One problem, if not the ONLY problem I had with this anime at first, was unquestionably the main character. He comes across as this creepy stalker that follows this girl and eavesdrop her conversations whenever he has the chance, more on that later. He's also this super edge lord that likes murders and wish to kill his classmate, the same girl he follows around. She is this very beautiful girl named Anna Yamada, an model and actress.
The main character is definitely the main reason people stop watching this show, he does seem very creepy and edgy when you first watch it, but then if you actually stop and think about it, he is just a 13 year old kid. Do you remember what you were like when you were 13? Because I do. I used to LOVE Kirito and think I was just like him.
In five years i'm sure the main character will look back, and get phisically hurt when remembering these behaviors, like we all do.
Maybe this isn't enough of a justification for you. In that case, I would still recommend watching it past episode one.
There's definitely character development and as they get closer, he starts to see things differently.
