Sword Art Online

This was a hot anime for the year 2012 and bit of 2013. The show was well done from the graphics to the plot. The show is about a virtual game where the people are stuck. To get out, they need to complete the game. However, there are no second chances.

Kirito/Kazuto Kirigaya
He is the boy who gets all the girls, and I mean, he gets all the girls. He is a strong player, who uses swords as his main weapon. Deep interest in technology, he is intelligent boy who has quick wits. Both physically and mentally strong, also kind and helpful. As a result, this may be the reason why the girls flock to him.

Asuna Yuki
The girl who uses a lightweight sword, skilled in speed and technique, and also a great cook. A strong person, who wants to stay true to herself. Even through difficult situations, where she is in danger, she still remains faithful and kind. She is also popular with the guys, however, she usually denies their invitation.

Leafa/Suguha Kirigaya
She is a discipline girl who is attach to her brother/cousin, Kirito/Kazuto. However, she is a strong girl who does not back down. Also, she is sensible enough to realize when to quit. Not shown in the first season, but she has a more prominent role during the second. She plays the blonde fairy during the ALFheim arc.

These are the main characters that appear the most throughout the show. There are others, like the villains and such, but they are the main focus of the show. The show is split into two seasons, Sword Art Online and the ALFheim Online. As a result, the characters are more different between the two seasons.

This story is a psychological anime, where the characters are going through some mental trauma. Really, this is a pretty heavy psychological anime when I first watch this series. However, I was more into the Sword Art Online part compare to the ALFheim Online story.

Animation is well done, from the action scenes to the character design. Also the setting of the story is gorgeous, innovative and unique. However, gives a game like feeling when you watch the show. Reminds me of Final Fantasy and other role play game. However, when you look at the characters, they look extremely young. Personally for me, they look like elementary to middle schoolers. And yet this show is pretty mature.

The music for the show is amazing, seems to fit for a dramatic movie than a anime show. But still awesome, really gets the hype of the show going. Not only are the climatic music great, but the other music are well done. The opening for the show is great, just really more of a happy tone. I especially am fond of Crossing Fields by Lisa. Closing might not be as great, but decent. Watcher's ears will not be disappointed when watching this anime.

The characters voice actors are well casted. I especially like how the main characters voice sound and the interaction between them. Also the sound effects are pretty decent, considering it is really base on a video game. Have no flaw with the voices, but sometimes they overplay the comedy scene. As a result, it feels planned or just not funny.

Personally, I have not read the manga because the drawings are not that great compare to the anime. Also the way the anime presents the story is so visually beautiful. The overall plot is similar, the people are trapped and need to find a way out. But the manga seems to add more arcs involving Kazuto to play these games like guns and such.

The show can be over hyped, as a result, it may not be as much fun to watch. However, it is an interesting anime to watch once. Especially if you are into psychological/game show. The question it shows is to keep on surviving or living life? It can be pretty freaky, especially the villain in the end.

The story goes into detail about death and suicide in the show. Since people are trapped in this game, they are being killed. Hence the strongest survives, however, they develop a way to work together in the end. Shows how society develops within the game, similar to real life. But, it is still not enough to prevent deaths in the show. Should you kill yourself to escape or keep on living through the difficulties?