"What’s the difference between the real world and the virtual one?"-Asuna
Actually, there's a couple, but that is not what this review is about. Sword Art Online (SAO for shorts), is an anime by A-1 Pictures, that is quite similar to another anime, Log Horizon. Is OAS a good anime of not? Let's find out...no wait...it's SAO...
NOTE: (Ditto from all the other reviews) and another thing. I will do this review a little different. The plot, opening/ending and characters session will be split into two, so that I can separately talk about each arc's characters and plot.
Plot- Arc 1: 4/5
People argue for, day to day which arc was the best...no wait, everyone agrees it is the first arc, and I would had too. This was SAO's strongest plot, as we don't see so much romance until late episode 11. The plot is quite good actually, I liked the concept of once you die, you die. This was the only arc to feature that concept, and it was a good one. Shame that A-1 pictures removed it after Arc 1. The KiritoXAsuna Arc was quite cute, but it went wwaaayyyyy over the top in Arc 2, and I will get to that once we talk about Arc 2. The ending of the first arc was sweet. A minor flaw I had with this arc, is how they didn't show the fight with the Laughing Coffin. It would had been an interesting and intense fight...oh well. But overall, it's obvious why this is the best arc of all of the arcs. Good concept, KiritoXAsuna when it didn't go over the top, and the really sweet ending. However could had been improved if the Laughing Coffin fight was included.
Arc 2: 2/5
HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT! Because the first arc was so good I was so hyped for the second arc. But all that hype was for a rushed plot...a very rushed plot. I simply hated the whole, "Asuna is useless as hell so Kirito come get her." This was definitely out of character and affected the plot really harshly. I also hated the antagonist's goal in the second arc. It was honestly really stupid and illogical. I have so many things that makes this plot bad, but I don't want to make this too long. So I will just end it here.
Characters- Arc 1: 3/5
The characters are...alright to say the least. I sorta liked Sachi's character...idk what it is, but I just like it. Like I mentioned, Asuna in this arc was as badass as Batman doing a fancy move, and that should be Asuna's character throughout the season. Still shame that they change it. HOWEVER! The thing that really put characters down is...Kyubey drumroll plz........Kirito. Man, I want to talk about how bad is Kirito for a long time. First of all, his voice is annoying in dub...Second of all, every girl for some reason falls for him. Jesus, what are you? A chick magnet? Want me to find a bunch of chicks and you use a magnet to attract them all? (joke intended). And third of all, his character is pretty damn bad. But I give him credit, his quotes aren't actually that bad. Additionally, he gets even worse as the eps go on, and I will talk about that in Arc 2. Overall, characters had been ruined completely by Kirito, the main character of this whole season.
Arc 2: 1/5
Man, the second arc was even more disappointing in the characters then when they ran out of ice cream in the cafe! Asuna was out of character! Recon and Suguha was irrelevant! Lisbeth, Klein and Silica had almost no role in this arc what so ever, and the worst thing of them all, KIRITO WENT EVEN WORSE! Man, his obsession with Asuna went really bad this arc, even going to the point of mental! The villain is just outright bad! Yui...was actually ok, but that doesn't help how crap everything about the characters is in arc 2. It's so bad...that I have to give out my very first 1...my very first 1...That deserves a trophy. Sword Arts online, you earned the trophy of the dripping ice cream of disappointment! Congrats! (Clap clap clap clap)
Animation/sound: 9/10
Stunning. Just, stunning. The animation was really good. Nothing bad to say about it. And the sound was good, but could be improved. Nothing else to say really, besides that this was one of Sword Arts's strongest point.
Opening/ending- Arc 1: 4/5
The White koala returns! Opening and ending was pretty damn good. It fits pretty well with the theme of the anime. Also pretty catchy, both opening and ending. Nothing else to say about the opening and ending.
Arc 2: 4/5
Same as arc 1, except not as catchy.
Enjoyment: 8/10
Kirito really hurt this section. His determination to save Asuna, even going up to the point of rage really killed the ending. Arc 2 was also responsible for this, but because of the hype I felt after Arc 1, I gave it an 8
Overall: 35/50
This is generally a good anime to watch if you are starting to watch anime, but definitely not recommended if you watched anime for a while.
After this review:
Phew, that was long...I need a break.
I will stop reviewing tomorrow, and will be back for a Christmas special on Friday, where I will review 2 random animes and an anime with a Christmas special. (Spoiler, it's K-on!)
