Other Names: SAO, ソードアート・オンライン
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Writer: Reki Kawahara (Original Story)
Director: Tomohiko Ito
Music: Yuki Kajiura
Type: LN Adaption, TV Series
Length: 25 mins per ep. approx. 25 Episodes
Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Shounen, Game
Rating: PG-13
Air Dates: 7 July 2012 - 22 December 2012
Alternate Recommendations: Log Horizon & Btooom!
Synopsis:
In the near future, a Virtual Reality Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (VRMMORPG) called Sword Art Online has been released where players can control their avatars through brain waves using technology called "NerveGear." When players enter the game, they discover they cannot log out, as the game creator is holding them captive. To escape, players must beat the game by defeating each boss on all 100 floors; however, if they die in the game, they die in real life too. Their struggle for survival starts now...
Review:
The story can be divided into two different arcs the first being the Aincrad Arc which is better arc of the two having a fun and morbid story following Kirito as he tries to survive the VRMMORPG (Virtual Reality, Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) death game Sword Art online in which he has been trapped in after its realise with thousands of other player with a great twist that if you die in game you die for real. At first this may seem similar to the .hack franchise or Log Horizon but instead of people standing around talking or working politics theirs more shiny battles and great boss fights more like MMOs which add a element that these player could die at any second as well as that the players are even more dangerous touching upon personality changes when people play games while throwing in different game phrases to make it seem more like a game.
The second half of the plot The Fairy Dance arc taking place directly after the first one can be summed up briefly as a complete mess with a boring story and characters that are forgettable except from Leafa/Suguha who is main characters Kirito's cousin who at least has some development and interesting characters as well strange feelings for her cousin (wincest). Not forgetting the boring politics side story and some tentacle fun and molesting like scenes that spoil the atmosphere at time.
The Characters of SAO are its weakest piece with flat boring main characters with no real personality firstly Kirito as all he is that Over Powered knight in shining armour with a harem on the side type while Asuna the lead female character has more personality as seems quite interesting at the start but as she progresses she becomes a dumbed down whiny girlfriend that just as boring as Kirito. The side characters are the better side of the cast with really personality's and interesting stories but have little screen time only on for a episode or a few minutes every few episodes. The only other main character with an real development was Leafa/Suguha who has a nice personality and bit of development during her role in the Fairy Dance Arc.
One of the better aspects of the show is its animation and visuals with amazing set pieces that look beautiful and unique every time a new one appears making the setting feel more like a game with well done towns, dungeons and wilderness that is eye candy. As well as great animation from all characters that make them feel real and amazing fight scenes that beautiful and worthy of all praise. However the animations on its own is nothing note worthy.
The OST is amazing and has a track for every scene in the anime making each scene feel new and interesting from cheerful town music, great fight music to sad tone sounds all in orchestra format done by Yuki Kajiura the master behind the Madoka Magica soundtrack. Voice work is also great making all characters feel alive and interesting even the boring Kirito and Asuna.
Final Verdict:
Story: 7
Characters: 6
Animation: 8
Sound: 10
Final Score: 7.6/10
Sword Art Online Extra Edition:
Information:
Other Names: S.A.O: Extra Edition, ソードアート・オンライン Extra Edition
Director: Tomohiko Ito
Music: Yuki Kajiura
Type: Special, Original, Recap, Sequel
Length: 1hr 41min. 1 episode
Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Shounen, Game
Rating: PG-13
Air Dates: 31st December 2013
Recommend: Game Fans, Stream don't buy.
Synopsis:
Yui wants to see a whale with Kirito during an underwater quest in Alfeim Online. During the quest however, it is revealed Leafa cannot swim. Asuna and the other female characters decide to train Suguha in a real-world pool to help her in ALO. Meanwhile, Kirito meets a certain someone.
Review:
The story similar to the first season can be spilt into two parts but is set out a bit differently as for the starters the first half of the episode is roughly an hour long and is mainly just a recap of the first season with some extra scenes of the female cast swimming in a pool or in the locker room while teaching Suguha how to swim and is mainly there to just serve as fan service or light comedy as the girls look at each others breasts or casually talk while Kirito sits in a room talking to a man about the events of that have taken place aka the first season which I bit of a let down and kind of made the episode a disappointment.
The second half of the show is only short and is a fun ride taking place in Alfhiem Online after the first season where Kirito and crew attempt an underwater quest while primarily serving as the series' beach episode but still serving as a fun episode as you see characters slash through an underwater dungeon.
The characters in the show feature main characters from the last series being Kirito, Asuna and Leafa while have the rest of Kirito's harem return plus Agil to help him with the quest while getting some extra screen cause you know that's always fun, while also flashing of their new appearance which is always a nice thing.
There are a few new characters added to mix some important some not such as the new NPC character added are nice but don't really have any personality just like real NPCs which was a nice touch but the series also adds characters that will become a relevant in future series.
Verdict:Story: 5
Characters: 6
Final Verdict : 5.4/10
