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Originally Posted by kyp275

Sounds to me like people want them to adapt EVERYTHING.

It's never going to happen, in ANY adaptation, that is the very nature of adaptations, deal with it.

I'm gonna have to agree with you on that.

Spoiler for Comparison to the novels:

People's expectations are getting out of hand. They want fluid animation for every thread on the coat of midnight. Baths, barns, and rats are necessary. We need ALL branches of the story on screen.

They fit in what they could, and they did a good job with it. Things had to be changed, but the product came out well imo.

The loss of Asuna's pov is saddening, but it never was integral. This story is from Kirito's eyes. You'll see plenty of her throughout the rest of the anime I'm sure. It's highly likely she'll talk about herself sometime along the way too. Spilling Asuna's guts this early would leave less room for development when things start rolling.

You wanted to see the bath scene in the barn? Can you honestly say that has much value for cramming in aside from fan service?

You want to see a labyrinth rescue scene? Me too kinda, but that's one of those scenes that doesn't really happen on its own.

Bread and cream was plenty for the time being. That piece of bread disapppppeaared.... We also did get a glimpse into her thoughts with the first town inn dialogue.

Now about what we did see:

A-1 stayed on focus. The episode title was "Beater". It was not Asuna, and it was not Argo the Rat.

The meeting kept extremely similar. Diabel and Kibaou didn't scheme as much, so Diabel didn't really come off as much as a bad guy. I was hoping Argo would at least get credited with having compiled the guide, but that probably would invite attention to a name that is unlikely to get any screen time. Moving onto the fight.

What was shown in the fight is extremely relieving after what I had read from someone that watched the episode 2 pre-screening. The fight was cool. Splendid animation all over for a few good minutes. Diabel's true colors still shined through. Kirito got his highlight.

Well done Kirito. You coined the Beater term magnificently. Sinister voice wins. "That" was what the episode was about.

Egil did commendably as well. Seeing him animated as the voice and figure of reason makes me love him more than I did from just reading the novels.

What impressed me the most was the parting of Asuna and Kirito. Only a spark of interest. Any more would set the fire too early. They did it.