Comparing SAO with Re:Zero is like comparing a McDonald's burger with a 5* restaurant dish that took 2 hours making.
So yes, Re:Zero is much better. But a lot of people think that the first like 10 episodes or so can be stale and not really special. The show starts to get really good at the beginning of the second half of S1.

May 1, 2022 2:26 PM

Im_Stuff

Offline

Dec 2018

1009

Unless you're an action junkie, the answer is yes

Stuff in the streets, Stuff with drip in the sheets

May 1, 2022 2:27 PM

Inex03

Offline

Feb 2021

How is this a question

May 1, 2022 2:28 PM

Mr_Giraffa

Offline

Jan 2021

319

No, Sword Art Online is better, but Re Zeros is still a awesome anime.

May 1, 2022 2:28 PM

removed-user

Offline

Jul 2018

561867

I found Re:Zero to be much worse than SAO actually.

May 1, 2022 2:28 PM

official_brown

Offline

Jan 2021

2390

What is with the comparison??? SAO is game while Re:Zero is fantasy, no correlation at all

The right mindset when watching an anime is hoping that it will break your top 10

May 1, 2022 2:28 PM

QcDiablo

Offline

Jul 2016

596

They're completely different.

Re:Zero is a psychological seinen with a flawed cast.
It's probably closer to Steins;Gate than SAO.

For comparisons:

- Subaru is weak; Kirito is strong.
- SAO is within a game; Re:Zero's world is a fantasy but is very real.
- Re:Zero is built around some sort of time travel.
- Re:Zero doesn't have game-like elements, except for Subaru's time travel ability that reminds of save points.
- SAO is about action; Re:Zero is about hope and mental evolution.

Whether you'll find Re:Zero better than SAO is completely a matter of tastes.

To go into further details, Re:Zero is less about what happens and more about its characters' relationships and psychologichal development.
The protagonist, Subaru, is somewhat of a controversial character amongst anime fans for his whiny and arrogant behaviour along with his weakness. Though what has to be said is that is exactly the point of story. Flawed characters interact with flawed characters and grow. Despite Subaru will never become strong, his mental evolves all throughout the series, with its lowest of lows at the very middle of season 1. If you get to that halfway mark I would strongly suggest to continue, as Subaru's personality will improve from there on.

Re:Zero is also a slow series. Planned to have a total of 11 arcs once finished that we can roughly guess will be adapted into 9 seasons of 25 episodes each, along with many side stories to expand on the world and side characters. The author takes the time to develop the characters and we get just dropplets of revelations in each arc. Do not expect Re:Zero to have all its mysteries clearly explained after just a few episodes. The biggest revelations are expected to be revealed in the few last arcs, that will require years before being written.

QcDiabloMay 1, 2022 3:36 PM

May 1, 2022 2:40 PM

#10

Piromysl

Offline

Jul 2015

13594

It's like comparing Leluch to Kirito.
If that was a joke, not very funny.

May 1, 2022 2:41 PM

#11

OvergrownRover

Offline

Feb 2021

1564

No not even close, just stick with Peak Art Online

May 1, 2022 2:42 PM

#12

Kyrum500

Offline

Jul 2020

Is this some kind of sick joke?

May 1, 2022 2:43 PM

#13

CorruptedSlime

Offline

Mar 2018

I got mixed answers. Some say SAO better, some ReZero better. Need to rethink.

May 1, 2022 2:45 PM

#14

Achaaa

Offline

Oct 2020

Random shittt gooo brrrrrr

obviously, clearly, evidently, definitely it is better

May 1, 2022 2:50 PM

#15

titodacat

Offline

Jun 2021

492

idk what you could compare them on other than the basics of an anime. animation and sound is sao but characters and the world go to rezero. you can try to compare the stories but maybe first compare them to others like them like a vrmmorpg to sao and an actual isekai to rezero

May 1, 2022 2:52 PM

#16

lordluka

Offline

Jan 2022

i don't really like re zero, main character is just dumb like who cares if someone dies if you know they can come back if you die and i don't get the reason why subaru is chosen. and i know some people say it's very emotional and shit but how i see it is fake emotions like i don't feel it when i whatch someone cry in show

May 1, 2022 2:53 PM

#17

risdon15

Offline

May 2020

this is definitely better

May 1, 2022 2:54 PM

#18

titodacat

Offline

Jun 2021

492

CorruptedSlime said:
I got mixed answers. Some say SAO better, some ReZero better. Need to rethink.

this is what happens when you ask opinions about shows you cant compare. they're 2 entirely different shows. if you like boring weak protagonists and not action but cool story then rezero is gonna be what yoy like more but if you like way more action, much better animation and more variety then you might like sao. you put these 2 shows in a bubble that doesn't work cause they do different things

May 1, 2022 2:55 PM

#19

Thehaterofmal

Offline

Jun 2021

404

i don't hate SAO but please don't disrespect re: zero

May 1, 2022 2:56 PM

#20

emmikazar

Offline

Feb 2021

Lmfaooo Ofc re zero is better💀

May 1, 2022 3:01 PM

#21

Tyraq

Offline

Aug 2020

1656

Yes it's much better than SAO.

May 1, 2022 3:04 PM

#22

MoeSupremacy

Offline

Aug 2021

Re: Zero is far superior

May 1, 2022 3:07 PM

#23

Mando727

Offline

Aug 2021

507

They’re completely different in every single way besides the isekai aspect, but even that’s different since SAO isn’t technically an isekai.

Re:Zero is more of a psychological, story-centered anime with a weak, more realistic mc while SAO is action heavy with some romance and an op mc.

Personally, I think Re:Zero is better, but at the end of the day there’s no way to really compare since, again, they’re two completely different shows trying to accomplish completely different things.

May 1, 2022 3:08 PM

#24

Stacias

Offline

Aug 2021

10436

Ehh, imo it’s par, both are my favorite shows.

StaciasMay 1, 2022 3:22 PM

May 1, 2022 3:10 PM

#25

41413

Offline

Nov 2020

238

CorruptedSlime said:
I got mixed answers. Some say SAO better, some ReZero better. Need to rethink.

You should just give it a try, I'm sure even the 1st episode will convince you.

May 1, 2022 3:11 PM

#26

Kirito_Slayer

Offline

Nov 2021

141

Oh yes for sure, Re:Zero’s story is collectively written in a neat order. On the other hand Sword art is a written jumbled mess..

May 1, 2022 3:16 PM

#27

Lord_Volt

Offline

Jul 2020

obviously it is lol, how is this even a question

May 1, 2022 3:17 PM

#28

Natangtx

Offline

Nov 2020

yes SAO Is a suck, RE ZERO IS A WORK OF ART.

May 1, 2022 3:25 PM

#29

Ljwatson11

Offline

Jun 2021

CorruptedSlime said:
I rated SAO 4/10. Is this much better?

I personally like Sao more since I’m big on sword fighting but both shows have there strengths and weakness but you should really form your own opinion on a show instead of asking others

I'm level

on mal-badges. View my badges.

May 1, 2022 3:29 PM

#30

Devilman_Vaider

Offline

Aug 2019

So let's see here.
If you are a huge fan of power fantasies Sao.
Since you gave it a 4 i guess not

Re Zero's story is impeccable. The MC is great because he's incredibly flawed and going through a lot of mental shit. Especially in S2.

Most people claim" bad plot elements" because they don't really get the point. Only Re Zero and Mushoku Tensei seriously dive deep into the psyche of a loner otaku thrown into unforgiving anime fantasy worlds.

The only thing I'd say SAO does better is animation, but since Re Zero doesn't have many fights, (there are like 3-4 after 50 episodes) it doesn't matter too much.

It's psychological horror vs power fantasy so it depends on the person.

For all the comments that say , " I wouldn't do that if i were him", they clearly don't understand the pitfalls that mental trauma has and the fact that every character in Re Zero is slightly messed up in the head is what makes it compelling.
Just see for yourself and go ahead .

May 1, 2022 3:30 PM

#31

INSANELYWP

Offline

Jun 2021

1292

yeah obviously lol

May 1, 2022 3:33 PM

#32

Devilman_Vaider

Offline

Aug 2019

QcDiablo said:
They're completely different.

Re:Zero is a psychological seinen with a flawed cast.
It's probably closer to Steins;Gate than SAO.

For comparisons:

- Subaru is weak; Kirito is strong.
- SAO is within a game; Re:Zero's world is a fantasy but is very real.
- Re:Zero is built around some sort of time travel.
- Re:Zero doesn't have game-like elements, except for Subaru's time travel ability that reminds of save points.
- SAO is about action; Re:Zero is about hope and mental evolution.

Whether you'll find Re:Zero better than SAO is completely a matter of tastes.

To go into further details, Re:Zero is less about what happens and more about its characters' relationships and psychologichal development.
The protagonist, Subaru, is somewhat of a controversial character amongst anime fans for his whiny and arrogant behaviour along with his weakness. Though what has to be said is that is exactly the point of story. Flawed characters interact with flawed characters and grow. Despite Subaru will never become strong, his mental evolves all throughout the series, with its lowest of lows at the very middle of season 1. If you get to that halfway mark I would strongly suggest to continue, as Subaru's personality will improve from there on.

Re:Zero is also a slow series. Planned to have a total of 11 arcs once finished that we can roughly guess will be adapted into 9 seasons of 25 episodes each, along with many side stories to expand on the world and side characters. The author takes the time to develop the characters and we get just dropplets of revelations in each arc. Do not expect Re:Zero to have all its mysteries clearly explained after just a few episodes. The biggest revelations are expect to be revealed in the few last arcs, that will require years before being written.

I don't understand how people think that the author wrote Subaru with the intention of him being strong or whatever and how they complain about his attitude without understanding that it's the point.

Sao had so much potential to be a dark show , telling us a story about gamers being hostages and show that would break people down. But it went the power fantasy route.

May 1, 2022 3:48 PM

#33

Pope_Godzilla

Offline

May 2021

Watch Re. I’d say it’s better by SAO by far

May 1, 2022 3:58 PM

#34

SmilingIceCube

Offline

May 2021

Different things are better in the opinions of different people. Re:Zero is my favourite, but there are many who hate it. Similarly, there are people who absolutely love SAO and others who hate it. Comparing is easier when something is similar like misfit vs the thing airing rn. But the two you are asking about are too different.

May 1, 2022 3:58 PM

#35

removed-user

Offline

Jul 2018

561867

SAO is 100 times better, the second season of Re:Zero ruins the show

May 1, 2022 4:04 PM

#36

removed-user

Offline

Jul 2018

561867

nah sao is way better than this shit

May 1, 2022 4:10 PM

#37

AliasterB2003

Offline

Mar 2019

636

CorruptedSlime said:
I rated SAO 4/10. Is this much better?

I wish you did elaborate a bit on what did you not like about SAO but if it involves:
Boring MC cause he's too powerful
Not a very good plot
No Lore
Uninteresting cast of characters
Animation(I do like it's animation tbh)
power fantasy trash
no repercussions for actions etc.
Then Re Zero imo does the opposite:
It has a flawed and weak MC who becomes a better person as well as a stronger mentally(not ability wise)(This is gonna depend alot of people found him annoying for some reason but I'd say it's very realistic for how to react.Just try to understand where he's coming from.)
A damn good plot with twists and turns
ALOT of Lore.Season 2 literally expands the world so much.Season 1 also does too
My favourite cast of characters in anime probably.
Animation is inferior but still pretty good especially when it really counts
Heavy Reprecussions for actions taken by either Subaru or the cast
Again it's possible you won't like it but the journey is worth it imo

May 1, 2022 4:16 PM

#38

weaboo_lord

Offline

Mar 2020

No SAO is in my favorites

May 1, 2022 4:18 PM

#39

samavalon05

Offline

Aug 2021

234

Obviously not SAO is a masterpiece with no flaws and is amazing in every. It’s so good that it’s one of the most popular shows making it no shock that I rated that masterpiece a 2/10.

May 1, 2022 4:20 PM

#40

samavalon05

Offline

Aug 2021

234

samzullo05 said:
Obviously not SAO is a masterpiece with no flaws and is amazing in every. It’s so good that it’s one of the most popular shows making it no shock that I rated that masterpiece a 2/10.

Also Re:Zero is terrible with too many flaws such as Emilia.

May 1, 2022 4:33 PM

#41

NoobishTech

Offline

Jun 2016

Definitely in the camp that re zero is better. Has a better MC that not only learns from his mistakes but you see grow as a character from s1 to s2, with him learning how his character and actions have consequences. imo victories for Subaru actually feel earned, whether by him or the people around him.

May 1, 2022 4:45 PM

#42

RoberToby

Offline

Feb 2021

You could compare some stuff but yeah... they are different. They share the isekai genre but not the themes they explore.

But if we only speak in terms of writing quality I think RE:Zero is better. And if you take both shows' subsequent seasons into consideration that gap in quality becomes a lot wider. (I've only seen the first three seasons of SAO, but I believe the show could have had a stronger legacy if it had ended in season one).

However, if you're not into stories that focus a good amount of time into a character's emotions, you're probably not gonna like RE:Zero. It does an amazing job at psychoanalyzing the protagonist, but it can get a bit sappy or stale if what you're looking for is something more focused on the action.

It does have action, good action, but most of the time you're gonna be seeing mind games and problem solving that lead to that action. Again, all of that is very well done, but it's not for everyone.

RoberTobyMay 1, 2022 4:51 PM

May 1, 2022 4:59 PM

#43

FrancesDinner

Offline

Jan 2021

I didn’t like re zero that much but I thoroughly enjoyed SAO. I think that it just depends on what you like to see in an anime, I for one prefer an overpowered antagonist who looks way cooler then everyone else (that’s why I like SAO) I could also be beast because I read the SAO light novels first and they are better than the show in my opinion.

May 1, 2022 5:20 PM

#44

split09

Offline

Dec 2021

326

It is all about preferences, but I do feel Re:Zero is better.
The story is somewhat similar to one of the Steins;Gate arcs, since

May 1, 2022 5:34 PM

#45

arshrangar

Offline

Jul 2021

how the fuck are there so many people who like shit art online better why its legit trash dog shit re zero is a billion times better

May 1, 2022 5:39 PM

#46

DJOmni

Offline

Mar 2022

Yes without a doubt. Re:Zero 8s one of the best shows to air in the past decade, and even the community agrees: It's rated far higher than SAO, and has 100k more votes rating it at a 9 or 10, with 700k fewer votes overall.

Honestly it's kind of a joke to compare the 2, it's different themes and tones. On top of that, the biggest debates for each show is "Is SAO mid, or just ok?" and "Is Re:Zero a masterpiece, or just really good?"

DJOmniMay 1, 2022 5:44 PM

May 1, 2022 5:44 PM

#47

Suzeray87

Offline

Mar 2021

382

Sword art online went downhill really really really fast. While ReZero went uphill really really really slow.

May 1, 2022 5:52 PM

#48

slimysteak

Offline

Jul 2021

Significantly better

May 1, 2022 5:54 PM

#49

Scornfyre

Offline

Sep 2020

All I can really do is laugh at this post. Re:Zero and SAO aren't even remotely similar. The only thing they have in common is being isekais, and even the manner of isekai is completely different. Re:Zero is a psychological thriller while SAO is, well, a joke.

To answer your question though, yes Re:Zero is leagues better than SAO. Re:Zero is probably the best isekai alongside Konosuba. Watch both of those.

May 1, 2022 5:55 PM

#50

Scornfyre

Offline

Sep 2020

QcDiablo said:
They're completely different.

Re:Zero is a psychological seinen with a flawed cast.
It's probably closer to Steins;Gate than SAO.

For comparisons:

- Subaru is weak; Kirito is strong.
- SAO is within a game; Re:Zero's world is a fantasy but is very real.
- Re:Zero is built around some sort of time travel.
- Re:Zero doesn't have game-like elements, except for Subaru's time travel ability that reminds of save points.
- SAO is about action; Re:Zero is about hope and mental evolution.

Whether you'll find Re:Zero better than SAO is completely a matter of tastes.

To go into further details, Re:Zero is less about what happens and more about its characters' relationships and psychologichal development.
The protagonist, Subaru, is somewhat of a controversial character amongst anime fans for his whiny and arrogant behaviour along with his weakness. Though what has to be said is that is exactly the point of story. Flawed characters interact with flawed characters and grow. Despite Subaru will never become strong, his mental evolves all throughout the series, with its lowest of lows at the very middle of season 1. If you get to that halfway mark I would strongly suggest to continue, as Subaru's personality will improve from there on.

Re:Zero is also a slow series. Planned to have a total of 11 arcs once finished that we can roughly guess will be adapted into 9 seasons of 25 episodes each, along with many side stories to expand on the world and side characters. The author takes the time to develop the characters and we get just dropplets of revelations in each arc. Do not expect Re:Zero to have all its mysteries clearly explained after just a few episodes. The biggest revelations are expected to be revealed in the few last arcs, that will require years before being written.

As someone whose favorite anime is Steins;Gate and is a big Re:Zero fan, the comparison is pretty good.👍

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