SAO is a continuous downward spiral. However, I will try not to forget that it was quite interesting at one point. Even though they weren't perfect, I thought the first 14 episodes were a complete joy to watch- mainly in terms of aesthetics.
The action is very engaging, dazzling, and composed in a way to make it feel epic. As a gamer, i really liked seeing the items, abilities, and stats of the characters as they developed. And yet, the anime was not completely focused around that. Lets not forget that the animation itself is awful purdy too.
The main plot was very simple and left little room for big twists (yes, even episode 14, don't act like you didn't see that coming). However, I think it was cool on a conceptual level. The subplots kinda kept it alive IN THE BEGINNING because they were still valid. They were about discovering the world and the people in it. As the show went on, they became filler and completely pointless and forgettable. Really, the same thing happens in the main plot when starting episode 15. I just stopped caring. SAO started trying to be something that it wasn't. While I enjoyed the first half (and so incessantly remind you), I will point out that is was very rushed. You jump from thing to thing and inevitably feel left out.
While all the characters in SAO are somewhat one-dimentional, they are still memorable. My main quarrel, however, is with the main character Kirito. He's just so bland. Yeah, he might get all mad and worked up during a fighting scene, but I never saw a lot of internal conflicts... OR EVEN WORTHY PHYSICAL CONFLICTS FOR THAT MATTER. He is the stereotypically perfect hero who is unmatched in power and will. Just plain OP. Never saw him develop that much.
If you're like me, romance is always a nice touch. And at first, SAO presented it fairly well. There were a lot of cute moments within Kirito's harem of blacksmiths and druids. I like romance where there is a definitive choice so was fun seeing him grow with Asuna... at first. Yeah, this romance was good until the show started emphasizing it. It became something cheesy, forced, and kinda ridiculous. I know their kid was basically a plot device, but OH FUCKING BROTHER. And then the awkward incestuous subplot with his sister... why bother at that point?
idk guys... to be honest, this one wasn't that great, but i liked it.
