First Impressions / Sword Art Online

「オーシャン・タートル」 (Ooshan Taatoru)
“Ocean Turtle”

While I’m a little disappointed we didn’t get to see the story progress in the Underworld, I’ll admit that this episode did a good job at reminding me about the existence of the “real” world.

General Impressions

Overall, I thought that this week’s episode was decent even with the lack of any big key moments. With Asuna and her passion to find Kirito at the forefront, it was nice to see her take the initiative on things. Especially since it’s been quite some time since we last saw her right in the mix of things. That said, I’ll admit that I wish things (and by things I mean the pace) could pick things up a bit. I know that we have a lot of time for the Alicization arc, but boy did things feel slow as everyone tried searching for Kirito.

I bring that up because I was a little disappointed how little impact Asuna’s new sense of courage was when it came to staying dedicated to finding Kirito. I completely understood what the story was going for, but it was a damn shame that it really didn’t have the effect I think we all wanted. Not only is Asuna strong character (if you didn’t believe it during the first two SAO arcs, Mother’s Roselia should have done it), but she’s proven time and time again that she truly cares about Kirito and this would have been a great time for the show to really unload some heavy feelings.

Minor gripes aside, I’m sure we were all feeling real good by the end of this week’s episode. Between Asuna pulling a straight up spy move on Kikuoka and looking like she was about to punch the shit out of him, I can’t wait to see just what’s going on with all of this Arclight technology as well as why a facility like the Ocean Turtle was made for it. Luckily next week’s episode title sounds like we’re about to get a huge exposition dump on Project Alicization and I for one can’t wait. See you guys then!

 

Preview

13 Comments

  2. Yeah, they had to return to the real world eventually.

    Speaking of passion not being as strong as you’d hoped, back when Kirito remembered his “other life” I was hoping for a huge sense of emotional conflict, but I didn’t really sense that.

    The beginning of Alicization got me hyped because it felt like there were so many epic mysteries. I’m inevitably going to be a little disappointed when most of the mysteries’ answers don’t match my wild fantasies, but I have faith in the author regardless. This is still my favorite anime of the season, and I’m watching six shows at once.

    Player
    Reply

  3. Takaii’s comments about pacing show the reverse (but less encountered) complaint anime viewers have about LN/novel anime adaptations being rushed to fit a limited episode count – in this case the content is being stretched/paced out to fit many episodes.

    In this case, I believe one reason Alicization got so many episodes was to specifically avoid that rushing from happening – given this arc (and franchise)’s immense popularity, likely they felt the fandom would not have accepted anything less than a thorough adaptation covering up to the finer points of the arc, even if it means a slower pacing. (That and likely some Dengeki Bunko higherups like Alicization enough to give it this treatment instead of making it a “final cash-grab”.)

    zztop
    Reply

    2. I think they will incorporate Moon Cradle into the adaptation. It’s a side story that takes place during the arc so it’s not as if they couldn’t do it. The arc would feel more complete if everything, including side stories were covered by the end.

      Lyfe
      Reply

    2. “Mayumi” didn’t exit the helicopter until the propellers have completely stopped. Otherwise the prop wash would’ve blown her wig off. 😀

      I thought “It could be Asuna”, because Rinko’s interaction (body language, etc.) with “Mayumi” felt unnatural– for example, they muttered to themselves while aboard the helicopter instead of engaging in an actual conversation.
      Also, there seemed to be an unusual focus on “Mayumi” especially since she’s supposed to be an assistant (usually a supporting or minor character).

      https://randomc.net/image/Sword%20Art%20Online/Sword%20Art%20Online%20Alicization%20-%2005%20-%20Large%2033.jpg

      “Where’s Kirito?”

      In another world, flirting with Ai Kayano again. 😀

      Magnus Tancred
      Reply

  5. It’s about time the writers went back to the real world and not just tell the story off Kirito and his adventure in the underworld. I enjoy and look forward to how Kirito will kick as but I too would like to see how his group is holding up and not see the writers leave it at a cliff hanger.<

    https://randomc.net/image/Sword%20Art%20Online/Sword%20Art%20Online%20Alicization%20-%2005%20-%2008.jpg

    https://randomc.net/image/Sword%20Art%20Online/Sword%20Art%20Online%20Alicization%20-%2005%20-%2016.jpg

    https://randomc.net/image/Sword%20Art%20Online/Sword%20Art%20Online%20Alicization%20-%2005%20-%2017.jpg

    RenaSayers
    Reply

  6. I’m very curious in the changes they’re making to distinguish themselves from the light novel. In a way, it makes the anime more unique in its own right, but I’m curious if by doing so, they’re shooting themselves in the foot by leaving out information that took place in the novels. From what the screenshots show, some parts in the novels never happened (or at least will take place later but not now), so I wonder how this will affect the story.

    Also, I really liked how they incorporated the Augma. That was a nice touch.

    Anonymous
    Reply

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