「Absolution; 容赦」 (Yousha)

Our first cour of Accel World comes to a close with the end of Chrome Disaster’s arc and I think it’s a very fitting way to lead into the second half of this series. The first half did a great job in setting up the Accel World universe, introducing a very colorful (quite literally) cast of characters and a lot of elements in the story other than simply reaching level 10 and “winning the game”. Each arc also gets increasingly more interesting and deep as more characters are involved and the issues expand outside Haruyuki (and company). The maturity level of all the level 9 Kings never ceases to amaze me and I often forget that they’re only “kids” – in age anyway.

I admit that Accel World has a few elements that never surprise me – a lot of it involving Haruyuki’s ability to overcome (almost) everything; after all, he’s a pretty bright guy. But there are definitely more events (recently) that catch me off guard and actually make my heart skip a beat. This being Yuniko’s cheap shot at Kuroyukihime and the result of Chrome Disaster (after Cherry Rook’s defeat). I felt that his death came almost a little too easily and quickly… there must be something up with the voice that Haruyuki hears. When will it play its role again, I’m not too sure, but it’ll probably take over Haruyuki’s mind as his desire to level up and become stronger overcomes his reasons for doing so (his reasons being… for Kuroyukihime).

I want to say I told you so… but even I got it slightly wrong. I made a prediction after episode 8 that the “monster” ripping everyone apart was probably Yuniko’s protégé. It appears that Yuniko was actually Cherry Rook’s protégé instead, which I can imagine, makes it all the more difficult for Cherry Rook to accept Yuniko (Scarlet Rain) passing him. If I was someone’s guardian, although I would be proud that my protégé managed to surpass me, I would probably feel very bitter about it. I understand that Accel World is about striving for level 10 and “winning”, but it’s still hard to accept someone that you trained – would become your king one day. Perhaps I’m just very competitive in nature…

The arc comes to a close by introducing Yuniko as a permanent member in Haruyuki’s household. I admit – she’s grown a lot on me and even though I’m usually not a fan of crazy lolis, I will make an exception this time. Yuniko’s background story has been such a tragedy; she’s lost so many important people in her life (her parents and now Cherry Rook is moving away) that I almost feel like she deserves to be with Haruyuki if he makes her happy (which I’m sure he does). The ending scene with the cookies was a nice touch between the two characters as well. Haruyuki’s not afraid to show how he really feels – which I assume, is appreciation for Yuniko’s friendship.

Next episode brings back Chiyuri and her introduction to the Brain Burst software?! Finally! Accel World never has a dull moment and I love it.

Full-length images: 01, 07, 08, 15, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 33, 36.

 

Preview

58 Comments

  1. the fight is a little short, for sure… but nonetheless it is cool to see…
    I guess for the sake of saving time, anime cut off the contrast between kuro hime and Niko yuri play acting like sisters when they slept over at Haru’s place and the shot that could potentially killed black lotus… it was pretty emotional, but oh well… Niko as a tsundere is already well-established 🙂

    as to the voice Haru heard… Show Spoiler ▼

    next week, new arc starts… the most dreadful arc so far in my opinion, but still awesome to see… can’t wait!

    jrj
    1. @Phoenix-Crest, I think kaji-san is doing a fine job here…

      @Cherrie, haha, it really isn’t all that bad to he honest… plus if I were to blog this new arc, it would be terrible since I already have a prejudice, but I promise I will continue support your posts here… 🙂

      jrj
      1. I am not going to say that your opinion is wrong… but not to spoil anything from the LN, all I can say is that think about why the current chrome disaster (5th generation) is being hunted and received judgement blow in the end? 🙂

        jrj
      2. I’m not disputing Yuki Kaji’s voicing. I’m talking about the first half being good and the second half being crap. But then again Accel World is Light Novel and not an orginal anime so I guess I haven’t nothing to worry about ^^

        Phoenix-Crest
  2. All-in-all, a decent episode. I have never myself emotionally connected to any of the characters in Accel World, and while I doubt that I ever will, the action is undeniably fun to watch.

    Click
  3. I feel that this episode was quite a letdown. Or maybe it was just that last episode was much better. Chrome Disaster died too easily and the fight between Kuroyukihime and Chrome disaster was too short for me . Kuro and Haru also seemed to escape relatively unscathed as compared to reading the LN.

    Overall not a good episode, some parts could be emphasized and be longer. But then again, it is probably not long enough to cover 2 episodes and the next arc have to arrive as well. I recommend reading the LN part for this version.

    BlackShock
  4. @jrj i was read the novel but can you remaind me in spoiler what is chiyu avatar power will be?and who is this new boy?i forgot becouse i was read too many chapters

    elior1
    1. Show Spoiler ▼

      Hakarum
    2. Hakarum, what you said isn’t wrong, but the detail is not precise either…
      Show Spoiler ▼

      jrj
      1. Apologies, I haven’t exactly read the particular volume in a long time. All I remember from that arc was the final fight where Show Spoiler ▼

        Hakarum
      2. Jrj, in response to your answer about Chiyu’s ability Show Spoiler ▼

        Hakarum
      3. hakarum,
        to answer your question, Show Spoiler ▼

        jrj
    1. funny how you already used the term “harem” this early in the story… wait till vol.9 or 11… the power of porky is sure strong with this one 🙂 wish I can have just 20%-50% of his power in RL…

      jrj
      1. I prefer Kirito’s powers instead. Heck, he gets at least 1 girl in every single damn game he plays! There’s already 3 from SAO, 1 from ALO and 1 from GGO, and 1 from UW . And he’s going to get married with all of them as well! At least that’s what the non-canon novel shows.

        Hakarum
      2. Everyone loves the flying pig of this series, it makes me wonder if the author has a hidden resentment or something 😀

        No matter: epic online battles is still epic and a gamer like him naturally will get all the girls in this show.

        Kirito gets 1 to 2 girls per game… LOLZ at him almost dying in my most recent read.

        Say: If Kuroyukihime is really Kirito’s daughter won’t he end up appearing in AW end?

        The Moondoggie
      3. Omg that would definitely explain her epic close-combat skills! But that’ll mean that she didn’t inherit her mother’s (assuming its Asuna) looks . T_T and that’ll mean that Kirito and Asuna are rather terrible leaving Kuro to live on her own , and not coming to visit her when she was in the hospital T_T

        Hakarum
      4. Omg that would definitely explain her epic close-combat skills! But that’ll mean that she didn’t inherit her mother’s (assuming its Asuna) looks . T_T and that’ll mean that Kirito and Asuna are rather terrible parents for leaving Kuro to live on her own , and not coming to visit her when she was in the hospital T_T

        Hakarum
      5. Sorry to break it to you folks but SAO and AW are not on the same universe. Kawahara said so himself in the volume 10 afterwords in AW. He said that Show Spoiler ▼

        So yeah.

        belatkuro
      6. Actually, Kawahara said that “there’s no clear connection” between the two series, but he did not elaborate on whether they are in the same world or not, as he’s opting to keep it ambiguous for now.

        Mike
      7. But Belat, that thingy in their necks at AW is also in experimental stage in SAO’s Alice-something Arc. I remember Kirito…

        Show Spoiler ▼

        Or maybe I’m mistaken.

        The Moondoggie
    1. Well, for one there’s going to be a very hate-able villain.

      and then there are the people who will /rage at anything that’s can be remotely connected to NTR, even if it isn’t.

      Mike
      1. I do agree it isn’t exactly NTR, but the way the author wrote, or due to translation errors or something, the way the scene is played out is very similar to a stupid NTR scene . O well at least there are some cool fights in this one, Go Haru!!!

        Hakarum
      2. all I can say is that me and you read a very different novel, as it was abundantly clear from the outset that Show Spoiler ▼

        TBH, what annoys me most about NTR is that a friggin hentai sub-genre has somehow become so dominant that a good ‘ol simple Show Spoiler ▼

        these days gets lumped into it and the prerequisite rage that follows.

        Mike
    2. Trust me, you wouldn’t want to know. In terms of character development, the next arc is probably the lowest out of all the arcs. The level of face palm is seriously too damn high. A short and sweet explanation will be, something like NTR. Long version , unless u seriously want to be spoiled, read @ your own risk. You have been warned. Show Spoiler ▼

      Hakarum
    3. read that spoiler tag at your own risk… but my reason for saying it is dreadful is a little different from what has been mentioned up here…

      AW for the most part has always been emphasizing the power of bond and hope (even the later arc), but this arc, for a large part of the story, offers little of either… I am not going to spoil anything major, but reading this arc kind of make my mood dark…

      on the other hand, you can interpret this as the author did a great job in building up the suspense and dread for the awesome showdown at the climax. Either way, just sit back and enjoy the roller coaster ride 🙂

      jrj
      1. Well, I feel that the way the author played out this arc was basically making me feel “What the heck was the point of Haru & Taku anyway??” I guess he’s pretty good at destroying expectations though. Every time I think that it’s going to end up well, the author goes and destroys it with another moment of despair, not on the level of Fate/Zero of course. But it really made me wonder why didn’t he did the same thing for Sword Art Online. So far in SAO, there’s no arc that is as depressing as the next AW arc.

        Hakarum
      2. can’t exactly have rainbow sunshine and ponies all the time, AW has plenty of those as it is anyway.

        For me personally, AW was anything but depressing, especially when compared to SAO. Sure, there is a lot of angst/trauma etc., but most came across as too forced(or unexplained)for me to really empathize with. Whereas in SAO the situations and motivations for the characters are clearly laid out within a reasonable time frame, so you’re never left scratching your head wondering what’s going on.

        Mike
      3. Show Spoiler ▼

        Benz
      4. eh,

        Show Spoiler ▼

        Mike
      5. Show Spoiler ▼

        Benz
      6. @benz, Show Spoiler ▼

        jrj
  5. Hmmm, I was thinking… For once, the fact that kids act so mature in anime’s, can make sense in this one. They spend so much time in Accel World, they are mentally much older than they are physically!

    Djalaal
  6. Hey just wondering but the anime didn’t clearly explained this , but what happens with the guy who got infected with this chrome disaster curse? I mean does he goe berserk in real life or just in accel world ?

    poupou
    1. well, Show Spoiler ▼

      Mike

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