Unfortunately, the impression shattered like a wine glass fell to the floor after episode 3. What a buzzkill that was...
To avoid spoilers, I will not go into details. I shall proceed to the review:
Story 6/10
Despite having a brilliant premise of being stuck in a virtual world, the story isn't all that great. The Aincrad arc progressed too fast in my opinion. There's 100 floors dammit! Let us enjoy the surroundings a bit.
The thing that ticked me off the most is the storytelling. For some reason, I felt like the author just threw me around Aincrad and Kirito was just there (somehow...). Then some events unfolded (mostly drama) and awesome BGM tell you what to feel. I honestly didn't like that.
The story got a little bit better during the Alfheim arc, just a bit.
This story lacks goal in my opinion. It just can't compete compared to becoming a Hokage, Pirate King or Shinigami related stuffs... Then again, this is my thoughts on the story.
Art 8/10
The art is good to my eyes. No complaints whatsoever.
Sound 9/10
I think the VA did one hell of a job portraying the characters. Plus, the BGM is awesome as well as the OP/ED songs. But, I am an audiophile...
Characters 5/10
The characters are way too normal except for Asuna and Kirito, which is way too superior compared to everyone else. It felt like reading a Mary Stu/ Gary Stu fanfiction but I just can't flame it... The protagonist didn't undergo much adversity at all!! Kirito is just - fortunately - too awesome because he was a beta player. On the top of my head, I can't recall a single moment when Kirito lost in a fight... he wins all the way.
Asuna was apparently Kirito waifu for some reason... (yeah right!)
Compared to all the other female characters, she's the most beautiful, strongest, fastest, of all.
Enjoyment 6/10
Meh...
Overall 6/10
It's fair enough to count as an anime. Not a good one though...
It's overly-hyped.
