Sword Art Online - Anime General Discussion [NO SPOILERS]

[siGil]

Originally Posted by Netto Azure

Kawahara's writing style certainly evolved over time. You could see it in how further arcs developed, and of course his more fleshed out group interactive series Accel World. Similar premise, but wholly different group interactions.

I have just finished reading volume 8 of the SAO series, the anime series did a great job streamlining the events. i look forward to the new seasons.

ices: i will definitely check out Log Horizon after work, will share my thoughts after ;] cheers

[c933103]

Originally Posted by potchip

This show is pretty bad. Like it has its moments but are easily eclipsed by the amount of time I spent retrieving my eyeballs that were rolled into my temple...

Maybe its popularity can be explained by 2 factors:

Many other works have these factors included to a greater extent but still not that popular

1. A wishfulfilling main character who behaves like any uncertain teenager and devoid of any personality.

while the series protagonist is commonly treated by audience in this way, one should be able to find more in it if you pay a close attention into it.

He respond blankly to any romantic interactions.

First it does not connect with first part of the sentence. And don't you see his marriage?

2. A mostly generic world allowing viewers with MMORPG to insert their own past experience and feelings

So do you mean every TV drama and movie with realistic background setting are also bad?

If you compare this show to other anime that does the 'lost in a fantasy world' well, the contrast in execution cannot be more stark (eg 12 kingdoms)

SAO really isn't intended to be fantasy even the setting is a bit fantastic.

Another thing I noticed is the LN brigade. I can accept the anime botched the job but I cannot see anything great from the ground covered. All the extra explanations serves merely as patches to shoddy writing to begin with.

ok, so bible is the story of a world being created and then destroyed and anything other than that are just extra.

The potential is there but interesting facets that I wished this show would've tackled include:

Sorry that i'd brutally say try to write it and compare to SAO then you'd probably realize to what degree SAI had done these.

- how real people behave in this situation. The show's portrayal of human behaviour facing life and death can only be explained by the retardednesss of players

aren't human usually act retardedly?

- how people deal with the difference of VR - ie an simplification of the real world. I found Asuna's comment on cooking is a skill and so much simpler in game very fascinating and the same can be applied to just about every aspect of the world with some imagination

there are more comment on that even just in the anime.

- the game mechanics (again limitations) and how players exploit these

age limitation aren't really game mechanics but just some printing on game's box. And, deeper into the series, more of this aspect will be discussed l, the first season plus the yet to be released second season anime are merely just the whole series's introduction.

- there appears to be a differing degree of freedom when it comes optional 'enjoyments' etc, if only the show could've tackled how different people may deal with these functions in game such as eating/drinking - if it is not necessary, some may not do it at all, and eventually it becomes a habit

Aren't really.

[siGil]

haha solid fan spotted!

i blitzed through 10 eps of Log Horizon last night, i have to say there are fundamental differences between the two shows

SAO is about the survival of an elitist player who later learned to care for others, it's the story of one boy who found love and gives everything to protect it (if i had found an asuna of my own, i doubt i'd do any different).

Log Horizon so far is about an elite team player who wants to do good for others, then it spreads out to wanting to change the world (i could be wrong, since im only 10 eps in. but that's pretty much what it feels like)

there is a huge difference between the expectations of these two shows in terms of knowledge of audience in MMOs. Log Horizon takes time to explain every basic element of the concept, so it would appear the target audience is of virtually no experience. it utilizes concepts of quests, quest rewards, purchasing of land etc (btw there would be no game where a player can buy the land around the bank, ever).

on the other hand SAO is targeting the more experienced MMO players. concepts like unique skill, dungeon traps, crafting ingredients and game mechanics are only really understood once you've tried them. the mentality behind beta player, solo player and blue/oj/red guilds can only be fully interpreted if you have been immersed in an MMO world before. in the novel SAO briefly explains basic elements of MMO, but it was pretty much neglected in the anime

if i had to put it, SAO emphasizes on the mentality of a lonely player and Log Horizon is trying to show us one who is trying to change the world. in two different worlds. it really depends on your own experience which one you would relate to more (but so far i still like SAO better i think XD)

[Znail]

Originally Posted by potchip

- how real people behave in this situation. The show's portrayal of human behaviour facing life and death can only be explained by the retardednesss of players
- how people deal with the difference of VR - ie an simplification of the real world. I found Asuna's comment on cooking is a skill and so much simpler in game very fascinating and the same can be applied to just about every aspect of the world with some imagination
- the game mechanics (again limitations) and how players exploit these
- there appears to be a differing degree of freedom when it comes optional 'enjoyments' etc, if only the show could've tackled how different people may deal with these functions in game such as eating/drinking - if it is not necessary, some may not do it at all, and eventually it becomes a habit

The funny thing is that you pinpointed what SAO is all about there. This is the solid red thread through the story. It's easy to find several examples of each of your points in the anime. It's just that the anime takes the show not tell part to the point that you actually have to watch and think for yourself to notice what is going on.

SAO is a pretty classical sci-fi story in that it takes a single futuristic technology (VR) and looks at what could happen due to it, how will diffrent people deal with what happens, how will it effect people, what other technologies can it lead to etc. This is the core of the story.

This is also why many gets confused as they misstake the setting for the actual story. The first volume/ (1/2)season takes place in the SAO game, but the important part is not really exactly how they get out of there, but how diffrent people we meet delt with being there. We get to see many diffrent reactions and also some who learns to deal with it over time, like Asuna.

Of course, it's also an action and romance story. Those parts are also there for people to enjoy, it's just that the depth of the story doesn't end there.

[c933103]

Taiwanese Network Fined US$7,000 for Sword Art Online Episode

[MrTerrorist]

^I wonder if the same thing will happen on Toonami?

[relentlessflame]

Originally Posted by MrTerrorist

^I wonder if the same thing will happen on Toonami?

No, because a villain having ill-intent is not fine-worthy or even all that unusual in most places. Note that they didn't get fined for anything that was actually shown, but what it was implied that the villain wanted/intended to do. But the fact that the villain wanted to do bad things is part of the reason he's a villain, and gets his comeuppance in the end. So I think the logic of the fine is a bit unusual... but, it's up to the broadcaster to be aware of the local broadcast rules, and if those rules include "you can't show a villain with certain evil intentions"... then I guess the show broke the rules. This in spite of their apparent efforts to make other corrections. I guess they just missed this issue.

[Bdoom12]

Never mind

[Krono]

Originally Posted by relentlessflame

No, because a villain having ill-intent is not fine-worthy or even all that unusual in most places. Note that they didn't get fined for anything that was actually shown, but what it was implied that the villain wanted/intended to do. But the fact that the villain wanted to do bad things is part of the reason he's a villain, and gets his comeuppance in the end. So I think the logic of the fine is a bit unusual... but, it's up to the broadcaster to be aware of the local broadcast rules, and if those rules include "you can't show a villain with certain evil intentions"... then I guess the show broke the rules. This in spite of their apparent efforts to make other corrections. I guess they just missed this issue.

Someone in the ANN comments also mentioned that it was airing at 6 PM in Taiwan with a "general audiences" category. In Japan it aired at midnight, and in the US at 2 AM. So it's easy to see how it could draw more fire in Taiwan, for the same content.

[Haruyasha]

So, if boss mobs casted Damage Reflect and Seduce in SAO, how ****ed would Kirito be?

*Dual wields Gleam Eyes*
*Gleam Eyes casts DR*
*Kirito instagibs Self*

Actually, it would have been hilarious if Kayaba threw these in on floors above 90 ... After all, he did pass off as an extreme sadist.
The entire clearing group would get rekt, especially vs Seduce.

[whitewolf1993]

if any of you interested,i found a game in devellopment based on sword art online
they got a website and a fb page
http://www.bladelegacyonline.com
http://www.facebook.com/bladelegacyonline

[cyberdemon]

I finally purchased the DVDs of SAO. don't like how I could only purchase it online though . Now to wait for them to arrive so I can marathon it to prepare for season 2

[kache]

Originally Posted by whitewolf1993

if any of you interested,i found a game in devellopment based on sword art online
they got a website and a fb page
http://www.bladelegacyonline.com
http://www.facebook.com/bladelegacyonline

No point without NerveGear!

Does it support Oculus Rift, at least?

[c933103]

Originally Posted by chris211321

The part I liked most about this series was the romance. I felt like it moved at a good pace and was well integrated into the main plot line.

I'm wondering if there are any other anime with this quality of romance. I don't mind cheesy but it has to be good-cheesy, like SAO. I've seen a bit of BTOOOM! on recommendation from my friend, but I didn't feel it the same way. If you guys have something for me, I'd appreciate it.

Does Inuboku count....? but anyway, it is not an anime recommendation thread....

[LKK]

Originally Posted by chris211321

I'm wondering if there are any other anime with this quality of romance. I don't mind cheesy but it has to be good-cheesy, like SAO. I've seen a bit of BTOOOM! on recommendation from my friend, but I didn't feel it the same way. If you guys have something for me, I'd appreciate it.

Like c933103 said, this isn't the anime recommendations thread. We have an entire forum dedicated to Suggestions where you can ask for and receive recommendations. Look through there & if you don't see suggestions for romances like in SAO, you can request suggestions. Mention SAO as example of what you like to help focus the suggestions.

[judasmartel]

If I may I ask, is SAO II another of season of Kirito overpowering everyone in the game and getting all the girls just because he's that awesome?

[Frontier]

Originally Posted by judasmartel

If I may I ask, is SAO II another of season of Kirito overpowering everyone in the game and getting all the girls just because he's that awesome?

From what I've heard, without delving too much into spoilers...not exactly ?

[c933103]

Originally Posted by judasmartel

If I may I ask, is SAO II another of season of Kirito overpowering everyone in the game and getting all the girls just because he's that awesome?

If you watch the season with 'yes' in your mind, then yes. if you watch the season with 'no' in your mind, then no.

[dniv]

Originally Posted by c933103

If you watch the season with 'yes' in your mind, then yes. if you watch the season with 'no' in your mind, then no.

I'd still kind of disagree to that... I just thought that starting from GGO it's just pretty much better done over-all... though I agree that it depends on perspective going into it.

[GreyZone]

I wonder if kazuto's appearant avatar from the PV is really female, or if it is just a "trap avatar".