(L) Sword Art Online - Light Novel Discussion

[Wild Goose]

Honestly, IMO the original printed version, which relied on a literary fade to black, worked quite well. We'll probably never see it animated, because of Ishihara's anti-anime crusade.

Also, IMO sometimes less is more, especially with stuff like this. Consider Burn Notice - it's never explicitly filmed, but it's made very clear throughout seasons 4 and 5 that Michael and Fiona's relationship is no longer strictly business.

Annnnyway, since the Anime thread is being nuked on a regular basis, and since the interpretations of what constitute spoilers are rather strict, my speculations on what the series will cover:

Lyfa has already been cast and announced, so that means that Fairy Dance will be animated.

Given the trailer shows scenes from "Aria in the Starless Night" and "Red-Nosed Reindeer", there's a stong likelihood those two stories will be animated. I'd bet on "A Murder Case" as well.

Silica and Lizbeth were shown in the trailer, so I'd give good odds on their stories being animated - especially when helping them is what starts the defrosting of Kirito's heart, which Asuna completes later on.

I have heard that grimdark trolls are eagerly looking forward to this series, based on the trailer, expecting a dark, grim story of friends backstabbing each other. What the novels - and the 2nd trailer - emphasise, however, is that for the most part, this is a series that believes in Earn Your Happy Ending.

And that's good, I think, because too much darkness causes audiences to give up on the setting. About the only reason Tropa de Elite 2 is watchable is for BOPE being badass, because the setting is so bleak and dark: the heroes are almost as bad as the villains, there are no victories, and shitloads of good people die.

All things in moderation.

[gunzblitz]

I am pretty sure that "A Murder Case" will be animated. For some reason, I have the feeling that the girl clad in pink and the man with that girl from the trailers are somehow related to it.

@Rondo SS
Glad to hear that it's being translated. I wish the translator good luck~!

[Awrya]

Originally Posted by Flere821

What do you mean by 'whole story'? Kirito in GGO seems to have explained it quite well; in short, they planned a strike on LC, they attacked, things went into a clusterfrak, people died on both sides. Unless you want details like characterization beyond just Johnny Black's and XaXa's, or a blow by blow account of what kind of massacre it was, I think Kirito explained it well.

And as for other side stories, there's been quite a few about Aincrad after the 1st two volumes. eg, Aria of the Starless Night, then there's web versions of clearing Floor 2, how Kirito obtained bare-hand 'sword-skills', and a side-quest that began on 3rd(?) floor and will end at Floor 9, about two elven NPCs fighting each other that Asuna and Kirito started.

He explained it pretty well, but reading about their backgrounds, motives etc. is entertaining as well. My point is after all the fuss Kirito&co made about Laughing Coffin and PoH, not reading about the raid and LC disbanding just feels incomplete to me.

The mention of first volume refers to the SAO world (not ALO, GGO, Alicization), as the light novel itsel is called Sword Art Online, which may cause confusion.
What I mean is that the author won't write anymore SAO side stories, so the ones already published are the only ones.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Wild Goose

Honestly, IMO the original printed version, which relied on a literary fade to black, worked quite well. We'll probably never see it animated, because of Ishihara's anti-anime crusade.

Also, IMO sometimes less is more, especially with stuff like this. Consider Burn Notice - it's never explicitly filmed, but it's made very clear throughout seasons 4 and 5 that Michael and Fiona's relationship is no longer strictly business.

Annnnyway, since the Anime thread is being nuked on a regular basis, and since the interpretations of what constitute spoilers are rather strict, my speculations on what the series will cover:

Lyfa has already been cast and announced, so that means that Fairy Dance will be animated.

Given the trailer shows scenes from "Aria in the Starless Night" and "Red-Nosed Reindeer", there's a stong likelihood those two stories will be animated. I'd bet on "A Murder Case" as well.

Silica and Lizbeth were shown in the trailer, so I'd give good odds on their stories being animated - especially when helping them is what starts the defrosting of Kirito's heart, which Asuna completes later on.

I have heard that grimdark trolls are eagerly looking forward to this series, based on the trailer, expecting a dark, grim story of friends backstabbing each other. What the novels - and the 2nd trailer - emphasise, however, is that for the most part, this is a series that believes in Earn Your Happy Ending.

And that's good, I think, because too much darkness causes audiences to give up on the setting. About the only reason Tropa de Elite 2 is watchable is for BOPE being badass, because the setting is so bleak and dark: the heroes are almost as bad as the villains, there are no victories, and shitloads of good people die.

All things in moderation.

The Yosuga no Sora sex scenes comes to mind. I believe Ishihara let those slide. Not that I'm expecting the same to happen in SAO as those two series are very different.

Eh, honestly, as long as they insinuate it happened in some shape of form, I'll be happy. Asking to see it animated is basically somewhat of a childish hope for many fans, myself included. I dislike being told there's no room for hope, because there always is, no matter how small it may be.

Indeed. I'd be surprised to see those stories not get animated.

Grimdark trolls..? Where? Not on ASuki, I hope? /a/? Trolling self-proclaimed trolls can be so much fun. :3

But yes, SAO is definitely a series that believes in the "Earn Your Ending" trope. I wouldn't like it anywhere near as much as I do if it didn't.

[Wild Goose]

Originally Posted by Aphrah

The Yosuga no Sora sex scenes comes to mind. I believe Ishihara let those slide. Not that I'm expecting the same to happen in SAO as those two series are very different.

Eh, honestly, as long as they insinuate it happened in some shape of form, I'll be happy. Asking to see it animated is basically somewhat of a childish hope for many fans, myself included. I dislike being told there's no room for hope, because there always is, no matter how small it may be.

"Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment." [/Space Marine Librarian]

That said, realistically, I think I'd be quite happy with the clearcut insinuations. And the Shut Up Kiss after their near-death experience, and the Big Damn Kiss way at the end.

...surprisingly, whenever there's an incestuous pairing option I normally latch on and support that pairing, but somehow when it comes to SAO my perspective to Suguha is, "Isn't it sad, Sugu~" Kirito and Asuna just fit together too well. IMO that was a good point about the denoument to Fairy Dance, where both Kirito and Suguha came to terms with their emotional baggage. It's very rare that people actually work through those in anime.

Indeed. I'd be surprised to see those stories not get animated.

IMO they're crucial to the story. Looking at how Kirito progresses through the series, reading in more or less chronological order, he starts out as a loner, helps to defrost Asuna from her obsession to clear the game, defrosts slightly and joins Black Cats of the Full Moon, becomes a death seeker after they're wiped out, and then slowly begins to heal while helping Silica and Lizbeth, and then he and Asuna fully defrost each other.

Also, IMO Asuna is possibly the sanest love interest in a series ever. Can take care of herself, doesn't jump too much to conclusions, is practically Gandhi compared to your average tsundere LI, and possesses a love that is both patient and proactive. None of this "Watching quietly from a distance" bullshit, but more "Friends and then becoming something more."

Grimdark trolls..? Where? Not on ASuki, I hope? /a/? Trolling self-proclaimed trolls can be so much fun. :3

But yes, SAO is definitely a series that believes in the "Earn Your Ending" trope. I wouldn't like it anywhere near as much as I do if it didn't.

Other places. But yes, I would be amused to hear their screams of despair upon realising the tone of this series. :3

I'm actually glad that the author believes in Earn Your Happy Ending. Yes, there's grimdark and shit... but the whole point of stories is to entertain, and uplift - not drag you down. As one quote I saw put it, "Stories do not exist to tell you monsters exist. You knew that. Stories exist to tell you that monsters can be killed."

Which is what makes Mother's Rosario one of my favorite stories, because while it's a bittersweet ending, it didn't feel pointless.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Wild Goose

"Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment." [/Space Marine Librarian]

That said, realistically, I think I'd be quite happy with the clearcut insinuations. And the Shut Up Kiss after their near-death experience, and the Big Damn Kiss way at the end.

...surprisingly, whenever there's an incestuous pairing option I normally latch on and support that pairing, but somehow when it comes to SAO my perspective to Suguha is, "Isn't it sad, Sugu~" Kirito and Asuna just fit together too well. IMO that was a good point about the denoument to Fairy Dance, where both Kirito and Suguha came to terms with their emotional baggage. It's very rare that people actually work through those in anime.

Hope for the best, but expect the worst. One really can't go wrong with that mindset. ;p

Yeah, SAO does a lot of things "right" as a series. Which is why I'll most likely consider it one of my favourite series of all of time if it has a satisfactory ending.

IMO they're crucial to the story. Looking at how Kirito progresses through the series, reading in more or less chronological order, he starts out as a loner, helps to defrost Asuna from her obsession to clear the game, defrosts slightly and joins Black Cats of the Full Moon, becomes a death seeker after they're wiped out, and then slowly begins to heal while helping Silica and Lizbeth, and then he and Asuna fully defrost each other.

Also, IMO Asuna is possibly the sanest love interest in a series ever. Can take care of herself, doesn't jump too much to conclusions, is practically Gandhi compared to your average tsundere LI, and possesses a love that is both patient and proactive. None of this "Watching quietly from a distance" bullshit, but more "Friends and then becoming something more."

Screw opinions, they are crucial to the story. Period. Very well said; here's to hoping the anime gets their characters right! Seeing Sachi die is going to be heart wrenching. x:

Agreed, and well said. I'd even go as far as to say she's the best love interest ever. However, some people consider her 'Mary Sue' because of that, which is laughable considering that 'Mary Sue/Gary Stu' is a term used in fan fiction and for original characters. Sure, there are canonical 'Mary Sues', but both Asuna and Kirito are far from that.

Other places. But yes, I would be amused to hear their screams of despair upon realising the tone of this series. :3

I'm actually glad that the author believes in Earn Your Happy Ending. Yes, there's grimdark and shit... but the whole point of stories is to entertain, and uplift - not drag you down. As one quote I saw put it, "Stories do not exist to tell you monsters exist. You knew that. Stories exist to tell you that monsters can be killed."

Which is what makes Mother's Rosario one of my favorite stories, because while it's a bittersweet ending, it didn't feel pointless.

Aww, no trolling for me. Oh well.

While I wholeheartedly agree with you (and that quote), some stories exist solely to show how ugly and ferocious those monsters can be, and that they are very difficult to defeat, and are often defeated after the death of many.

Exactly. It wasn't tragedy just for the sake of tragedy.

[firestalker5]

Why was this thread moved? I thought this was a discussion of the Light Novel...

[Ray]

Originally Posted by firestalker5

Why was this thread moved? I thought this was a discussion of the Light Novel...

It was, and it still is. The series just got it's own sub-forum.

[tomtkp]

Congrats to SAO for having a sub-forum. I have never expected a sub-forum so soon for SAO.

By the way, just checked on amazon japan's SAO Volume 10 page. This volume will contain 335 pages. If more than 90% of the volume are new contents, then the total pages of Alicization might reach approximately 3000 pages.

And the pre-ordering is doing good. Volume 10 is already ranked second in Amazon's Best Sellers Rank followed by Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei Vol. 6 in third.

[Edgardes]

Originally Posted by Awrya

He explained it pretty well, but reading about their backgrounds, motives etc. is entertaining as well. My point is after all the fuss Kirito&co made about Laughing Coffin and PoH, not reading about the raid and LC disbanding just feels incomplete to me.

The mention of first volume refers to the SAO world (not ALO, GGO, Alicization), as the light novel itsel is called Sword Art Online, which may cause confusion.
What I mean is that the author won't write anymore SAO side stories, so the ones already published are the only ones.

I also think it is with a feeling of incomplete, and the Murder Case IMO before the Battle against the LC, which will happen only after months and so I said that it is unnecessary to adapt, since it was not shown in detail the battle against LC.

[sky black swordman]

Yes this SAO got a sub-forum thank you MOD's.

Oh and on the subject of vol 10 is there any info on may be in it?

[Fallen3dge]

Sub forum! Vol 10 releases on 16 i think

[Awrya]

Originally Posted by tomtkp

Congrats to SAO for having a sub-forum. I have never expected a sub-forum so soon for SAO.

By the way, just checked on amazon japan's SAO Volume 10 page. This volume will contain 335 pages. If more than 90% of the volume are new contents, then the total pages of Alicization might reach approximately 3000 pages.

And the pre-ordering is doing good. Volume 10 is already ranked second in Amazon's Best Sellers Rank followed by Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei Vol. 6 in third.

In how many volumes can we expect until Alicization arc is concluded? If this contains 335/~3000, with Vol. 9 having the same or less, will it take 8 more volumes?

Do you have an estimate for amazon how many have been preordered?

SAO and AW finally have sub-forums, and nearly instantly the standard threads have benn opened

[kyp275]

Originally Posted by Awrya

In how many volumes can we expect until Alicization arc is concluded? If this contains 335/~3000, with Vol. 9 having the same or less, will it take 8 more volumes?

Kawahara may have trouble finding the right verbs to keep the naming themes going :P

Let's see, we have alicization starting and running.... maybe jumping, hopping, rolling...flying....walking....jogging...?

[Wild Goose]

According to one sidestory, which is stated to take place at the end of the Alicization arc, Kawahara plans for Alicization to end at Volume 15. Which means that with 10 coming out in a few more weeks, we've got another 5 volumes to go.

[Shinji103]

New here to this topic. I just got through reading most of novel volume 1 in preparation for starting this series, and

HO-

LY

$HIT!

I'm in love with this series already!

And I'm not ashamed to admit it's largely due to Kirito and Asuna's "night alone." But not for "that" reason, mind you.

Yes, I'm a big romance buff. No shame here either. This kind of scene doesn't happen in over 97% of anime. Add another 1-2% to that number and you have the percentage of anime where this doesn't happen until the last 1 or 2 episodes/volumes. So when a writer/director gives me this scene as early as the first volume, you're gonna score major points with me.

I really hope they adapt this scene loyal to the novels. The whole preluding scene, and the morning after with them in each others' arms. This kind of scene gives a nice, complete feeling to a relationship in anime. Especially when 95% of anime doesn't haver a kiss until the finale.

I don't expect to see chapter 16.5 animated either. Nor do we need it. This isn't porn. (no offense intended to those who do want it animated, mind you) Just give us the scene as it is in the novels; Kirito and Asuna having the misunderstanding, maybe add in a scene that implies they went in "that" direction (the novel scene does make the flow from the misunderstanding to the next morning seem rather abrupt), then give us the next morning as done in the novels. That will be perfect. Throwing in chapter 16.5 (which they won't do) would just disrupt the romantic feeling a bit anyway.

And marriage in the first volume?

YAK DECULTURE!

Yet another romantic development that we rarely see anytime before the finale. And I really like how they make it clear that they're treating it like a real marriage and not a play marriage. In my opinion, you can fill out the papers, sign leases to shatre homes and all that, but in the end it comes down to how the two treat their relationship. That's what I believe, anyway.

Yes, romance buff. No shame!

[Miraluka]

I myself felt enjoying vol.1 like a child after getting a long awaited game .

[tomtkp]

Originally Posted by Awrya

In how many volumes can we expect until Alicization arc is concluded? If this contains 335/~3000, with Vol. 9 having the same or less, will it take 8 more volumes?

Do you have an estimate for amazon how many have been preordered?

SAO and AW finally have sub-forums, and nearly instantly the standard threads have benn opened

Vol. 9 has more pages, just 70 pages more.
It depends on Vol. 10. As I have said, if Vol. 10 has new contents more than 90% of the volume, then I can expect at least 6 more volumes of different lengths, maybe as high as 500 pages or as low as 300 pages.

I did not have the estimate of the pre-order sales. Amazon just showed the rankings only.

Originally Posted by kyp275

Kawahara may have trouble finding the right verbs to keep the naming themes going :P

Let's see, we have alicization starting and running.... maybe jumping, hopping, rolling...flying....walking....jogging...?

Even if he can't find the verbs for next themes, he can just put Roman numbers such as "II, III, IV etc" behind the themes. There's no need to worry about.

[Wild Goose]

I salute Kawahara. He actually had the balls to not only resolve the relationship in the first volume, but actually has his protaganist be loyal to one girl and ignorenthe hints and advances of other girls. Plus, Asuna is a lot more mature about her relationship with Kirito compared to your average anime love interest (tsundere optional).

Also, A Murder Case is hilarious in hindsight if they animate SAO chronologically. Kirito suggests to Asuna that they get married to test a theory of his, Asuna is embarrassed and pissed off. Contrast with chapter 17 of volume 1.

Ah... This is probably going to be one of the best anime of this decade. To someone who grew up seeing mostly unhealthy relationships in anime, this gives me some hope.

Also, i do wonder just how closely SAO and Accel World are connected, given the various implications that Kuroyukihime is Kirito and Asuna's daughter...

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Shinji103

New here to this topic. I just got through reading most of novel volume 1 in preparation for starting this series, and

HO-

LY

$HIT!

I'm in love with this series already!

And I'm not ashamed to admit it's largely due to Kirito and Asuna's "night alone." But not for "that" reason, mind you.

Yes, I'm a big romance buff. No shame here either. This kind of scene doesn't happen in over 97% of anime. Add another 1-2% to that number and you have the percentage of anime where this doesn't happen until the last 1 or 2 episodes/volumes. So when a writer/director gives me this scene as early as the first volume, you're gonna score major points with me.

I really hope they adapt this scene loyal to the novels. The whole preluding scene, and the morning after with them in each others' arms. This kind of scene gives a nice, complete feeling to a relationship in anime. Especially when 95% of anime doesn't haver a kiss until the finale.

I don't expect to see chapter 16.5 animated either. Nor do we need it. This isn't porn. (no offense intended to those who do want it animated, mind you) Just give us the scene as it is in the novels; Kirito and Asuna having the misunderstanding, maybe add in a scene that implies they went in "that" direction (the novel scene does make the flow from the misunderstanding to the next morning seem rather abrupt), then give us the next morning as done in the novels. That will be perfect. Throwing in chapter 16.5 (which they won't do) would just disrupt the romantic feeling a bit anyway.

And marriage in the first volume?

YAK DECULTURE!

Yet another romantic development that we rarely see anytime before the finale. And I really like how they make it clear that they're treating it like a real marriage and not a play marriage. In my opinion, you can fill out the papers, sign leases to shatre homes and all that, but in the end it comes down to how the two treat their relationship. That's what I believe, anyway.

Yes, romance buff. No shame!

Oh yay, another romance buff! There don't seem to be a lot of us in this thread.

But yes, agreed on all accounts. Kirito and Asuna's adorable relationship is the reason I'm love this series as much as I do. I was so sick of awkward romances where nothing happens until the very end, so this was a godsend for me.

Originally Posted by Wild Goose

Ah... This is probably going to be one of the best anime of this decade. To someone who grew up seeing mostly unhealthy relationships in anime, this gives me some hope.

Also, i do wonder just how closely SAO and Accel World are connected, given the various implications that Kuroyukihime is Kirito and Asuna's daughter...

Mhm, Indeed. We still don't know how it ends, and need to know that as the ending is what we take away with us at the end of it all. So as long as the ending is a happy one for Kirito and Asuna, and isn't very open ended, I imagine the majority of the fan base will be overjoyed with that.

Eh. Kawahara said that there is no clear connection between the two worlds. Huh? What implications..?