Patreon Pin Up 4/11 (Patreon)

Asuna wins this week! I wouldn't say I exactly have my finger on the pulse of the modern anime community,  but even I know that Sword Art Online is a show that's as popular as it is divisive.

Casual viewers tend to enjoy it, but hardcore anime fans almost unanimously dismiss it as a show for "people who've never seen an anime before," likening it to the sort of loud brainless blockbusters that Michael Bay cranks out.  I watched the first series but haven't seen its sequel, because last I checked it isn't available in English on Netflix. The fact that I prefer dubs should tell you which camp I'm in, but I can't say I like the show 100%. It has its pros and cons if you ask me.

I'll keep this spoiler free as best I can.

I liked the premise of a community trapped in an online rpg, and all the little in-jokes for longtime MMO players like myself. I liked that the battles carried a lot of weight to them, because of the unique premise all the characters were essentially innocent victims.  This made deaths seem more tragic and upped the stakes of the fights. I would criticize it for being one of those shameless, vicarious male power fantasy shows where everyone with breasts is in love with the main guy by the end, (seriously even his family members aren't immune,) but I've seen worse offenders. Hell, at least this guy is good looking, powerful and special within the rules of his world.  As I already harped on last week, in  most of those harem shows the guy is just a random plain-looking chump, making his chick magnet prowess even more inexplicable. I think my biggest problem with the show is how oddly paced it is.  I can't say much more without blowing anything but that first season is pretty much two different shows crammed into one.

Ever seen the show? Let me know what you think! I'd love to hear any spoiler free opinions if you have them. Either way I hope you guys like the pin up, next week it's one of two lady companions from Fallout 4. :D