As the topic of my tenth anniversary review, I decided to choose one of the most popular and sensational anime of recent years. It could not leave a single person indifferent: some exalt it to the skies, others lower it below the plinth. This time I decided to describe my feelings from watching the first season of the anime Sword Art Online (“Sword Art Online”), or simply - SAO.
Advantages
Firstly , this is an MMORPG component. The very fact that SAO is an anime about an MMORPG attracted a lot of viewers, since the audience of people watching the anime very much overlaps with the audience of people who have played MMORPGs at least once. That is why the universe of Aincrad, the world into which the players find themselves, was so carefully worked out. Even though the writers did not provide a detailed description of the possible combat abilities and character classes, there is enough information to give the viewer an overall picture. Perhaps if this information were more detailed, it would only do harm. It's hard to say for sure. However, for viewers who have played an MMORPG at least once in their lives, it will be really interesting to watch the world of SAO. Bosses, raids, dungeons, guilds - Sword Art Online has it all, and a lot of attention is paid to it.
Secondly , it's atmospheric. The feeling that ordinary people really found themselves in a situation where their lives were in constant danger did not leave me for a second while watching the first 14 episodes. At the same time, despite the initial confusion, most of them did not panic, but began to solve their problems in an organized manner. If something similar happened in reality, people’s behavior would be absolutely the same. Absolutely, some would not believe that when someone dies in a game, a person dies in reality, and to experience the thrill, they would begin to engage in PC work (killing players, player killer). And absolutely, there would also be those who fought on the front line, and those who would remain sitting in the initial city. The atmosphere of a world full of dangers, as well as the behavior of people in this world, are depicted perfectly in SAO.
Despite the fact that the world is full of dangers, players were able to adapt to it and began to perceive it as reality. And reality consists not only of suffering, but also of joy. Gatherings in a tavern, communication with guildmates, mutual assistance of people who met by chance... SAO perfectly shows that even in the darkest situation there are bright sides. And Kirito demonstrates this perfectly in the scene next to the tree when Asuna scolds him for being idle. “After all, now you and I live in Aincrad. You need to enjoy life .
Thirdly , this is art and music. SAO's picture is really bright and memorable, and the music harmonizes perfectly with it. Gorgeous openings and endings. Once you hear it, you won't forget it.
Fourthly , this is the plot. SAO was based on a light novel, so the material is good and proven. The scriptwriters managed not to spoil it and convey it in sufficient integrity, even if they threw out some details. If we talk about the first 14 episodes, I don’t know at all what could be changed in them. Each series is in its place. I regret that the first arc lasted so short, it would be great if the writers allocated another 2-3 episodes, since the end of the arc seems a bit forced. If we talk about the second part of the first season, it came out much weaker, although this is understandable: a lot of sensations are lost in the absence of a threat to the life of the protagonist. There is no longer that thrill of viewing. In fact, the first season could have safely ended at episode 14, without losing anything, but even gaining.
Another advantage of the plot is that the anime grabs you from the first episode and doesn’t let go until the very end. I wanted to watch it again and again. I really don’t like it when things take a long time to unravel, and the writers save the interesting things for later. It's a good thing they didn't do that in SAO.
Fifthly , this is the combat component. The battles turned out to be extremely dynamic. The boss battles are amazing, it's a shame there aren't more boss raids in the story.
Sixthly , this is a romantic line. Kirito and Asuna look harmonious, they want to empathize and rejoice with them. Some even consider them to be the best anime couple ever born. I am afraid of such statements, but nevertheless I agree that the romantic line is done well. Those who love romance are unlikely to be disappointed. If the heroes had not started playing family with their computer girl-daughter, then everything would have been great.
A moment of reasoning
In the circles of “advanced” anime fans, it is considered good manners to criticize popular anime. SAO is the most striking example of this behavior. Here and there on forums you can find huge manuscripts in which criticism is poured out in the most angry forms. After all, it is so important to show that you are not like everyone else, that you are not one of the 90% of other, ordinary people who liked the anime. I don’t know why some people do this, and I’m unlikely to ever understand. Perhaps this is a form of self-affirmation - to compare everyone with the herd, and prove to yourself and others that you are not like that. In my opinion, this is stupid and ridiculous. If millions of people found something good in this anime, perhaps there really is something good in it? What's the point in denying this? And I saw the greatest number of angry reviews specifically in relation to Sword Art Online (only the second season of Tokyo Ghoul , but more on that some other time). Some have simply lost the ability to enjoy watching anime , and this cannot but sadden...
What went wrong?
Boss fights from SAO in augmented reality! Among ordinary people! Virtual weapons!
How does this even work?! But what about the sensations from the contact of the weapon and the target? After all, it doesn’t exist, which means there can be no talk of real sensations. How can this compete with virtual reality?
Next, the bosses are nimble and fast. Do you think gamers are able to keep up with them on their own two feet? They are gamers, not real fighters! By the way, this is adequately shown only by the example of Kirito himself. And even then, only at the beginning of the film.
Plot spoilers!
Why do they need all the SAO players? Wouldn't it be enough just to know her personally? There would be less fuss, there would be a chance to do it all unnoticed.
Why take away memories? Can't they be copied?
Why does Kirito ignore until the middle of the film that the blonde is pointing her finger at him in a very clear direction? And then it suddenly dawns on him!
[collapse]
Flaws
Firstly , this is a harem. Well, I really don’t like it when they try to push a harem into anime. This automatically adds a certain second-rate quality even to a good work. There are at least 5 harem candidates named Kirito in the first season and it's annoying and completely out of place.
Secondly , this is the second arc about Alfheim online. It turned out to be much weaker for the reason stated earlier - nothing threatens the main character. In addition, it begins with some kind of nonsense: somehow some players in Alfheim online took advantage of a bug, took pictures, and somehow Egil noticed these pictures and showed them to Kirito. Sorry, but this is a rare nonsense that only a very unassuming viewer can believe. In addition, the writers began to resort to the use of cliches, which was not noticed in the first arc.
Thirdly , the ending is unclear. The last episode was simply terrible and I absolutely did not like it. Was it really impossible to end the season on the penultimate episode, when Kirito comes to Asuna, and give the viewer the opportunity to figure out what happened next for themselves? In my opinion, I couldn’t think of a better moment to end the season...
Liked
– Kirito and new characters . Perhaps the only one of all the already familiar characters who was pleasantly surprised and liked was Kirito. Firstly, he stopped being a nerd who hacks right and left, on whom girls hang themselves. Secondly, he makes unexpectedly informed decisions and generally turns out to be a smart guy. Thirdly, he cooks pasta! And finally, even within the framework of the film, he manages to get some kind of development. Personally, I expected to see something like Kirito from the second season, but in reality everything turned out to be much better. I think these reasons are enough to call Kirito a successful hero. In addition, new characters like the fanservice-y but likable singer Yuna or the second-strongest Rank player, Eiji Nochizawa, . Nothing special, but they play an important role in the plot and have a meaningful reason for all their actions.
– Plot structure . While I can't call the storyline in Sword Art Online Movie: Ordinal Scale original or unpredictable, it would be foolish to deny the fact that the film's plot structure was admirably executed. There is a clearly defined plot, development of action, climax and denouement. And each of these parts performs a clearly assigned role. Thus, the plot gently and unobtrusively introduces the viewer to the characters (if, of course, he has already forgotten them), to the universe of augmented reality games and its instant integration into the everyday life of society. The progression of the action heightens the mystery and increases the pressure put on the characters. The climax, predictably occurring at the concert, relives the feeling you get when you first watch the first arc of SAO. And, then, a logical ending, summing up and answering most pressing questions. What is happening does not stand still in any part of Sword Art Online Movie: Ordinal Scale . It is also worth noting the harmoniously maintained balance between comedy, drama and romance. Clear, logical, and quite dynamic. In this regard, the film format worked to SAO's advantage.
– Action, art and music . This is where the SAO universe has never had problems, and Sword Art Online Movie: Ordinal Scale has successfully taken these components to a new level. Stunning art, reflecting the best capabilities of the A-1 Pictures studio; excellent musical accompaniment, combining both old and new compositions - such an experienced composer as Yuki Kajiura could not afford to create something mediocre; and, finally, luxurious action, which, thanks to the excellent animation of battles and cheerful music, reveals itself in all its glory. This is what I expect to see in SAO! That's what I want to see from this universe! And the film managed to satisfy my hunger for great action - especially the last half hour. The battles look bright and juicy.
– Pokemon GO . Ordinal Scale itself reminded me a lot of Pokemon GO. Does anyone remember what a stir such a simple but incredibly addictive game created all over the world? Here and there people could be seen staring at their phones in an attempt to catch rare Pokemon, and in Japan the wave still hasn't completely died down. So I wouldn't be surprised at all if a concept similar to Ordinal Scale pops up in a few years and becomes the next gaming epidemic that I'm sure to take part in!
Ratings
Characters – 7.0. Kirito and Asuna are decent heroes, the secondary characters are more formulaic but also not bad.
Plot – first arc 9.0, second 3.0. The plot of the second arch looks too illogical, and something that happens in it is not very believable. Too many coincidences.
Drawing – 9.0. Excellent visual component, clearly drawn characters, backgrounds, bright picture. What more could you ask for?
Music – 10.0. As I already mentioned, the opening and ending songs are gorgeous. And in general the music is at a very high level.
