Review of Sword Art Online
Sword Art Online is one of the most controversial animes of 2012, and I think it's obvious why. There are many reasons people treat it very highly or very lowly, but I think in the end, it just matters as to what kind of person you are and what is it that you enjoy. Story: 8/10 I think Sword Art Online has a good premise. The idea of being trapped into a video game is an interesting angle to take, though I'm sure it must have been done before. Many people look lowly on Sword Art Online because of it's story, but I think that it's fine.It's not amazing to the point where it needs a score of 9 or 10, but to me very well deserves a score over 7.
I think the story has a specific effect on you because of the kind of person you are and what you like. Let's be honest, Sword Art Online is very concentrated on romance. While this anime has a "shounen" like label, it does have very "shoujo"-esque characteristics to it.
This is either a good or bad thing, depending on who you are. Most people think Sword Art Online's story line is very weak because of romance, because other than that, nothing really happens. Which in itself is sort of true. But I mean, if you are one of those people who is a sucker for romance and fluff, the anime is quite enjoyable. It all depends on your personality. If you're looking for an extremely action-packed fighter anime, it definitely isn't the first choice. However, if you're looking for a romance anime that doesn't choke you in frills and ribbons, this is definitely somewhere to go.
Art: 9/10
I think that A-1 Pictures did an extremely well done job with the art and animation of Sword Art Online. The style of drawing is fairly typical, but it is executed very well. Designs are done crisply, cleanly, and are attractive to the eye. Likewise, backgrounds and little details are drawn to detail, which is appreciated and adds to the overall atmosphere of the anime. Particularly, battle scenes in Sword Art Online were positively breath-taking. It was those scenes that you really felt a rush of adrenaline, no doubt fueled by the almost flawless battle animations.
The only downside I think to this anime was the drawing of the girls of the anime. Do all the girls need to show much cleavage? Even more so, do all of the girls need to have to be so... "well developed", so to say? With the exception of Yui, who is a child, all the girls basically band together to make up an insane amount of over-exaggerated, tiring eye candy.
Sound: 9/10
The sound of Sword Art Online was done very well. Paired with the art, it makes for an unforgettable experience. The soundtrack of Sword Art Online matches with every scene that they are put into, helping to establish the atmosphere along with the artwork.
In total, Sword Art Online has 2 opening themes and 2 ending themes, both with an obvious stronger winner.
The first opening theme "Crossing Fields" by LiSa is breath-taking. It has a tremendous build from the verse to the chorus and no doubt takes great skills to reach all the high notes that make it so much more powerful and energizing. It captures the essence of the video game "Sword Art Online" very well.
The second opening theme "Innocence" by Aoi Eri is not so much so. The second arc of the anime is very less 'tense' so to say. For that reason it fits with the opening. Though, it is definitely the less memorable of the two opening themes.
The same is true ending themes, but opposite. I find "Overfly" by Luna Haruna to be more pleasing to than "Yume Sekai" by Tomatsu Haruka. Possibly because "Overfly" is more dramatic than "Yume Sekai" but no doubt both fit the anime as to close it off, leaving the viewer on a satisfied note.
Character: 7/10
While the characters lack an impact that's truly memorable, I think it's fair to give them an 7/10.
Kirito (aka Kirigaya Kazuto) is the main protagonist of the series. He's a person who apparently closed himself off to other people at a young age, making him sort of awkward with weird people skills. Regardless, because of this, he's a big video game player and is a very powerful player. There is not anything particularly memorable to him, but in the end I find him to be likable. While he is seen as a "lone-wolf" character so to say, he is actually very sweet underneath it all. He actually is a little bit clueless but nonetheless knows to fight for the things he loves. The one thing that bothered me was the fact that he was a chick magnet without even trying. It just didn't make sense to me that someone who was an awkward people person who hardly ever went out was so popular with people.
The main female protagonist of the series Asuna (aka Yuuki Asuna) is a character I think was a little neglected when it came to designing her character in her psychological side. Her appearance is fine, I think what just bothered me was they hyped her up as an independent 'I don't need anyone' character, only for her to fall into the trap of ending up being just another tsundere who isn't particularly special at all. In fact, she ends up just being a typical damsel in distress, rendering her simply as a plot device by the end. However, despite this, Asuna is someone who cares deeply, who has her own independent streaks.
There are many other characters to this anime who frankly don't really need to be explained, because they are for the most part sidelined, with the exception of Suguha, who is only a main character in the second arc of the anime, and she is mostly used in a failed attempt at a love triangle.
Enjoyment: 9/10
Despite all it's flaws, I enjoyed Sword Art Online very much. It had me crying, screaming, cooing and everything in between. It pulled me in to the point where I finished it in 2 days; which is quite the feat for someone like me. All in all, the anime was just enjoyable because of it's ability to relate to things I like. And I'm a sucker for canon couples; so that plays a factor into it too.
Overall: 8/10
All in all, I think Sword Art Online is a well done anime. No, it isn't the best out there, but I don't think it's right to say it's very bad either. It's right there in the middle, though leaning more to the good side for me than the bad side. It's definitely something I would watch again and is definitely worth giving it a chance!