Review of Sword Art Online

Watch it! I had heard the acronym "S.A.O." for years, and wrote it off as a ridiculous fantasy show the moment I heard the full title. Why did I do this to myself?! I watched all 25 episodes of season one within a week of starting it. The plot is gripping, in my opinion, and the battle sequences are very artistically done. The only criticism I really have of SAO is for the characters. Don't get me wrong, I love Kirito and Asuna (because yay, talent--I love seeing bad guys beaten). But when it comes down to it, it is a lightnovel at heart. Kirito leads the ideal life of the quintessential video gamer. Not strongly attached to the real world, he is able to completely immerse himself in the new virtual reality, and he happens to be the best at what he does. Nevermind the fact that he didn't really participate in any athletics--in video game land, he's the best of the best! He's admired, adored! Without really making much of an effort, attractive girls throw themselves at him. The most popular girl in this new reality, Asuna, even falls for Kirito. All of this is so contrary to the harsh reality of being a video game shut-in that I roll my eyes when I think of it. But I've veered too far in that direction; even I can't help rooting for Kirito and fan-girling over his fancy swordsmanship.
Part two is awful. It's like a more chauvinistic version of part one, complete with a bustier female lead and a weakened, naked Asuna.