Sword Art Online Discussion Thread

[Netto Azure]

Sword Art Online

[video=youtube;Wv8u5bY8Now]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv8u5bY8Now[/video]​

In the year 2022, the Virtual reality Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (VRMMORPG) Sword Art Online (SAO) is released. With the Nerve Gear, a VR Helmet that stimulates the user's five senses via their brain, players can experience and control their in-game characters with their minds. But an unexpected event occurs on November 6, 2022 when Akihiko Kayaba, the creator of SAO, prevents the players from logging out. Akihiko issues them a challenge; if they wish to be free and log out of the game, they must reach the 100th floor of the game's tower and defeat the final boss. However, should their avatars die in the game, so will their bodies in the real world. As the game's 10,000 players try to accept their new deadly predicament, Kirito, a skilled player who tested the beta version of the game, is determined to reach the 100th floor and be free. Along with Asuna, his partner and love interest, and their friends, Kirito and his allies will face many obstacles and discovers the true purpose of SAO. As their adventure continues, they will also participate in other VRMMO games as well.

Well, for the past week I've read through all 9 translated Light Novel Volumes and I can say this is top notch stuff.

A lot of people keep on comparing it to .Hack, which ironically was developed around the time the light novel was being published online in 2002.

As for the Anime, the first episode has been quite true to the source material. But based on calculations, some of the side stories may be shortened to keep within episode limits.

Still it's pretty emotional and philosophical at times. I do recommend it.

 

[Almonds]

I saw Episode 1 on cable TV today.... and it was an interesting concept. Actually getting trapped in an RPG world sounds thrilling.

But I hope this has a good plot to back it up. I haven't seen any or the original light novels, and the anime is the only subject for me.


Shining Tears X Wind had a similar concept to SAO. Although they hadn't openly stated that it was a game world, everything in there was downright based on RPG. It had swordfights and magic weilders, but the problem was that the anime tried to pull off a story that obviously needed more than 12 episodes. Like, they just tried to fit in a large story in such a short amount of screentime. Everything felt so... light. There was no seriousness, no such topics to deeply think about, or any atmospheric attitudes that gives you the thrills.

However, Shining Tears X Wind IS actually based on two RPGs called Shining Tears and Shining Wind. So I can't actually blame the story plot being written rather poorly. SAO, on the other hand, has its novel as a base, so I'm hoping for real development here.

 

[Necrozma]

I love it, I loved the first episode and the opening is just amazing.

I'd also like to read the light novels, but I'm going to try and keep this one as surprise to me without any spoilers, maybe I'll read it later when it finishes airing. Though this definitely has potential and I love the concept behind this show.

I'll be definitely sticking with this until the very end!

 

[Netto Azure]

I love it, I loved the first episode and the opening is just amazing.

I'd also like to read the light novels, but I'm going to try and keep this one as surprise to me without any spoilers, maybe I'll read it later when it finishes airing. Though this definitely has potential and I love the concept behind this show.

I'll be definitely sticking with this until the very end!

That's great, you'll defiinitely feel more satisfied that way, the Light Novels have more information and a lot of introspective dialouge that allows you to see into Kirito's thoughts more.

I saw Episode 1 on cable TV today.... and it was an interesting concept. Actually getting trapped in an RPG world sounds thrilling.

But I hope this has a good plot to back it up. I haven't seen any or the original light novels, and the anime is the only subject for me.

Oh it has great plot to back it up. I can't spoil it much so I recommend reading the light novels. :3

 

[Necrozma]

I can't wait to see Asuna and her personality. <3

I'll also admit that, despite not having read the light novels, I took a long peek into chapter 16.5. xD

 

[Netto Azure]

I can't wait to see Asuna and her personality. <3

I'll also admit that, despite not having read the light novels, I took a long peek into chapter 16.5. xD

Something I made to show some "KiriAsu" love, One of the best Pairings I've seen in like forever.


A truly envious relationship.

Spoiler

Sword Art Online Abridged: "From Bread to Marriage, a love story" (Still better than Twilight?)


Episodes:


1. The Bread

2. The Stew

3. Chapter 16.5

4. Marriage

Episode 2 thoughts: Kiribao is such a douch, hate him a bit...not as much as some other guy but still.


Anyways KIRIASU ENDING I LUVZ U. <3

Spoiler

Sadly no Argo, but at least the "Guide" was there to hint everyone. ;o;

 

[Soulweaver]

Eh, ep. 1 wasn't bad. The premise is quite similar to .hack//SIGN, another series I enjoyed quite a lot. Not seen ep. 2 yet due to I don't jump on the first possible chance available but instead staying loyal to what release channel I chose to follow.

 

[Netto Azure]

Eh, ep. 1 wasn't bad. The premise is quite similar to .hack//SIGN, another series I enjoyed quite a lot. Not seen ep. 2 yet due to I don't jump on the first possible chance available but instead staying loyal to what release channel I chose to follow.

I have to say this, SAO published online at the same time .Hack was being developed...so please judge each by their own merits. XDDDD

A lot of people are bashing LOL

 

[X Dragoon]

After watching the first 2 episodes, it became something I wanted to watch. It has an interesting setting and Kirito is a cool protagonist, doing what he had to do to keep the group of players together.

 

[Karamazov]

Wow, this is late. But I wanted to bring up a few things with the latest episode.

Spoiler

First, Kirito said that the rules of SAO are fair. But if you fall asleep, people can grab your finger and make you accept a duel to the death. Doesn't sound that fair to me. :/

Also, could someone explain the plot to me? I feel like I'm missing something. What I got was: there was a guild. They beat a monster and got rare item. They held it to a vote: either they sell the ring, or keep it. The guild voted, with 5-3 in favor of selling it. The leader went to sell it, but was killed during the process. Now the leader's boyfriend wants to kill the three people who wanted to keep it, despite the fact that the leader would still be alive if they kept the item like they wanted. But then lol, jk, the purple-haired girl thinks the leader came back as a ghost for revenge for some reason, because they should have just obeyed the leader instead of believing in democracy and the power of working as a team.

I know the next episode will probably explain who the murderer is. But I'm more concerned about everything else, since I'm an idiot and I'm lost. Or would this plotline make more sense if I read the source material?

And sort of a minor nitpick, but why do people know about Asuna, but not Kirito? Sure, Asuna is the second-in-command for the most prestigious guild out there. But Kirito is a known beater (hehehehe), was at level 78, brought down the Christmas boss, and captured a group of player killers. (And now that I think about it, that episode never mentioned any duels, IIRC.)

 

[Netto Azure]

Wow, this is late. But I wanted to bring up a few things with the latest episode.

Spoiler

First, Kirito said that the rules of SAO are fair. But if you fall asleep, people can grab your finger and make you accept a duel to the death. Doesn't sound that fair to me. :/

Also, could someone explain the plot to me? I feel like I'm missing something. What I got was: there was a guild. They beat a monster and got rare item. They held it to a vote: either they sell the ring, or keep it. The guild voted, with 5-3 in favor of selling it. The leader went to sell it, but was killed during the process. Now the leader's boyfriend wants to kill the three people who wanted to keep it, despite the fact that the leader would still be alive if they kept the item like they wanted. But then lol, jk, the purple-haired girl thinks the leader came back as a ghost for revenge for some reason, because they should have just obeyed the leader instead of believing in democracy and the power of working as a team.

I know the next episode will probably explain who the murderer is. But I'm more concerned about everything else, since I'm an idiot and I'm lost. Or would this plotline make more sense if I read the source material?

And sort of a minor nitpick, but why do people know about Asuna, but not Kirito? Sure, Asuna is the second-in-command for the most prestigious guild out there. But Kirito is a known beater (hehehehe), was at level 78, brought down the Christmas boss, and captured a group of player killers. (And now that I think about it, that episode never mentioned any duels, IIRC.)

Answers:

Spoiler

- Fair in the sense that unless Player Characters act, the world is basically self-regulating. NPC's and Monsters will act within normal MMORPG standards.

- That's basically the surface of the plot. But the this Law and Order: SAO episode has a lot more going for it. Nothing is what it seems so to speak. You'll see next episode.

- Nah, they touched on most of the important plot points. The Light Novel is a lot more detailed in the character interactions though. But a certain character pops up that seems way more knowledgeable this early so they cut him out lawl.

- Guild members, the way they are structured, are a lot more visible and actively proclaim who they are to the public. Solo Players, by definition can choose to be discreet. Only the frontline players and some other Solo Players really know what Kirito Looks like. The Middle floor players like Silica and the Titan's Hand Guild only hear rumors of a powerful "Black Swordsman." Since Kirito himself doesn't really look that much (even his equipment is low key) nobody really pays attention to him

[video=youtube;dRbfqF2_MIs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRbfqF2_MIs[/video]


Episode 6 Preview is out.

Spoiler

Oh hell yes, Laughing Coffin and PoH. Some real villains finally. :3


Also..."Immortal object" after Kirito banged the wall? Some foreshadowing THAT is. xD


Will people finally understand the psychological problems that are really getting endemic in SAO? XD

 

[Peppermint Phoenix]

Just saw episode 7 it was pretty cool. Problem is

Spoiler

another chick has the hots for Kirito

Well I should saw that coming because of its wikipedia genre discription but damn Kirito getting overpowered I mean I like his personality so guess it's fair but he's getting to pants-ie by that I mean kinda like Bella Swan. A insult to Bella Swan is some people call her pants because the audience is suppose to imagine themselves as her. That auto regeneration pwning in episode four was just TOO badass since everyone has the same rules and there in the game just as much (as in ALL the time) okay skill beta testing and mental condition are factors but they been there for so long that everyone should be closer and unskilled people would die anyway. I mean scientifically you master something after 100,000 hours. I guess how stupid it was depends on the time passed anyone remember what year episode 4 was on?

But I still like him as a character so it's forgivable. Like the emotional scenes in episode 7 it makes it seem very real

 

[Necrozma]

Ah, I just watched episode 8.

I honestly think it was well-paced in regards to the novel and I found it pretty enjoyable. I'm draining every bit of Asuna x Kirito interactions and hoping that the relationship they'll eventually form doesn't seem to rushed or forced. Though, they seem to be doing a good job with the adaptation so far. But I really wanna see a nice and hardcore animated battle - so hopefully, the battle against The Gleam Eyes will be a treat for our eyes. ^^

And the boob-groping scene was priceless.

 

[Peppermint Phoenix]

Any one else get the feeling that the anime is very realistic when it comes to how people would act under that scenario the personality sides, the humor, the giving up, the fighting hard the arguing I'd go as far to say it handles it as well if not better than the first season of Digimon. Kinda feel sorry for the body guard he was pissed which again goes back to my problem with Kirito being too strong I actually thought I was going to see a evenly match fight looked that way too but nope breaks the sword just like that. Hope he gets stronger later on or at least die with some dignity.

 

[Netto Azure]

Well yeah, we finally got to start with the main story, I do have a question for the Anime-only viewers, how do you think the reception for SAO would be if Episode 8 was Episode 2 (We skip the Side Stories) like in Volume 1 of the Light Novels?

 

[Peppermint Phoenix]

Episode 2 was pretty important so I didn't think it was skip able and jumping that many floors would kill a lot of suspense. And I thought the blacksmith and beast girl are reappearing. I find them good for the flow build a lot of atmosphere. Based on your comment a more continuous plot going to happen soon but I thought it was continuous enough even with the time jumps jaring as they were at first.

 

[TwilightBlade]

I love love love this series. Yay Kirito and Asuna~

Well yeah, we finally got to start with the main story, I do have a question for the Anime-only viewers, how do you think the reception for SAO would be if Episode 8 was Episode 2 (We skip the Side Stories) like in Volume 1 of the Light Novels?

I like the character development in the side stories. Episode 3 was pretty powerful as Kirito desperately tried to save his friends. Then, he went on that quest to obtain the item, which later turned out pointless... And then Sachi's message... Oh gosh. ;-;

Silica/Pina and Liz arcs were good too! I'm surprised there's plenty of girls in a virtual game, lol. I could do without the Griselda arc, but it showed that some took the game dangerously seriously.

 

[Netto Azure]

Episode 2 was pretty important so I didn't think it was skip able and jumping that many floors would kill a lot of suspense. And I thought the blacksmith and beast girl are reappearing. I find them good for the flow build a lot of atmosphere. Based on your comment a more continuous plot going to happen soon but I thought it was continuous enough even with the time jumps jaring as they were at first.

Well it's just that a lot of nitpickers complained about the time skips as "jarring" so I did wonder. As for Episode 2...well that thing was chopped up to bits and took out much of the Asuna's characterization so I'm biased against it.

I love love love this series. Yay Kirito and Asuna~

I like the character development in the side stories. Episode 3 was pretty powerful as Kirito desperately tried to save his friends. Then, he went on that quest to obtain the item, which later turned out pointless... And then Sachi's message... Oh gosh. ;-;

Silica/Pina and Liz arcs were good too! I'm surprised there's plenty of girls in a virtual game, lol. I could do without the Griselda arc, but it showed that some took the game dangerously seriously.

Yeah, it really hits home if you're open minded and just watch for fun. As for "plenty of girls" I think the Male to female ratio was 10 to 1 so yeah, it only appears to be a lot since the story focuses more on one to one interactions since that's what the author is better at. And it just became girls most of the time lawl.

Episode 9 PV!

[video=youtube;AMC8DOsTlXg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMC8DOsTlXg[/video]

 

[Karamazov]

Aww, this episode really made me sad. The whole scene with Yui near the end, hearing her explain her story and what will happen. You could really tell just how much Kirito and Asuna loved Yui, and vice-versa.

 

[Netto Azure]

Aww, this episode really made me sad. The whole scene with Yui near the end, hearing her explain her story and what will happen. You could really tell just how much Kirito and Asuna loved Yui, and vice-versa.

I agree, this episode made me tear up a bit. It was very emotional in the LN and that translated quite well on screen. Other's might argue that a few days of knowing Yui is not enough to establish a deep bond, but that waves away the circumstances that people in Aincrad have lived through.