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[Edited to Episode 10 standing]

Sub group used: UTWoots

This review is ongoing until SAO ends. Current episodes reviewed: 10.

Conclusion: Early - Near expected halfway point.

Early note to viewers: This review is long, and until the whole series is complete, it will remain without a general summary.

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I have not read the light novel or any original material on SAO, but I don't think it's required since this review is after all an "anime review", not a SAO analysis as a whole. Also, I understand SAO is not particularly seinen material. However, I will be writing this review from the perspective of a viewer and reader of generally more serious and developed series. I understand some of us like watching anime simply for enjoyment factors, however, my review is addressed to a particular crowd in some aspects. Do know, my review is mostly an analysis of every episode ongoing; meaning, each episode or bundle of episodes will receive its own critique. I will stop doing this method until *parts* of the anime change or move on. I know that while that is both tedious and unorthodox to my dear readers, I will never reveal too much per episode, nor will I go too into detail on what the episode is about. I simply do this, so you may have an idea as to where this anime is going from an analytically intensive view. I'm sorry if you find what I say offensive to your interests at times, but to some degree - I'm not sorry, I am objective. I know, anime is not a research paper or study for us to have to "work" around, but I prefer handing you all information as a review should do, instead of simply stating whether this anime was "good" or "bad".

NOTE: Guys, if you want to discuss why you agree (or much more wanted: disagree) with me, I am always up for a quick little talk about SAO on the basis of my review. Obviously, this is a user review, available for everyone to submit - don't take me as someone trying to destroy the "hypes" of a season out of spite, take me as an objective viewer who is fairly critical to certain aspects of an anime. I enjoy dissecting a work, and if you want to throw in a conversation with me along the way - more than welcomed to.

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1) Initial Reception

I can only honestly say, I was only somewhat interested at the release of SAO. My anticipations were non-existent, since it was material I haven't touched before in the past; and I could only make a few guesses at where the anime would go in terms of general direction. SAO on the surface, consisted of a plot that revolved around a collection of players stuck in a virtual reality world that took the form of an MMORPG. That concept, seen before in other series (serious or spoofs), made me wonder how this anime in 2012 would take on the concept of reality gaming in regards to what we know as an internet culture. The first episode started, and by the time it finished, I was in indecision whether if it was a good episode or not. Sure, I enjoyed the fact that the first episode took on the direction of making a distinguished line between reality and a virtual reality; but also making a broad connection between the two. The concept has been explored before by books such as "Cyberia", where author Douglas Rushkoff has a hard time determining one's existence in a cyber syncing world. So overall from the start, I thought this anime would have a strong plot, a few catharsis moments in terms of human existence, and that the characters that would carry out this message in a memorable way. I can only say, that that was a premature wish.

2) A little more into SAO, episodes 2-4

So episode 2 was a sort of an early climatic moment - the clearing of the first stage. You get to meet a few more players in this world, along with the attitude of the main character in regards to his perception of this world. I wasn't impressed at how this episode rolled out (a few odd presentations of events, some weak scenes and dialogue), but a couple redeeming factors such as the excitement of the 'start' of the true adventure ahead and the fight scene made me a tad more excited for this series. Yes, everything needs a winding start to get momentum, so I let my concerns slide. Overall, I wasn't particularly disappointed at this episode.

But, then episode 3 and 4 came out. Episode 3 attempted to be a further look at connections between player to player; or really, person to person. It also explores a little on the past events that gives the main character the drive and reason to continue. But, the presentation was not very strong. In fact, I can only say that the attempt (because it was only an attempt) to garner empathy and sympathy from the viewers in a short 20 minute segment on the events that happened in this episode was clearly a bad choice. I remember sitting and watching the episode finishing, and thinking "was I supposed to be sad for the new people who I had only briefly met?" Look, I understand the storyboard may want to get by certain things faster, and work more on major plot moments - but don't try and lead your audience around on a rickety emotional roller-coaster. For a little clarity for what I'm referring to, my gentle audience - a character (along with a few other not worth mentioning) dies in the episode. This character has questions regarding her mortality, why she is here in the first place and subject to this situation (a fair question); and fluctuates around giving up, and believing she can make it. The main character basically fails to protect this person despite repeatedly promising he would protect said player, but is later assured that it was not his fault by a sort of early suicide letter (I don't want to call the message a suicide letter; let's just say, the writer of it knew that one day they'd probably die). In short, episode 3 went by too fast and expected too many things from its viewers.

[Random add to review (8/20)]: Actually, from this point on, the anime jumps around very much in terms of the time spent in the SAO world. I understand the novel may do something like this, but I kind of wanted to see the experiences everyone had during the weeks and months skipped. It confuses the viewers as to progression of the story, when we miss out on some points, go back to others, and make tangents into irrelevant stories altogether.

Episode 4, I personally don't even want to discuss it or review it in depth - it was just a huge turn for the worse. Basically, this episode's story revolves around a function in the game, followed by some background review of the main character, along with some loli-type fan-service. I suppose at the very least, it introduced a character to the story. However, when you show little girls in their underwear, and have them attacked by plant monsters who grapple her constantly like tentacles, I'm sorry, that's service.

Basically, from the end of episode 3, and the start and end of 4, I was thrown a little into dire questioning as to whether this anime was going to be worth watching for content gain.

3) An early final chance: episode 5

A final chance, indeed, a final chance to see if SAO would ever bring itself back up in episode 5. It was like opening another birthday gift after a series of bad gifts in the past, hoping this year I got what I wanted - plot, development, wit, and maybe even a little action here and there. But no dice; it was just deviation once again from all goodness. Basically, we are watching a detective side story now, where characters contemplate on who the murderer is based on game mechanics, guild and player relations, and a possible re-bridging between two main characters. Why am I suddenly subject to watching this? I suddenly understood why the character in episode 3 died without much regret - the world she lived in was designed by a poor staff of story writers. Alright, maybe that's a little harsh. But I cannot deny that this episode's story (or lack of) is not very favorable in terms of contributing to the major plot.


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From this point on, I'd like to merely comment on each episode very broadly for the reader, so that they may have an idea whether the future of the anime is fitting to their tastes. Obviously, while I may have started out being very critical of SAO (do note, my criticisms will of course continue in places needed), there may be an episode here and there where I am obliged to say "better /or good job" to the producers.

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(Episode 6 - Getting over the blues)

With a lowered, much lowered anticipation for the 6th episode, I pulled myself to watch the release 2 days later in a sort of painful obligation. Episode 6 would be a continuation to episode 5, a side story that I was not very fond of to start with, and I simply watched it to hold discussion with other reviewers. By the end of episode 6, I could say, I wasn't too wild about the episode like many of the episodes so far in this series, but it was not completely horrid. It was just partly annoying, hinting at romance between characters, discussing what "love" is in a paralleled view between reality and a virtual reality world, and further explaining a few more of the mechanics and social functions of the world of SAO. For the most part, the game presents itself as Kirito admits "pretty fair" and also in that sense"logical", so the entire ghost theory of episode 5 is refuted by the series of events in episode 5. Personally, I was interested more in the PK guilds, and the fact some exist to be hired - does this suggest proxy assassinations will/have occur more in the world of SAO? What exactly does "human" life vs. "user" life mean to the players? I suppose once Kirito and Azuna finish another meal (as they often do now, you'll see in episode 6), we'll find out in SAO 7.

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(Episode 7 - A charming character)

From this episode on, and because of this episode, I have now begun to grade SAO more as a romance. Before you accuse me of calling SAO a harem, because it's not, I only state this because the trend of many episodes has been this formula:

Kirito meets a single female character, who is generally alone, or feels alone.

Kirito has a bonding with the character, and strengthens it with his own want to protect the character and his best efforts to keep them alive by soloing his fights before them.

The girl who is actively with Kirito in the episode is either touched or assured by Kirito's actions. They may or may not like him on a higher level, but surely they have a stronger want to connect with him.

I will say this - I can see how someone may mistaken this anime for a harem. If the light novel is like this as well, then I'm really hoping they don't follow the text, and actually do some creative liberty action here and there. To be honest, I like romance to some degree, but not like this. Not a strong protects the weak relations, not a forced scenario to ultimately make the female concede to a dominant male, not what they've done for half the show.

I'm a little off track, but that's what I have to say. Feel free to agree or disagree on the view on romances.

Either way, episode 7 surprisingly offers another female character. This time, Kirito and the girl have a starting issue that puts the couple in a situation in which they must work together to finish. The girl is somewhat skeptical to Kirito's character at first, but shortly is attracted to Kirito's person. This episode has no "implied" romance, the girl basically confesses her love to him on two occasions. As the die-hard fans of SAO read my review, awaiting my usual bashing of details here and there - I must say: not impressed by episode, but interested in new character.

Let me elaborate. Basically each new female character that Kirito has met after Asuna (the only strong independent woman so far), generally are portrayed as very fragile, and in need of Kirito's defense both mentally and physically (well, as physical as the game world goes). However, this new female character is refreshingly outgoing, has a little of that public charm, a little spunky, and is definitely not afraid to take emotional initiative. She's a little stronger than the rest so far is what I'm saying. Plus, her voice actress for me, seemed to click something right for once. No, I am not in love with her.

If I watched episode 7 of SAO through a serious view: again, disappointed at the speed of unraveling the story and development between the characters (much too based on quick moments). Also, disappointed at not going back to plot, but just doing character introductions. Yes, hold your hats everyone, I know this is way early on, and character introductions are much needed, but make them stronger, more memorable, and balanced between development.

If I watched episode 7 of SAO through a romance-anime view: again, disappointed at the speed of unraveling the story and development between the characters (much too based on quick moments). But I somewhat enjoyed more thanks to a like-able character. If you must make SAO a romance, then this is one of the better episodes to fit that genre so far.

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(Episode 8 - Issues Begin)

After episode 7, I had a better feel to watch episode 8 a little more on time (a day or so late), so I pursued the next segment with a little hope in my heart. At the end of this one, I will say, finally some more player-based issues have come up to trouble the originally care-free Kirito. But naturally, the episode still comes off very weak, with again, more eating scenes that take up a huge chunk of time, and fan service. But, at least it seems something is coming up. The problem is, the oncoming struggles the characters go through now, are created and resolved in a way that seems more fit for adolescent viewers. Much like an episode of Pokemon (or something like that), we have had and are having issues that occur in a 1-2 episode arc: having a regular antagonist faction, having friends quickly met and left, quick solves to most dilemmas, a main character who involves himself in as many matters as possible on his one-man adventure that is slowly not becoming the case. I could go on with the themes, but that obviously is once again, going off topic.

Let's have a change of pace, let's talk about things I liked, and things I didn't in list form.

Likes:
* Inter-player conflicts
* Asuna and Kirito are a duo (Why do I like it? It just suggests to me the main plot may be closer to being tackled.)
* Players question their existence more, bringing the question of "what is reality?" before them once more. Is reality an actual place? Or is it what's before you now?

Dislikes:
* Fan-service (I think this is one of the reasons I don't like Asuna - I know she's drawn as an attractive character, but why does she need to be a sex symbol and a main character?)
* Cliches within the conflicts (evil group tries to sabotage and kill players, jealous member, seen it, mix it up; take a fiction course or something to develop your characters, SAO)
* Romantic tension between Kirito and Asuna - gag me with a spoon.

But here's the thing: this episode leaves you off with a cliff-hanger (sort of). I have some ideas of what's to happen if I follow a simpler plot-developing though process, but I'll let SAO surprise me.

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(Episode 9 - It just got better)

So I finished 9 along with 10, because of real life issues (something those in SAO aren't experiencing...har har), and let's start off the new review branch with episode 9: it was not bad at all.

So basically in this episode, we're going to finish off that cliff-hanger we got in episode 8. The reason why this episode was so enjoyable, was a merging of both things of the past, along with new elements. Plus, the whole episode revolved around player relations tied in to a raid. I don't know about you, but in an anime that revolves around a life and death MMORPG, I've been craving a long awaited fight scene and tension between said life and death. Fighting scenes are often viewed as filler for some anime, but in this particular episode, the fight brought out a lot of hidden things about characters: their abilities and emotions. My critics who are looking for me to throw in things that I hated about this episode: probably just the small eating scene the storyboard at SAO can't stop trying to sneak in. I know food is an important element and joy to the characters in SAO, but when you throw it in so many times, I start to wonder if I'm watching a slice of life.

[Spoiler]: Sorry, I have to mention this - Klein comes back for this one. Klein is perhaps one of the only characters I like in this anime, for a couple of reasons that I won't go into detail.

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(Episode 10 - Take me back to episode 9, please)

So episode 10 fell short of expectations after episode 9; why they keep playing around with my hopes is beyond me. Anyways, in this episode Kirito basically goes through many ordeals with Azuna that are either the off-product of hanging out with Azuna or related to her. It starts out like something big will happen, but soon you realize you're sort of watching a rigid denouement. I think for the first half of it, I was still sort of interested in what was happening...

...Until the romance scenes came back. But wait! The romance this time is different - far far different from the flirtatious moments of the past. I will say this - in a sense it's fanservice coming back, but in another, we're almost seeing an adult moment where two people are making a romantic commitment. Sort of. Don't think too hard about it. Let me just say, the whole watching, I kept thinking "wait, stop, you're both under-aged!"


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So far, this anime for more objective viewers may not impress you very highly. I myself give this anime a 4 or 5 out of 10 so far.

But, there's good news - this series is not over yet. Perhaps this is all one big misunderstanding, and one day we will get back on track to the good stuff. Maybe we're just getting the filler now, to avoid it in the future. But as of now:

5/10