Premise: A large group of online player are stuck in an MMO against their will. but in order to survive and escape they must complete 100 levels of the game in order to win.
This premise… is a cool idea! Based on design and look of the show. You would think they would take you on a fun ride. Unfortunately the premise and set up that this show drops you off in doesn’t last too long. What do I mean by that? Well I have taken deliberately of separating the show into 3 sections. The first beings episode 1 through 9 that focuses on the world of Sword Art Online and the events that take place in it. The second focusing on the later half of part 1 that is all about the love story and the end game. The third section is all of part 2 that shifts to a completely new direction that causes the show to fall apart all together. Let's takes a look at these.
In the first section we are introduced to Kirito, a gamer who beta tested the game beforehand and is now playing the final product like everyone else. He meets some friends and even gets a good head start in the game. Its when he, along with everyone else in this game become trapped inside of a mad man's crazy goal to keep everyone logged into the game stuck until someone defeats the final boss and sets everyone free.
A very cool premise and start to the show and it is shown as the following episodes we are shown boss battles. People getting together to fight while others have given up. You see a clear separation of those are serious vs those who got stuck in a bad situation. There are tons of themes and idea brought up in these first few episodes that if delved into further could make for an interesting show.
In the mix of this journey we are introduced to Asuna, a quiet girl who equals the strength of the front liners but mostly keeps to herself similar to Kirito. She goes on her own path only to suddenly being brought back into Kirito life as they get ever so closer to reaching the final boss. But before that could happen, we take a slight detour in the story.
From that point on we go on a romance story that completely takes over the focus of the show. We no longer feel the stress of from the characters having to get to the final boss and save not only their lives but everyone else that is still left in the game. Instead we follow Kirito and Asuna as they get away from it all and live a simple life in a forest section of the game.
After adopting an AI it became very clear that this show need to extend the life out of what was a focused story. character development is important to storytelling but it works the best when it is interweaves with the plot. most televisions shows use episodes that aren’t related to the main arc of the story just to focus on developing the characters. A term most people use to describe these episodes are “Filler” as it can feel like just a easy way to delay the end of the story. I like to think that there is two kinds of Filler. One that further develops the characters, whether it be through backstory or situations that ultimately change the way you look at them. Another reflecting the previous statement that it is just a way to delay the inedible.
Sometimes they are be both and most occasions that is when they are used. sword art ont seems to go in a what i would illustrate as, a downhill slope. Starting from the top where all the character development lies and as we head toward the next episodes the hill continues to drive down to the bottom. to the depths of filler.
Unfortunately we are cut short of the filler to actually focus on the end game of SAO, the end of Part 1. i say unfortunately because this is the last time we actually see what is left of all the good and potential this show had to opportunity to offer. This is when we enter Part 2….
Part 2 is a different beast entirely where the show shifts so much that It is hard to see it was even made by the same people. the beginning picks up right after part 1 and feels like a nice follow up, at least how a sequel would start. Showing the affects that this game had on everyone's lives and bodies for being plugged in for so long.
From there on the shows focuses on a new story where Kirito sister is in love with him and Asuna is still stuck in the game that was SAO but has now changed because of a new “bad guy” wants to take over the company Asuna father runs by marrying her against her will. I would delve more into this but it honestly has already been done and in much more depth that I would ever get into.
It is interesting to see a show go from have potential to almost working backwards to make you regret watching what was even show at all. Sword Art Online is a prime example of a show that doesn’t live up to the standard introduced by itself. But even with all the problems this show has, it is still looked at overall positive is what you think of when looking at modern popular anime. Why is that?
looking back I can’t help but only really think of the positives aka the first half of this show. Its almost like I went out of my way subconsciously to remove all the bad parts from my memory because the second half honestly feels like a completely different show to me.
The premise going downhill is becoming a noticeable trend in modern anime and if continued could start to reflect the genre as a whole. But whether it be for the positive as to forcing to the studio to take a look work toward avoiding the mistake. or affecting the already dying industry by increasing the lack of interest. Either one is a possibility.
For better or worse, this show has forever caused me to take a step back before and during I watch a new anime from a current season. Seeing the subtle hints on where a story is going if the story has a focused goal at all. Or when the idea is really cool but the presentation is saying otherwise.
So next time you notice a show take a turn or go in a direction you aren’t a fan off. Take a step back and think about what went wrong. Was it the story not living up to the initial premise? Because the future of storytelling can only improve when you correct the mistake you yourself see from others. Taking what they were trying to achieve and making it your own.
