Accel World Review

Full Review

Pro: Animation/Music, Fun to watch, Kuroyukihime

Con: Story gets weaker in second half

Final Thoughts: Accel World came out first by the same creator of SAO (aka: Sword Art Online). However, unlike SAO, I found this series to be much more tolerable all the way through and here is why. In case you have not already noticed, I will be comparing SAO (aka: Sword Art Online, aka an anime for newbies who don't know any better) *ahem* to Accel World mainly because they are made by the same creator, came out in recent years, and share many similarities except that SAO has gotten a lot more attention for some ungodly reason. In the end, I found Accel World to be a solid anime series for the most part. The show focusses more on strategy and training rather than overly dramatized ass pulls as it should be. (Unlike *ahem* SAO *ahem*) While it lacked a good delivery in the second half it still had very consistent characters and relationships that one could hope for. If you are a fan of video game featured animes or even mecha/fighting animes check it out, it will be worth a good hour or two of your time.

Story: The story takes place in virtual reality (video game in the future) and has a main girl and boy character who form a relationship of friendship...just kidding of course they have some romance. On a side note: The romance may feel a bit rushed in Accel World, but I found it to be very heartwarming. Accel World is from the start a show that draws you in. In my opinion (along with Sankarea) Accel World has probably the best first couple episodes in anime (in recent years). We follow Haruyuki as he tries to get over his insecurities by playing a video game known as brain burst. Apparently it is a game that actually takes place in reality and can be used to alter it as well. You get a mecha looking avatar that feeds off your insecurities which become your strength and determines your avatar’s appearance as well. Overall this is a pretty entertaining and dare I say, unique premise for a game. Haruyuki is guided by the beautiful, smart and popular Kuroyukihime to succeed in the game and help her with her own personal battles. On another side note: Kuroyukihime was my favorite character in the show. (I love her design especially her personal avatars) Throughout the series Haruyuki teams up with other Brains Bursters and helps them with their problems as well as his own within the game as he apparently has a rather rare and talented avatar. He may seem whiney at first, but he is pretty smart and if anything becomes much more determined and confident by the end of the show. Side characters are pretty good because not one feels neglected or unneeded. There are also several interesting plot points that do not get addressed, but remain rather intriguing such as Kuroyukihime’s real name (which it not revealed here) and the identities of some of the “Kings of Color”. I wish the series was longer so we could look into these points, but I suppose that is what the manga is for. Looking back though, the show would have benefitted in exploring elements such as these rather than coming up with a short “defeat the bad guy arc” in the second half. (which is Accel World's main weakness)The two OVAS are very good, but the second half of the main season drags a bit and takes a tiny step back. We still see a progression of Haruyuki and get introduced to a new character, but the villain is such a brat. He is defiantly one of the villains you don't feel any sympathy for, but he is by no means as charming as say Maleficent. Thankfully they don't go easy on him in the end. Accel World feels like a first draft of sorts for SAO. I feel like if it had another good rewrite or two it could have been a very strong anime. Still, the second half is not nearly as major of a downward spiral as the SAO second half. Even with this being said I still feel very strongly that Accel World is the definite better of the two. Why is it not as popular as SAO though? Here is my theory-> Accel World did not do as well originally so the creator (or someone else) thought to try to appeal to a wider audience by doing changes. Very bad changes...

Characters: Haruyuki: fat (whiney/insecure, but determined type) to Kirito: skinny (more handsome/lone antihero type) The way Haruyuki looks is kind of the main point people.

Kuroyukihime is not a straight up tsundere. She is in many ways an overall stronger character that helps guide Haruyuki to victory. She definatly has some tsudere traits, but keeps them somewhat controlled. She has a very mature and wise demenoner. Asuna is a straight up tsudere that has a lot of body parts exposed throughout the show. (so does Kuroyukihime, but not to this extent) She becomes a princess peach kind of character and is overall disrespected by the show. She shows promise in the beginning, but is never fully realized. Art and Sound: The story and characters are much better than SAO for sure, but the animation is only slightly better than average and the music about the same. The opening themes are so mecha if I have ever heard one. The animation is best when they are within the game of brain burst. Final Score: 3 stars Recommendations: Sword Art Online/Log Horizon/Angelic Layer

#accelworld #review #3stars #spring #2012