(Potential mild spoilers ad, but ive marked the big ones)
I want to real quick give a shoutout to my man Reki Kawahara. I was not familiar with your game. I, like many, watched the first two seasons of Sword Art Online and said "ok. this is cool. but its got some issues." After all, while Kirito (the main character) is of course a great main character, I felt the rest of the cast was a bit weak. Also, the end of the aincrad arc was a little bit ridiculous. I mean, the villain forgetting his motivation for trapping a bunch of people in the game??
...
What kind of a nonsensical plot point is that! However, as I continued through the series that was sao, expecting more okness, alicization came along. And it BLEW ME OUT OF THE FUCKING WATER!
I have not been this surprised about a series this much since the likes of Ragna Crimson. In my last review, I discussed the intruiging foreshadowing and philosophical themes of Ragna Crimson, and how they are integral to the plot of the series. I also discussed the complex motivations of Ragna (the main character of that series) I feel very similarly about SAO Alicization than I do that show. Now of course, it doesn't quite reach the peaks of that, but thats a conversation for another day. Lets actually dive into SAO Alicization shall we?
hehe, get it? dive? like when they link start? because link starting is kind of like diving into the game? because thats a thing they do in the show? anyways...
Characters: 10
WOwie Crimson, SAO Alicization may have some of the greatest characters I have ever seen in any anime. He'll, id say it even rivals some of the finest literature I have read (which of course I am very well versed in). First lets start with Kirito, the main character. In the previous seasons, Kirito is definitely the most fascinating character. I really liked the fact that they didn't waste any time showing his life before the game. Stuff like him being bullied, his relationship with his sister, SAO took all that and threw it in the garbage to have a more natural approach to his character. And I REALLY liked this about him. It really let me understand the perspective of everyone else and let me pick up his character like everyone else. Over the course of the series I was able to piece together what Kirito wanted, and his feelings through brilliant dialogue and foreshadowing. Setting that aside though, Alicization took his (the main character) character to a whole new level. In fact, the scene that REALLY made me realize this was different from the previous arcs was how hsi gamer skills weren't going to help him in this new world. The scene where the death bullet dude attacked him in the real world and Kirito intrinsicely reaching for his sword, only to realize it wasn't there, was one that caught my attention. This made Kirito realize "man, I really am not in the game anymore. This is real!". He then gets sent into a new game, Alicization, which is very different from the previous ones, and he has to learn to adapt and find a way out of this mess. Overall a very good introduction to the new world and characters, that added unique stakes and upped the worldbuilding tenfold.
Next we get to Eugeo, one of the weaker characters of the arc. He's alright. Hes cool DONT GET ME WRONG! but like compared to the other charactesr of the arc he felt a little bland to me. Especially compared to Alice. Hoo boy, Alice.
Before that though, I want to give a shoutout to Klein. Up there with Slime, Klein is easily one of the funniest bro characters ive seen in any anime. HE NEEDED MORE SCREEN TIME THIS SEASON! Ive always wanted to see a spinoff of klein where they dive deeper into his character. I need to know more Reki. I NEED TO KNOW MORE!
Next is alice (a side character). ALICE IS GOATED OML! Such a cool character with a really interesting past. I really liked the stuff with the Integrity Knights here, and how they get their memory wiped by the Admin and brainwashed into thinking that they were sent from heaven. Overall a pretty interesting change from the previous arcs. But yeah, super badass. I really liked the part where she and Kirito had to climb up that building for like 2 episodes. It really gave them a chance to bond and for them to really connect since they had to rely on each other to survive. but yeah, shes awesome. I don't wanna spoil too much about her character though.
Animation: 10
Nothing to say here. This is some of the best animation I have ever seen. Not quite as good as... well, you can probably guess the show im referring to. Moving on. I have nothing to say here.
Story; 10
Kids have had their fun in the previous two seasons. now its REAL shit. The gore and action in this season are upped tenfold, and the story was far more interesting than before. There are so many twists and turns throughout this season that genuinely surprised me, as well versed I am with media of all kinds. Like the stuff with Alice (a side character) Especially how the villain died at the end, there was NO way I was gonna see that coming. ABsolutely insane! (no spoilers though) I like how the arc kind of leaves you on a cliffhanger, which lets you dive right into the next season! I actually haven't seen it yet, though I REALLLY want to. SAO has instantly become one of my new favorites. In fact I even purchased all the light novels (except volume 13, for personal reasons) to give Reki Kawahara as much money as I can. I NEED TO SEE THE REST OF THIS!!!! from what Ive haerd of unital ring and WoU, the story gets EVEN MORE INSANE FROM HERE! As if that were even possible. I can't say too much about the story if you haven't watched this, but its really quite interesting. Just go watch it for yourself. Alice's story (a side character) is enough to make it worth it.
Overall score: 10
Alicization truly changed me for the better. I had been watching so much mid, boring shows up until this point (of which will not be named, but I almost fell asleep watching legend of the MIDactic heroes), and I am forever grateful that I chose to give reki kawahara another chance. I may even have to raise my scores of the previous two seasons, since there was so much brilliant foreshadowing in those that made this arc all the better. From the insane visuals, to the masterfully written story, to alice and kirito (two characters) this is something someone of my caliber could EASILY tell took years in the making, brought up from excellent direction. Great job to Tomohiko Ito! You have earned my respect SAO, and that is a high bar to climb, trust me.
Feb 12, 2025
Sword Art Online: Alicization
(Anime)
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(Potential mild spoilers ad, but ive marked the big ones)
I want to real quick give a shoutout to my man Reki Kawahara. I was not familiar with your game. I, like many, watched the first two seasons of Sword Art Online and said "ok. this is cool. but its got some issues." After all, while Kirito (the main character) is of course a great main character, I felt the rest of the cast was a bit weak. Also, the end of the aincrad arc was a little bit ridiculous. I mean, the villain forgetting his motivation for trapping a bunch of people in the game?? ... 
Sep 20, 2024
Ragna Crimson
(Anime)
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Recommended Funny 
I'm sure plenty of people are gonna write this show off as just another generic, 24 episode edgy shonen series that will be forgotten about within a couple months. In fact, you're probably writing off this review as a bait, since a 7 day old account which is only JUST able to write a review has to be fake, right?
That's where you're wrong. I am being ten billion percent genuine right now (hehe funny dr stone reference (I have never seen dr stone)). I am here to tell you why Ragna Crimson is the greatest anime of our generation, being not only the best revenge ... |
