Review of Sword Art Online
Welcome to Robert's Too Late Review! Working dub as usual. Today I imagine might be my first ever review with 0 'likes', one because I rate it way too high for the haters, and too low for the fans. But I have to call them as I see them, so to speak. If you want a quick of it, it's worth jumping into, though the second half of the season doesn't stand as well as the first. Let's jack in with our Nervgear and see what's going on! Story: 7 I scored this one lower because, SPOILER HERE after they leave SAO for Alfhein a great dealof the tension is lost. Yes Asuna is still in extreme danger, and the other 300 SAO players are being horribly experimented on, but without the fear of death in the main character, it loses a lot of its gut-punch. In the first half, when they are all in SAO together, and every wrong move meant permanent, real life death, there's an air of danger around everything they do. But once SAO is broken and Alfheim becomes the focus, the suspense drains from it. While the main female, Asuna, can still die if defeated in game, she's kept in a literal gilded cage to protect her.
At one point the main character shouts to another in Alfheim that he won't let another party member die, not again. Well, problem here is that death is nothing more than an inconvenience. It might reset a few hours of play or respawn you further from the battle, but there's no 'real life' implications. In fact in Alfheim people regularly (including the main character) log out for real life obligations. I know the series was trying to replace the tension of every monster battle being their last in SAO with the urgency of stopping the evil bad company from doing their nefarious brain research. Just doesn't carry the same weight.
Another sticking point is that Asuna is to marry. She's in the same state as she was in SAO, along with the 300 other players. She cannot be removed from the VR gear or she'll die. She's still trapped in a virtual world. Even though her and the main character fall in love, some skeezebag decides (and arranges!) to marry basically comatose Asuna. Of course said skeezer is the master of Alfheim, of course. This means the main character has to infiltrate yet another world and save his beloved from yet another madman. The first time, great, the second time, it seems a bit tedious.
Then there's the usual knock of incest Japan is so well known for. The main character's little sister (who in all actually is his cousin) has a thing for him and is initially jealous of his time playing games and even more jealous over Asuna. Using an avatar that looks nothing like her, and a username, she befriends her big brother/cousin in Alfheim and helps him in his attempts to rescue his beloved Asuna. In doing so, she realizes how much the main character loves Asuna, and realizes her feelings can be reciprocated (unless you live in Alabama!) so she makes peace with her feelings.
As expected, the fights are awesome, and the main character is an utter badass. Asuna holds her own well, and the battles are over the top good. The fact that game death means real life death gives each encounter a dread that it could be the character's last. In fact, the show does not shy away from people dying in game, and therefore in real life. It's all pretty well done, except I would have put Alfheim somehow before SAO, as SAO has a bigger story impact.
Art: 7
Even with the banging fights, I couldn't help but notice some cookie cutter characters in appearance. Take Sugu, Yui, and that guild chick that dies, and they are all basically the same character. Other than that complaint, everything does look good, and the sword and magic effects work well.
Sound: 8
I adore all the opener and closers, and they sounds great. The voices never strain the ear, except perhap Yui. Since Yui isn't all that big of a support cast member, it's not so bad. Asuna's voice is perfect, and the main character nails it pretty well too.
The background music is nice and well done, rising and falling as needed. The music fit the overall theme, SAO's background music conveys the tension whereas Alfheim seems lighter and less dire. The music is used effectively.
Character: 8
The biggest complaint I have character wise deals with Asuna. She goes from a totally badass sword swinging warrior chick to basically a damsel in distress awaiting her 'prince'. I found her character arc in Alfheim to be a huge letdown from the ass kicker she was in SAO.
The main character also takes this hardline stance on people dying in Alfheim even though it's NOT SAO. Death is not permanent, yet he flies around and fights like his life literally depended on it, which in SAO it did. But he takes Alfheim far too seriously. Yes, saving Asuna is the goal and all, but dude, chill a little. Also don't pick your starting race in an mmo without giving it any thought.
The rest of the characters round out fine, and keep it interesting. I would have liked to seen more of the blacksmith that forges the main character his second sword, but oh well.
Enjoyment: 8
I did really like my time with SAO. I plan to continue watching it. It doesn't deserve the hate it gets, but it's not also the shining pinnacle of perfection either. Just a fun show, with some great elements built in.
Best Girl: Asuna. Even if she weakens as the plot continues, she's still one hell of a badass, so that wins my vote every single time. Not to mention they draw her all cute too!
So ignore the haters, take a grain of salt from the lovers, and just enjoy this show for its own merits. It's not so bad, it's not the best ever, but it is a good time. Keep that in mind and everything should fall into place for you. Thumbs up! Now where's that damn logout button?