So, my friend and I had this great idea to start a blog where we randomly reviewed and discussed various things media related, from books to film to games, etc. That was back in August, when this was created, and here I am on the sixth of February finally posting something significant while I listen to Peter Hollens sing "Into the West" from The Lord of the Rings, sighing at the amazing talent of this guy. Yet, I am already digressing. I had started last week another blog that would cover the movies I had seen this year, none of which are new, but I could never get into the groove where I could find a good amount to say that would be worthy of a sufficient review. Wow! Another digression! Okay. Sword Art Online.
This anime was a breathtaking view to behold visually. It had the vibrancy that captured the fantastical digital world that the characters were placed in by playing the virtual game, from sky vistas possessing a almost a pastel/painted type quality with a digital touch, the highly detailed world of Aincrad and the world surrounding The World Tree in ALfheim Online succeeded at transporting me into the characters' world even knowing in my mind it was a cartoon, to the dedication by the writer to the realism of each major character, bringing a balance between the outlandish unreal virtual world and the very real conflict and relationships the characters experienced.
And while I will not provide spoilers (because everyone reading this should watch this twenty-five episode series), it connected me to the characters so well through their realistic personalities and struggles that I must admit there were several scenes where tears fell. Yes, I admit it! I cried during a cartoon! But it is as I said, the immersion quality this series had made attachment to the main characters extremely easy.
Another great success of SAO was how the world, community (or sometimes lack thereof), and spirit of MMORPG's was depicted so truthfully, brutal in its honesty and authentic down to the elements of the fictional game being played itself. For someone who has spent roughly six years in the MMO world I found myself comfortably at home, laughing at the behaviors of some of the extra characters, gasping at the intense, emotional sticky situations Kirito and his companions found themselves in various Dungeons and Instanced Boss Fights, and of course sighing at all the guild drama and cheap player tricks that exploited the system to gain advantage over other players (I hate PvP, Player vs Player servers as you will probably discover very quickly if I ever review an MMO). This show so incredibly accurately captures the world of the MMO genre unlike any other form of media or article that anyone could write.
(Caption: This is an AMV (animated music video) and I don't think there English subtitles, but for those who don't want spoilers that's probably good anyway. Plus, the song choice was good-liked Skillet since '96!)
What makes the show extremely exceptional in my eyes is the questions it makes the viewer asks, and it accomplishes this subtly by embedding themes in something as simple as a single short monologue or statement from a character to more obvious events where the conflict really forces the audience along with the characters to question certain assumptions most of the populace take for granted and ignorantly take at face value as well as for granted, such as what is real and what is not. Most, especially those who do not play games, watch a lot of movies, or even read a lot of books, could never understand how someone could get so attached to a "world that isn't real" and feel more alive in a world that is "fake." One of those quotes, which I do not think is a spoiler of any kind, is quoted by the main character Kirito during a monologue he gives I think close to the end of the series.
"There's no meaningful difference between a real and a virtual world. It's pointless to ask anyone [in an MMORPG] who they really are. All you can do is accept and believe in them. Because whoever they are in your mind is their true identity."
This raises a significant thought to consider. It makes the viewer ask, just where do the lines blur between fantasy and reality? And can relationships you make in a "virtual world" be as strong or close as those in the "real world?" Questions like these are presented throughout the whole series and provide an incredible depth to a genre that is usually considered on the surface light-hearted, not to be taken seriously, and merely for a young audience. At the same time, it shows the danger that does exist for those-like myself-who can be tempted to escape into the virtual world where though you might feel more alive by showing the consequences that most definitely exist in "this world." Because, whether in a land of Fantasy or at your school or job, you cannot escape the human condition that is for real, a scary thing. I wouldn't recommend this to a very young audience, actually, though it is not as if it is for a mature audience alone. If you have any specific questions about that, feel free to ask.
Well, then. The Verdict? I give it an A+, and though there might be some bias because of my MMO background, aside from that I thought it was an incredibly well-thought, well-written show that was not only entertaining, but extremely thought provoking. But do not take my word for it. Check it out for yourself. And it might have subtitles, but you really get over those quickly. Though there are plans for another season, not only did the trailer make my head fall, but I felt the initial series ended on a perfect note with good closure. But, oy vey! If something's successful, those execs will run it to the ground. Unfortunate.
