Accel World 07 – 08

How the hell is there ANY resemblance between the two!? D: Anime... I'll never truly understand

Accel World has begun to unfold into the show I perceived it to be with the expectations I initially had. That itself is a good turn-of-events for me considering I’m enjoying Accel World more and more with each episode. They could definitely keep out the unnecessary ‘accidental groping’ which makes me face palm everytime they use it. Come on, first they used it in Episode 6 and then they used it again on Episode 8. I don’t understand Obara Masakazu… you’ve helped Accel World stand back up after an embarrassing start yet you still choose to keep such service.

Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai!!!

Besides that, I didn’t really fancy Taku’s character development in Episode 7. Sure it’s great he’s joined the school and obtained a new resolve after his confrontation with Kuroyukihime and all but seeing that pathetic side of him a second time; as if he didn’t learn from the first only felt repetitive to me. My interpretation or stance on this might be completely stupid but this is the best possible way for me to explain why I thought like that. Not to say I didn’t enjoy the battles in Episode 7 because they were pretty awesome! Loved the tag teaming between Haruyuki and Karen and especially Aqua Current’s avatar design. Did anyone else think it looked absolutely gorgeous as she basked in the moon light behind her? Beautiful use of the ‘purity’ from the ‘pure’ water she’s made up of if you don’t mind me saying so myself.

Unlike in episode’s 1 and 2 – where a lot of explanation took place – Obara has done a good job in implementing the extra info we might need to know about (like colour importance and territory matches) into the fighting itself so it doesn’t feel bland and boring, but practical and engaging. On another note, I’m actually happy that Scarlet Rain is a crazy little girl (who so happens to be second cousins with Haruyuki) instead of the cute, loli, imouto character at the start. I literally thought that when this character was introduced, I wouldn’t like her for that cutesy personality but boy was I wrong. She’s a crazy little girl and a crazy Burst Linker with all that artillery power at the same time? How crazy can she get!?

Rating: I’ve decided to give both episodes an overall 8 out of 10. After finally seeing the beast-like avatar in the OP appear at the end of Episode 8, it’s really piqued my interest behind what Scarlet Rain wanted to ask of Kuroyukihime. A collaboration between two kings to take down the beast? Or could it be a strategy to get her killed considering that beast seems to be ‘feeding’ on other peoples avatars. Not only has that increased my interest in the show in terms of progression but – like I said at the top – the introduction of Scarlet Rain and Aqua Current to the series. Really looking forward to seeing more of them in the near future and how the story will unfold from here on out.