Review of Sword Art Online

THIS ANIME IS NOT AS BAD AS THE HATERS SAY IS IS!!! (Warning: may have spoilers) So I first found this at 14, and I personally feel that's the demographic it should be going for; younger teens. However, even with some obvious flaws, I still like it right now at 18 years old! PROS: The fight scenes are outstandingly beautiful. If I had to compare them to other anime I know, I'd say some are equivalent to Rising of the Shield Hero and High School DxD. You'll get the adrenaline rush you're looking for. The story, as rushed as it is, is very....unique, shall I say. It startsout as an action, then becomes a slice of life halfway through, then a mixture of both, with a damsel-in-distress subplot in the second half. The second half is definitely weaker but the fight scenes make it worth it for me.

CONS: The obvious ones first; Kirito is a self-insert OP protag, and the first, better arc is very rushed. Everyone has talked to DEATH about that by now. Those are actually the only cons I can think of. Oh yeah, aside from the second half making the Asuna they built up to be so badass just be a damsel in distress.

If you don't listen to the haters and give the show a chance for yourself, I think you will love it if you love some fight scenes mixed with some more slower, slice of life moments too.