Sword Art Online
 

Why this anime doesn't get more love is beyond me.
I personally believe it is amazing, and has a fantastic concept. The gamer in me screams in nerdy fangirlness.

The romance of the story to is also amazing.

I love the art.

I have to say just.. i love it all and it to me is the best anime that has ever come out.

I have been told by a friend that this is untrue, and that it is the worse anime ever, and that naruto and bleach are better than it. And yes this may bring some ...hate. Now bleach is okay. and if naruto was ... a LOT less filler, i might care for it. But this was a huge insult to me as Naruto is an anime i've seen that i actually have a hateful passion towards.

Bring in the flood of arguments now. I'm prepared. [poke]

I never did get to watch any of .hack, though i watched one of the games. And Sword art online (SOA) is absolutely amazing. i've got a few more episodes to watch of second season because its airing right now pretty much. It's great though.

And the concept of a virtual game like that just seems awesome!! though not the getting stuck in it part...

Great anime, true, but the best? Not at all. I think they had great potential to make it even more epic that what it was, but they missed it somewhere along the anime.. I can't point exactly on what was missing...
I think that what bothered me most is the lack of depth in the relationship between the characters - it was too shallow. They should've put more effort into the relationships.

And btw - Naruto and Bleach are way better than SAO. There's no competition. lol. a hundred and something episodes of one anime - is more than enough episodes to make the storyline interesting and the development of the characters is way better than SAO.
I dont remember how many episodes are SAO, but it's less than 60 episodes, that's for sure. How can you even compare? There's a reason why SAO is a short anime and Bleach and Naruto are not.

I haven't the faintest idea what the length of an anime has to do with how good the story is. Sure, you can argue that more episodes allows for slower build up and a few more plot elements to be drawn in, but that doesn't necessarily make the longer thing better than the anime with, say, 13 episodes. Most longer animes are packed with unnecessary filler, for example, sometimes entire arcs! (Naruto and Bleach, the two you mentioned above, are both guilty of this - I mean sure, I wanted to see the Espada arc, but the Bound/Bounto arc just did me in after a while, and I don't really need three episodes of the same fight).

While I've only just started SAO (and thus cannot comment on the quality of the story, characters, etc) I felt the need to point this out. Length does not necessarily equal quality. Shorter animes are not necessarily bad or inferior (in the same way that a short story is not necessarily of lesser quality or impact than a novel). When something is shorter, it merely means that the writers/creators/what have you have a greater challenge, that they need to get through everything, highlight all the points that need highlighting, develop the characters, etc in less time. While this is difficult, to be sure, that doesn't mean that it isn't doable (I've seen plenty of truly amazing short animes), so it tends to steam me something fierce when people use the longer = better argument as a determining factor when it comes to the quality of an anime.

^ Of course, that's why I pointed out Bleach and Naruto only, and not DBZ or Pokemon. I felt the character development in Bleach and Naruto way better than SAO.

I knew i was going to get a naruto/bleach fan in here. Though didn't expect both in one for some reason. I personally can not stand Naruto. And the only reason i even like some of the characters is because of 2 minute or so music videos i've seen on youtube. (Gaara really is a fascinating character)
But the length of the show, and how drawn out every single episode is makes me absolutely hate it. I've seen an episode here and there and can't stand watching even 5 minutes of it.

But with SAO, the entire thing draws me in. And sure, some of the characters have a few questions left. But overall I actually think they did a fantastic job with the show. And I'd like to argue the point that I did not say it is the BEST anime, I said it was the best anime to me personally. The characters in it I can actually relate to.

And it is really only about one relationship, and it is developed beautifully. And as for it being 'to short of an anime' ... that's because it only just started airing recently. It's only in ... the second season now i believe. (though i'm behind quite a few episodes now so i'm not sure exactly)
Although i wish that kirito wasn't such a loner and could have made friends with Klein. I think they would have made great friends.

Thinking about that though... i guess you really need to relate to Kirito to like the show since it is pretty much in his point of view.

One of my favortie mangas is actually only five books long. It made me love the heroes/heroines, and hate the bad guys. It was well done.

The same can be said for an anime that's done well as i feel SAO is.

When i actually care about the characters, and what happens. and am not not ready to gag at there gaggy personalities that are so.. mary sue, or just.. so overplayed as naruto is. That's what i feel makes a good anime.

DBZ and Pokemon are much better than Naruto and Bleach.

Bleach however does have an interesting storyline, and if i hadn't got bored with the characters by episode 17 i may have watched for longer. But when it doesn't scream to me that i should keep watching, I can't see it as a good anime. [shrug]

Oh well. So we have completely different tastes it seems. I wonder though, in what way do you relate to Kirito? I'm asking out of curiosity, because Kirito was a solo player, a "lone wolf", that was his strongest characteristic, and..I tried playing solo in Aion and a lot of the times it's impossible. Now i'm trying out Tera. My BF loves it way more than Aion because you're not completely dependent on gear. You can theoretically play naked in the game and still win bosses solo, if you're skilled enough. What i'm trying to say is, in what other MMORPG games you can finish the game solo? Because I personally hate being dependent on other people.

Oh and I didn't know they're continuing the anime! That's good to hear (:

From what i know they have at least 2 more story arcs from the book that they can make into a season.

You "can" actually "beat" world of warcraft solo. But than, there are many many ways to play, and there are many ways to feel you've beat the game.

As for how i relate to kirito... a bit complicated that answer so bear with me.
1st .. obviously i'm a gamer. And i'm always expected to be weak by my appearance (also because i'm female) but i'm actually a really strong player.
2nd i do not immedietly trust anyone in games. But i can't help but try to help anyone who needs help.
3rd i try my darndest to not get any feelings for the others players in games, because i know that it will hurt me in the end somehow. relationships are incredibly hard to trust.
4th i have siblings that i would do anything for, even though they probably don't need my help.

i decided to keep it simple ^^;;

To be honset i haven't played Aion or Tera. Is Aion the one in space with the crazy economic system?

Oh yeah, in that I can relate to you too. Involving yourself too much with online people is never a good idea. i'm can't call myself a gamer yet because only about a month ago I tried playing an MMORPG seriously. Aion was my first try because it is free 2 play.
And yes, you're right. Many WoW players went over to play Aion, perhaps those games are very alike in some ways. I don't like Aion in a way because even though it's free to play, you've got to grind and farm A LOT in order to get something that people that do pay can buy it in the broker (I can't use the broker because i'm a free player, I can't even trade with other players).
Also, there are some dungeons that you can enter only if you're in a party, and the monsters themselves are ridiculously strong, that you can never beat them alone even if you're really strong.
Although the PVPvE system in Aion is very interesting, this game is pretty limited regarding the fighting system. You're 80% dependent on the type of gear that you wear in Aion, the other 20% is skill. So, it's pretty annoying, you know? It's not like an arcade game were you've got to dodge attacks, jump and move around while you're playing. The attacks will hit you not matter what - as long as you're in the range of the attack. The only way to dodge them is by blocking the attack with some skill/parrying, or just running from the attack's range.
I wonder if WoW is the same?

I don't know, perhaps i'm not playing it right, because I did hours and hours of research, and I always feel I'm doing something wrong, that I don't know enough, etc. It's really tough playing completely alone, without getting help from other more experienced players in the game.
Sure, I can talk to players there, enter a legion and i'll get help if I asked to, but... you know how people there react to you once they know you're a girl. My BF doesn't approve of me doing it, so I don't.

Anyways, i'm just a frustrated noob and I wish I could be strong too. xD I think i'll give up on Aion, this game makes me feel too stupid and weak.

WoW is verymuch the same. Most games are going that way. it used to be you could avoid damage alot more frequently with skills. But they seem to be dumbing down all games for the masses. *cough* not that the masses are a massive bunch of morons or anything, incapable of doing anything right....

Not an insult at you btw. Just a majority of people I meet really are morons. And the market that's out right now know this and really advertise and play towards them. And not the minority of us that have *gasp* brains!

I've been playing WoW since vanilla so i guess you could say that i'm an experienced player. But i'm not an expert. I just enjoy the game. I'm not obsessed with it as so many people complain about others who play it.
The armor is VERY similar. it is actually probably close to that 80-20 in fact. But i proved people wrong as long as your only doing PvE and not doing dungeons, or PvP. I ran around "naked" until a really high level. Wasn't dying, and could handle anything that was thrown at me. All i carried was my bow. (i was a hunter if you know anything about the game at all)

Aion is by NCsoft which is the makers of guild wars/2 which is really the one that is compared to wow alot. They're even more similar. Personally. i'm not to fond of guild wars, as what i remember of it. the PvE, you wouldn't run into anyone else unless you were in there party. (though the same was for DDO as well)

*covers mouth* oops i gamernerded there.. so sorry. I'm pretty well versed in quite a few games. But with Aion from what you've said. I'd be happy. One its free to play, so no money out of your pocket. and if its got a good enough solo, or even one or two friends. and you enjoy it. which is really key. That fact that you CAN get the gear that can be bought by donating is a BIG deal. I've quit several free games over the fact that you HAD to donate in order to get some things. you could NOT just grind to get them.
All games will have some grinding system for one thing or another btw. So you're gonna have to get used to that sadly.

*points at Zelda ocarina of time* even that kind of had grinding. like fishing fooorever trying to get the 10lbs plus fish. Or trying to find all those gosh darn hearts and skullutas.

^ I'm glad to hear that most of the people are morons :P lol it doesn't sound good hehe. I always got annoyed when I see ppl my level wearing gear that got knows how they had enough money/points to get it. But then I remember that perhaps they've got friends to give them that gear, or maybe it's not their first character, bla bla bla...

But then I just think that i'm only making excuses, it's not the the game limits you to gain stuff, just like you said. I just need enough patience, and that is all there is to it. BUTTT... I don't have all that patience. XD

I wish I had friends to play with ): lol. My BF is the only one who can play with me, and he's even less patient from I am, he's not used to such games, he came from the world of FPS and such. He's not used to grinding and farming for hours and hours like a moron. lol XD it fries your mind.

btw, I would recommend you Tera. It is an action MMO, which means that you CAN dodge attacks there. It's also free 2 play, as far as I know. So you can win the game even if you don't pay. That's what i'm trying to play right now. I'm lvl 11 and I haven't really researched a lot about it...(wasted all my energy on Aion lol). But from what I can understand, you CAN win solo, even against the bosses, if you have the skill and know to play your char. So yes, theoretically, you can win the game even if you're completely naked. It will take time and a lot of skill, but it is possible, and that's what matters. Of course you won't do such a thing, because you still want some endurance from the hits, but still.

btw, I should've guessed you're a hunter. XD From what i've read, all the experienced players love that class, (Aion has a sin), because it's more complicated than the rest of the classes, and also it kicks ass in PVP due to it's sneaky abilities. What i'm babbling about, you should know a lot more about your class than I know, haha XD.

I actually very much dislike Pvp. And really i'm just a ranged class player. hunters (bow and arrow) mages (magic... umm duh) and Priests (long range holy style magic) druids also have long range magic. all nature magic.
ect...

But actually my favored class is a priest. i love healing. Every game i play i play a healer*shrugs* Hunter was just a recent class i made to challenge myself a little bit. (hence the naked playthrough) because i wanted to do something different. and see how good i'd do.

ohh... well, sin is a bit different because they're not ranged, they're duel wielders, but they're the best class for PVP because they can sneak on behind you without you noticing, their hits are quick and strong, they've got buffs like stun.... Yours sounds more like a ranger from Aion, because of the bow thingy, which is the most similar class to sin because they're quick too.

I tried being a Gladiator, which is a half tank. I wanted to have a big endurance against attacks, as I wanted to play the game solo. It's also a pretty simple class, so it was a good choice for a noob like me.

Actually, I also wanted to be a healer, I never won against a healer 1v1 ): I could've killed them 3 times in a row if they didn't stop healing themselves XD At the beginning I thought they're squishy but I was wrong.

they are squishy if you can catch them fast enough, or hit them hard enough xD

Oh well.. I don't have a lot of DPS for my class. Not in my level, anyway... No wonder Healers like to request duels with me xD
Though sorc are the worst. X__X"

gaining DPS comes with experience of a class.i'm sure you'll get there.

Do you like it?

I love SOA. Its one of my favorite anime. Kirito is amazing, but a little over powered at times. Yet that is possible in games so it works. The first series or season was my favorite of the two i watched, though the ability to fly was neat in the second. I love the fighting in it and the love story. I have to say thought that Klein was my favorite character by far (For reasons unknown to even myself lol)

i know! Klein seems like that likeable guy, but you never know why. I wish he was around more. Though he could be in Alf..whatever the second game is called and i haven't gotten that far into it yet. I do love the flying concept, and that it again showed the real life controls to show that it is a game and not anything else.

I as well compared it to the .hack series. It has some similarities but it defiantly is not the same. I would highly recommend Sword Art Online.

I would also recommend Accel World, it's also an anime based on online gaming - true, SAO is better, but Accel World is also worth watching (:

I liked the first series more than Alf, but Alf is still good. I like how you actually see some of Kirito's life is like outside the game. The flying is cool in it and I love the aerial battles they have. Alf is definitely worth the watch.