This review may contain spoilers! I don't review much and its mostly me just ranting if I do. If you are ok with the things i just said then please continue reading my review.
So I just got done watching SAO for a second time (marathon mode) and it was just as good as the first time if not better. For the life of me I honestly can't see all the hate for this show. I sat there and tried to pick out things that made no sense/were just plain stupid and it was REALLY hard! The only, I repeat ONLY thing that didn't make sense was how both Kirito and Asuna died but still survived. Then again Kayaba could have just overridden the death thing because "they" beat him.
Now, onto my rant!
People have many different opinions about this show. Its love or hate. People say it sucked all the way through, after episode 3, or after SAO. I can see why people say it sucks after episode 3 because of the pacing but honestly, I had no issue with it. I would not be able to stand watching dungeon for dungeon, boss for boss (this is 75 levels we're talking about here).
Pacing aside, lets talk about Asuna and Kirito ("the story"). Oh no, now I've gone and done it! I ask anyone who reads this exactly how they are a forced and plot driven couple? EVERY COUPLE IN ANY SERIES IS PLOT DRIVEN AND FORCED! Sorry, had to do that. Anyway, my point is this, they knew each other for 2 years before they hooked up. Before that they pretty much hated/couldn't get along/never saw eye to eye. In the game the thing that matters the most is staying alive, after that its all about power. Kirito and Asuna trusted each other with their lives and would fight side by side. They both respected each other for how strong they were and by default associated with one another because they were on the assault team. Asuna was a tight wad, Kirito is a slacker in every sense (opposites attract) and by simply telling Asuna to chill out and enjoy life in the game for what it was Kirito did her a favor. That is what starts it and from there they continue spending more time together. Seriously, SAO is a life or death game, the fact that he actually stuck around watch over while she slept IS a big thing imo (people can kill you in your sleep). People under extreme conditions do crazy things that don't make sense to average everyday people (like fall in love with someone because they protected you). As for the rest of them, I'll cover that once I get to ALO.
The art is another thing I've heard people talk about but I have serious difficulty trying to figure that out. As of late a lot of series/movie have tried to blend 3D CGI and 2D animation together and have been failing horribly. Its sickening to see how badly 3D sticks out on a 2D backdrop. SAO managed to pull it off and have it blend very well. Sure, with the dragon and that skeleton thing it stuck out a bit but not to the point that it rustled my jimmies. As for colors, shadows, characters, and just general design I don't have one complaint. Kirito's jacket is bad ass and I want one, that is all to be said.
Now for the really fun part, ALO! Oh no, I'm doing it again! Time to rustle some jimmies for sure! Let me put it straight to you, I enjoyed it, a lot at that! Sure, it was quick, very quick, but it was a blast! Who doesn't want wings!? How can you not want to fly? That alone made it super cool! Ok, that and because Kirito came in like a boss and saved Leefa with some super speed with ultra uber stats that rocked the bad guys socks off. The magic was pretty cool and well thought out (you can't just spam fire spells and healing all day). As for Leefa and Kirito, I know, its a touchy topic. I'll say this much, if you can just look over the fact that its incest kinda sorta but not really since it never really happens then its all good! I will admit that most if not all of the sexual thing in this arc are for for fan service (I loved it) but hey, you gotta reward the fans some how. Also, about Asuna locked up in a cage wait for Kirito was kinda cool. It really changed the dynamic of the show since Leefa is pretty much useless in any fight (again, she IS there for fan service). In a way this arc kinda helps to teach Kirito that stats and skills don't mean everything and that you really do need friends/a guild to fight really strong opponents. Soloing just doesn't work in ALO so its kinda cool! One last thing, Yui comes back and is kawii as ever, nuf said.
I guess I have to add in something about the music as well. I loved both of opening and endings. I also liked all the battle music plus the sitting around and talking music since it reminds me of visual novel music which I really enjoy as well. I don't really know how to talk about the music so lets just say its somewhere between liked it a lot and loved it.
I don't think this really counts a "true review" since its mostly me ranting and not dissecting the show but I think I've hit on the main subjects. All in all this show has just moved up on my list from a 9/10 to a 10/10. I really enjoyed it a second time around.
Plus, who doesn't wanna dance on the clouds?
