[Spoilers] Sword Art Online

I watched episode 15 yesterday and I'm still fuming about it. I'll give me reactions thus far

 

When I first started SAO, I got a basic .hack . Nothing really drew me to it other than the OP. Then once they got a few eps in and Asuna started being more of a recurring character, I really got the feel for what they were going for. Everything that built upon the relationship Kirito and Asuna have s perfectly executed and you really feel for them as a couple. Then you get to ep 14 and they both die. They just freaking die like it was nothing. It works out and Kirito wakes up in a hospital bed. A hospital bed that he's been in for 2 years on life support. And the first and only thing that goes through his mind is Asuna. Where is Asuna. Get to Asuna. Despite the fact that he's completely emaciated. Despite the fact that his muscles must so incredibly atrophied beyond recognition.

Then we get to ep 15. It's been 2 months and Asuna is still in a coma. Kirito is adjusting to normal life and his sister who's actually his cousin has a weird incest thing for him. He checks on Asuna just about every day from what I can tell. Obviously frequently enough for her dad to be used to seeing him.

Then we get to the source of my hate. I didn't even pay attention to what his name was because he makes my skin crawl with rage. This glasses jerk walks in and starts talking about how he's getting married to Asuna in a week and he's basically the one keeping her alive because of his computer system so it's clearly his right.

I can't believe that the relationship that the just spent the last 5 eps building and tempering to make you feel legitimate sympathy and love for Kirito/Asuna is being brought crashing down in a second like that. This dude is saying he's keeping Asuna alive when he has no idea what Kirito and Asuna went through together for the past 2 years. And on top off, they're trying to force this incest relationship thing Kirito's cousin has for him at the same time. I'm so incredibly mad right now that i almost don't want to watch more. But at the same time, I need some form of closure and reconciliation. I need to know that this is eventually okay somehow. But even then, once i know that everything's alright, I won't want the series to end again. I've watched hundreds of other things before that made me laugh and cry, sometimes both. I've have never been this absolutely lived from watching an anime before and I don't know what to do about it other than to try and forge onward.

[Musamichi]

Overall, I love the series. While it had it's hiccups and issues with certain things, I enjoyed it. I'll be reading the light novel soon when I get the chance, because I hear there is even more to the story. I'd give it a strong B+

 

To respond to you Christmas447, I think the fact that the villain in the series made you hate him so much was an excellent part of the series. The last villain, you knew he was bad but at the same time, he seemed more like an objective than a boss you wanted to take down. Granted, Heathcliff was a douche among douches but the story made you sympathize with him a bit toward the end in a small way.

This guy, however, ... oh, ho ho this guy. Comes in and shows you why you, the viewer, want to take him down. Why you're cheering for Kirito to beat the ♫♫♫♫ out of him. Why you ball up your fist at every moment this man speaks. Making it satisfying when Kirito reaches that point and gets to face him.

Some people may hate on it or may think of it as a dot Hack clone but I would like to think the series did a good job with an existing concept and make it their own