Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online - Season 1

I was expecting a disaster of gigantic proportions because taking a well-known brand like Sword Art Online (SAO) and making something like a spin-off is taking a huge risk. Of course, you are going to get a lot of attention, that is unavoidable but it is still a gamble. There are going to be a lot of comparisons to the original SAO anime series, something that in this case is still a phenomenon with a huge hardcore fan base, and that is when it could possibly stop being fun. There will be those who are going to award it five stars just because it has SAO in the title and there will be those who are not even going to award it even one star just because it is not the SAO they love or expected, that much is clear. For many people the absence of Kirito or anyone from his entourage will be sad, others may be angry, even though that is also to be expected. However, how does this affect what Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online is like? I should be focusing on that and not just stating the generally bleedingly obvious facts... Personally speaking, even though I was not extremely impressed with SAO including the world of Gun Gale Online (GGO), as I would not necessarily seek out "a firefight" (I prefer close combat, with swords, etc...), I still think this is a very entertaining and refreshing show, and I really liked the distinctive characters. I have to admit that I liked Llenn and Pitohui immensely. Their interactions and rivalry were good, and I also enjoyed what they were like as individuals. Llenn is the epitome of a cute little Lolita in a pink outfit, whose determination, effort, and mad skills simply put a smile on my face. I thought that Pitohui is a perfectly portrayed incredibly attractive and over-the-top psychopath. It is as if a cute Lolita and the female version of Hisoka joined forces for one anime series, and competed with each other in a suspenseful "madman attempting to catch a madman" atmosphere. I enjoyed that and also the ending, I almost wanted to shout at the top of my lungs - “now bite her head off!!!” OK, there is something wrong with me, and I was never well, and that is why I was so pleased with this show despite it having some significant shortcomings. For example, I did not find the world outside the GGO game very attractive, and I was not that interested in the characters when they were outside the game in real life. Also, I would overlook the talking P-Chan. However, despite myself, screw it, I am going to declare this anime series a success, and which I think is comparable to the first part of the original SAO anime series, and reward it with four stars. I am also going to mention that the 3HZ animation studio really does know how to create anime series that I, personally, have always enjoyed, and that I am now looking forward to what they come up with next... 8/10. (23.02.2024)