Story (5/10):
Everyone agrees on this, the story is what kills the anime, even if the starting context might be original, which is survival in a MMORPG, it is finally a classic fantasy story centered on one character, Kirito. Even though the first episode puts the spectator in the mood, the next 5 or 6 ones just kill it. Right after the first episode, some idiot in the studio just decided to put a streak of stand alone episodes that in fact are the stand alones chapters of the light novel series. They should have just made those episodes OAV if they wanted to make some more money, but no they decided to ruin the storyline... When the main arc begins it all gets better, but not for so long, but this time, it isn't the studio who is to blame, but the author of sword art online. Episode 14 should have been the end, but in order to extend the lifetime of the sword art online series, the author just made a clumpsy cliffhanger so the adventures of Kirito can go on a bit further. Is it really the anime's fault? Well don't adapt such bad novels into animes at first would be my advice...
Art (9/10):
And indeed, how shameful it is, because the art and animation of the anime are pretty good. The fights are extremly fluid, and enjoyable. All the environments are well retranscribed, the background and character design are all eye catching. The style is classic, but it works and we don't ask for more.
Sound (9/10):
Like the art, I don't have much to complain about, dubbing is correct, musics are good, sound effects are good. Nothing to complain about here.
Character (4/10):
And it goes by pair with the story, character's development is very poor. I mean inexistant. The only main character of the anime would be Kirito. The rest would just be secundary. I am dead serious, even Asuna is pretty much useless. Why? Well because the main character is just overpowered as fuck. Kirito is just so cool and strong in a inhuman way, that all the other characters look like shit. I mean he pretty much beats up everyone on his own, so why even create other characters in the first place? The author was just extremly clumsy in the scenario. I mean it could have been interesting. He is a solo player, he doesn't like to be around people at first, but since it's a MMORPG, the main character will realise that he can't do nothing on his own and will have to ally against his will with other companions in order to defeat bosses. But no, fuck that, Kirito is so awesome that he just defeat all arch ennemies in the story ALONE. That puts all of his companions in the background and of course, making us not caring about them. I am not even talking abot the cliché harem where even his sister falls in love with him, 4 is almost too good of a grade for the characters.
Overall (7/10):
Wait how can this anime be "Good" (7/10) with such a bad storyline? Well, the thing is that I for my part, enjoyed this anime. Even if the story really is classic, cliché, annoying and really bad. In itself, it isn't something that annoying to watch, especially the fighting scenes in this anime are to me, extremely good. It's fluid, fast, and entertaining, not too much talking during the fights making it less cheesy so I'll put my thumbs up there, i mean seriously who would have a philosophical chit chat and pull out some pseudo Hegelian sentences before a sword duel?
So I guess that this anime would be enjoyed by those who can enjoy a Michael Bay Movie, great fighting scenes, with lights and sparkles.
But don't watch this anime for the storyline, you will be disappointed.
