Story: I'll admit, it was the story that got me into the anime. OMG, a virtual reality MMO. Like teh runescapes I used to play, but in pseudo-real life?! Yes please! Espcially because of how much video games have not only been in my whole life (litreally, had my cousins old mega drive/genesis since I was, like, 3, and not a year has gone by where I haven't been gaming), but how much they've helped me through very difficult times, and with my mental health (severe anxiety and on/off serious depression) still do to this day.
I'll also admit that the story turned really bad in the clear 'second half' of the anime. But the 3 or 4 final episodes and the 'first half' of the anime offer an action-packed, emotional, just plain awesome story. Kind of what you'd expect from an awesome story of an MMO, oddly enough! 8/10.
Art: Once again, a beautifully produced, yet CGI, anime. I have to award it high marks even though, as I've mentioned through my previous reviews, I hate doing so, because it's CGI! All though this one was striking and different somewhat. 9/10.
Sound: Not much on offer, but I adored both opening themes (enough to put them on my phone) and the ending theme was pretty well done too. There were some over-dramatic and upbeat songs that fit the mood when our protagonist was fighting or the comedy-relief moments, so well enough. 7/10.
Character: So, mainly, we have: Kirigaya, known as in-game and from now on will be referred to as Kirito, his sister Suguha, Asuna, Yui, Rue and Sakuya. Sorry, LADY Sakuya.
Kirito is your usual male protagonist. He's quite strong-willed and, while not that developed, he's at least reletable, unlike OTHER 'shojun' protagonists *cough cough*. He hates his boring life and takes respite in playing SAO, before *SPOILERS* nearly dying. *END* - feels bro.
His sister doesn't really make a prominent appearence until the aforementioned 'second half', and even then she's not that prominent. But she is introduced in a... Interesting way.
Asuna is Kiritos main love interest. He meets many boob-a-lic... Sorry, 'pretty' girls throughout the show, but once THAT THING happens to Asuna, he spends the rest of the anime fighting for her, and before THAT, they're quite the cute, romantic couple, and it's not forced. She doesn't really develop herself. N'aww. Just need my own Asuna now hehe.
Yui is your now seemingly obligatory loli character, saying that, Kirito and Asuna do take her own as their own child, so it's acceptable. This is going to be a spoiler, but it's necessary. Yui is an NPC, that is, non-playable character. This means she offers her mommy and daddy hints. She's also kind of the 'brain' of the whole game, so there's that. Yeah, she's kinda useful. Sorry, did I say useful? I meant NECESSARY. Oh well, she's cute.
Rue is next. She comes over from SAO to the other fairy game I forget te bane of. She's another loli character, and leader of one of the fairy factions. Helps Kirito out in this big-ass battle. Coincidence eh Kirito? Lady Sakuya is essentially the same, only she's leader of another fairy faction.
Other than that, you've got your typical baddies and creatures. I like everyone anyway. Solid 7.
Overall: I think SAO is great. Not epic, certainly not a masterpiece (looking at your blinding brilliance Bebop) but a great anime, but really only if you're a gaming fan. If you only watch anime or only play CoD or Battlefield, probs not for you. Like RPGs like Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest and even to some extent Pokemon? I think you're in for a good trip. In my opinion, anyways. SAO gets 8/10.
