When you're new to something, everything impresses you.
This applies to almost everything I've ever tried in my life, from sports, to video games, to music, to food.... oh, the list goes on. I remember the first time I learned how to play a simple melody on my guitar - I was so thrilled that I played it on and on and on until my fingers (literally) bled and I had to wear band-aids for a week (Totally not a Summer of '69 reference). Sigh, that does reveal how obsessive I can get with new pursuits (and if you didn't figure that out already, well, there you go, now you know). I hate half-assing things, and I'm a perfectionist to the T, which is why I never get anything done on time. Like this blog post. I'm probably still editing it as you read this, even 10 years into the future. Who knows.
Well, what I'd like to write about today is how Sword Art Online (SAO) compelled me to start watching more anime, so let's get to it. In my last post, I wrote about how my then roommate Jon got me addicted to anime after introducing me to this controversial show. Cards on the table - I don't think it's a the worst anime ever, but I don't think I can call it good either. But it gave me good enough reason to explore the world of anime and discover what I'd been missing out on for all these years.
My only experience with Japanese animation prior to this were the Studio Ghibli movies Spirited Away, and Princess Mononoke (both absolutely amazing films which you should definitely watch if you haven't). It's hard to compare something to that level of quality without being disappointed, but I really did go in without any big expectations. The first thing that makes an impression on you when you're watching any visual art form is, well, obviously the visuals. Studio A-1 Pictures does a supremely good job of animating SAO, as the world of Aincrad is just... gorgeous. I'm a gamer myself, and SAO's world looked AMAZING. I wanted to be Kirito, walking the streets of those cities and fighting off enemies in those beautiful environments. If you've ever played games like TERA or Skyrim, imagine being able to walk amidst all that beauty and be a part of that world. SAO does not disappoint when it comes to visuals. The fight scenes are actually well animated (although they can get repetitive later on). I was just enjoying watching everything happen on screen; it delighted me.
When it comes down to the plot and story, well, SAO is probably going to disappoint you. I had all these amazing expectations built up that came crashing down midway through the first season. If you've seen the anime, you'll probably know what I'm talking about when I refer to the scenes where 'Kirito goes god-mode and the main villian reveals his reasons'. Putting these disappointments aside, I did enjoy the feel that watching this show gave me. I've loved reading since I was a child. My parents were busy folk and being an only child, I was often left to entertain myself, which led me to start reading. Watching SAO made me feel like I was engrossed in a book again, interacting with characters in my head and wanting to believe they were real. I'd like to point out here that anyone who says they didn't have a crush on Asuna, is lying. I do dislike what becomes of her character towards the end of the first season, but there's no denying the fact that she's probably my favorite character from the show.
I binge-watched SAO over the course of that weekend, and I was ready for another round of those engrossed in a book feelings. There's something I love about being whisked away into these worlds that writers dream up, and anime turned out to be another medium for me to feed my obsessions. So I scoured the internet for recommendations before I started my second show, Kyoukai no Kanata, but that's a post for another time. Since then, I've watched some truly brilliant anime and even explored their source manga, and I'm happy that I took the plunge and gave myself the opportunity to enjoy a medium as expressive, unique, and versatile as anime. If you're wondering if you should give it a shot, you already know what my answer is. Just as you watch your Game of Thrones and Sherlock, there's massive diversity amidst anime. Who knows, you might find one that's just your type.
This applies to almost everything I've ever tried in my life, from sports, to video games, to music, to food.... oh, the list goes on. I remember the first time I learned how to play a simple melody on my guitar - I was so thrilled that I played it on and on and on until my fingers (literally) bled and I had to wear band-aids for a week (Totally not a Summer of '69 reference). Sigh, that does reveal how obsessive I can get with new pursuits (and if you didn't figure that out already, well, there you go, now you know). I hate half-assing things, and I'm a perfectionist to the T, which is why I never get anything done on time. Like this blog post. I'm probably still editing it as you read this, even 10 years into the future. Who knows.
Well, what I'd like to write about today is how Sword Art Online (SAO) compelled me to start watching more anime, so let's get to it. In my last post, I wrote about how my then roommate Jon got me addicted to anime after introducing me to this controversial show. Cards on the table - I don't think it's a the worst anime ever, but I don't think I can call it good either. But it gave me good enough reason to explore the world of anime and discover what I'd been missing out on for all these years.
My only experience with Japanese animation prior to this were the Studio Ghibli movies Spirited Away, and Princess Mononoke (both absolutely amazing films which you should definitely watch if you haven't). It's hard to compare something to that level of quality without being disappointed, but I really did go in without any big expectations. The first thing that makes an impression on you when you're watching any visual art form is, well, obviously the visuals. Studio A-1 Pictures does a supremely good job of animating SAO, as the world of Aincrad is just... gorgeous. I'm a gamer myself, and SAO's world looked AMAZING. I wanted to be Kirito, walking the streets of those cities and fighting off enemies in those beautiful environments. If you've ever played games like TERA or Skyrim, imagine being able to walk amidst all that beauty and be a part of that world. SAO does not disappoint when it comes to visuals. The fight scenes are actually well animated (although they can get repetitive later on). I was just enjoying watching everything happen on screen; it delighted me.
When it comes down to the plot and story, well, SAO is probably going to disappoint you. I had all these amazing expectations built up that came crashing down midway through the first season. If you've seen the anime, you'll probably know what I'm talking about when I refer to the scenes where 'Kirito goes god-mode and the main villian reveals his reasons'. Putting these disappointments aside, I did enjoy the feel that watching this show gave me. I've loved reading since I was a child. My parents were busy folk and being an only child, I was often left to entertain myself, which led me to start reading. Watching SAO made me feel like I was engrossed in a book again, interacting with characters in my head and wanting to believe they were real. I'd like to point out here that anyone who says they didn't have a crush on Asuna, is lying. I do dislike what becomes of her character towards the end of the first season, but there's no denying the fact that she's probably my favorite character from the show.
I binge-watched SAO over the course of that weekend, and I was ready for another round of those engrossed in a book feelings. There's something I love about being whisked away into these worlds that writers dream up, and anime turned out to be another medium for me to feed my obsessions. So I scoured the internet for recommendations before I started my second show, Kyoukai no Kanata, but that's a post for another time. Since then, I've watched some truly brilliant anime and even explored their source manga, and I'm happy that I took the plunge and gave myself the opportunity to enjoy a medium as expressive, unique, and versatile as anime. If you're wondering if you should give it a shot, you already know what my answer is. Just as you watch your Game of Thrones and Sherlock, there's massive diversity amidst anime. Who knows, you might find one that's just your type.
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