Sword Art Online: Alicization - Episode 21 Discussion / Poll

[Kairin]

Welcome to the discussion thread for Sword Art Online: Alicization, Episode 21.

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[Freya]

So I enjoyed the episode. Not too bad.

On another site though I saw a lot of people say they were done with this show. Was it something particular about the story or something else that's pushing people away?

[Sakuratsuki]

Also enjoyed the episode. Well as there are bad comments you also have positive comments about the show. Not that I can think of some particular thing right at this moment that would offend someone to stop watching it, really. The show is still doing great in Japan so some complaining here and there about the show doesn't mean anything imho. Especially if it's outside of Japan.

[BloodyKitty]

Imo this episode was rushed, as they covered a lot more content than other episodes, the Eugeo vs Kirito fight should have been a bit longer. Maybe they want to spend more time on the finale of Alicization first half.

Originally Posted by Freya

So I enjoyed the episode. Not too bad.

On another site though I saw a lot of people say they were done with this show. Was it something particular about the story or something else that's pushing people away?

Because it's different from previous seasons? The strange pacing? Or naked Quinella? I do have other problems with this adaptation, but overall it's not doing that bad especially in Japan. So what if they complain? It's not like Japan cares.

[Frontier]

Wow, I wasn't expecting them to update the Opening again, but I guess we're officially in a new arc now with "Alicization Uniting," and it looks like we have a lot of cool stuff to look forward too now that Alice has joined up with Kirito and Eugeo, like a sword-robot sub-boss and Kirito vs. Quinella, which is notable not only for Quinella's full-frontal nudity but for her seemingly kicking Kirito's butt (while naked) .

Alice's smile at the end of the Opening was perfect though, and the perfect prelude to the very memorable smiles that would fill out the episode (Eugeo's small smile when he regains his memories, his big grin at seeing Kirito again, Kirito smiling like his kid self, Alice's acknowledging smile, and Quinella's sadistic grin) .

Kirito vs. Eugeo was pretty nice, as the two clash not only swords but wills as Kirito tries to breakthrough to Eugeo. The two are evenly matched, but Kirito's reminding him of his mission and Eugeo's memories of his childhood are enough to finally bring him back to his senses .

I guess if there was one good thing that came out of Quinella tampering with Eugeo's memories is that I think he finally remembers Kirito from his childhood...at least I think .

I can't say I was expecting Quinella to go nude the rest of the episode after her dress got damaged, but I guess when you're the equivalent of a goddess with divine beauty in what you know is a simulation and everyone else is just the equivalent of a programmable drone to you, modesty isn't something you're concerned about. Especially when you look that beautiful .

What I would have given to see Chudelkin's reaction to Kirito and Alice breaking out of the ice and ganging up on him .

The trio finally being reunited was a pretty awesome moment. I can't wait to see all three of them in action .

It was interesting getting more insight into Quinella's character and how she views individuals. She says Bercoulio and Fanatio are due for a reset like their programs or machines, and she's less concerned about Alice's will overcoming her programming and more the mechanics of it. Her awareness of what the Underworld is, along with her ego, makes her see everyone, not as people, but as programs meant to carry out her will.

I guess I underestimated Chudelkin's combat capability, with him summoning up that giant fire demon to fight our heroes. Looks like he's giving it his all for a night with the Administrator, not that I'm expecting her to keep her word .

[Applehell]

Wow, this is the fastest heel turn and back I think I've ever seen.

It's pretty obvious thee last two-three episodes have been really rushed and messed with the weight and impact Eugeo's situation was supposed to have. Even some otherwise solid directing couldn't really make up for it. On the flipside Alice's come around was handled very well and she quite a bit more endearing to me than here she has been all season. Then again this most time we have had with her character at all.

Everyone is finally together now just in time for penultimate battle before the final boss. The new OP is nice but a bit of a waste with how fast Eugeo returned to good guys since pretty obvious it was changed to reflect Eugeo's new position.

[l.kostas]

Originally Posted by Frontier

I can't say I was expecting Quinella to go nude the rest of the episode after her dress got damaged, but I guess when you're the equivalent of a goddess with divine beauty in what you know is a simulation and everyone else is just the equivalent of a programmable drone to you, modesty isn't something you're concerned about. Especially when you look that beautiful .

Gsimenas twitter:
Kawahara says that Quinella isn't a nudist, just that she knows that Underworld is a fake made by people from the outside world, so she doesn't care about her avatar being naked. Instead, she believes that it's ridiculous to be embarrassed by such a thing.

Looks like he's giving it his all for a night with the Administrator, not that I'm expecting her to keep her word

She swore to goddess Stacia, which she knows doesn't exist

[BloodyKitty]

Originally Posted by Applehell

Wow, this is the fastest heel turn and back I think I've ever seen.

It's pretty obvious thee last two-three episodes have been really rushed and messed with the weight and impact Eugeo's situation was supposed to have. Even some otherwise solid directing couldn't really make up for it. On the flipside Alice's come around was handled very well and she quite a bit more endearing to me than here she has been all season. Then again this most time we have had with her character at all.

Everyone is finally together now just in time for penultimate battle before the final boss. The new OP is nice but a bit of a waste with how fast Eugeo returned to good guys since pretty obvious it was changed to reflect Eugeo's new position.

I already complained about this in ep 19 thread. Basically they should have taken more care to show some bits of Eugeo's family situation and his inner conflicts that spread throughout his journey with Kirito in the LN to build up to this situation.

Though frankly speaking, I originally wished that the anime cut all of the Integrity Knight Eugeo scene because it didn't happen in the original Web Novel version (in which he managed to resist the Synthesis ritual in the last few seconds by remembering that he came here to save Alice, not for himself), it fits more with his overall development. All the anime cuts of his backgrounds and stuff got my hopes up, but in the end they still follow the Light Novel version.

[MgMaster]

For someone in Chudelkin's position, knowingly going along with Quinella's whims, being evil & all that, not just misled, we can't exactly blame the guy for the reward he asked and reason of motivation to go all-out

Goes without saying that he wouldn't get anything if he succeeded though since as any fine villain, Quinella has more refined tastes. If we think about it like that, Eugeo got a pretty good deal for not really doing anything she asked,lol.

What a playa!

[BloodyKitty]

I'm still amazed that there are people who still think that Quinella actually did anything with Eugeo, when it's clear she's got a god complex and treats every other beings in her world like pawns, it's even clearer in the LN narration with the clown that she has no will to go through with such promises.