Review of Sword Art Online

I'll take a jab on one of the most hated/loved animes I've seen here in MAL. 1st Arc: 9 / 2nd Arc: 7 My Overall Score: 8 My thoughts on the 1st Arc : - It had a very interesting plot. Since I have not watched any other anime with a virtual reality theme, there is nothing to compare it to.- Animation/Art was beautiful
- I loved Kirito and Asuna. The supporting characters were just alright. Every girl in the virtual world had a thing for Kirito-kun and I kinda get it. Evil players were downright evil. I was like hating them as well.
- Dramatic scenes got me -- I almost cried in some parts (almost!)
- OP and ED songs were fantastic! Downloaded them in no time at all
- It ended abruptly and I was not expecting it...

My thoughts on the 2nd Arc:

- After 2 or 3 episodes in this Arc, I was like "HUH?! What the hell is happening!?"
- Too many fan service involving Sugu
- Irksome relationship between Kazuto/Kirito and Sugu
- Still loved the OP and ED songs
- I was satisfied with the last fight scene though it did not have the same effect as the one in the 1st Arc

All in all, I enjoyed watching SAO. I wish they just made 2 seasons instead of cutting it into arcs. I wanted more of the 'when you die in the game, you die in reality' feel to it. It was more suspenseful to watch (wishing no one else dies, of course!).

The ending does not have the "wow!" or "awww" factor for me but I think they made the most of it.