Review of Sword Art Online

I always wondered to myself about the scarcity of shounen x shoujo anime, after watching this series I found out why. Sword Art Online during it's release impressed everyone with it's original concept and plot, the hype was astounding which kind of coerced me into watching the series. The first couple of episodes proved it's hype for me, the concept was original and explored the grounds of a general shounen anime with hints of romance between the two main characters. However, with it's grand debut comes the anticipation for the rest of the series. I was excited about it, I genuinely was because the female protagonist provedto be a promising, strong and empowering character but later turned into a disposable female character yelping like a damsel in distress (main reason for the 2nd season). Along with that, the male character later turns into an angst-y, livid-fuelled character with his main motivation supposedly to beat the game but was primarily formed for his love with the female protagonist. His love later turned into stupidity (reasons including why he's in the 2nd season) and her character turns into the anime's Princess Peach.

There were some plausible parts, which I can understand the popularity it attained during it's first few episodes. Badass action, witty dialogue and a sense of belonging - especially those in the game - some themes were well executed such as humanity, power and anarchy.

If you want a break down: Episodes 1-5 Amazing. 6-11 Tolerable. 12+ Mediocre, highly highly mediocre.

The story itself was in-check but was ruined by these two angst fuelled, teenage love story. The fusion between romance and action can sometimes be blended nicely but in this case, seemed to only be fused for the sake of a wider audience. There were loose plot-holes and things that were never addressed (if it was addressed in the manga, please forgive me) characters with little development and some characters had potential but later cast aside. It's as if the producers put all they're effort in the first few episodes and then continue to ride off the popularity from then on thus putting little effort with the rest.

The art and sound is fair, nothing atypical about it.

Excellent plot, but definitely poorly executed. If you enjoyed this anime, you may have poor taste or just haven't watched enough good ones.