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- BirthdaySep 2, 1996
- LocationAuckland, New Zealand
- JoinedSep 21, 2013
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Jan 1, 2014
SAO:Extra and the SAO franchise is a strange case for me. They definitely don't have the best story or characters by any chance, but still manages to be incredibly enjoyable. Although reading the light novels do help with this, since the series does feel rushed. I really don't know how they do it.
Keep in mind that you should watch the original SAO before watching this series.
I came into SAO:Extra knowing it would probably have many flaws, but still eagerly awaited its livestream. It's sorta like cocaine.
Story: 4/10
This 2 hour special involves 1 hour and 40 minutes of recaps from the original series, showing past events
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through flashbacks from various characters. I must say even though I have watched those scenes before, it was still enjoyable. You can hardly account that as a story though.
However, through those flashbacks and reflections we did get to see some emotions and feelings of some characters in specific scenes which we did not get in the original series. These emotions were described in the light novel, but the anime (which had a very rushed feeling throughout) missed it out. An example is Asuna's recaps on how she first met Kirito, and what she was feeling during the events that unfolded. A nice addition for people who haven't read the light novel, or people who really like scenes that just tell you character's feelings instead of leaving you to guess or intepret.
The final 20 minutes brought a new, original story although I can tell you, it isn't much. I hate deus ex machinas and crappy endings with a passion. With that in mind, the ending is a shitfest of old nappies and dog poo, cos, it's just bad.
Keeping in spoiler-free, it involves a badass boss fight which is just beginning, when some other NPC boss comes in and tells the other dude to fuck off, end of movie.
I'm not joking.
Art: 9/10
I enjoyed the art of the original SAO, so naturally the art here is spot-on here too. Mizugi errwhere to bring in the 12 year olds.
Nothing else much to say here. A lot of scenes were cut directly from the original, but the new scenes have a "real-world" setting so it's not like you can see Asuna in her KoB uniform or anything.
I mentioned Asuna a lot huehuehuehue
Sound: 7/10
Giving it a 7 because there is only 1 new song for this special, which plays at the end. Definitely good enough to download, but because the show that went with it was not as effective, it didn't leave much of an impression. Lots of reuse of crossing field, overfly, innocence and yume sekai.
Character: 7/10
All the characters fill their respective personalities well, with some variances (since they're living in the real world now anyway). Asuna in the real world is very mature and composed, which gives you an idea of how she lives when she's not in a death game (lul, talking bout Asuna again).
There was quite a lot of development of Lizbeth's character. She's actually quite a fun and teasing character which is enjoyable to watch. We didn't see that much in the original show, she was sort of just there for another girl that wants Kirito's D (must be fucking gold in there).
Kayaba Akihiko is a character that always fascinated me, and the recaps resparked my interest in the philosophical views regarding the morality of treating sentient AI-units as humans or computers, the theological views on God and man relationships, and the psyche which Kayaba had which made him create the death game world that he did.
Enjoyment: 10/10
SAO always does this to me. A show with many flaws but still a highly enjoyable and beautiful journey. I love the scenario, story and characters no matter how cliche and Mary Sue it was. I love delving into the philosophical outlook on the repercussions in an alternate society, and Kirito and Asuna are always enjoyable to watch (esp. Asuna)
Overall: 7/10
Just like MAL captions, it is "good". The story is not so much "needed", but is a great addition for fans. Watch this if you enjoyed SAO, and continue on for SAO II coming out later this year!
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Dec 23, 2013
I'm writing this review post-chapter 256, if this tells you a bit about anything.
Granted, Kimi no Iru Machi is an extremely enjoyable manga series which will leave you reading 80-100 chapters at a go. But in its strong points also has some downfalls...
Story - 6/10
The premise is strong enough for you to keep reading. For me, I started Kimi no Iru Machi when I had barely read any manga, so I didn't find it 'cliche' - rather, it was quite interesting. Eba Yuzuki comes storming into Haruto's life as he desperately tries to maintain his unbudding love for his classmate, Kanzaki. We go through the
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mishaps, misunderstandings and comedy as common in Seo Kouji's works. Even if repetitive and obvious, I must say it was a highly enjoyable read.
Needless to say, the story takes a dramatic turn (let's not spoil things shall we). Again, the enjoyment was high but the obvious plot holes (like can a certain character seriously just communicate properly for once) took the story for me to a lack of realism. I guess its up to personal preference on how much 'realism' you like in your rom-com mangas - I like as much of it as possible (of course, giving some leeway for fan service).
The story finishes around Chapter 200. The plots, twists and turns die down and you think its over as chapter after chapter becomes everyday life for the happy couple when - BAM! you're hit right in the ball sack with a random as fuck, super hyper-non-realistic OOC fan-fic chapter, just in time for christmas. I don't even know... Let's throw realism out the window here. Knowing Seo Kouji this is solved in two ways - the first way is to reel it off as a joke and make you feel stupid for purchasing yet another chapter, and the second is to make another 100 chapters with the character's doing the longest way possible to resolve the situation.
Art - 10/10
There's nothing much to say here. I love the art style, and that's my opinion. Granted, his art style barely changes with his other works (Yuzuki looks pretty much like Princess Lucia, characters from Suzuka, etc etc) but there isn't anything in this department I can really complain about. Every frame is done beautifully. I would say the art style has evolved through the years (to something better), as sometimes I do look at Chapters 1-10 and you really see the difference.
Character - 8/10
I gave this some lee-way considering there isn't too much character development you can expect from an ecchi harem. The MC being a dense motherfucker is a given.
I enjoyed the characters and for the most part, were very relatable. Haruto's childhood friends, Asuka and Yuzuki were characters that really stood out to me. Because the manga covers around six years of their lives starting from their high school life all the way to their working life, we can really see the difference in thoughts and personality.
Again, this section was ruined in the events of Chapter 256 - after the obvious and crazy hardships we know the main pair has gone through, the sacrifices they have made, the promises they have kept, they throw it all away in a matter of 18 pages with some crazy notions. It was almost like reading a shock comedy novel because they were all so out of character. It really ruined my perspective on this manga.
Enjoyment - 10/10
Needless to say, if anyone knows how to ignite your emotions, get you to belt a few laughs and lighten your day, its Kimi no Iru Machi by Seo Kouji. If judging absolutely, and its really just enjoyment and entertainment you want - Kimi no Iru Machi is a must read for fans of the genre.
I'm still mad about CC256 though. >:(
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Dec 1, 2013
This manga is so unbelievably pathetic that it doesn't deserve a lengthy review - I'm truly not sure whether MAL users are trolling when they actually care enough to dissect why this manga is bad, when it's literally ten pages.
Granted, it should get extra merit points for the comedic value.
I won't advise you to read this, but it's definitely a great manga to share with your peers and go "BEST MANGA OF 5EVER READ OR DIE" and watch their horrified expressions.
Reviewer’s Rating: 1
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