Story: 7
The story can be divided into two different arcs the first being the Aincrad Arc which is better arc of the two having a fun and morbid story following Kirito as he tries to survive the VRMMORPG (Virtual Reality, Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) death game Sword Art online in which he has been trapped in after its realise with thousands of other player with a great twist that if you die in game you die for real. At first this may seem similar to the .hack franchise or Log Horizon but instead of people standing around talking or working politics theirs more shiny battles and great boss fights more like MMOs which add a element that these player could die at any second as well as that the players are even more dangerous touching upon personality changes when people play games while throwing in different game phrases to make it seem more like a game.
But there are some problems with the story as instead of going from the day one and showing the main character slowly growing stronger as he conquers the game instead you are treated to random time skips that more act as fillers as the Kirito meets new characters to interact and help while it does show some great boss battles as he conquers floors he mainly at the starts of the series helps poor weaker characters who will either die or never seen again through out the whole show. This parrelled with the forced romance subplot that doesn't feel very real that really feels that it reads more time to develop.
The second half of the plot The Fairy Dance arc taking place directly after the first one can be summed up briefly as a complete mess with a boring story and characters that are forgettable except from Leafa/Suguha who is main characters Kirito's cousin who at least has some development and interesting characters as well strange feelings for her cousin (wincest). Not forgetting the boring politics side story and some tentacle fun and molesting like scenes that spoil the atmosphere at time.
Characters: 6
The Characters of SAO are its weakest piece with flat boring main characters with no real personality firstly Kirito as all he is that Over Powered knight in shining armour with a harem on the side type while Asuna the lead female character has more personality as seems quite interesting at the start but as she progresses she becomes a dumbed down whiny girlfriend that just as boring as Kirito. The side characters are the better side of the cast with really personality's and interesting stories but have little screen time only on for a episode or a few minutes every few episodes. The only other main character with an real development was Leafa/Suguha who has a nice personality and bit of development during her role in the Fairy Dance Arc.
Animation: 9
One of the better aspects of the show is its animation and visuals with amazing set pieces that look beautiful and unique every time a new one appears making the setting feel more like a game with well done towns, dungeons and wilderness that is eye candy. As well as great animation from all characters that make them feel real and amazing fight scenes that beautiful and worthy of all praise
Sound: 10
The OST is amazing and has a track for every scene in the anime making each scene feel new and interesting from cheerful town music, great fight music to sad tone sounds all in orchestra format done by Yuki Kajiura the master behind the Madoka Magica soundtrack. Voice work is also great making all characters feel alive and interesting even the boring Kirito and Asuna.
Enjoyment:
I liked the Aincrad Arc, and thought the Fairy Dance Arc was Mehh.
Score: 7.4/10
