Sword Art Online is one of the most impressive anime I've watched so far with its excellent artwork and animation. The story revolves around a virtual game where players play in a MMORPG with other real players. They wear virtual reality helmets to enter a virtual world but it's suddenly a death trap when players can't log out and the only way out is to clear the game by going to the last floor, 100. The deaths in the game leads to death in reality which pins many characters with one another.
Story 10/10
The story is really simple but is a very appealing one with many side stories to show character development. To reach floor 100 to escape the game while avoiding death in the game. The concept of death in game and in reality is very unique. The realization that players who kill other players in game make them murderers in reality makes it frightening but also the fact that many children die in the game too. MOST IMPORTANTLY though is the developing relationship of Kirito and Asuna in the story while surviving in the virtual world, each episode that passes their relationship is enhanced while interacting with dangers.
Artwork/Graphics 10/10
The visuals of SAO are amazing, there's no limits to the orientation because its a fantasy virtual world. The beautiful landscape designs make all more appealing in 1080p HD. Character designs are unique to the main characters as well, such as Kirito, a solo player with a black cloak makes him stand out from others while Asuna's matches her guild in the game.
Animation 9/10
Animation is very great when it comes to the action scenes. They're fast paced and fluent with the scenarios. Sword fights are very amazing and speed up with the tension in the scene.
Connections (Spoiler) : I've read the light novel and the story is very wonderful and romantic with a lot of emotion( I love it and I'm a guy). The anime is matching the plot with the Light Novel but also inserts side stories in from the novels as well (Silica Side Story Ep 4). 25 Episodes will maybe actually enough to cover the 1st and 2nd volumes of the Light Novel and if it's a success can lead to a Season 2 featuring volume 3 and 4. I believe this series has the potential to go beyond 2 seasons if they move through the plot thoroughly.
Last Comments: If you love fantasy,adventure,action, and some romance then this is the anime for you. The romance between the main protagonists develop more later on so rest assured.
Similiar Anime Recommendations:
Accel World: The same writer as Sword Art and it's one of his newest works. A story in 2046 where the main character enters a virtual online fighting game to compete against others. It was recently aired before SAO and is on Hulu.
.hack//Sign: Same MMORPG setting and situation of not being able to log out. It's and old series but has the majority of the plot the same as SAO.
