Anime Analysis - Sword Art Online II (Commentary)
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- Let's play a game, everyone. It's called, "How many haters can shut up about the fact that ShadowACS likes Sword Art Online and just let him think what he wants."
Next review will be on a romance anime.
It's funny how all I need to do is make one review of a controversial show to make a bunch of idiots unsubscribe from my channel.
I feel like the collective IQ of my fanbase has gotten a little bit higher. :)
Hi shaowacs, I could please review death note, and FMA Brotherhood?
Then those people are petty
***** no, they are idiots for unsubscribing to a reviewer over a difference in opinion on an understandably controversial anime. If you only subscribe to people who think the same way you do, all you're doing is validating your own opinion and disregarding everyoje else's view, which is the definition of what's wrong with the internet.
Midsomnyx
Ignore that asshole, he just wants attention.
Feeding trolls is bad.
***** It's amazing how angry people can get at someone for having an opinion. I mean, come on.
Even though I dislike sword art I find it refreshing that at least one critic can openly express his liking of it, give good reasons and not bow to hater pressure.
First of all , I dislike (not hate) SAO, both 1 and 2. Feel free to label me as a 'hater'.
But it's good that you express your opinions in such a way that you don't sound like an annoying fanboy. And to some extent, at least you consider the reasons on why we 'hate' SAO. Your review was still well done, since you presented your views in a rather professional (with some touches of your own, of course) way. Even if I disagree with more than half your points, I can only say, this is a decent review. You stood with what you believed in, and for me there's nothing wrong with that. In fact I kinda appreciate it.
Keep loving SAO. There's nothing wrong with loving a show you simply love.
"HATER", I feel sorry for no one labeling you that......
I feel like if some people went into anime blind; ignoring all the hype and popularity they'd have different outlooks. I get that some people genuinely hate this show, but at the same time I'm sure most people hated it because of the popularity. It's a cliche thing to say but this is the reason I don't recommend anime to people. Let them stumble upon it themselves and make their own opinions.
Thank you!
I notice how the majority of the comments here are regarding how much people hate this show… I mean, I'm no huge fan of SAO. Frankly, it ended for me after the first half of the first season. But honestly… it's just an anime. It's a fast-paced fantasy "movie" to make it short. So much hate for it, is just dumb. Let people love what they want, it's not that hard. If you don't understand that and can't handle the fact that not everyone might have the same opinions as you, you still have a lot to learn.
Honestly, if Shadow loves SAO, how much does it affect your life?
THANK YOU!
***** You're very welcome! :)
For me SAO as a whole is just a guilty pleasure. I can put it on, switch my brain off and enjoy the action-packed light-show fight-scenes with all that epic Kajiura goodness.
***** It's pace isn't actually fast though; that's a gross misconception (need I bring up SAO II's 10 MINUTE+ CAFE EXPOSITION SCENE!!!!). Even the first half of season 1 is filled with restaurant exposition and the establishment of characters only so they can be killed by that episode's end, usually through Kirito's or their own ineptitude.
I agree there too and thanks.
It's great to see someone that sees the positives in Sao instead of bashing it i am glad i subbed to you
Don't forget the part of the manga where the author makes Kirito and Asuna fuck for the sake of selling pornographic manga. And that is not even doushen, it's written by the actual author of sword art online, meaning that the guy is a piece of shit who doesn't give a crap about his own creation. Also, if the relationship between Asuna and Kirito isn't forced, then why the fuck did they attempt to make it a harem while simultaneously making it a love story. The creators can't have there cake and eat it to. And it may have attempted to feel serious, but the show itself wasn't serious feeling at all, it was just one poorly timed action scene to the next.
16.5
John Fullker
thank you for the exact chapter number ;)
i don't like SAO because of the massive inconsistencies in character behaivour personalities and plot holes i'm not just hating it for the sake of it
i just don't like anime who use little effort to write a story because i remember watching a series almost 10 years ago that had the exact premises as SAO and it was called Hack
SAO is a fan service anime at this point i will admit it had potential in the first half but im guessing the mad the season too long because the rest of the season was filler and fan service and the only reason it got a new season is because of the fanboy followers
the season has the new harem member as a girl (i cant remember her name) with PTSD and the writer doesn't even know how to present it because half my family has PTSD and i know what the systems are. Kawahara doesn't even make it consistent because she got it from guns and is triggered by guns but yet she plays a gun based MMORPG that's bull shit people who have that kind of PTSD cant even hear fire works with out sending them into a traumatic flashback of there darkest hours of their life my sister who has it from Iraq cant stand gun fire of any kind with out sending her into a break down so every time she comes to my house i have to turn the sound down in my MMO war thunder
the reason i don't like kirito is because he is a generic insert self character with a very common Otaku problem of being a shut in and the very over used cliche talent as being a kid genius that did so much engineering at a very young age but in reality no kid has the mentality to do that at that age kirirto main purpose is to be a one size fits all anime pants for otaku to slip on and pretend that all these girls are falling on them for no reason i guarantee no girl would ever be attracted to a guy solely based on there gaming skills and if he was a master hacker why didn't he just hack the main servers and make the game release everyone oh wait thats right there would be no story if they are going to give the main character useful skill dont make it a skill that can salve the problem with in the first episodes because that's just lazy writing and he has that tocaln loli plot hack that has could have shortened the journey by so much and lessen the death toll id he was such a massive badass gamer why didn't he win all the floors on his own
kawahara doesn't know much about games because he does writes in the story that is a spit on gamers of all breeds
asuna is just a portrayal of a perfect wifu but he makes her have a inconsistent personality going from the level headed loving girl to the bitch personality aka tsundare and they switch them in a rushed, badly timed and unnecessary way hwer dad practically sold her to a complete stranger as a business deal and her mom who is suppose to be "that bitch" who apposed the marriage then why didn't she stop it ans asuna talks about him like hes a good dad after he sold her out to a creep he barely knew
and i know one thing no girl would ever share there main and i know by experience because i double dipped once when i was 15 and i got stabbed for it
in season 2 kirito got a new avatar that was really desired by the all gamers how could they not know what it looked like what it really was is a bad writers excuse to make it "gender bender funny moment" when it really wasn't it was annoying and stupid
in closing im not like those morons who unsubbed to you because they didnt like SAO i disagree with you a several anime but thats no reason to unsub i respect your opinion and like how you present your self
Here's my question: Why not give Kirito some sort of mental problem, like anger issues or depression that kinda runs his life, making him miserable, and he finds peace in these games, then work from there? Overcoming a problem that internal would lead for great character development and unstable relationships that he would fight himself to keep steady?
Read the light novels :$
sgtUltimate Didn't know there were any,
Uh because not everyone has problems like that and if you're having to give your characters over the top flaws to develop them it's bad writing?
They don't need to do that to tell a good story. All they need is to have a bunch of episodes of Kirito and Asuna going on adventures as a married couple. It's like season 2 just forgot that they had created the best marriage in fiction
Sadly, your idea of season 2 most likely won't ever come. My guess is we'll have to wait a few more years to get a fantasy with that :/
I think we should just be happy that episodes 1-14 exist and forget everything else exists.
I'm pretty sure 75% of SAO1 was very cliché I mean Kirito is THE definition of a Mary Sue.
+MrXenobro I don't agree, but you can think what you want about it.
+ShadowACS Have you made a vid on Log Horizon or seen it?
Does Kirito have a "PERSONAITLY"? What kind of character is he?
Mario Badia Nope to both?
I'm getting sick of whole Marty Sue thing tbh here it's just a word for character I don't like. I've done enough research here and well I don't agree with Kirito being a Marty Sue tbh I'm not seeing Gary Stu in him.
I don't mind SAO, its fun to watch. But I can't really defend it, especially after Digibro's analysis of it. He really tears the show apart and makes you view it in a different way.
Those videos are really fun to watch, he hates the show with a passion.
Me i find sao kinda meh, aincrad was ok, rest was pretty average, but i dont hate it, it kept me entertained enough.
So you think that because someone online told you their opinion of a show that means you have to agree with it, regardless of what your own experience with the show was?
If this guy is actually saying people are wrong if they don't agree with him, he's a terrible reviewer.
***** he doesnt say those who disagree are wrong, its more of an explanation of why he dislikes SAO so much.
Ashley Forman
The comment was more directed at the OP's reaction to it. I've never seen the guy's videos.
***** I believe that opinions are able to be enlightened...that they can change the views of someone on something they could've love or hate...
Im not saying opinions can be wrong or anything...I just believe opinions can change if the views of the person changes...but thats just me :/
On the topic of Sinon and Kirito's relationship...
I view Sinon as that great, platonic female friend that Kirito hangs out with without any romantic inclinations. To be more precise, I see these two as being drinking buddies that bond over shared life experiences and have a great rapport with each other.
It's possible that season 3 is in the works. And this might probably be the last since, they are focusing more on the light novel's arcs. The next one is the Alicization Arc. There's also a reboot to the original novels, but I'm not sure if they are going to make an adaptation, but who cares. This will be awesome!
I'm sure I'm gonna get a lot of shit for saying this, but my ideal ending for SAO would be this:
After Kirito and Asuna Escape the Game, they meet up in the Real World, and start Dating.
Several Years later, Kirito and Asuna are Married for REAL, and Asuna gives Birth to a Baby Girl.
Kirito and Asuna decide to name their Real World Daughter, after their Daughter in the Virtual World.
Yeah! Call it Cheesy if you will, but I still think that would be a Satisfying ending to S.A.O.(IMPO)
Soooooo...SAO meets Clannad After Story?
TheKazragore
Well,...... sort of I guess. But Without the Death of the Wife and the Daughter.
Nine_Tails137 No not really... That doesn't happen...
XD MiiStorixia
Well Yeah! I know it doesn't happen in the actual show, but it would still be satisfying for me. I'm not too sure about other SAO fans though.
Oh my god, THANK YOU SHADOWACS! I could not help but agree to every single thing you said in this review, even down to your comments on the previous season! I honestly love how your not even the slightest bit afraid to say you love Sword Art Online, & aren't fazed by countless haters who try to fight you on YOUR OPINION or just straight out hate & unfollow you on YOUR OPINION. I mean honestly, they unfollow you because you just happen to like something that's very popular & controversial? How childish can you be? But anyways, keep up the good work & don't let anyone change your opinion! :-)
You do realize they're pulling the story from the light novels and not just out of thin air.
You are the first person to have my exact same thoughts on this series. Props to you
I still think that SAO is the Twilight of anime
Nah, I think that title goes to Vampire Knight. Or Diabolik Lovers.
Sword Art just has awful characters in every aspect, from antagonists to the random harem squad that surrounds Kirito who is perfect in every way. You find the way they handled death fine I think they handled pretty poorly. The relationship is also incredibly forced, Asuna just randomly likes Kirito and goes from being completely independent and strong to just being Kiritos love interest. The show has a whole is just a dull, stupid, simple and cheap power fantasy for all the gamers out there. To make matters worse the climax of arc 1 is absolutely awful. Kirito surviving after he dies and the creator of Sword Art not remembering why he built it and trapped everyone in it? That's got to be the most retarded shit I've ever seen in a story. Completely disrespects the viewers intelligence. Which is a huge pet peeve for me. The only solid aspect of Sword Art is the initial concept and the animation. Which might be enough for some but is not good enough to warrant it's praise.
You know, I'd really appreciate it if more people would actually give useful feedback on the contents of these reviews instead of just flaring up into a rant at the mere mention of this show, whether for or against it.
But maybe that's asking too much of the good people of the internet.
***** I mean, I watched your review. You spent a lot of time talking about SAO S1 and why you thought it was good, I'm replying to that. If this was only a season 2 review I probably wouldn't even bring the original up. But you spent so much time on it it's kinda hard not to rant about it, because it's a huge disappointment of a show. I haven't finished the second season. The comments section is allowed for my comments on the video and it's subject matter. What struck a cord with me was your praise of a lot of what is wrong with the show. I feel like you're being way too lenient on what you like about the show. To me it's an apologist pov, you're taking a point that most people criticize and then being like "well it's not really that bad, to me". Which is fine, but it's just not something I enjoy hearing. Not because your opinion is different from mine but because I think you're wrong on a technical level. At least in regards to Kirito's relationship and the show's handling of death. So when I hear something I disagree with that's more than just a difference of taste I enjoy writing about it I don't think I should be forced to only give critique of your actual review format, writing, editing, quality, etc. That's not really what I care about, if anything I care only about what you are saying.
***** i respect that you love the show so much Shadow and your reviews are always interesting and great, but the thing is, many many many people have made long in depth analysis's on why SAO is just a really badly written series. It is a fun show to watch, but in order for me to enjoy it the way it was meant, I had to literally not pay attention to anything and turn my brain off. That is not what you should have to do when you watch a show that takes itself seriously. When I try to watch SAO (both seasons) I just laugh my ass off at how ridiculous the show can get. And IMO, the less shitty arc is the series is Mothers Rosario which is funny because it doesn't have an epic quest, doesn't have alot of kirito and has the least stupid shit (though it does have enough shit shit to kill it). If you want all of the flaws of GGO that don't make any sense without me writing a complete essay on your channel, just watch Digibro's 4 part analysis.
***** i thought the second season was okay but the first half was kinda streched out. i read the original lightnovels wich i enjoyed and the part in the cave was really streched out it should have taken only half or maybe 1 episode max and not almost 2. the shinon character was interesting as she had a good backstory wich most of the characters miss in SAO. the second half was not as good but the quest they did depicted the way a dungeon is done better then before with actual tactics and roles and not just jump in and slash away and switch if your health is low as it was in the first season with the bosses. but how the quest was generated was really forced and weird no mmo would ever inplumend something like that. the story of asuna and yuuki was nice had some story but it was indeed cliché. this anime really is for shonen fans and not so much for people who actually play mmo's those people would really be annoyed at the way the anime handles bosses and quests if you want an actual mmo anime go watch log horizon. but for shonen fans this is a great show with its action and simple story, it has it flaws but every anime has those.
in the end great review but it kinda jumped from story to characters to animation back to story wich makes it confusing at some times. maybe first focussing on the stroy and characters and then finishing with the animation would be better but im no expert.
thePANDEMlC
And at the end of the day, all those people who go on their "long, in-depth analyses" are only explaining why THEY don't like the show. You know the phrase, "There's no such thing as good or bad movies, just ones you like or don't like"? There's quite a bit of truth to that.
People are going to look at the same piece of art and see different things in it. The fact that I love many things in the show that other reviewers perceive as "flaws" is a testament to this.
If they ever make season 3, like tell the underworld story, this series would get soooo soo much better, because those books are basically 0 filler
im worried they may not announce it, as that arc is from the 9th-15th novel? maybe more? ive only read up to the 11th one so
Salazareo If we base ourselves off of the original web novels the total length of alicization would be 3 seasons, followed by the end of the series
Gandro93 I just use it as an estimate because alicization is so damn long lol (not bashing though, the arc's prob my top 5 of any story)
Did you like it, now that it's actually out?
Actualy, I believe that the next part is the one I liked the most, it takes up more than 8 books and that chapter is still ongoing and is known as Project Aliciation, and follows how Kirito goes through a new world (that has a nice back-story, and it makes you care about what happens to all of the characters AND Kirito, also he gets a his personality back again)
Man people just love to hate on reviewers... Tbh shadow I think a lot of the people who unsubscribed were salty ex darkness dragoon rose subs who just realized you and him have different opinions. I loved watching his reviews, but yours are just as good and even if I disagree with something, your points are valid same as his were.
This makes a lot more sense. I don't know why but I always thought you liked all of the first season of SOA. If it's just the first arc then I'm right there with you, I enjoyed the hell out of it, and still flew the second arc off the high of the first.
I agree with you. If they made the mom so horribly despicable to her daughter then there is no way I would relate to her thoughts on something and yes, I would also wish she would not exist any longer. How do they expect to soften us up after all that?
I will watch SAO for the plot and relationships and the great design.
Thanks for the review ShadowACS
Honestly, I despised Mrs. Yuuki at first, but the more we see of her character, the more relatable/understandable her behavior becomes. She doesn't hate Asuna, or want to hurt her, but in fact wants what she thinks is best for her (i.e., a chance to become successful and independent and be financially stable, which entails good academics). The real problem is that she doesn't seem to understand that what makes Asuna happy might be different from what makes her happy (being with the man that she loves and being able to bring happiness to the people around her instead of only worrying about herself), and when that's explained, her mother IS able to see through Asuna's eyes. This actually leads to one of the most heartwarming moments in the series, when Asuna encounters her mother at breakfast the next morning, and her mother reaffirms the need to work hard and do well both in school and in her career, but also allows Asuna to pursue her own happiness by staying at her school and (presumable) continue her relationship with Kirito without being pressured into an arranged marriage.
> The Light Novel of SAO has more arcs after Mother's Rosario Arc, and it's still ongoing. And considering how popular SAO is, it will definitely have a 3rd season at some point... especially since the highly aclaimed 6-Volumes lengthed Alisization arc is next.
> I don't really agree with Kirito being a no-personality character in GGO. As he learned that Death Gun is an SAO survivor + he was in the dark guild Laughing Coffin, his memories of SAO started coming back, adding the traumatization he killed 2 people with his own hands. Sinon was also amazing; favourite girl of the series thus far.
> The Excalibur Arc wasn't anything great, I agree; and the premise is rly nothing engaging. But I really liked how EVERYONE, Kirito, Asuna, Suguha, Sinon, Klein, Silica & Lisbeth, were fighting together as a team.
> As for Mother's Rosario, I liked it a lot. But I still prefered GGO over M'sR though. The use of the modern technology to help Yuuki, the backstep of Kirito, the focus on Asuna which made her a better character (I kinda disliked Asuna before), and the strong friendship between the 2 girls (albeit kind of a bit too quick) and strong feels, especially in the last 3 episodes, made this arc enjoyable for me. As for Asuna's mother... I wouldn't go as far as to want her to die, but she still pissed me of a hell lot.
Good review, Shadow!
Children are still angry about a cartoon? Jeez, grow up a little, people.
Even though I am rather on the fence with my opinion of SAO, I truly appreciate hearing a positive opinion of the show in such a manner as you did. Thanks, Shadow.
I actually like the Excalibur arc for mainly two reasons.It has some great Klein moments.And it's sort of the commercial break between the other arcs in season 2.In that it's not emotionally heavy like the others.
I love Calibur because it's one of the few times that we get to see those seven characters all spending time together for an extended period. The entire main cast of SAO is so enjoyable, but Kirito and Asuna (and later Leafa and Sinon) are really the only ones that get much screen time, so it's nice to see Lizbeth, Silica, Yui and Klein all back in the picture. I'd actually love to see some arcs dedicated to some of those characters in the future.
I don't know, i'd like to see a 3rd season with your ideas just to see how laughably bad it could be
Shadowacs the reason for all these arcs is because their building up to the creation of accel world in season 3 and because I've read the books! I can tell you right now that the series takes a dark turn in narrative and is overall just better. It's as if the creators finally figured out what the hell they were doing with the plot
Still could have put more effort into making those arcs actually decent.
The only arc i like from sao is the aincrad arc which would get about a 7 from me, the rest are between 3 and 6.
I appreciate that you're one of the few reviewers to actually give SAO a fair shake (it's my personal favorite anime, so I'm slightly biased, but even so the hate that it gets is absolutely ridiculous). However, I have to take issue with your analysis of Mother's Rosario, and especially with Asuna's mother. Yes, she initially comes across as a fairly stereotypical "evil parent", but as I've rewatched the show, I started to pick up on a lot of the subtle details. She definitely is slightly controlling, but she cares deeply about Asuna and just wants what she thinks is best for her. Everything that she does, she does because she thinks it's what will give her daughter the best chance at happiness in life, because she looks at the world through her own lens, and doesn't understand Asuna's different desires (at first anyways). Once they actually talk to each other, in one of the best emotional scenes of the show, their dynamic changes and the strained relationship between the two gets patched up. Asuna's mother is still stringent and demanding of things that are indisputably important (doing well in school and not giving up on further educational opportunities just to be contrary), but lets Asuna make her own choices on other things that she wants (staying in her school and her relationship with Kirito). Honestly, I'm still really impressed by how well they pulled it all off.
While I don't think sao is a great series, I do like the show. Also I like Mother Rosario arc. It actually developed Asuna a lot as a character, due to her lack of development in second half of season one.
***** Yeah that arc made Asuna haters like her instead
What I thought the second half of Season 1 do was have Asuna reflect on certain times of her life and possibly hint the her curretn status between her and her parents. So when the conflict happens in season 2, it wouldn't be so upfront of the change.
I still think the show is generally Okay at best but all I could really think is how the series could be better.
they will probably do a "what-if" scenario where its like SAO Hollow Fragment
Kirito goes to the bathroom? TAKE MY MONEY.
I still like .Hack series alot better because of its depth and complexity. I cannot stand SAO but I respect your opinion.
+1 hater of SAO who lets ShadowACS think what he wants
lol I am glad you enjoyed SAO. Good for you.
I hope they make Underworld =D (its the next arc)
In this world time compared to the real world changes. So it can be between 1k and 1.5k as fast. (meaning for every say in the real world up to 1500 days past in game.
Edit: I kinda want to hear your opinions on this compared to Log Horizon.
Shadow, you are freaking hilarious :D
ShadowACS, I did some research on the whole parent-child relationship thing that happens in anime, and I was intrigued. Apparently, Asuna's mother is supposed to be reasonable and sympathetic because she wants Asuna to be taken care of by a financially successful husband. It is sadly very common in anime. Children with stupid, evil parents like this are expected to forgive them if they did their abuse out of "love". It would be rather weird in America, where child abuse and evil parents are very much frowned upon, but in Japan, you are supposed to respect your superiors and try not to stand out. Females respect males by not reporting sexual harassment to the police, samurai respect their lords by following an honor code and killing themselves if they ever disobey, and children respect parents by forgiving them when they mess up. On the other hand, Japanese people think Americans are gun-toting, overly-emotional lunatics when they compare our culture to theirs, and I can tell they have a point. Just look at the evening news.
And a note from Sinon's backstory: In America, what she did in her past (attacking a bank robber who was about to shoot her mother and managing to kill him with his own gun) her a hero of nation-wide acclaim. In Japan, it makes her a social outcast, to the point where her own therapists make the PTSD from the incident worse. This is due to child-adult relations in Japan, rather than what Americans typically assume is some sort of gun issue. In Japanese society, children are viewed as relatively innocent, and dependent upon adults (which makes the events of SAO seem even harsher by Japanese standards). What is really at issue, is that to Japanese society, a child is thought to be incapable of killing - that Sinon is able seems to create the presumption that she has the mind set of a cold blooded killer (that her actions were in self defense being irrelevant). Which does not excuse what happened to her, merely better explain it.
I think the major thing I disagree with you in regards to this series is that Asuna and Kirito's relationship had little build-up. I think a lot of fans would have rather have them gradually build up to getting married rather than just suddenly coming out of nowhere and intruding in the action-adventure show to the point where escaping the death game is just an afterthought.
As a side note, have you ever heard of or seen Sword Art Online Abridged?
How do you feel about Log Horizon?
I haven't seen SAO, but I will never understand the hate it gets. It's okay if people don't like it, but to treat it like it's the worst thing ever? That's stupid. This is the same type of people who bash Attack on Titan for it's popularity and not for its content.
I can only completely agree with what you say here.
And I do think sword art online could make a sequel despite what your saying for the main reason that the technology of the full dive just allows for so much controversy that you could use for a story.
But ye at this point they have wasted most options in terrible ways.
Asuna to me falls into what I’m going to call the “Kairi from Kingdom Hearts Effect” in that she was introduced with more a more spunky and sassy personality and the potential to become an interesting character but the more she becomes relegated as the main characters love interest, the less interesting she gets.
It's nice to hear a different opinion from mine on this anime. Keep up the good work sir!
Dude, I just recently deiscovered you and I like your commentary very much. Subscribed. keep it up.
Hey Shadowacs, first of all, i just want to say how much i love your videos now. I already enjoyed them when i first started watching a couple years ago, but now i really love them. They are such a treat whenever they come out And you have a really fun sense of humor And analysis. This was a really good video, though i think the code geass video is still my favorite. I kinda want to see these anime now.
And now my annoying part: two questions.
First, what do you think i should cosplay as at an anime Convenience because one is comic to my nearby city in April.
Second, have you seen Avatar the last airbender recently, And if so, how would you rate it on your top 30 list if you could (considering its not a true anime). I recently watching the whole scenes in about 3 days. The first season doesn't quite hold up as well as i remember it, still great but i noticed myself getting pissed off at more things than i remember. However, season 2 And 3 are easily 10 times better than i remember And still prove why This is my favorite show. I still noticed myself getting pissed off at some moments or episodes i didn't before but i still love it. I'd like to hear your feedback on the subject. By the way, my two last favorite episodes are "the fortune teller" And "the runaway". While my favorite is a tie between "the siege of the north" And "sozin's comet".
I have to admit I really despised the first season (I mean Asuna is useless in the second arc) but I did enjoy SAO II and could watch it and be actually invested in the story. Sinon quickly became my fav character in the show (despite her becoming one of Kirito's Harem very quickly in the second arc and her unclear relationship with him) and I found myself crying by the end of the season because of *that scene which should not be mentioned*.So I think it shows that a show that someone sees as uninteresting and generic can actually become rather good with some time. Also glad to see that someone who likes the show can actually be honest about their opinion and express how they enjoy it :)
I agree with you but I actually liked the first season either way I liked the second season
Decent review Shadow, For Gun Gale I did like it and Death Gun was an awesome villain, the Calibor arc I thought was fun to watch and you got a break from the dark stuff Gun Gale had so that was a plus and Klein made my day in that, and Mother's Rosario was by far one of the best tearjerkers I've ever seen(the mother I can agree to, but she learned her lesson). Though there were some things I can't agree with what you said in this review Shadow, I still respect your opinions.
Personally I really liked the first 3 episodes of SAO because I thought it was a deep psychological action fantasy sci-fi anime. I felt after episode 3 they got distracted and were kind of lost at what the show (or I guess light novel to be more accurate) was originally going for. I felt that they were then trying to find their place by shifting to a harem romantic comedy, then to a mystery series, and then to a normal romance. I felt that they were getting back on track after the stuff with Yui (i think that's her name) ended, but was still in recovery from the large change to the series. At that point I felt it was more of an action shonen with some it's ridiculous aspects of plot armor (ie introduction to dual swords that only the main character uses and only reveals in a critical situation) and the ending of the 1st half was more like shonen ending then an ending I would except from the first 3 episodes. On the other hand I really liked the 1st half of SAO 2 because it showed it's premise and stuck to it and grew from it. Like you said, it is a focused plot. I feel like SAO isn't as bad as people say, it's just you don't get consistency with SAO. Like you might like SAO because you OK with adjusting to different genres every few episodes and are still a fan of those genres. I, on the other hand. was mostly watching SAO for a story a lot like the first 3 episodes. SAO 2 fulfills that way better becuase I got what I saw in the premise, a mystery action anime.
Also this is just my opinion and I respect yours. It's stupid how your subs left for such a dumb reason.
light novels still ongoing so there is probably going to be a season 3.......i;ve read the light novels and personally i think next season of SAO will be the best because it doesn't have side story's
I can't wait for the next season. The light novels were so good
Please aim your grievances towards Reki Kawahara regarding the plot of SAO.
Sword Art Online was originally a light novel series, not a manga. Adapting light novels is a bit different than adapting manga, and this explains why the different "parts" of SAO are so distinct and could almost stand alone.
Wow, you voiced my thoughts intirely on SAO's first season, Shadow
Shadowacs! Look at all this hate comments! I'll grab the popcorn, this is gonna be great
And now i'm glad that i didn't watch the mother's rosario arc. Sounds like they turned Asuna's mother into a 1-dimensional evil mom. in general i think that the anime in general simplifies a lot of stuff that made the novels so great. I really hope they don't fuck up the Mother's Rosario arc. Because that one is a wonderful new start. And also has a lot of stuff that one can fuck up like that.
This was a really good review Shadow I really loved the first season of Sword Art Online the second half I didn't like to much but it's a guilty pleasure true that I really enjoyed the relationship between Kirito and Asuna you said what I was thinking Season 2 in my opinion is a really great anime to watch first half was great and not boring Death Gun was a boss and seeing him gives me that feeling you are fucked the middle half I do agree there nothing much about it the last half of season 2 I fully disagree with you there except for the mother you are so right about her she needs to die!!! Asuna and Yuuki was really great friends and helped one and the other (I won't ruin what happens to Yuuki or the last half of SAO 2 witch I really don't know why you not watch it or whatever) it was a original story and tons of feels no joke as well Asuna had huge roll in it. fun fact (witch you might already know or forgot to mention it if not here you go) the animation and writes of SAO 2 were actually following the light novels with a few little things that were different but a side from that it was still a pretty good to watch I still respect your video and your reasons and I know SAO isn't for everyone and it's cool.
Well, then I am happy with what I did watch. I watched SAOII back when it was only partly finished. I mean that the GGO arc was done, and the mini-arc was done, but the Asuna's mom arc hadn't come out yet. When I caught up, I stopped watching. I loved GGO, but I'm glad I didn't see SAOII's second half.
Jeremiah Shelton You need to watch it... *Seriously.*
I think the evil mother storyline was 1 of my 1st introductions to that character type. I don't mind it to be honest. I'm okay with your opinions ShadowACS.
"Death Gun is SAO's first truly great villain," this due to his unnerving mystique, which is caused by, "not knowing his motivation, or how he's managing to kill people inside the game." We eventually learn that his method of killing is FULL of plot holes, inconsistencies, and conveniences. So what about him is great? He has shallow, one-time only appeal.
Hey Shadow awesome review as always XD I was wondering if you could tell me how you can get copy rights for your youtube videos? It would be really helpful, Anyway I can't wait to see what romance anime you review next.
Fun fact: I'm from Sweden and about 80% of my IQ is knowledge i gained from watching you and The Game Theorists
They took it seriously even though no one is dying because that how people are in real life. Some of them take gaming way too seriously even though it's not suppose to be that serious.
I kinda understand you, but still funny how their level of seriousness: live and death situation=gaming
The weird part is that the next arc is possibly the highest-stakes one, and likely the longest. It's bizarre.
The thing is they are going to continue because these are all adaptations and they are very acurate to what happened in the light novels that these stories originated from. There will most likely be a 3rd season to wrap it all up and finish the last big game from the LNs and I am really looking forward to it.
Sword Art Online III is inevitable. The second season was one of the highest tv series sellers last season in Japan and likely is in the top ten if not then top five for the entire year. Also the "Alicization" arc is very popular in SAO and I'm sure the creators wouldn't want to miss out on $$$.
My biggest problem in SAO2: Asuna's mother doesn't understand that Kirito saved Asuna's life. Actually, no one seems to get it. It's almost like Alfheim Online didn't even happen. (Also, why does Asuna have an avatar that looks like her mother?)
Actually, in my opinion it did not happen. Aincrad arc was the first and after that comes GunGale Online.
The other stuff doesn't matter so much if at all. Gun Gale had some interesting stuff going on with Kirito and it tied in with Aincrad pretty good. The scene where Kirito talks with the nurse is one of the best moments in the series in my opinion.
Sadly the other arcs were just a freaking pain to sit through. Especially the scenes with Asuna's mother.
Sword Art Online were originally light novels separated into 3 stories, Sword Art Online which got good reviews, Alfiehm Online which got mixed reviews, and GunGale Online which got good reviews I don't know if the 2 stories from SAO 2 were originally light novels or not
I just, can't get into this show. The concept had been done to death, Kirito is the definition of a wish fulfillment character, he is so OP every fight scene with him loses tension, all of the female characters aside from asuna are useless, and somehow all love Kirito for some reason even though he's boring, death gun is an awful villain, dumb name, not to mention since it's two people, how does the second guy even know when to kill someone in the real world?? Also, why does Kirito stay in the game when he SAW death gun kill someone on A LIVESTREAM where everyone could see him! He can stop now! He accomplished what the FBI or whatever told him! He can leave now and arrest deathgun! But no the serious needed a good climax and a fight to break up the TEN OVERLY LONG EXPOSITION SCENES! So boring! Ugh! Rant over, sorry :P
I would like to clarify that SAO was based on the writers light novels and so rhe inevitable ALO arc everyone bashes on was going to happen and the reason Sugo wanted to marry Asuna is for control of her parents company. And a couple hundred players didn't wake up so Kirito sent himself in to help. GGO then had to follow suit and they could make abother season. Not just for corporate riches but for the last arc the UW arc. The problem you may have had is that it wasn't rebranded as GGO or ALO and as SAO II to make it easier for ppl.
If I'm wrong in anyway pls tell me I thought I just had to say
Would say that after reading the light novels, a season 3 would be amazing. The first 8 light novels (seasons 1-2) were decent, but I would be really surprised if they weren't going to make a continuation judging by how great the following story is.
Something tells me you will love SAO 3.
SPOILERS AFTER SECOND PARAGRAPH
---------------------------------------------------------
I loved SAO, and always will.
The character development was actually pretty amazing, for how short the aincrad arc was they really filled out all of the characters really well. The side stories didn't annoy me at all the first time watching through (although they kind of do now, and it's depressing because it's mostly side stories), because they were all something showing character development for Kirito or building plotpoints. I can't actually say I feel anything was wasted, even the one where he goes to the swordsmith girl was because he was forging his second sword and needed help.
Do I think they ended Aincrad too soon? Yes. Do I think that may have been a mistake? Yes. Do I feel like they should have done it differently? Maybe, but it's the way they wanted to write it and I still think it could be building up to something.
Now onto SAO 2. I think GGO was poorly written and really didn't like it that much, maybe that's because I watched SAO for swords and not guns. The second half of the season was mostly fillers/kind of dumb shit as you said, but the Yuuki part actually struck me a bit emotionally.
I don't generally get emotional about shows/movies in general (Never really), but I can admit that the ending of SAO 2 had my eyes watering up. Although I did skip through most of the dumb shit in the season, it still hurt seeing it happen because I knew it would.
(Spoilers)
Here you have a young girl with AIDS, who is clearly going to die soon. Asuna takes the time to become good friends with her even though she knows very well that her condition won't get better. This is well written, but didn't really hit me very hard emotionally.
The thing that hit me hard was Yuuki's guild. I don't even remember any of their names. But when one of them came up as Yuuki was dying and tried to act all cheerful as if everything would be fine right before suddenly bursting into tears, my eyes actually started to water up a bit.
Also, I think Kirito kept from fighting Yuuki at his fullest because he knew what was wrong with her. Which would also explain why he (apparently) said she was stronger than him.
-rant
For anyone who's seen the dub. I never had a problem with Bryce Papenbrook. I actually liked and enjoyed him as as voice actor. So why is it everybody else hates Bryce?
Well in all honesty, I didn't like season 2 as much as I did season 1, though I will admit that many of the critical issues that season 1 had were fixed in this season.
I thought season 2 was better than the first season but that's just me.
You want to see a romance showing what happens AFTER the two main characters got together? Try Itazura na kiss, a good shojo that you should check out. There is also Kare Kano but it's incomplete.
Great review, as always :) It's nice to see a positive review in the sea of rants and people bashing the heck out of this show. While I'm not a big fan of SAO myself, I do agree with a lot of your points. Sinon, at least to me, is the best character in the entire series, and Gun Gale was good despite some of its problems. I wish more time was spent in Gun Gale, with all the characters of SAO, just to explore the world further. The filler arc in Alfheim was a waste of time. Then we've got Mother's Rosario, the "final third" if you will. I...actually stopped watching the show after episode 19 because of how much I hated the mother's attitude, even though she had some pretty valid points about what Asuna should do with her life (despite the "forced marriage" part, anyway). I just couldn't take it.
Also, out of curiosity, what was your reaction to Kirito's feminine-looking avatar in Gun Gale? You don't have to respond, I was just wondering.
I like the show and how they actually have a relationship throughout the show like you said.
SAO I was kinda like 11 Eyes for me. It looks awesome from the outside and while you're watching it but after the show ends and you sit down to think about it for any extended period of time, you realize that it has 10 million plot holes, shallow cliche characters, a done before but better plot, and it takes itself way too seriously. If SAO had tried to be less of a drama and more of an action adventure show then I would have liked it a lot more. I don't hate it but I don't think it's very good either.
you know the next season maybe even after that is supposed to be 1 story based on a really big story arc from the material not two separate stories and I think that's awesome
But yeah, as for another season, I honestly wouldn't mind if, say, they wound back the clock and followed the storyline of another group of people in SAO. They could revisit things only talked about in the first season (like the incident on floor 64-or-whatever) and you wouldn't know if the characters will survive or not, it could be really atmospheric and tense if done well.
I do really understand the part about ALO referring to people taking it too damn seriously, but although it was a mediocre second half at best I still liked it. Suguha I thought was great (and technically aren't they cousins? Japanese laws? Anybody?), and yes, putting Asuna in a damsel in distress position was dumb. But a lot of the time, it felt like this to me: Asuna: "Oh the writiers put me in a fucking cage, great. But don't think I'm just gonna sit here and do nothing about it." Asuna did whatever she could. She was nearly able to escape, if it weren't for those weird assistant blob things. So eh I guess I'm not that harsh but still I enjoyed ALO a lot, somewhat as a guilty pleasure but some parts to me still seemed good.
will you ever do Black Butler 2 or 3? Just curious. Love your vids.
Well the author of the original light novels wrote these sequels. He's still cranking them out, 2 every year because they're popular and is not above changing things if he's think it will make the story more marketable and net him more money. There is a 7 book arc next that may be adapted in the future.
AlfHeim wasn't the problem for me , it was story's necessity to make Kirito the character that solves every conflict and comes up with every idea at the expense of the other character's intelligence. I won't ramble about that again.
Kirito's PTSD is over in the blink of an eye. Asuna could have played a bigger role in that as she knows what he's going through.
There is an anime that I strongly recommend called "Monster". I just started watching it, and it is a great psychological mystery anime with a villain that is perhaps the best anime villain of all time.
I finished the second half in about 2 days.
don´t drop it because its so long, theres not a single minute to much
Just interested: is it PTSD or just mental breakdown that Kirito has, since PTSD would not just come and go in few days. After talk with nurse it isn't brought up again.
Apparently there's is more material in the light novels, so there will most likely be a season 3.
Okay I have 4 guesses of what your next anime review is going to be it is either H2O Footprints in the Sand, Ef: A Tale of Memories along with Melodies, Clannad, or Anohana The Flower we saw That Day let me know if I am correct or not
You know that SAO is based off a light novel of the same name right. any sequel they have planned is already written down, i say this because watching the end of this video sounded like you weren't aware of that. not trying to be insulting just wanted to let you know is all. Also they have more than enough material from the light novel for a 3rd or 4th season so yea look forward to it or don't.
Wow, people are taking the jokes I made toward the end of this review waaaay too damn seriously.
Fan of your channel just so you know. sorry if i sounded rude wasn't my intention.
12:00 woooaaa.. dude a video game shutting down is big problems...well for a gamer
Holy crap...people are so angry here!
I liked your view, even if some of your views strayed from mine haha. I don't believe I watched the second season correctly though to rate it. I read the light novels first and so I filled in all of the blanks that the anime left out. I liked GGO though, I had no problems with it. I binge-read it one day when I was sick and bed-ridden. It actually scared me a bit (though I'm sensitive to begin with.) The anime didn't give me the same vibes, though I was super happy to see it animated. As for the excalibur section...I didn't even pay attention to it. I was wondering why they even animated it. I didn't even care enough to read about it. It's not important, just a little side story. As for the Mother's Rosario, I liked it better when I read it. I didn't mind the mean mother thing. It kinda showed another side of the whole SAO situation, what the families felt about it. Of course they were worried, but this time we see how a parent who is honestly thinking about her child's future just doesn't show her feelings correctly at all. Her not wanting her child to play the video games is understandable. I would be uneasy about it too.
Anyways, I only really care about GGO. I am happy that you gave the show a positive rating. People see, to be analyzing it and putting it down and all that, but I'll never forget when I watched it fro the first time without knowing what people thought about it first and how I very much enjoyed it. People can say what they what, but I'll see for myself before I listen to what others think.
I hope there is a third season though. Alicization is cool and sometimes when I think about it I get sad. It's a long story but Kirito actually...well...develops. He develops. While reading it, I've seen him admit to the stupid things he did and I think, "oh, so he noticed it too". It's pretty cool, though I know people will just bash it anyways. x.x
(I'm not spell checking this)
One thing I've never figured out is WHY KRIRITO AND ASUNA DIDN'T BUY RINGS IN REAL LIFE! There such things as promise rings that you get. anyway, nitpick
Funny, most reviewers have the opposite reaction,saying that the second story arc was better than the first.
And there is still another arc where Kirito loses his memory or something which may come up. They should have just ended with the first story arc.
Shadow, will you watch Shinmai Maou no Testament? Since you see Date A Live as a guilty pleasure. I does have a bit more ecchi though
Okay so the second half of Season 2 were filler but there is one more light novel that hasn't been made into an anime adaptation yet so a 3rd season is possible but also not possible at the same time
I Agree with you a lot ShadowACS. I'm gonna still love and watch Sword Art online too in my opinion. I've seen every episode of sao.
I agree with you. I loved sword art online(the first arc) and had dreaded SAO 2. I was impressed by GGO, but was disappointed by mothers Rosario. I think Asuna's mom's argument is justified but was poorly executed. The creators portray her as evil, yet she probably just wants what she thinks is best for her daughter.
Also, I thought that Asuna had backwards development. After SAO, she was put in a damsel in distress role and in this season, she acts weak. Her personality was not as strong too; she was more assertive in the first season, but very passive in the second.
I hate how it's turned into a Harem. Kirito is FLIRTING with most of the other characters in the show even though Asuna is his girlfriend/wife. And, the other girls won't back off even though they know that he's with Asuna. It's like the girls' friendships are a complete farce!!
I'm glad we share the same opinion though. Glad to know that there are still people who aren't mindless haters or fan girls/boys.
Not gonna argue forced Romance for now,but
1:14 It's 100% serious minus the filler episodes and romance
1:20 I've been meaning to ask this question:Why do people act like they're in pain when they die in a videogame?The poison strikes you after you die.On Topic:I cared for noone who died in the game.They're pretty much fodder characters except for that one girl
1:28 A little bit but rarely any of it is shown or applied to the main plot.Not to mention it lacks actual MMO material saying from a person who has played MMOs
1:44 As if people in this game weren't already finding happiness and salvation besides them two
1:54 Overused cliches:The comical boob grab,Declaration of protection mostly involving the love interests,Tromping insurmountable odds through sheer willpower(in a VIDEOGAME/no make sense),Contrived ecchi scenes(when Asuna took her clothes off by a unnecessary misunderstanding),Secondary, romantic rival characters(every other girl)
2:13 The guildmaster and that one Skull Guild member pretending to be in their guild were basically the evil parent cliches
Skips SAO second half
7:30 Swords.... used ....again....
7:55 Character development besides Asuna is rather pointless which we don't see at all unless we focus on her
8:40 The first three episodes are just exposition in cafes,the worst possible way of writing in exposition,especially when nothing else is happening
9:00 I called the villain to be Sinon's friend since he was introduced...
10:19 Kirito only has one girl.Sinon likes him indefinitely though, the mini arc and ED English translation makes it obvious.Kirito has somewhat of an idea that she likes him.Sinon gives Kirito excalibur if he thinks about her when he uses it
I seriously hope they take the time to keep making SAO progressive and then animate it. I think it would rake in alot of fans/money cuz all those time skips gives alot of content to be found
Hey Shadow, are you going to review Kill La Kill at some point?
I really dont like the show, but that doesn't stop me from liking this channel
They will probably make a season 3 with the light novel ongoing I dont see them stopping soon, even though they hype with this series died down immensely. Personally I liked the beginning of the first arc and parts of the 3rd arc this season everything else I found ranging from meh to Shit. Plus the fanservice really really pissed me off like when Kirito looked at Sinons arse then suddenly pulls the death gun explanation out of his Arse. Don't even get me started on Sinons friend reveal. Urg that was bad
Wow, if that's all the fanservice it takes to piss you off that much, you really oughta stay away from a ton of anime.
***** well if a show has a serious tone like this one having one of the main characters constantly dressed like a stripper with a bunch of ass shots and stuff like a changing scene in a video game ( which makes no sense) I dont mind some shows with fanservice like monogatari but its done in a different way and doesn't distract what its trying to do. But most of the time I hate fanservice with a passion but I wont go into why. Sorry if I came across as an asshole in these comments but this show pissed me off alot.
Alex Cook I'm fine with a moderate amount, but there is such a thing as too much. The way my friend put it in reference to High School DxD was "We get it, they have boobs."
You speak much truth.
Though the slow episodes at the beginning of GGO and Kirito's emotional affair with Shinon ruined it for me. I just hated GGO and wanted Shinon dead the whole time for getting too close to Kirito.
Also the lack of episodes with Kirito and Asuna doing stuff ruined everything. The best SAO episodes are the ones that focus on Kirito and Asuna's marriage. SAO 2 forgot their greatest part and created a lot of crap.