simple watches Sword Art Online (Progress: Season 2 Complete!)

Temple of Kraden News: Welcome to the Temple of Kraden! ------ All worshipers may enter the Most Holy Place in single file, reflecting on the bountiful blessing Kraden hath provided unto him or herself since their last visit. Head coverings are not necessary, as true penitence and humility are found within. The Priests and Priestesses of Kraden endeavor to remind all that fresh orange juice is heavily preferred; only whores use frozen.

Greetings, heathen. Perhaps some fortuitous blessing of Kraden's grace hath led you to our humble Temple, or perhaps you are simply curious about this strange and wonderful cult. Should you be willing - and dare to hope - to achieve enlightenment, the door opens before you. Lo! Leave your old life behind! For once you step through, you become something more than just yourself.

You become a Kradenette.

Are you willing to make the rapturous plunge? Do you have what it takes?

One of us! One of us! One of us!

Already one of us? Make your presence known:

Pages:
1
…
12
13
14
…
37

simple watches Sword Art Online (Progress: Season 2 Complete!); So you don't have to.
Tweet Topic Started: Feb 19 2014, 01:14 PM (36,700 Views)
simplechild	Mar 26 2014, 07:23 PM Post #241
My only feel is murder Posts: 12,119 Group: Fori Member #115 Joined: October 30, 2006 Gender: Burning Blog: What's All This, Then? Country: 'Nam. True Name: simplechild	Episode 14: The End of the World - Not so menacing with your sliver of HP left, are you? - This entire fight looks a lot less exciting than I hoped. C'mon, A-1 Pictures, get your shit together. - Everyone makes a big deal out of fourteen deaths in a single boss fight. Which is understandable, but at the same time I have to assume exactly how difficult it would be to climb the rest of the way up if they are to expect more deaths like that. Aren't there appx. 6000 people left in SAO? What's 14 people gotta make your worry for? - Kirito giving the stinkeye towards Heathcliff, whose is in sole possession of a sizable health bar. Even if that were to mean anything, Kirito uses that hunch to stab at him, revealing that he's not a normal player. - Kirito deduces that Heathcliff is actually Kayaba Akihiko, the creator of SAO, by reasoning that "there is nothing more boring than watching someone else play videogames". Apparently, this is a universe where Twitch.tv does not exist. - Ha ha ha oh my god. I mean, isn't this just great? The only way Heathcliff was going to be a legitimate character in this Gary Stu fantasy is if we make him the Final Boss of the Internet. We can't have any of the good guys being stronger than Kirito, now can we. You know what's even worse, though? He's actually not stronger than Kirito! Kirito could easily beat the shit out of Heathcliff at his own game if it weren't for his prevalent use of hax! I mean Come on - I like how Asuna's first reaction, upon hearing that her own guild leader is the final boss, is to cling to Kirito's upper arm like the [rainbow]Perfect Waifu[/rainbow] she is. I'm not even angry at this point. - Heathcliff even gave Kirito the Dual Wielding skill because he had the best reflexes of everyone in SAO. Apparently his reflexes are pretty shit if they couldn't save his guild dohohohohohohohohohohohohohoh - But seriously, that's even funnier. The Final Boss of the Internet deems some deadbeat solo player as a worthy opponent to face off against him at the 100th floor. As if he's in a better position to SAVE EVERYONE because he can hold two swords instead of one. As if Dual Wielding was God's gift to successful MMORPGs. - How strange that Heathcliff still has to pull up a menu to paralyze everyone like the CHEATER CHEATER MASTURBEATER he is. - And then Heathcliff is all like "1v1 me scrub". - Let me get this straight. We're at the 75th floor. We haven't even completed SAO. And now we're making Heathcliff the Final Boss of the Internet. Right here. Right now. This is the final episode of the first half, right? What the [radio edit]? - Also, why would Kirito even accept that kind of proposal? Since he's the game's greatest hope of escaping SAO (since he's broken OP and all), it's be wiser to actually level up all the way to the 100th floor before even thinking about taking Heathcliff down. I mean, sure, if he won then the game would be over and everyone would be free. If he didn't, then the rest of the gamers would have that much harder of a time to even climb the floors, considering that Heathcliff himself was supposed to be part of the front lines in the first place. Honestly, I'd be fine with either decision he makes if it were framed with those kinds of stakes at hand. But you know what he says instead? "Don't insult me." You think this is a [radio edit]ing joke, Kirito? Of all the things that propel you to accepting his challenge, it's going to be your pride? - dun wry bb jus watc me win so jus sit there lik [rainbow]perf wafu[/rainbow] an wat for me. - Then he starts commemorating his friends and shit and Klein just can't not make it gay. - We're sorry to interrupt your programming with this hilarious bit of Engrish. - I see this still isn't about the hope of 6000+ players trapped in this game. Instead, this is about Kirito's crushing internal conflict about killing people that only manifested in episode 10 and nowhere else. I don't think there's any moral dilemma concerning killing a man who not only trapped 10,000 people in SAO but also is responsible for almost 4000 deaths because of it. Pretty sure Kirito doesn't need to affirm his resolve to kill the guy. - And of course because Heathcliff does hax and shit Kirito is going to lose. Also what the [radio edit] It had to be Liz's sword that breaks? - It's about to be game over for Kirito! What can he do to- oh my god - heheheheheheheheh - Ha ha hah ha haha ha haah HAH HAAHAH AHA HAH AHAH Haaaaaaa That's just perfect. - Anime of the Year, folks. - Anime of the mother [radio edit]ing Year. [yt-sound]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHQLQ1Rc_Js[/yt-sound] - Oh no, Kirito has lost all hope because his [rainbow]Perfect Waifu[/rainbow] is gone! Gee, he better not be reacting as I nonchalantly stab him in the [radio edit]ing heart! - Wait, if Kirito's health bar takes so long to reach zero after being stabbed, how [radio edit]ing dangerous is a single slash supposed to be? It's not like Asuna was a critical health or anything when she got hit. I'd demand the anime give me answers to these questions that keep piling up but I don't think SAO is interested in making sense. - And then Kirito turns into digital Jesus and stabs him back. Can I be done with this anime? Please? - Well, I guess I'm not done yet if the anime is still willing to give literally the best girl a split-second of screentime as the world falls apart, thanks to how terrible this anime is. - Digital Jesus died for your gigs. - Hey look it's your waifu before she ascends into digital heaven! - Remember when I said the entirety of SAO took place in that floating castle thingy? Well, they're standing somewhere in the sky and the castle is this distance away from them. That thing is [radio edit]ing massive. How far away are they from anything? Not that I'm seriously complaining, but it just feels weird to see it from this perspective. - Come on, they only spent two episodes in that [radio edit]ing house and four episodes married. It is unworthy of attention. I mean, I get that Kirito's and Asuna's relationship is going to similarly fall apart thanks to them never actually meeting each other before, but for christ's sake you commit to a digital marriage with some chick on the internet after sixth months of knowing her and somehow she's the only reason you have left for living. I remain unconvinced that this romance is legitimate. - That's rich, Kirito gets to talk to God about what the [radio edit] everything was going on about. - Let's scroll through every familiar name on one section of the logout list as if it were pure coincidence. - "Why did you do this?" "I forgot a long time ago" Kill me. Please. - Hearing Akihiko lay out his mindset and philosophies about the creation of SAO would be interesting if the show actually gave me reason to care. Since I've only known the guy for about five minutes, haha no. - Yuuki Asuna and Kirigaya Kazuto laying in a ward, R-O-T-T-I-N-G - we evangelion 25 and 26 now - Aaaand we're back! - So, uh, did she actually die or what? I'm guessing no because this is Kirito's [rainbow]Perfect Waifu[/rainbow] we're talking about, but come on. - Sit the [radio edit] back down how the hell are you able to move, anyway - Is this the end? Is this the real life? Is it just fantasy? Well guys it's been a great run and I hope you enjoyed my thoughts on SAO but I regret to say that our journey has come to an e- WAIT YOU MEAN THIS ISNT OVER [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb1kidLw3SU[/youtube]



Phoenix7	Mar 26 2014, 07:38 PM Post #242
Odyssey, ya see~ Odyssey, ya see~ Posts: 30,101 Group: Merc-Yuri Clan Member #196 Joined: May 29, 2007 Gender: #225# Blog: #225# Country: #225# True Name: Peo!~	simplechild Mar 26 2014, 07:23 PM - It's about to be game over for Kirito! What can he do to- oh my god - heheheheheheheheh - Ha ha hah ha haha ha haah HAH HAAHAH AHA HAH AHAH Haaaaaaa That's just perfect. - Anime of the Year, folks. - Anime of the mother [radio edit]ing Year. [yt-sound]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHQLQ1Rc_Js[/yt-sound] I absolutely lost it here. Bravo, Simple. Bravo. also I'm unsure if those twists came out of nowhere or I just don't watch enough anime



Seoulbowz	Mar 26 2014, 07:42 PM Post #243
Supergeil Posts: 19,233 Group: Sol Clan Member #54 Joined: May 28, 2006 Blog: Edeka Country: #79# True Name: Friedrich Liechtenstein Theme Song: https://youtu.be/jxVcgDMBU94	Based Simple



simplechild	Mar 26 2014, 07:44 PM Post #244
My only feel is murder Posts: 12,119 Group: Fori Member #115 Joined: October 30, 2006 Gender: Burning Blog: What's All This, Then? Country: 'Nam. True Name: simplechild	It's just... kind of funny the way the twists turned out. It was the only way the story could possible go. Because the only way to justify making Heathcliff physically stronger than Kirito is if he were secretly evil and a filthy cheater, thereby making him less wholesome and giving Kirito a chance to regain his position as Most Broken Black Swordsman JP. Also the music is synced up to your gif and it's literally perfect.



Kiki	Mar 26 2014, 07:51 PM Post #245
Kiki Martius Chantico Posts: 16,455 Group: Mars Clan (wololo!) Member #101 Joined: September 23, 2006 Blog: error# Country: #226#	i wanted asuna to kill the bad man.



Peytral	Mar 26 2014, 07:53 PM Post #246
peytral pls Posts: 15,452 Group: Sol Clan Member #459 Joined: March 18, 2009 Gender: Miserable pile of secrets Blog: Ab Animo Pario Country: #0# True Name: Peytral Aznable	based



Gilgamesh	Mar 26 2014, 07:55 PM Post #247
solbowz Aurarius Posts: 33,599 Group: Venus Clan Member #380 Joined: October 3, 2008 Gender: King of Heroes Blog: Shattered Symbosis Country: #226# True Name: Space Boyd Theme Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h6lFNXzC1g	the suffering continues



simplechild	Mar 26 2014, 08:04 PM Post #248
My only feel is murder Posts: 12,119 Group: Fori Member #115 Joined: October 30, 2006 Gender: Burning Blog: What's All This, Then? Country: 'Nam. True Name: simplechild	Technically it's Asuna's sword that kills the bad man so THERE.



leaf	Mar 26 2014, 08:07 PM Post #249
Crimson Leaf Vermillion Posts: 5,603 Group: Venus Clan Member #908 Joined: October 14, 2011 Gender: leaf Theme Song: http://youtu.be/wyJWmm2ymUs	I'm surprised you didn't focus more on "I REFUSE TO DIE!" It's literally the most wtfhax scene in the entire anime, with absolutely no explanation or rational basis. Quote: - Everyone makes a big deal out of fourteen deaths in a single boss fight. Which is understandable, but at the same time I have to assume exactly how difficult it would be to climb the rest of the way up if they are to expect more deaths like that. Aren't there appx. 6000 people left in SAO? What's 14 people gotta make your worry for? There aren't 6000 people that can fight on the front lines. The front lines, from what I was lead to believe, consist of probably less than a hundred players that can actually fight on the level necessary to battle these bosses. Anyway, congrats on making it past the first arc. Now for the real cancer.



simplechild	Mar 26 2014, 08:10 PM Post #250
My only feel is murder Posts: 12,119 Group: Fori Member #115 Joined: October 30, 2006 Gender: Burning Blog: What's All This, Then? Country: 'Nam. True Name: simplechild	leaf Mar 26 2014, 08:07 PM Quote: - Everyone makes a big deal out of fourteen deaths in a single boss fight. Which is understandable, but at the same time I have to assume exactly how difficult it would be to climb the rest of the way up if they are to expect more deaths like that. Aren't there appx. 6000 people left in SAO? What's 14 people gotta make your worry for? There aren't 6000 people that can fight on the front lines. The front lines, from what I was lead to believe, consist of probably less than a hundred players that can actually fight on the level necessary to battle these bosses. That makes sense. Quote: I'm surprised you didn't focus more on "I REFUSE TO DIE!" It's literally the most wtfhax scene in the entire anime. it's not wtfhax if you're secretly Digital Jesus.



Chrono Ivan	Mar 26 2014, 11:12 PM Post #251
He who strikes like lightning Posts: 9,651 Group: Jupiter Clan Member #251 Joined: September 19, 2007 Gender: Hurf Durf Blog: Arrythmia Country: #238# True Name: Chrono Ivan Theme Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl9kSsLMz4E	It gets worse?! [youtube]http://youtu.be/UeXKtAQZGqo[/youtube]



simplechild	Mar 31 2014, 06:05 PM Post #252
My only feel is murder Posts: 12,119 Group: Fori Member #115 Joined: October 30, 2006 Gender: Burning Blog: What's All This, Then? Country: 'Nam. True Name: simplechild	http://www.otakutale.com/2014/new-sword-art-online-ii-key-visual/ I'm in the middle of writing up Episode 15, so entertain yourself with this. ifyouknowwhatimean.jpg



Saturos	Mar 31 2014, 06:13 PM Post #253
heart-under-blade Posts: 36,354 Group: Iris Member #2 Joined: March 20, 2005 Gender: Male Country: #0# True Name: Saturos Theme Song: https://youtu.be/mh5vyvMGhqE	all cards coming up "pls"



FrozenWrath	Mar 31 2014, 06:26 PM Post #254
Somebody Posts: 2,382 Group: Merc-Yuri Clan Member #1,176 Joined: February 14, 2014 Gender: ??? Blog: The Hero's Shadow Country: NotAmerica True Name: FrozenWrath Theme Song: http://youtu.be/26MntdnE390	I should watch SAO.



ShmittlesThePoe	Mar 31 2014, 06:28 PM Post #255
Pirate Wavemaster Posts: 10,690 Group: Clanless Member #375 Joined: September 18, 2008 Gender: XY Country: #226#



FrozenWrath	Mar 31 2014, 06:48 PM Post #256
Somebody Posts: 2,382 Group: Merc-Yuri Clan Member #1,176 Joined: February 14, 2014 Gender: ??? Blog: The Hero's Shadow Country: NotAmerica True Name: FrozenWrath Theme Song: http://youtu.be/26MntdnE390



Chrono Ivan	Apr 4 2014, 11:27 AM Post #257
He who strikes like lightning Posts: 9,651 Group: Jupiter Clan Member #251 Joined: September 19, 2007 Gender: Hurf Durf Blog: Arrythmia Country: #238# True Name: Chrono Ivan Theme Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl9kSsLMz4E



FrozenWrath	Apr 4 2014, 11:35 AM Post #258
Somebody Posts: 2,382 Group: Merc-Yuri Clan Member #1,176 Joined: February 14, 2014 Gender: ??? Blog: The Hero's Shadow Country: NotAmerica True Name: FrozenWrath Theme Song: http://youtu.be/26MntdnE390	I'll take it up.



simplechild	Apr 4 2014, 11:54 AM Post #259
My only feel is murder Posts: 12,119 Group: Fori Member #115 Joined: October 30, 2006 Gender: Burning Blog: What's All This, Then? Country: 'Nam. True Name: simplechild	I'm in the middle of both writing my usual bullet-point episode post and another, more comprehensive piece about my actual thoughts on the episode. This is something I plan to continue with for the rest of the anime. I've had no time this week to really think/write to my fullest extent now that I'm back in school, so at least expect episode 15 to be out by Saturday.



simplechild	Apr 5 2014, 04:12 PM Post #260
My only feel is murder Posts: 12,119 Group: Fori Member #115 Joined: October 30, 2006 Gender: Burning Blog: What's All This, Then? Country: 'Nam. True Name: simplechild	Episode 15: Return Play-by-play - Literally a positive sun. - Look at Kirito and his [rainbow]Perfect Waifu[/rainbow], swaying on a rocking chair and reading a book as if they were old. That's just messed up. That's just too perfect. - when suddenly OBSCURING OF THE SUN - SMASHING OF APPLES btw i dont think apples shatter that way after a 4-foot drop. - That's not a nightmare; that's so [radio edit]ing metal. - I'd cry if I had to wake up at 7:15 too. - Is Kirito insinuating that virtual swords are heavier than real ones. Are we doing this again, SAO. - They then decide to duel each other. Look at him crush that empty water bottle. Yeah, you show that water bottle. What's more ridiculous is that Sugu appears surprised at his feat of strength. - Sugu is worried that she might hurt Kirito in the duel but he's all like "Or we could stop before we strike each other. But I wouldn't want you getting hurt right off." - Strike two: Kirito genuinely believes that his computer game skillz will help him defeat his National Quarterfinalist cousin. You know, the one who had been in real life for two years longer than Kirito has. - Welp. Apparently two months of rehab allows you to sidestep everything like it's nobody's business. - Also allows you to face her one-handed like it's nobody's business. - I mean, he does lose, yes, but I'm not convinced that he actually loses out. As if he would've won if it weren't for that stupid thing called real life getting in the way of his awesomeness. - This ain't SAO without its condescending headpats. - ah yes, delicious cousincest. Such jealousy. - In case you forgot we were watching SAO. - What strikes me as odd is that Kirito required the government's help to locate Asuna when he knows her real name is Yuuki Asuna and knows what she looks like in real life. - We're at Asuna's bedside now. I don't know how she's still alive when she died in SAO, but whatever. - Sugou seems like a decent fellow so far. - aaaaaaaand now he's the new villain. That's just perfect. Our new real life threat for Kirito is some old dude NTRing his [rainbow]Perfect Waifu[/rainbow]. - Sorry Sugou, I don't think you're villainous enough for Kirito's world order. Go sniff her hair for a bit. That'll seal the deal. - Nope. Not enough. Now lick your lips in a suggestive manner. Perfect. - "You can't do that," Kirito stammers. Of course Sugou can. Arranged marriages aren't uncommon and it's certainly more socially acceptable than in-game marriages. Kirito's not in a good place to start preaching anything against that. Hell, I think the point of that line is to bring the topic of arranged marriage into question. However, the problem with Sugou is not his insistence on the marriage but instead his unparalleled and pathological creepiness. They way the anime seems to equate those two elements seems cheap to me. - Case in point, Sugou doesn't even try to argue from the more reasonable standpoint, that being that Kirito has no place to argue against his marriage to Asuna. Instead he just rubs into Kirito's face that he's going to steal his [rainbow]Perfect Waifu[/rainbow], which only makes Sugou that much easier to break down later. - I see that the NerveGear doesn't get confiscated by the government but is instead handed over to Sugou's research division. That's. I. Really. This is all falling into place a bit conveniently, don't you think? - Sugu obviously not smart enough for Kirito to talk straight to her. - Sugu obviously not smart enough to avoid a full cleavage shot. Look at those cousin boobs. LOOK AT THEM. - WE GOTTA GO BACK, KATE. Thoughts I'll make it clear right now that I'm of the "SAO is shit (so far)" camp as of episode 14. I don't actually mean that it's shit and I can easily point towards a few titles that much worse than SAO, but this anime evokes visceral emotions within me whenever I sit down to watch another episode. As such, I'm not on hundred percent sure where I want to go with this episodic series. Other than to tell you people that I don't like SAO. Like, really don't like SAO. SAO certainly isn't the only show to evoke this feeling, but its flaws are what make it fascinating to analyze. It's definitely entertaining, but for reasons I'm sure are unintended by whoever made this. Most of my laughs and riled up feelings are derisive towards the show rather than supportive. I don't enjoy this show because I look forward to how good the next episode is; I enjoy it because it's an engaging 22-minute bashfest. One can argue whether such a quality deserves recognition when rating the anime overall, but it doesn't factor into my rating scale. I've talked about this before with Valvrave, and may insinuate that the two share the same spot, but that show's badness bordered on camp and there was clear lines for whether I should take the show seriously or not, as shown when the series shifts into a more serious story in the second half. SAO believes that it is completely, consistently, a serious show. The problem is, I can't take anything it does seriously. It doesn't help that there's still the white, sticky residue left from Kirito's escapades in SAO with his Perfect Waifu. The first thing we're treated to when this episode opens is a dream where Kirito and Asuna are sitting together in a rocking chair at their Little House in the Woods. Spare me at least the assumption that their love that deep, but the entire dream sequence is so over-the-top. The sky glows red. The clouds go to plaid. A blood-red dimensional void claws into Kirito's universe. That's not a nightmare; that's so [radio edit]ing metal. Admittedly, teenage angst is easy to make fun of once you start to expect a certain level of maturity, and I do get the feeling that I was never the target audience for this show in the first place, but there are ways to make that angst realistic. Take, for example, the fact that Kirito only knew Asuna for about six months before deciding that they should marry. That level of romance shouldn't translate into bullshit such as sitting together in a cabin as if they achieved Elderly Coupleu status triumphed the hardships of romance. Put some doubt into it. Does Asuna truly hold the key to his heart? These questions end up moot because Kirito sincerely believes that Asuna is The One. And if Kirito believes it, you sure as hell can expect that this anime will bend over backwards to make that happen. Kirito believes that he is strong. Therefore, he should be able to go toe-to-toe with his National Quarterfinalist kendo-trained cousin. Nevermind that he's only underwent two months of exercise after over two years of sitting in a hospital ward, or that his fighting style is completely based on a computer game. Look at him. He's sidestepping Sugu's swings so easily, so effortlessly. She does win the duel, but the victory is hollow. I am expected to believe that Kirito, who has been laying in a bed playing a computer game for two straight years, and has been out of kendo for even longer than that, is somehow able to match strength with Sugu with just two months of exercise and his "godlike" reflexes. That shit just doesn't happen. Kirito's bedridden state is treated more as a fixable excuse rather than a bonafide handicap. The supposition that he would have won if it weren't for those two years of absence is unbelievable. What's also unbelievable is the show's new villain: Sugou. You'd think that, if indeed we're in the real world, that the new villain would be more grounded in reality. However, Sugou is nothing more than another strawman for Kirito to eventually take down. Why do I compare Sugou to the villains Kirito has faced before? Well, they all share the same trait: they're not just evil, they're also completely delusional. Having one of these kinds of villains is fine if it's for the sake of making the main character look better, but that only works once and it happened in episode 2. Since then, enemies have only become more cartoonish and outlandish in their villainy and scumbaggery. Hell, even Heathcliff falls into this territory because he's revealed to be a filthy cheater at his own game. What's Sugou's problem, then? Well, not only is he unreasonable possessive of Asuna, there's also the way he's portrayed on screen. I get the feeling that, even though all those players are back in real life, I haven't actually escaped SAO's Gary Stu tendencies. Kirito's world is still tailored to his wants and needs, and there are three elements of this fantasy that stand out: 1. He must be number 1 at everything he does 2. He must win Asuna. 3. He must do 1 and 2 with the minimum effort possible. Compared to the first half of the series so far, this arc seems to be, quite frankly, more of the same. Kirito would have trouble maintaining his status as a "strong" character if he were to be weak for even one episode, so the duel between him and Sugu proves to maintain the fantasy that he's strong even when hospitalized and out of actual swordfighting practice. Kirito, too, would have trouble beating Sugou if the guy were to show genuine interest and care for Asuna's health, perhaps actually being a good guy. But that's unacceptable if we are to keep Kirito in the number 1 spot, so Sugou needs to be as unforgivable and sleazy as possible so that Kirito can easily break both his bones and his worldviews. There's something a bit formulaic about how this is starting to set up; the world still revolves around Kirito even outside of his perfect virtual reality and if he wants something, the story has no choice but to comply. While I laugh about it now, and will continue to laugh about it long into my eventual viewing of SAO II, I'll probably never accept this show as anything but a teenage fantasy. A laughable, twisted teenage fantasy.

Enjoy forums? Start your own community for free. Learn More · Register for Free
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Temple of Illustrated Arts · Next Topic »

Pages:
1
…
12
13
14
…
37

Affiliates ↑