Review of Sword Art Online

Scoring Preconditions: While I rate all parts, the overall score takes in most consideration from story, character, and enjoyment. Art and sound are not factors in the overall, although they can slightly enhance or detract from enjoyment portion. I score from as unbiased a view as possible and I view it in a critical sense, not in a simple enjoyment sense. Thus I give at most a one point overall bonus for enjoyment. Story and characters matter most. I will state if exceptions to this rule depending on the anime. Summary: SAO clearly divides opinion among a lot of people. It's considered both a masterpiece anda disaster at the same time. Personally I don't consider this as one or the other. It has both endearing and atrocious parts so I think they cancel in what I consider an average anime. Essentially, what it lacks in story and character, it makes up in enjoyment. Details to follow.

Story (5/10): Let's be frank, the story isn't original at all and it didn't enhance the story setting at all. If you think about it, getting trapped in a video game and fighting your way through many levels is pretty much your standard RPG for anime device. Heck I can do the same on my phone minus the whole I lost my head in the game. Virtual reality may be cool, but Accel World did the same to much better effect. The story basically is fight through one game, fight through another, beat the bad guy and Kirito is the big hero. Pretty cliche if you ask me. And the while there was closure at the end, the whole Kirito wielding the knife scene was major bs.

Art (10/10): The art style was invigorating. Enhanced the overall enjoyment.

Sound (10/10): Opening themes were good. Both Innocence and Crossing Field are in my playlist. Other sound effects enhanced enjoyment.

Character (5/10): Ordinary. That word just about sums up Kirito, Asuna, and every other character in this anime. You basically have Kirito, who would be an otherwise failure in life getting to play hero in the one thing he's good at: video games. Asuna conveniently is the rich hot shot chick that got stuck and some how falls in love with Kirito. I find it ridiculous that them loving in virtual reality translates to the real world too. As for character development, Kirito plays the whole loner badass character and I didn't really buy it. Asuna has no character development. Oh and the whole jacked up love triangle with Kirito's cousin rang some alarm bells. I'm sorry but incest docks points in my book. The other side characters were simply side characters. Not much to say about them. And finally, the whole taking care of the in game fairy like a child... teenage pregnancy anyone? I mean this is some jacked up stuff if Kirito and Asuna want to be mommy and daddy at age 16.

Enjoyment (8/10): For all the lack of plot and story, I still found great entertainment out if which is probably down to the fact its a virtual reality setting. It may be unoriginal, but that doesn't make it boring. The experience is enjoyable and I thought the fight scenes were up to snuff. While I did criticise the romance, it still warmed my heart. But mostly I give credit to the setting than to any intricacies of the anime. Which is why it doesn't receive perfect marks in this category.

Overall (6/10): Story and characters are mediocre. It was fun and endearing to watch, but from a critical point, it's a basic anime. It isn't an eyesore like some that I watched, but neither was it anywhere near cracking the higher ranks. It makes up for story and characters with enjoyment which is why the overall isn't a 5.

Thanks for reading this. I'm open for discussion so if you have anything to add, message me and I will get back to you.