The Creator wanted to make the real world and the virtual so much connected that there is no more bounders and you cannot tell what is what anymore. In this particular season we see the first connection to real world. For example, why most people play Games and the MMO Games to be exact. The Answer is simple, to escape reality, we want to get away from the problems that living in the real world gives us also we want to create ourselves, this is not always possible in the real world, because we are limited by laws, ideologies and so on. So what is left. The Virtual Reality. But what happens, when VR becomes reality, where there is no immortality, where we are limited by the law of life and death and there is no second run. This is the exact boundary which in the first part of the story is destroyed. In it virtual reality literally merges with the real world. With LIFE.
What we see, when the separation of real and virtual disappear even then people tend to adapt to the Life they lead in reality. Some just find a job and go to work, some go for something bigger and start going on quests, Friendships and Relationships are build, what is even more interesting societies are formed and Factions, some are good, some are evil. Just like real Life.
Not to forget, it still is Anime, so it has some Cringe Moments, and some Waifus, my personal favorite is Asuna.
The OPs are also great shout out to LiSA and Aoi Eir.
Do I recommend this Anime? Absolutely, it really is a must watch for everybody.
