Sword Art Online 09

STARBURST STREAM… nuff said here enjoy some piccys

1 year of research into the taste engine… well Kirito appreciates it.

CUTE!!

The ‘Army’ winners of this years ‘Biggest group of sheep’ award.

Hah had you fooled for a moment there didn’t I, don’t worry here are my random thoughts.

Kirito is quite possibly the only guy who can both walk into a boss room being all that and then run away having wet himself mere seconds later and who doesn’t look happy when a girl and a pretty girl at that is throwing herself at him. When Asuna chooses to take some time off from her guild to be with Kirito, his sole reply is, “Alright.”

As Kirito demonstrates time and time again, when you reach superhuman levels of awesomeness, a state more commonly known as being the protagonist, you tend to scoff at whatever life throws at you. New girlfriend? Nothing new here as all the female characters love Kirito. Heathcliff wants to make Kirito a member of KOB?… meh.  How does he cope with all the popularity?… Surprisingly not well.

After being forced to reveal his ultimate trump card, the unique skill, Dual Wielding. In the 74th floor boss fight and let me just say what a shambles of a boss fight it was. Kirito in order to avoid information brokers, other swordsmen and fan girls crooning after him, abandons his house and sets up in Egil’s shop. We know he was trying to avoid the jealousy that all MMO players have, especially completionists who know they will never have this skill, which is fair enough, but you’ve already established yourself as a beater might as well establish that you are a total badass.

So the boss fight. Which all starts with the Army’s idiocy… I’m all for trying to clear the game as quickly as possible, they are up against a time limit anyway as it’s only so long before their bodies will waste away in bed. But charging into a boss fight when your guild hasn’t been involved since the 25th floor is just insane as you are just putting the lives of your party at risk and unfortunately Colbert’s blind march for greatness got him and 2 of his men killed.

What I loved seeing though was Kirito’s change in attitude… sort of. Not really holding back anymore and wanting to make sure as few people die as possible, sure it was Asuna running in to help that facilitated this and it was mainly his desire to save her that got him in the room. But he did go out of his way to save the Army guys when he could have just defended Asuna, grabbed her, turned around and run away again.

Then of course there was the STARBURST STREAM a whopping great 30+ combo that doesn’t great broken by receiving damage and seemingly can get quicker and quicker judging by how much focus Kirito was putting in to it and it was hella fun to watch Kirito go ape shit mental on the boss, I actually had goosebumps whilst the fight was on but then again watching Kirito smash dungeon bosses is always fun, but only because he takes a kicking too.

That being said, most of this episode’s value lies in the relationship Asuna and Kirito share. The goosebumps aren’t nearly as novel as the butterflies that come with watching Asuna lovingly embrace Kirito.

I’m looking forward to seeing the rest of the SAO arc, there can’t be many episodes left unless they intend to drag some bits out but that doesn’t seem to be the case so far. Next week promises for something special though Kirito vs Heathcliff. Heathcliff who has been coined the greatest player in SAO.