Story: 8/10
The story is split into three separate arcs: the Gun Gale Online, the Calibur, and the Mother Rosario arc.
Gun Gale Online brings our ole boy Kirito and a new female character, Sinon, center stage. Contrasting the previous sword-swinger that was the SAO world, Gun Gale... focuses on Gun combat, which makes this arc feel more like Call of Duty rather than Kingdom Hearts. I personally found the gun fights less jaw-dropping, yet more tense. A gain and a loss, but definitely not a net loss. More of Kirito's harem coming along would have been nice, but the chemistry between Kirito and Sinon was well done, as well as insight into how people in this world use VMMOs to cope with reality. For better, and for worse...
The Calibur arc was definitely the weakest link of three. Kirito and his gang come together again in the world of Alfheim Online. It rings nostalgia, reminiscent of the SAO days, but without any of that foreboding-danger push that had you biting your nails in Sword Art Online, or the much needed character development many in Kirito's monster-smashing harem lack. The arc really tries, but just comes up short.
The Mother's Rosario arc's story is where SAO II truly shines. Asuna is the star this time (bout time, right?), and things couldn't have been better. The arc delves more into her personal life, as well as her trials with the Sleeping Dragon Guild in their attempt to conquer a Floor Boss. For Kirito fans, this arc will leave a sour taste in your mouth. For fans of the show's ability to demonstrate the implications of VR's integration into our reality, this arc will be sweeter than honey.
Art: 7/10
Strong artwork dominated for most of the viewing, but some of Kirito's combat movements in the GGO arc had me wanting to claw my eyes out (reminded me of Madara fighting the 7 Shinobi Alliance in Shippuden). The first Opening integrates our characters' real and virtual worlds meshing beautifully and artistically, while the transition from the second Opening to its second version was refreshing and emotional.
Sound: 7/10
They say any great soundtrack disappears subtly into the backdrop, and SAO's music gave me that appeal... perhaps a little too well. The first opening music was strong, and probably the only one I could see myself listening to while driving down the road. The music generally flowed well with the mood, but most of it fails to stand out. Play it next to your Final Fantasy soundtrack, and you sadly won't be able to tell the difference. The music does it job, but that's all.
Character: 6/10
As usual, this is THE weakest link for this season, as it was for the first, but the crazy thing is it CAN do characterization well. It just chooses not to do enough of it... Yes, major points for Kirito, Sinon, and Asuna, but everyone else gets left in the dust. Unacceptable for a seven-person team. Why not cut that boring Calibur arc for the Beast-Tamer Loli (Keiko), or the Lovable Blacksmith (Rika), or heck, even the Chivalrous, Always-Second-Place Samurai (Klein) to have a chance to shine? Sheesh...
Enjoyment and Conclusion:
Despite its flaws, SAO II was undoubtedly entertaining. The action was stellar, the emotional moments will elicit sympathy and tears, the plot develops well with exciting reveals, and, when the story does decide it wants to include some backstory, it's presented concisely. The greatest sin of SAO II, as with its predecessor, was attempting to be too many things at once, an ambitious endeavor SAO II can never quite get right. At moments the show was an action Shonen, at others a harem, at others a romance, and at others psychological. If SAO, both seasons, stuck with one formula or another, people would receive the show more openly for reasons of clarity, and less confusion would allow character interactions to transition better from plot-to-plot. But then, what would SAO be? Another .Hack Sign? Monster? Naruto? Log Horizon? By trying to hit the stars, SAO II represents what the first series did well for me: It provided me with something different from psychology thrillers with no action, bromances lacking logical and natural female interaction, romances with only needless drama to fuel the lovers' connections. SAO II fails to reach the heavens it aims for, but still becomes a star in its own right by the attempt. Looking forward to season III.
Overall
Solid 8/10
