Forum - View topicREVIEW: Sword Art Online Novel 9
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AksaraKishou
Posts: 1415 Location: End of the World |
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And so it begins.
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SilverTalon01
Posts: 2419 |
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I think that was definitely the high point. Unfortunately, the different arcs with Kirito feel really familiar and repetitive. Not to say the other arcs after the first didn't have things I found interesting, but I mean how many VRs can you throw him into only for him to instantly be overpowered. This catch here that he initially didn't know if things were real or not was interesting, but that is solved this first book of a really long story arc. That said, (spoilers from later books; not specific event spoilers but still be warned) spoiler[I think this arc picked up in the second half when it isn't told from Kirito's point of view.] |
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kinghumanity
Posts: 365 |
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This is one of the fundamental problems I have with the SAO franchise. Every story arc is almost completely detached with the other story arcs with different characters, and the "transition" is always awkward and usually forced. Characters from previous arc are relegated to the bench watching from the sidelines. For such a long and established franchise, half its supporting cast basically have no backstories.
Kawahara could have written one coherent story with well fleshed out characters, but nope, gotta keep writing new girls to sell body pillows. And no one wants to buy a Klein body pillow. There was an analogy posted somewhere that fitted perfectly. Imagine somewhere in the middle of Lord of the Rings, Gandalf says to Frodo "You're a wizard Frodo! And you're going to Hogwarts!" Because that's pretty much how SAO is structured. |
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AksaraKishou
Posts: 1415 Location: End of the World |
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Don't worry. This arc does actually delve into most character's backstory and doesn't throw them away when they're not needed. Heck, you talk about "transition", something this arc doesn't really have cause it's quite a bit streamlined. But yeah, as i said, don't worry. You're in for a treat. |
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Mapina-089
Posts: 2 |
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That doesn't really fit. Every arc in Sao is self-contained and complete. It's not like Phantom Bullet stopped progressing halfway through and started telling a completely different, unrelated story. It had a clear begining, middle and end. Sinon had her personal arc concluded. All major plot threads introduced were also tied up. Of course it's a disappointment if you go in expecting a grand epic like LotR. But to me Sao is structured more like a weekly detective TV series. The portagonist stays the same, but each new episode is a new self-contained story. |
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pikkuhukka
 Posts: 72 |
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i have already read this on pdf as fan translation, this first alicization arc was a bit work to read but its all worth it, this arc is very good (i have read all lns from 1 to 16) and its going to pick up on vol 10 and henceforth and lead to something that can be only described as epic
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Top Gun
 Posts: 4830 |
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Which is a damn shame, because he's far and away the best character in the entire franchise. |
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SilverTalon01
Posts: 2419 |
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Not really. The first half of this arc (up to LN 15 I think?) retreads SAO's greatest flaws. The only real difference is that it is incredibly drawn out, but that isn't really a strength because it makes the predictability and repetitiveness stick out more.
Epic? How is spoiler[watching him come up to a new antagonist each book for the next 5 books, have the writing imply that said antagonist is super great and totally a threat then having Kirito stomp them with his legendary black swordsman skills] epic? Now spoiler[the war as told from Alice's point of view,] that was solid. I don't want to sound too negative about SAO because I do like it a lot. I think it is a fun, laid back romp. However, it does have some undeniable and substantial flaws which for whatever reason keep on coming back for every new arc. |
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BlueAlf
 Posts: 1555 |
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As far as I've discovered, I have a lot of mixed feelings about this arc. Nevertheless, I appreciate what the Kawahara-sensei was trying to do. Despite its flaws, after reading past fan translations, and I know this sounds weird, but it's almost like I can feel the amount of effort Kawahara-sensei put to overcome his own limits during certain points of the story.
It has its ups and downs. There were several moments where I was utterly upset with its development, spoiler[Administrator's introduction and Eugeo's brainwashing and later sacrifice] in particular. But it developed the franchise far further than my expectations. So yeah, it's a worthy addition for the SAO series. Considering its length, I wonder how soon we'll see an anime adaptation of it. I also heard rumors that despite finally ending a couple of months back, the novel series is still going to continue with a new arc? 
Thanks for the review, by the way. |
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AksaraKishou
Posts: 1415 Location: End of the World |
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Yup. Next volume comes out in February. Kawahara said he wanted to continue past the Underworld Arc that ended with the WN and this is the result. Just gonna leave this here in case anyone want's it. Sword Art Online volume 19, "Moon Cradle," to be released on February 10. spoiler[ Synopsis: "―At this rate, sooner or later, war will break out again." "That can't… Even though we’re finally at a peaceful age..." After three hundred years of continuous turmoil, Underworld is finally united into a single entity. The people of the Human Empire and the Dark Realm, the Goblins, Orcs, Ogres, Giants... All the races of the world forge a perpetual peace treaty, and the first cultural exchange between the Human Empire and the Dark Territory in their entire histories takes place. In the Human Empire, the Highest Minister Administrator’s bitter legacy, the special authority of the «Four Imperial Families» and the «Upper Nobles», is revoked following her loss, and a transparent ruling body is established by the Integrity Knights. In the Dark Territory, the antiquated «Law of Strength» dictating «absolute submission to the strongest» is abolished, and each of the annihilated clans begins to recover. Mysteriously arising, completely alone, «Vector’s Lost Child» had appeared out of nowhere, defeated the God of Darkness, and brought peace to this world. But in the center of the Human Empire, inside that white tower, the «Central Cathedral»―. Ronye Arabel, who has been promoted to a «Trainee Integrity Knight» for her feats of valor in the war, learns of shocking news from «Knight Representative» Kirito, the Highest Decision Maker of the Human Empire. "―At this rate, sooner or later, war will break out again." In Central Capital Centoria, a «demihuman murder case» has ensued, involving a Goblin taking the life of a Human Empire citizen. It is utterly impossible for an Underworldian to violate regulations dictated in the the «Taboo Index». So long as one’s right eye did not explode, they would not «release the seal». And yet, a «demihuman murder case» has occurred. In order to unravel the truth of this incident, Kirito and Ronye head for the Dark Territory. And, Ronye earnestly conceals her feelings for Kirito at the bottom of her heart, but...?!] |
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partially
Posts: 702 Location: Oz |
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The major problem with this arc is it never should have been part of the core SAO story. If the author had wrote it as a side-story or spin off, or even new series entirely it would have worked better. The story is written quite differently to all of SAO that has come before, and that is really where its fault lies. It seems as if the author listened to feedback that he didn't develop characters and his stories were shallow. Instead of using that feedback with established characters, he yet again wiped the slate clean. Fans of existing characters are left abandoned, and instead we get a new group, except this time we have to spend several novels with them. So really if you don't like the current cast, you're screwed. It will be interesting to see what the author does now the arc has finally finished. Will he wipe the slate yet again, or actually try and focus the core stories of SAO more.
Reading the synopsis AksaraKishou provided above, it seems he may actually be focusing the stories around Underworld now, which I think is a good thing. At the same time, it is a &$^# move to essentially completely change the series at novel 9 like the author has done. Except that the author has done it multiple times already I guess, so fans expect it. |
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SilverTalon01
Posts: 2419 |
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Well, he really had already done a work without that issue. Accel World (granted I'm several volumes away from being current) actually does a good job continuously developing its established cast. In fact, it also does a good job balancing incredibly strong characters which is another thing SAO rightfully gets a lot of crap for with how Kirito is constantly ridiculously OP in literally every game he gets inside. |
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Chiibi
 Posts: 4829 |
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Oh good! It's out! I've been checking the bookstore every time I go, looking for it....and the release just snuck up on me! I was there Christmas Eve!
Typical.... 
I've read a bit of the fan-released pdf....but the official release will definitely be better; all the volumes I purchased certainly were. I especially appreciate learning the new vocabulary which has been quite extensive just from reading two volumes of Aincrad and one of Progressive. Kirito's friend is cute....but I forget his name) |
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zztop
Posts: 650 |
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How many cours would be needed to fully adapt Alicization as an anime?
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AksaraKishou
Posts: 1415 Location: End of the World |
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Probably 3 or 4. |
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