Sword Art Online

[durendal]

Odin has suggested to me a wonderful anime and I am currently enjoying it. It's so great that I had to create a thread for it. In summary, Sword Art Online is a story about Kirito, who is playing a virtual reality massively multi-player online or VRMMO game. It's a game that utilizes the Nerve Gear, a helmet that you wear which intercepts the information of your brain and allows you to act out your actions in a virtual environment. So it means while you are inside the game, your body will lie still in the real world. Imagine playing a game console with a setup similar to Matrix, but instead of a bigass needle sticking in the back of your head, you wear a helmet. What's different about this setup? Well. the clincher is that due to some twisted turn of events, the players cannot log out, and if their HP reaches zero, they will die in real life. In order to leave the game alive, they have to clear the game.

This anime came from a light novel, and upon learning that it exists, I immediately searched for it. Fortunately, Baka-Tsuki has all 10 volumes of it. I'm reading the light novel while simultaneously watching the anime, and so far, the anime is pretty faithful to the original source. The difference is that the anime depicts the story in a straight timeline, while the novel starts at the first chapter then jumps to 2 years after, detailing the stories in between via side story.

Obviously the next question would be - who's also following this?

[*Jess♥]

I just watched the first episode last night.

I liked the way it is made.

like the way the noob chased after the more experienced player and asked for his help. then at the end of their session, I got that same feeling of having made an in-game comrade. no knowing if you would come across that player again or if you would stay in contact, but adding them to your friends list anyway.

it's really interesting because the anime deals with something that mmo players or ex- mmo players can intimately relate to.

[durendal]

Right? I just love the way how the characters interact. And it's not just about the fighting and all that. They show the fight scenes only when necessary, or during the integral parts of the story. I get a warm feeling everytime I watch kirito interact with other players. I'm actually done with the Aicrad arc and I felt that it was a good ending and a point way to end the story. I'll see if the next arc will still fulfill my expectations.

[Matt Bellamy]

I have been loving it. The final episodes of the first arc were great.

If I had one wish, it would be that the series would never have left SAO, but still ended the same way.

Yeah, I know it is based off of some light novels, and that they early episodes were just side stories that happened after the fact... But they really could have done a lot more within the SAO world... Especially since I am not too keen on the new arc. It wouldn't be the first time an artists vision was altered... And even then, it looks like it may not delve even further after the Alfheim arc.

But I just found the large time skips a bit too jarring. Especially since he goes from lvl 40 something to lvl 78 between 2 episodes.

As for the Alfhiem arc... I was wondering how they were going to explain how he would ever stand a chance to reach Asuna if he had to start over at lvl 1, but I guess it kind of makes a bit of sense. It's a shame that it technically already has a more cohearent plot than the start of the first arc... But since he doesn't have to level up, they can spend more time on plot.

I'm just not fond of the fairy idea personally... Which is why, I wish they had just extended the SAO arc. It's all just sword/bladed weapon combat, which is a type of thing I like moreso than magic.

But I am in it until the end. They made the Kirito/Asuna relationship actually matter to people, which is one of the series strong points.

Oh, and Klein FTW.

'cause Klein is a bro.

[durendal]

Currently finished with volume 3 of the novel and it looks like some harem would be involved. I hope it's not going to be a lasting feature. So far, I'm enjoying the story thus far despite the disappointing theme of the second arc. I too am not really fond of the fairy theme. But some of the fighting in this arc looks good. And some things are just too overpowered if you asked me.

I liked the pacing of the Aincrad arc, at least you don't get to see the level grinding that every MMO player has to deal with, but they still show how tedious it was. Kirito for example exudes an aura that he has been spending all his waking moments level grinding.

[odin]

I for one love the Aincard arc so far on the anime, it just makes the series more personal for kirito trying to save asuna, although I still have no Idea how will he manage it since he will obviously be facing this time an admin that will not play fair that is unless he becomes overconfident and thinks he can take kirito without cheating, also :

I guess this games rules are different cause kirito said that he does not have his dual weild skill anymore yet on the fight against the salamander guy he used his dual weilding just fine, maybe another side effect of the netgear after playing different game? kirito's spells seem awesome as well which make me think why the other races think that sprigans spells are useless

[durendal]

Now that I think about it, finishing the story after ALO only makes sense despite my apprehension on continuing the story after SAO.

If you notice, even when he sparred with Sugu in the real world, he was using skills in SAO as his moves with their fight. It means that since he has already mastered the skill, he pretty much already knows how to use the skill without the system's help. But unfortunately, his body can't keep up with him, thus his skills are not that powerful in the real world. However, while online, his Agility is insanely fast coupled with his own mastery of the dual wielding skill, it allows him to pull the move off successfully even without the help of the system.

[xfool]

nice anime if u dun think too much about how ridiculous it is to trap in a virtual world for 2 yrs, with reports of death in the first couple of days and more subsequently it seems the authorities didnt do anything and just wait for the players to complete the game lol. Even if they couldnt shut down the game without endangering the lives of the players I m sure theres a way to hack into the system and log out all the players safely within a month at most.

Edited December 6, 2012 by xfool

[Matt Bellamy]

nice anime if u dun think too much about how ridiculous it is to trap in a virtual world for 2 yrs, with reports of death in the first couple of days and more subsequently it seems the authorities didnt do anything and just wait for the players to complete the game lol. Even if they couldnt shut down the game without endangering the lives of the players I m sure theres a way to hack into the system and log out all the players safely within a month at most.

I know there was a bit of information left out of the anime that was noted by the light novels ( they didn't note in the anime that authorities were alerted to every player location in order for them to take care of their bodies while in the game). So not having actually read them I can't say for certain, but I am pretty sure that if the players disconnected in any other way than hitting "Logout" they would be fried.

I have no doubt that they might have tried that with a few people... And those people probably died.

[durendal]

It so happens that Akihiko Kayaba is that good of a programmer that no one else can penetrate his work. Even after the SAO incident, nobody was able to duplicate his work. I have read the light novel and you are actually right about the involvement of the Government. They did setup an agency specifically for those involved in the SAO incident. Think about it, how else did Kirito managed to find Asuna?

[Matt Bellamy]

It so happens that Akihiko Kayaba is that good of a programmer that no one else can penetrate his work. Even after the SAO incident, nobody was able to duplicate his work. I have read the light novel and you are actually right about the involvement of the Government. They did setup an agency specifically for those involved in the SAO incident. Think about it, how else did Kirito managed to find Asuna?

You totally mean KAZUTO didn't you. Yeah, I know you did

[durendal]

Oh, finished watching episode 24. Looks like the end is finally coming. Also, I think they cut off the Joutenheim part in the ALO arc. That's the place Leafa and Kirito took to reach the world tree. I guess it's not really significant, but would be relevant if they decide to do the side stories of how Kirito "legally" acquired Excaliber.

[durendal]

The series finally ended. How do you guys feel about the ending? The last scene was less dramatic than I expected, but overall, I think this will be a good ending should they stop it right here. And because of the final scene in the anime, I don't think they will continue on to GGO, since I remember Kirito doing that after GGO.

[Matt Bellamy]

The series finally ended. How do you guys feel about the ending? The last scene was less dramatic than I expected, but overall, I think this will be a good ending should they stop it right here. And because of the final scene in the anime, I don't think they will continue on to GGO, since I remember Kirito doing that after GGO.

Yeah, I felt the ending itself was a bit less dramatic than I expected. Was nice to see the other girls aren;t giving up... But they will have a hard time convincing Kazuto to leave Asuna. Was never a big fan of Suguha liking her own brother. It would have been ok if she had just liked Kirito, and freaked out when it turns out he was her brother... But the Brother X Sister/Cousin thing just didn't sit right with me.

As for GGO... Isn't it pretty short? They could probably do it as a movie or an OAV. In the ending of SAO he did mention that people were able to transfer accounts between games, so it could be set up... I just don't seem them doing another full season if GGO can't fill on itself.

I just don't see them doing Alicization... It seems to be too big of a change. People want more Kirito X Asuna. They don't want a character like Kirito starting a new adventure not remembering anything from his past.

[durendal]

Well, they do have those side stories. The mother's rosario for example, would take the focus off kirito and into Asuna. And then there's the excaliber quest. These, together with GGO I think, would fill in nicely for another season. But you are right, people does seem to want to see more Kirito X Asuna.

As I mentioned, it might not be possible to do GGO since Kirito already reset his character stats, which is an integral part of GGO. With his stats reset, he can no longer dodge bullets and he wouldn't have obtained the M9000.

[Matt Bellamy]

Well, they do have those side stories. The mother's rosario for example, would take the focus off kirito and into Asuna. And then there's the excaliber quest. These, together with GGO I think, would fill in nicely for another season. But you are right, people does seem to want to see more Kirito X Asuna.

As I mentioned, it might not be possible to do GGO since Kirito already reset his character stats, which is an integral part of GGO. With his stats reset, he can no longer dodge bullets and he wouldn't have obtained the M9000.

Oh crud, that's right... He did have his stats reset.

Yeah, that kind of screws up any plans for GGO. And all they needed to do was not say that line and it would have been fine.

Though I am sure if they really wanted to do it, they would come up with an excuse to somehow still do it. Could just relogin to Heathcliff's account and alter his stats, lol.

[RazorLaser]

Just started watching it! Very nice!

[Matt Bellamy]

Figure Dump!

 

Some good looking figures coming... LATE, despite when the show ended.

 

Asuna Nendoroid

Kirito Nendoroid

 

Kirito Figma

Asuna Figma

 

I normally am not the type to buy girly figures, but I do make exceptions... But since they are releasing both Asuna and Kirito... I gots to get them both!

[durendal]

I like the nendroid, it's kinda cute. Kirito figma, not much.

I'm also done reading Alicization Running. Didn't seem like Kirito lost his memories. In fact, all his memories are intact in underworld. I'm getting a feeling that the Alicization arc will run its course like Narnia. Kirito being an old man before finally waking up in the real world.

[*guyverfan]

im glad i caught this thread, after reading it, decided to watch acouple episodes,

 

ended up watching the whole lot

 

all i can say is i need a new box of kleenex to wipe away the tears.

[*guyverfan]

on another note, not sure if anyone remembers a short live action tv series that was similar.

 

late 90's i think, think it was called harsh realm, but was more about military use of a training system/simulator in a vr, which a high ranking general takes control and people plugged in aren't able to logout.

 

pretty sure was axed after the first season, obviously most people back then didn't want to openup to the idea but i thought it had potential.

 

i don't think i shed a tear watching it as much as this anime though.

[durendal]

Hahaha, nice avatar. Elucidator and Dark Repulsor. SOA does have an interesting concept. It tingles the gamer in us with the potential of playing in a VR environment. It's exciting isn't it?

[*guyverfan]

the idea has been around for a while, i know i'd be in line for a headset if it ever becomes a reality.

without being over the top, with good scripts/plot, with just enough emotion to make it feel real and ofcourse the broad message of love conquers all, is really what drew me into this anime, i just loved it.

now, i just have to wait for the box set i just ordered to arrive so i can watch it on my big screen,(might need to stock up on the kleenx) hehehehe.

Edited January 11, 2013 by guyverfan

[*Jess♥]

I decided to watch episode 3 of this the night before last.

I think i will have to give this show a miss. it is a bit too focused on death for my liking.

sure, there is always the danger of death in many other series like naruto, but they don't focus on it too much, they seem to focus more on living and saving etc.

in sword art online it seems like each episode is saying somebody is gonna die.  maybe more than one person. most likely somebody who was focused on and developed as a character.

[Matt Bellamy]

The first few eps of SAO are pretty bleh in terms of the shows later theme... Which is the relationship between Kirito and Asuna. It is mainly because the episodes without Asuna are basically extensions of the story from after the original lite novel, and were added to try and flesh out Kirito a bit more and add some of the newer side characters into the plot.

 

Once you get the about episode 5, that starts dealing with Asuna again it does start to fit together a bit better. Though 5 and 6 do have to do with a heavy death theme again... Once it gets going though, the idea of their relationship is there through the rest of the show.

 

I really liked eps 1 and 2, so I soldiered through 3 - 6 and found myself not dissapointed with the later episodes. And I don't think it is much of a spoiler to say that, after episode 7 they stop with the really large time skipping, so things feel a lot more fluid.

 

But then again, if you didn't like the first 2 episodes very much, even getting to the good relationship parts probably wouldn't be easy.