ''inconsistent, but entertaining''. The pros of the serie : - Strong lead character. Kirito and Asuna were good written character. It's rare to see a woman that can rivalize with the main character, so I think it was a strong point. Suguha was also a great character with a taboo relationship. While we could say it was unnecessary, I think it have had some depth to the plot. - Great cast of seiyu. The three seiyu of the main character were really great. Yoshitsugu Matsuoka was really good in the emotionnal moment, for exemple when he was crying while they were dissapearing in the episode 14. His groan weren't annoying too, which is often the case in anime. Haruka Tomatsu was also really good, she was able to pass to a strong tsundere to a sensible young teenager. The emotion was also well expressed. I think that the seiyu that really was the most powerful was Ayana Taketatsu who was really good as Suguha. She really putted a lot of depth in Suguha character and really made it a better and more interresting character. When she confronted her brother at the end of the episode 22, it was really touching and I almost wanted to hug the screen :P - Great and fast action. I think that the animation and fighting was really one of the strongest point of the anime. They were able to show interresting and various fighting without putting gore or confusion on the screen. It was clear and detailed. Yeah, if you go frame by frame, you could see some were they have weird face or there isn't much detail, when in motion, it doesn't make a difference. - Good twist and the confidence of killing character. I think that I'm not the only one that didn't see the Heatcliff twist coming. Totally caught me by surprise. There was other good twist like the ''fake'' murder arc that I found clever, the way he manipulated Silicia, the unexpected death of Sachi, the explaination of the hidden sword of Kirito. It was a bit less effective twist was Yui identity. It was a bit of a deus ex machina and we could see it coming since she had too much difference with the other player, but it was still greatly pulled out. - A good soundtrack in overall. The OP and the ED were good (in term of song). The soundtrack for the fighting was fun and the song for the sad scene were also good in term of climax. Now for the cons : - Inconsistent. I think that's the major default of the serie. It was really inconsistent and badly paced. For exemple, we have two episode for a intern murder case (the episode 5 and 6) and then one episode later, we have a cheesy unnecessary romance. I think there lack a link between the two. It was also often the case, like right after Sachi die, you could think that we could have an episode were he try to redeem himself or his lost with his thought, but we go with an episode about a girl that try to ressucite her dragon and who make him think of his sister. It was a bit random. - The various confusing timeskip. Timeskip can be good and interresting in anime, but it is when we have an impactful event before the timeskip. If it's just done randomly, then it's just really confusing. Like when he left Asuna in the episode 2, where she looked like an introvert and shy, and then, due to timeskip, he's working with her three episodes later and she have become a tsundere who his annoyed by his presence and is a leader of the main guild. But what happened between that? We only saw Kirito flirting with two other girls, was he close to Asuna? Was he working with her? There are a lot of detail and plot story left behind that we will never know what happened. - The second arc. Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate the fairy arc nor didn't think it was bad. I just think it lacked of potential. And it really showed in the plot. Asuna being held hostage was kinda in contradiction with her character. She isn't really the princess type character, so why make her look so weak? She was never resisting and was always just waiting for Kirito. Kirito also seemed to lack of motivation. Where was his passion? We saw it in the latest episode, but he was more concerned with his sister than his girlfriend who his promised to a psycho perverted guy. Also, the vilain of that arc was really weak, he lacked completely of charisma and intention. His only goal was to sequester Asuna and make her the saddest possible, it's hard to believe that such a stupid guy could control freely and at the unbeknownst of everyone. After all happened, the government and autority didn't think to regulate and try to get out those 300 peoples trap in the game? - The vilains. I have said all I had to say about Sugou, since he was a poorly written character. Now, it's a bit more complicated about Kabaya because he was on papper a good character, but his execution was weak. His goal was really unclear and stupid. Why did he sacrificed 30000 peoples on an online game? Only because he was bored? That's such a silly reason. He had the charisma, unfortunately, he didn't had that depth that a antagonist must have to be good. |
| «Time is passing so quickly. Right now, I feel like complaining to Einstein. Whether time is slow or fast depends on perception. Relativity theory is so romantic. And so sad.» - Kurisu Makise a.k.a. The Zombie |
| I really liked the first story arc even though it just felt rushed and cluttered. The fairy arc was okay. I am really debating on whether I want to give this a 7 or an 8. But since there is a debate... I'll go with 7. (Also since I took a long ass hiatus from watching it after the first arc) Final: 7/10 |
| still don't understand why sugou went far to antagonize kirito. he would've ended with asuna eventually anyway, with the arranged marriage, so why starting all the fuss? |
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| Great ending to an okay anime. Knew Kirito was going to bitch out and not kill Sugou.Gotta admit that scene was pretty intense though,(really wanted Sugou died though). Irl reunion between Kirito and Asuna.Ohh,they kissed. All old/side characters back in real life form was reminiscent/nice. Dem tears/dat dance,honestly didn't care. The World Seed upload so now more games can be made and more anime adaptions of those games,yay!(ain't that excited tbh) Aincrad Arc - High 7/10 ALfheim Online Arc - Low 5/10 Sword Art Online Overall - 6/10. Hopefully GGO will be better. |
kazibo said: WOW! Such an great anime! But I want to see the Kirito and Asuna's marriage. YESSS!!! Heck yes to that |
| The second half isn't great as the first half, but I still enjoyed it every second of it. I'mma give this an 9/10 just because it was great haha. |
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| I didn't really like it as much as I'd expected at the start mainly because of pacing reasons and how they kept skipping major parts, but after about 7 episodes they stopped doing that. From there, I really enjoyed this show and it had some pretty awesome action scenes. Looking forward to seeing what the second season's like! :D |
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| I loved both of the arcs the same, the story was very amusing over all. 9/10 from me ;) |
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| Really enjoyed this show! Despite the somewhat generic ending, It was great reuniting with old SAO friends. I'm really happy it ended on a happy note. Soooo glad for a season 2 also ^^ 8/10 |
| Finally finished it. Started on it a long time ago and took a break from it. It was a very good show and enjoyable for the most part from start to finish. I think it was nice adaptation of the Light Novels. 8/10 overall. And I can definitely see myself giving a re-watch in the future. Now to watch the Extra Edition and wait for Season 2. |
| To quote and respond to my thoughts from 2012: Ratohnhaketon said: Despite my complaints with the rest of the series, I enjoyed how this episode tied things up. The final scene felt like a fitting end for SAO. Not looking forward to a season 2, but I have no complaints if it's done right. Contrary to what I said last time, now that a season 2 is less than a month away I'm more than looking forward to it. I think it would be cool if it starts with them clearing the floor 100 boss in Aincrad. Once again I feel that final scene captured the gaming spirit behind SAO well and ended it on a happy note. As for my complaints...well I'll divide my thoughts up into two parts. SAO - 7.5/10 As a whole I feel like I see this first portion in a better light. What bothered me the most last time were the multiple time skips and side story adventures (eps 3-7), but now I actually enjoyed them and felt they contributed to the world building well enough. I also enjoyed the Yui arc a bit more and the peaceful side of SAO was a nice touch. I like how it did touch up on themes about reality and the psychological state of the players, but I feel like it could have gone further with 25 episodes. My only huge complaint with this part is that it was too short, which led to a rushed game world and missed possibilities. Still exceptionally good though. ALO - 6/10 I like the game world and enjoyed most of it for what it was, but I felt it was a waste to cut SAO short for ALO and I felt that the overall story was equally underwhelming compared to the first portion. One dimension rapeman Sugou, the random incest, and turning Asuna into a tragic damsel in distress at the waking mercy of horny programmers were all major turn offs that made me feel like 11 good episodes were wasted, not only delivering a mediocre second story but also halving the full potential of the first. With that said, I still found it to be decent but the potential wasted is still irksome. Overall I'm going to say a solid 7/10 for SAO, sticking with my original score. It was nice to come back and clear away any doubts caused by all of the backlash this series received. |
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| Loved this fucking amine, finished it just now and episode 15 had me tears..... Cant wait for the second season(july 5th) Kirito x Asuna <3 |
| so point of SaO is FTP wins over pay per month? |
| overall it's 08/10, but the end is not so great! |
| The first half was so much better in my opinion,but overall 9/10 from me.Great series looking forward to season 2. |
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| It was okay, basically the definition of average. A lot of the 2nd arc was me thinking about how mediocre it became with all the anime tropes thrown in and no sense of danger which was a problem in the first arc. Kirito's ambition was probably the only "human" quality of his we see besides he's knack for being a suave gentleman which made it hard to connect with him. What I mean is that he's so perfect, that his drive to save Asuna was the only thing that made me understand his position. I didn't think the 2nd arc was as bad as everyone is saying. The first one wasn't even that great. We got to see actual development with Kirito and his cousin and their backstory - the former of which I would have liked to have seen with Asuna and Kirito. I liked the ending with Kirito fighting the GM IRL and the after effects of this game. I felt that there was no depth to the characters or the situations they were put in. This was just a fairytale "boy saves girl" kinda story. I almost think there needs to be a Shoujo tag on this since it's easy to see why girls would eat this up. During Kirito's monologue about how the real world and the virtual one are not so different, it made me feel that this was a point that should have been touched on a little earlier but the examples of this can be seen throughout. This theme was a strong point in the show. The OST was good but I swear I heard the "main theme" in almost every fight scene. This is an average show and it was just okay. I was pushing myself to get through the middle of it but I did enjoy the ending. |
phantom19Jun 27, 2014 9:18 AM
| -Nothing can stay unchanged. Even so, can you still keep on loving this place? -Be still my soul; when change and tears are past, all safe and blessed we shall meet at last. |
phantom19 said: It was okay, basically the definition of average. A lot of the 2nd arc was me thinking about how mediocre it became with all the anime tropes thrown in and no sense of danger which was a problem in the first arc. Kirito's ambition was probably the only "human" quality of his we see besides he's knack for being a suave gentleman which made it hard to connect with him. What I mean is that he's so perfect, that his drive to save Asuna was the only thing that made me understand his position. I didn't think the 2nd arc was as bad as everyone is saying. The first one wasn't even that great. We got to see actual development with Kirito and his cousin and their backstory - the former of which I would have liked to have seen with Asuna and Kirito. I liked the ending with Kirito fighting the GM IRL and the after effects of this game. I felt that there was no depth to the characters or the situations they were put in. This was just a fairytale "boy saves girl" kinda story. I almost think there needs to be a Shoujo tag on this since it's easy to see why girls would eat this up. During Kirito's monologue about how the real world and the virtual one are not so different, it made me feel that this was a point that should have been touched on a little earlier but the examples of this can be seen throughout. This theme was a strong point in the show. The OST was okay but I swear I heard the "main theme" in almost every fight scene. This is an average show and it was just okay. I was pushing myself to get through the middle of it but I did enjoy the ending. The reason a lot of people hate the second arc compared to the first is the magnitude in difference between the two and their effectiveness to convey what Kayaba (and Reki -> LN author) were attempting to do. There is huge development in the first arc (though it feels rush because they fit 2 years into 15 episodes) where Kirito grows from a selfish survival-driven character into one that's damaged brutally by the loss of people he feels responsible for, to realizing his love for Asuna (which serves as an encompassing arc that reflects upon his abandonment of Klein and his tragic loss with Sachi). Arc two is a simple plot progression between the now static and grounded love Kirito has for Asuna and his complicated semi-incestuous relationship with his adopted family's sister. It follows tragically linear plot that revolves around him being incredibly OP as a level 1 character in fairy land who beats the entire game within a 2-3 day span. Both arcs are cliche (everything is cliche now since all the original ideas are sculpted from a variety of hackneyed projects), but at least arc 1 hits home at a character who gradually grows from a selfish survivor, to one who prefers solitude over the possibility of losing those he/she cares about, to a teenager who's grown in an "apocalyptic" atmosphere and discovered the one meaning in the game that serves as the catalyst to his catharsis of the past. Just my thoughts(: Oh, rating is 9/10. Explanation: Despite its pallor to the first arc, the second arc ended rather well with the last two episodes, which served as a quick climax into denouement and conclusion. We see elements from the first arc reflected in Kazuto's final fight with Sagou. His inability to actually finish Sagou with the throat slit is an elucidation of Kazuto's growth since the first episode (and the death he's seen throughout his journey). This, tied along with his impetuous desire to rescue Asuna, is a conclusion to the emptiness he's felt in reality (mentioned in previous episodes) and underscores the ambitions of Kayaba in the first arc: where virtual reality's lines begin to blur with reality. Kazuto's remark in earlier episodes about how the virtual reality is an actual reflection of one's true nature is realized when he spares Sagou. Both characters (Sagou and Kazuto, whom are anitheses) are syntheses of Kazuto's statement and conclude arcs 1 and 2 and their respective themes. |
XariJun 25, 2014 10:55 PM
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| I agree with most that the Aincrad Arc was far stronger than the Fairy Dance Arc, but I am happy that both made it to the screen. I think that Kirito's unflinching resolve to save Asuna, and his unwavering feeling for her made for a good enough core to the storyline. I liked the introduction of Sugu and her toon Leafa, and that whole storyline between her and Kirito, although I'm not quite sure how it resolved. Or perhaps it isn't? I wish that Asuna had done... something... anything more, as it was pretty strange to have her go from uber badass to completely helpless. But I guess that Kirito wouldn't really have much of a mission if Asuna could take care of herself. Anywho, I'll be re-watching the whole series in the next week or so, and am curious to see how I feel about this episode after really soaking up all the details from the full season again. |
| The epitome of overrated bullshit. |
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| Beautiful show :) |
| This is a great generic anime. |
bloodphoenixsux said: The epitome of overrated bullshit. This. |
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| Of course Sugou had to try to be a douche in real life too, I didn't want Kirito to kill him, but maybe stab him a few times in the arms and hands so he can never use them again? other than that nice wrap up. |
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| I finally got to watch SAO, it was ok. The first part was outstanding, the second half kind of unnecessary (To my point of view). Looking forward to watch season two. |
| I finally had some time to watch this as well. The first half was pretty damn good, the relationship between Kirito and Asuna progressing was adorable. and some of the fights got me pumped. The 2nd arc in AOL though, was still fun. But I was gutted that Asuna was caged up and not able to play as well, but that was the point of the story and the goal for Kirito. Yui was cute as hell. Damn Sakuya. Sugu was cute, and awesome as Leafa. But I was cringing at the whole 'being in love with Kirgaya/Kirito' stuff. Bless her.. Recon was annoying as shit, but you have to have some kind o' annoying characters. Klein and Mills were awesome lads. I enjoyed it overall. Loved the battle scenes and most of the characters. The OST was pretty rad at points too. |
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| I put off the hype for some time, and now that I've finished it all I wish I hadn't. Wonderful story. I'm planning on reading the LN next, but the series is a 10/10 for me. |
| This was the lamest ending I have seen in an anime, and I watched a lot of anime. Well the series overall was really good though, but that episode 25 was unnecessary. |
| Boring. It's a decent anime, but never was the best. I don't get the hype. |
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| Knife Fight! Aw yeah, slashing! Taint the snow with your blood! But Kirito the Merciful spared Sugou. Maybe next time. Good thing they're at a hospital. Reunion kiss! (^_^) Hooray, Lisbeth and Silica! And others. The Seed is freakin' awesome. At least Kirito's not OP anymore, I hope. I guess SAO ended beautifully. It could have been better, but I'm satisfied enough! (^_^) |
I’m always searching for something, for someone. This feeling has possessed me I think, from that day… That day when the stars came falling. |
| Was so worried he was going to die for the first couple of minutes, and then the reunion :') :') and whilst because he survived and everything ended on a happy note it borders on being cheesy and some people will hate it for that, I for one was left with a smile on my face that it all ended well! Great anime :D |
| Pretty good, I really enjoyed it! On to season 2! SAO = 9/10 ALO = 7.5/10 |
TSM_Flux said: I put off the hype for some time, and now that I've finished it all I wish I hadn't. Wonderful story. I'm planning on reading the LN next, but the series is a 10/10 for me. NiaSenpai said: Beautiful show :) TheNeko says otherwise http://myanimelist.net/reviews.php?id=158791 |
| One word - Wow Some people might hype about the show and some hate, in my opinion it was a well constructed anime, I loved every minute of Sword Art Online. The soundtracks did really fit the scenes, the only drawback I saw was maybe the too much fangirlism around our hero. Overall I would give a 9 out of 10, regardless the weak second part, I'm sure it had a reason to be like that. |
| My opinion and forum: http://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=1268127 |
| “You should respect each other and refrain from disputes; you should not, like water and oil, repel each other, but should, like milk and water, mingle together.” -Buddha |
| The story was okkkkk but wtf with the fan service??? .. it was this --> <--- close to be hentai specially the last episodes seriusly.. tentacles?? an almost rape scene... wtf with the licking part nope nope nope skip skip skip... |
| 1. Hospitals have security cameras. Smart move attacking a kid there... 2. SAO Asuna is better than ALO Asuna I enjoyed the ALO arc more this time around. Probably because I knew what to expect: Kirito harem rather than the romance from before. It's still nowhere near SAO. When Asuna isn't in the action, things are just lacking. ALO really should have been saved for a second season. It just doesn't fit with SAO. "The Seed" is a pretty interesting concept from a programming and code architecture standpoint. The problem is character sharing across worlds. It would be very difficult without restricting creative freedoms to the point that the whole thing becomes pointless. ALO: 7/10 (upgrade from 6 because I did enjoy it more this time) |
BurntJellyOct 17, 2014 6:53 PM
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| When Kirito got stabbed I actually said "what the FUCK?!?", I thought that after all that he may die but thank god he didn't. Seeing him and Asuna reunite in the real world was great and I love that it worked out for them. The reunion party of SAO players was also great but I'm honestly kind of disappointed that Suguha was the big part of the last scene or two, I wanted it to be the original SAO crew or Kirito and Asuna. And what did Kirito say in the end?!?!? I like the idea of bringing back the SAO world (Aincrad) so that all the players can go back and experience it the way they were meant to, and all together, and I also liked the World Seed concept. It was also nice to bring back the original OP (which was great) for the end credits of this episode! Overall, a solid episode that was a good conclusion to an overall good series. I liked the SAO arc more than the ALO arc, but I actually liked both overall and I'll definitely watch season 2 soon. |
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