Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II

A new tournament, Squad Jam 3, has been announced in the popular VR game Gun Gale Online. This time, Pitohui, one of the best performers in the previous competition, offers to team up with Karen Kohiruimaki, better known in-game as LLENN, the "Pink Devil." Despite her initial reluctance, Karen agrees to join Pitohui's team, LPFM, since she looks forward to facing SHINC, her rivals from the previous Squad Jam.

The newly formed LPFM enrolls in the tournament and is quickly recognized as the favorite to win due to the caliber of its players. As they strive to come out on top and win Squad Jam 3, LLENN, Pitohui, and the other members of LPFM battle against other competitors and tackle unexpected challenges.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Kohiruimaki, Karen Main

Kusunoki, Tomori Japanese

Pitohui Main

Hikasa, Youko Japanese

Shinohara, Miyu Main

Akasaki, Chinatsu Japanese

Asougi, Goushi Main

Okitsu, Kazuyuki Japanese

Kirigaya, Kazuto Supporting

Matsuoka, Yoshitsugu Japanese

Kirishima, Mai Supporting

Kouno, Marika Japanese

Clarence Supporting

Komatsu, Mikako Japanese

Kusunoki, Risa Supporting

Shiraishi, Haruka Japanese

Nitobe, Saki Supporting

Asai, Ayaka Japanese

Sam Supporting

Watanuki, Ryuunosuke Japanese

Hashimoto, Wataru Producer

Yoshioka, Yuusuke Producer

Sakoi, Masayuki Director

Aketagawa, Jin Sound Director

Reviews

Jan 8, 2025

kotkowski

Recommended

Didn't except much. The creator of manga already proved to be able to create way better story, in the waste-potential Sword Art Online. The anime had few weirder moments, that would never occur in any game ever, but it was still enjoyable experience.

Surprises were well foreshadowed, and most viewers probably would miss them, or not think about foreshadowing too much. It's really nice preparation and execution. The amount of characters once again is so huge, they are all blending together, leaving rather bland mix of generic characters, with few pieces of strong personalities among gags.

There's also the finale of each arc, just like in first ... season, filling me with chills about psychotic behaviour of LLEN in those few situations.

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by kotkowski (3)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Dec 30, 2024

colelouch

Mixed Feelings

This anime is a decent and enjoyable watch, but it falls short of its potential, leaving me frustrated with what could have been. My biggest issue lies with season two, which feels too “safe.” By the end of the series, there isn’t much new or significant information that changes what we already knew about the plot or characters from season one. While we do gain deeper insights into Llenn and Pitohui’s personalities and mindsets, their character arcs were already well-developed in the first season. That said, this aspect was handled competently.

Unfortunately, other characters like Fuka and M receive minimal development, and much of the focus ... remains on conflicts that were already resolved in season one. The game setting also feels outdated. While the concept worked well in 2018, by 2024, the mechanics, especially in the earlier episodes, seem dated. The constant tinkering by the developers within the game disrupts the flow, leaving the characters with little time to adapt or strategize properly.

Pitohui’s plans succeed far too often due to excessive plot armor: her reckless strategies prevail even when a single logical counteraction could have unraveled them. Additionally, there are no new characters introduced, and the story sticks to the same cast, same stakes, and same game. The final arc attempts to consolidate the cast and showcase new weapon types, but it doesn’t add much depth.

The lack of animation quality in episodes 9–11 ending is disappointing, especially when compared to the impressive visuals in the finale. However, the voice acting is a strong point, with Hisaka Youko’s energetic performance as Pitohui standing out.

Overall, while this anime is watchable and enjoyable, it plays things too safe. The production team seemed content with creating something decent rather than pushing for a standout project. What felt refreshing and exciting in 2018 now feels rather average in 2024, unable to truly stand out in today’s competitive market.

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by colelouch (33)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Dec 25, 2024

MaiDeNaBysS

Not Recommended

S1 had a story to tell, S2 does not. That alone immediately disqualifies this season as soulless cash-grab filler not worth watching.
It's simply 2 arcs of a pointless action battle royale and a siege mission in which the boring shooting action gets drawn out 5x longer by pointless stuff and brain-damaging dialogue filler.
The characters may as well be completely different people in-game vs irl because of how bad the lack of character consistency is.
The environmentalism and anti-war messaging was thrown in so hamfistedly and shallowly/briefly that it was comical and borderline damaging to its cause.
The barest of game mechanics they did establish such as with ... bullet lines were used inconsistently in ways that contradicted itself.
Whoever wrote this barely understands war games and mostly just did a bunch of dumb stormtrooper nonsense and silly exploits.
No worldbuilding. No character development. Trash/filler dialogue. No plot.

Reviewer’s Rating: 2

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by MaiDeNaBysS (17)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Sword Art Online Watch Order (containing TV, OVA, Specials, Movies etc.)

by AMBITZZ

26 Entries · 4 Restacks

Animes in which Koeda Animation has participated

by Shakitonu31

19 Entries · 2 Restacks

Female Protagonist in Isekai (No shoujo/josei)

by lKinol

24 Entries · 55 Restacks

Recommendations

Fall 2024 Simulcast List [Update 10/7]

In this thread, you'll find a comprehensive list of television anime acquired for simulcast release during the Fall 2024 season. Anime series licensed for home ...read more

Oct 1, 2024 11:20 AM by Snow | Discuss (10 comments)

Fall 2024 Preview

In this thread, you'll find a comprehensive list of Fall 2024 titles with an accompanying promotional video, commercial, teaser, or trailer. This post will be u...read more

Sep 21, 2024 10:01 AM by Snow | Discuss (12 comments)

	Poll: Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II Episode 5 Discussion Stark700 - Nov 1, 2024	35 replies	by the-mental-one »» 10 hours ago
	Poll: Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II Episode 4 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Stark700 - Oct 25, 2024	63 replies	by lasodamos »» Jan 21, 12:39 PM
	Poll: Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II Episode 3 Discussion tsubasalover - Oct 18, 2024	48 replies	by manusirbu05 »» Jan 20, 5:08 AM
	Poll: Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II Episode 12 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Stark700 - Dec 20, 2024	71 replies	by CHT13 »» Jan 17, 6:09 PM
	Poll: Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II Episode 11 Discussion tsubasalover - Dec 13, 2024	36 replies	by Phaetons_Folly »» Jan 13, 10:12 PM