Gaming World Meets the Real World II: Sword Art Online

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Hello, world!  September is here, and so is a new review for today!  This week, I’ll be reviewing a show that I think I should have reviewed a long time ago.  This show has made its mark in America, earning it a spot on Toonami among other things, and I can’t wait to take it on.  So without any further delay, let’s get started on this week’s review on Sword Art Online!
Sword Art Online takes place in a futuristic Japan where gamers eagerly await the release of the new MMORPG Sword Art Online, also known as SAO.  Making the game even more attractive is the use of Nerve Gear, a gaming device that allows players to put themselves in the game’s world.  However, this gamer’s dream turns into a nightmare when the game’s creator traps all the players in the game, saying they must complete all one-hundred levels of the game to escape.  However, if players die in game, they die in real life as well.  And taking the Nerve Gear off will also cause equal results.  But unlike other players, Kazuto Kirigaya, aka Kirito, is confident to take on such a challenge, being that he was one of the beta testers for SAO.  Along the way, Kirito meets another player named Asuna, and the two eventually join forces.  From that point on, the series-or at least the first season-follows these two and their adventures through the world of SAO as they strive to defeat the game and escape.
 I have to admit, I can see why this show has gotten the praise that it has; it’s very entertaining.  That’s why I give Sword Art Online a four out five-star rating.  This show actually reminded me of another show that had a very similar concept.  But I’ll get to that later on.  As far as some pluses to Sword Art Online goes, story and animation are definitely included.  The animation certainly highlights the show’s video game concept.  Yes, CGI is used every now and then.  The story is also very intriguing and definitely a draw for those interested.  All in all, the show is pretty spotless…for the most part.
My only complaint is the show’s concept.  It’s not that it’s a terrible concept to go with, it’s actually a very creative idea for a show.  It’s just that the idea may be intimidating for those viewers who are not familiar with gaming.  However, I do feel that once you get a few episodes into the show, you’ll find that not a lot of the show focuses on the game itself.  That is, the aspects of the game are not really the focus.  The show focuses more on the story than anything else.  So I would most certainly give it a shot! 
Now, I said earlier that this show took me back to another show that I reviewed last year that had a very similar concept as well as similar strengths and weaknesses.  Last June, this show was Log Horizon.  Both Sword Art Online and Log Horizon both share a unique concept, but they also share a similar problem with this concept.  Although the two shows share a story that revolves around being trapped in a game, Log Horizon probably embraces this theme more than Sword Art Online.  However, much of this is due to the fact that Log Horizon has a more political theme to it than Sword Art.  In SAO, rather than players trying to deal with the situation at hand- which is what Log Horizon’s plot comes down to-, players are trying to escape the situation.  This gives it an edge that Log Horizon doesn’t have.


Sword Art Online Toonami Promo

So overall, Sword Art Online  is definitely the top notch video game-themed anime show.  The show has been released in an English dub and is currently airing its second season on Toonami.  Well that’s all that I have for this week, but before I go, I do have a special announcement I need to make…



That’s right, ladies and gentlemen!  The anime film that took best in show back in February with a five-star rating is coming back starting next September!  For two weeks, I will be doing Akira related discussion posts that put the film head to head with a supposed copycat and even the manga that inspired the film itself.  So stay tuned for the start of Akira Month on Hanime on Anime.
-Hanime on AnimeHaHH


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