Sword Art Online: Alicization WoU - Episode 3 Discussion / Poll

[Kairin]

Welcome to the discussion thread for Sword Art Online: Alicization WoU, Episode 3.

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[Frontier]

We finally get properly introduced to our main villains, and they're a private security force with an eclectic group lead by this Miller guy, who compared to past SAO main villains is surprisingly professional and cool-headed (although some of his dialogue regarding women is a little concerning). I wonder what that young girl reaching her hand out to him while he was Diving could mean ?:

So, this is all America's fault, huh? Although I guess I can understand the concern over Japan weaponizing the Fluctlight's even if this operation seems pretty shady even by American/NSA standards. Also sounds like some people in the JSDF aren't on-board with it either. Maybe that should tell you something Kikuoka .

The Dark Territory was designed to eventually attack the human civilization to test the durability of the Fluctlights? That seems a little much, but I guess it fits with what we know about the Ocean Turtle experiment. Also sounds like Kirito may have screwed up by taking out the Axiom Church, but leaving Quinella in charge didn't seem ideal anyways .

Who better to go in and save Kirito then Asuna? I doubt Alice realizes that Kirito needs some sense of forgiveness, so now it's time for the true Main Heroine of SAO to Dive In, help save the Underworld, and go get her man .

Figures they were so worried about them diving into someone in the human territory that they didn't think they'd figure out or want to use someone from the Dark Territory. Like, you literally left them the two strongest Dark Territory accounts at their disposal, and didn't even bother to inform everyone else about it. Nice work guys .

Surprise Sinon fight sequence! Also better establishing how tough Miller is that he completely overwhelmed her in single combat. That caress on the face before he strangled her was pretty creepy though .

So the gang will have a role to play in what's going on? Considering Asuna is the only one with access to a Dive Machine, I wonder what the plan is ?

We finally get to see the inner workings of The Dark Territory, and it...has it's own human populace? With their own storylines and character dynamics? I guess it makes sense when even the monsters are Fluctlights, just like the humans .

Is it just me or did Lipia and and Vixur seem like Dark Territory versions of Fanatio and Bercouli? Right down to the romantic undertones of their relationships. The Dark Mage woman also seems like they might be their Quinella since she apparently figured out the same means of immortality...and was that guy who barged in their Chudelkin? I wonder if that that was a deliberate design choice to have similar figures on both sides ?

Ulp. Just when it seems like peace might be a possibility, the Dark Territory's Emperor awakens...and he has other things in mind .

[thundrakkon]

The story is still interesting, even if some of the logic is questionable.


However, this timing seems way off. If it is 2 hours and 53 minutes after the attack (so about 2.5 hours when Kirito got surged), that means it has been around 1.5 years in the Realm, if going by the realm being 1000 times faster. Yet, the dark knight, Lipia, report says she spent one week to determine that the Potifex, and then those mercenaries show up as the Emperor and his Knight. The timing seems off.


Well, I guess I should review the dates a bit.


October 30, 380 HE (Dark Knight report and Emperor arrives)
October 21, 380 HE (Beginning of season 2, with Alice outside of town, and Goblins attack at night on the village)
June 9, 380 HE (Alice leaves the Central Cathedral with Kirito)
May 25, 380 HE (Kirito and Eugeo escapes the prison, ascends the Central Tower, and eliminates the Pontifex)
May 23, 380 HE (Sexual assaults and disposal of noble lackeys)
May 17, 380 HE (Initial fight with noble lackeys)
April 10, 380 HE (Kirito and Eugeo have disciples)
March 31, 380 HE (Liena wins the ranking tournament)
March 31, 380 HE <-most likely wrong date error for anime (Kirito cuts branch from Cedar tree to make his own sword)
March 8, 380 HE (Kirito shattered sword and asks blacksmith)
March 1, 380 HE (Kirito and Eugeo are at the Swordcraft Academy)
March 21, 378 HE (Kirito and Eugeo fights goblins to save Selka)
March 19, 378 HE (Kirito returns to the Realm after going into a coma)
July 18, 372 HE (Start of season 1, and Alice gets taken away)

Hmm... So the time is the realm moves slower than I originally was told. So when Kirito went into a coma (May 25) until the Dark Territory emperor arrives (October 30) is 5 months, while it was only about 2.5 hours in the real world.

Well, at least these 2 Dark Knights seem like reasonable people. In most other shows, I would assume they will be killed, especially with the marriage death flag, but this is SAO, so they will most likely be the end survivors.

[Lukes YGO & WS on YT]

Pretty exciting episode with a lot explained, nice build up for the next one.

Looking forward to seeing what happens next.

[PastPrime]

Originally Posted by thundrakkon

The story is still interesting, even if some of the logic is questionable.


However, this timing seems way off. If it is 2 hours and 53 minutes after the attack (so about 2.5 hours when Kirito got surged), that means it has been around 1.5 years in the Realm, if going by the realm being 1000 times faster. Yet, the dark knight, Lipia, report says she spent one week to determine that the Potifex, and then those mercenaries show up as the Emperor and his Knight. The timing seems off.

She was probably returning from an infiltration mission where she happened to find out about the Potifex. It is likely not common knowledge even in the human territory so it would take some time to verify it..

[FlareKnight]

I hate it when a long typed up response dies. Now I'm just going to write up the lazy version.

My condolences to Sinon. Gets a rare appearance in this arc and it is just for the sake of the Worf Effect. Need to show how crazy dangerous the new enemy is so might as well have him crush someone we know is pretty capable. And heck let's establish this guy as a disturbing and creepy perv while we're at it.

Thank goodness Asuna finally gets to take action. I'm fine with her having spent time being worried and taking shots at the creepy people 'taking care of Kirito.' These people are about as much enemies as the guys who attacked the base. They are just slightly better since they are at least attempting to treat Kirito. But not like Kirito would be a fan whatsoever of this insane plan to clone human souls and create an army of AI drones...

At least Asuna can get in there and knock some people around. She is the main love interest. Let's get her involved. And frankly if anyone should get Kirito back on his feet it is her.

No shock either that the US is involved here. The only shock is that it is only the US bold enough to make this move. Japan is trying to clone the human soul and create an army of AI. Pretty sure there is a long list of countries either against this very concept or wanting it for themselves. Was only a matter of time before someone took action.

[BluePhirePB]

I'm curious how the dynamic between Alice and Kirito will be once Asuna enters the picture (haven't read the manga).

[Frontier]

Originally Posted by BluePhirePB

I'm curious how the dynamic between Alice and Kirito will be once Asuna enters the picture (haven't read the manga).

Why do I suddenly smell a Catfight or them sizing each other up with a "how does this girl know Kirito" questioning ?

[BluePhirePB]

Originally Posted by Frontier

Why do I suddenly smell a Catfight or them sizing each other up with a "how does this girl know Kirito" questioning ?

That or perhaps they'll both take care of Kirito during his recovery?