Story -
Sword Art Online's story for the first few episodes will get you excited. The music, amazing scene shots, and the intensity will bring you great enjoyment. I have never been drawn in by an anime with such few episodes like this anime did. The Story focuses on Kirito. Kirito is a gamer who played SAO before in the beta. SAO is a virtual reality massive multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game. And now he is in the full release of the game, ready to begin his journey. Then disaster strikes! He finds himself stuck in the game with thousands with him, only to realize that if he dies in the game he will die in real life. This is where SAO really shines. The concept of being stuck in a game is not new. But the way SAO handles this concept is great. You feel the characters emotions and can get behind Kirito's actions. Romance in SAO is also great! You feel the emotions coming from the characters and the show never pulls any cliche romance.
Story Pace -
Many feel SAO is rushed, for in the first few episodes the timeline jumps quite a alot. Reviewers and ones who have seen this think that SAO simply jumps time without giving them room to breathe. In fact this should not be the case. SAO was a short novel and it follows it very loyally. The reason behind these jumps are in fact because the novel starts already (without giving anything way) in a fast timeline. Where some see it as jumping the gun, I see it being loyal to the novel.
- Negative
SAO starts great, in fact it would be a solid 9 if the story didn't fall to pieces. The first 14 episodes are amazing, an anime that keeps you wanting more and then it ends or it should have. The story could have ended there with episode 14 but it continues. In fact the original Short novel did end there and the anime should have as well. Granted the novel did continue due to poplar demand but if you watch the anime you will agree. So whats the problem with the other episodes? Well. many things for starters pacing. The story drags from here on. The since of urgency is gone. The fights are boring and don't make sense. The character Kiritio is on a mission and gets sidetracked half way which can make the audience a little angry. The thrown in romance ruins already a good already put together story.
- Conclusion
SAO is great entertainment for the first 14 episodes. The thrill of this anime will effect you greatly, scenes are shot well, character development is great. Art and music is Amazing. This anime has pulled me in like no other. But I cant forgive the rest of the anime. If wasn't for the other episodes, this anime would be solid. And it doesn't help some fighting scenes are sloppy and to short. In the end I say watch it you wont regret it, the first 14 episodes are worth it. Hey, and if you want to quite at episode 14 be my guest, you will thank me later.
