In the year 2046 the virtual reality is used for almost anything. And Arita Haruyuku (our little chubby hero) is amazing at games, never the less he is in the lowest scale of his school being constantly abused by other students and thus constantly cries about his miserable luck.
But everything changes when Kuroyukihime, the most popular girl in school introduces him to “Brain Burst” a virtual reality program that grants him the power to stop time, at the same time it gives him an avatar, which he has to use to win battles, and win points, and that’s the catch: If he happens to lose all his points he will lose the brain burst program, and all the memories of ever having it (which in turn means he would be returning to his miserable life).
Evidence for:
As a shonen anime, is not surprising the battles are very well made, and the plus Sunrise was the producer, is not a surprise to see such an amazing animation, meaning: The battles and the Avatars are plain amazing, with the diversity of powers, dynamic movement, and amazing design. And this also applies to the “real world” animation, though some characters might be something you don’t usually see in this genre (like A chubby little guy being the main character, and his best friend a first badass then whiner still popular guy).
Evidence Against:
Even though Accel world shines in the art an animation, it lacks everything else: All the “Power of friendship” and “You must stand to stay strong” cliché is a little overused. Plus the characters are plain, bland and a bunch of whiners (most of them).
On the other hand, the plot as it is, doesn’t give any sensation of risk. Even if you happen to lose all your points, you don’t even remember having them in the first place and (as shown in the very last episode) the traits that you gains with the game (courage, sensibility, or anything else) stays with you, so what ends good… is good right?
About the OST, thought very epic is usually subdued by the constant yelling and crying of the characters, or by the same sound effect on the battles. Making it easily forgettable.
Overall:
This anime truly shines in its graphics, but the plot, the characters and the sound don’t live to it.
Characters: 2
Story: 4
Art (and animation): 10
Sound: 3
Personal enjoyment: 5
Overall: 4.8->5
