First Impressions / Sword Art Online

「セントラル・カセドラル」 (Sentoraru • Kasedoraru)
“Central Cathedral”

I had a thought last week that it’d be nice to see the real world — and would you look at that we got to see Asuna this week!

General Impressions

Man, where do I even start? A week ago I was afraid that the story’s pacing would start to grind to a halt with Kirito and Eugeo’s progression through the academy slowing down in their final year. Instead we were given an insane moment where rape and death were at the forefront and things didn’t slow down until the episode literally came to an end. Transitioning onto this week, it felt bittersweet to see Kirito and Eugeo face-to-face with Alice. Or rather, someone who had the appearance of the Alice they knew but the demeanor of a complete stranger who was willing to knock the crap out of Eugeo. Something that I’m sure we all felt coming, but didn’t sting any less than it did.

That said, the whole situation did raise an interesting question — is the Alice that Eugeo is looking for still around somewhere? We know that Alice’s fluctlight was “corrected” when she was taken to the capital after violating the Taboo Index, but we also have concrete proof that something akin to Alice exists and revealed herself to Kirito during his time of need. Add in that we have a grown Alice who has the form of the girl we’re looking for and I’d be willing to bet that there’s going to be a moment where the Alice from the past will make her appearance as she tries to claim her body back. However, with all the talk about placing a fluctlight into a robotic body to give it “form” in the real world, I can’t help but think that Alice’s situation will continue to evolve into something even crazier.

As if Kirito and Eugeo’s problems in the Underworld weren’t difficult enough, I was blown away to see that the story is introducing another bad guy in the real world. Seeing how Kirito is literally comatose and couldn’t do a damn thing to protect himself (except having his nurse beat the snot out of anyone silly enough to try and mess with him), I really hope that whatever this secondary baddy has in mind doesn’t end up feeling too rushed.

Overall, a pretty good episode that managed to get a good chunk of exposition out without feeling too slow. I know that we have 3 more cours to go through things, but there are moments I wish could have been condensed in favor of seeing characters do things instead of just talk. In any case, I’ll catch you guys next week where’ll hopefully see Kirito and Eugeo beat that newly recruited Integrity Knight — I’m hoping they’ll manage to do it with just the cuff and chains on their wrists. See you then!

 

Preview

16 Comments

  2. I know that the robot is probably going to factor in later but… god when they go back to the real world just to have Asuna talk to some scientists for five minutes it just kills the flow so hard.

    qwert
    Reply

    1. It has to be done because it would seem uncaring if Asuna isn’t shown to be actively concerned for Kirito considering she’s dating him. She’ll have a lot more to do in the future, so no worries.

      Lyfe
      Reply

    1. I can understand what you are thinking – “who would be crazy as to invite someone, with a suspicious background, into a top secret facility?”
      Not to mention, I can’t imagine that someone would be crazy as to ruin an important project just to satisfy his crazy desires.

      Greed
      Reply

    1. @it will be a long time until it is seen again

      Not really no, considering Asuna will be in every cour. She still has bit parts to play throughout the arc until the final 1/4 where she becomes a major character. I mean, by virtue of the fact she’s looking into, and attempting to understand Kiritos situation and what’s happening well..

      Lyfe
      Reply

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