I'm saying this right now SAO is without a doubt my favourite show this year and that includes all forms of media not just anime.

Story
The story is well paced, and told through the eyes of Kirito a player in the world of Sword Art Online known as a beater a gamer who was lucky enough to be part of the 1000 beta players and thus knows all the secrets and best quests, Kirito is at first a Solo player who helps the front line when the reach a powerful level boss. The story is just wonderful! it's engrossing and keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next.

Characters
What can i say about the characters in SAO? They are amazing well written and wonderful. You want them to succeed and you grow to love each one individual.

Conclusion
SAO is best show I've watched this year and the best Anime i've watched in a long long time, I look forward too a new episode every week and it has yet too disappoint me, new comers may find the first few episodes slow but once you get through those i think it becomes a show that will live in your mind days after your done with each episode.

Best show I have seen in a very long time. At first i thought it was going to be like the .hack series but wow this show exceeded my expectations. The characters are well rounded so it feels like you know then even though we know very little about them. Asuna and Kiritos relationship is perfect the two are made for each other the relationship in the anime feels a little rushed and forced compared to the light novels but does not affect the show in anyway. Any fan of MMOs well feel at home with the setting of this show it puts a great detail into what a game would look and feel like. Overall I must say that this is now one of my top 3 must watch

I love romance anime, I also enjoy anime filled with action. That being said SAO manages to balance both wonderfully where most focus on one or the other.
The romance side of SAO is very refreshing, as opposed to most anime where the entire show is based of trying to understand what the relationship is, SAO has no misunderstandings about Kirito's and Asuna's love for one another. Instead it focuses on the obstacles they must overcome to stay together which to me is is more romantic in context.
Overall I feel it is the best new show of the season and is a definite must see.

It's been a few years since I've been so absorbed into a series, and Sword Art Online really has reeled me in something shocking. From the seamless animation to the beautiful landscapes, nail biting fight scenes to the unforgettable characters, this series really has the lot. Sure, it has a few flaws and annoying instances (I'll get to those later), but when you're given a packages as incredible as this, those annoyances will be forgotten before you even think about questioning it.

Sword Art Online (SAO) is set in a breathtaking cyber world that is created as a revolutionary MMO where players are fully immersed by means of a helmet that transmits all their senses and nerve signals to the game. On launch day, things quickly take a sinister turn when the game creator tells players that they are stuck in the game and death ingame would be permanent, both ingame and in real life. Their only salvation is to make it through all 100 floors of the tower, by which they would complete the game and they would be set free. The story mainly follows the relationship between Kirito, a shy and slightly reclusive boy, and Asuna, a determined and strong willed girl who are brought closer throughout the show.

Setting/storyline: 9.5/10
As an avid gamer myself, I dream of a time when fully integrated gameplay is introduced, and this gets my hopes up even more. The ultimate escapism to this vibrant and dynamic world just makes me wish I was there, even if it is just to sit on a hill watching the sun set. The contrast between this an the ominous corridors of the tower really work well to show two very different and potentially dangerous sides to this utopia.
The storyline also paces itself very well, not feeling rushed and hurried, but still fast enough not to leave you feeling bored. There are some genuinely surprising twists in the story that are always a welcome addition. I feel perhaps they could have delved a little deeper, but SAO does a good job showing human psychology when put under strain by fear of death, opportunities for power and wealth and freedom to make your own decisions without the fear of the consequences.
More times than I am comfortable to admit, I felt tears welling up at the more emotional scenes, and they sure do throw them in quite often and understandably a good handful nearer the end.

******POSSIBLE SPOILER******
Having watched up to episode 15, I am majorly impressed that they have gone on to show the aftermath of the main story. Too often, the aftermath is overlooked and is just something that they almost feel obliged to put in just to leave us viewers satisfied that everything did turn out ok, the boy did get the girl and they lived happily ever after. But I feel that the transition from a magical, almost idealistic world, to the harsh realities and politics of society can be just as interesting, if not more, than the main plot. So far so good, fingers crossed!
Also, when a hand gets cut off and that said hand disappears and that character is missing a hand for a good while, said hand should not grow back. I was expecting that to be an ironic twist so soon after he revealed his special ability!
******END OF SPOILERS*******

Characters: 9.5/10
And unforgettable cast is paramount in an unforgettable experience, and SAO does this fantastically. Even more minor characters are given enough time to develop and really make an impression or surprise us.
The main protagonist suffers from your usual cliches, being overly depressed, completely oblivious to most girls feelings and self loathing, but thankfully before these start becoming a major annoyance, he turns into a complete utter BADASS. Kirito is, for the most part, a lone wolf that is equally feared, respected and hated for his incredible skills and these skills play a major part in a lot of SAO's awesome fight scenes.
I'm not usually a fan of straight up romance, preferring rather to choose between a group of love interests, but Kirito's and Asuna's relationship is one of the best I've ever seen. Sure, there is your usual dilly dallying around the topic for a while, but once it properly blossoms, their selfless love for each other really is quite touching and beautiful.
I genuinely felt attached to many of the characters in SAO, and really felt emotional when some of them inevitably died/disappeared.

Artwork/animation:10/10
Epic fights, breathtaking landscapes, great clothing/weapon design and an incredibly attractive cast. What else can you ask for?

Overall: 9.7/10
SAO is easily making it to my favorite animes of all time. Nothings perfect, but this sure does put up a fair fight. An excellently polished piece of work with a great story and cast all wrapped up in a beautiful world. If this continues at the standard it has kept up throughout, I'll be a happy man.

(Also, Sachi. Goddammit Sachi!)

Sword Art Online or SAO is a great story about a boy named Kirito who buys this virtual reality game that just came out, but a really messed up twist of fait has him as well as the 14,000 or so other people who logged into the game trapped inside the world of SAO. Now stuck in a life or death battle its either clear the game and send everyone back to the real world or die trying with the help of Asuna and some other friends, Everyone just might get to see the real world again or will it be....GAME OVER
With great art and animation Sword Art Online is a great anime you should really watch. The fact that this could really happen just might make you rethink buying a virtual reality game in the future (just sayin)

This is an amazing show that really appeals to the MMORPG players out there. It is well thought out with a fantastic story. It's filled with romance, suspense, comedy, action, and all within the context being a MMORPG. The main characters are not all the same and each have their own personalities, psychological obstacles, preferences, and abilities. The show really shines in the fact it has RPG references throughout thus grounding the anime and characters to facts, knowledge, and lore that even casual gamers can understand. That is why I give it a 5/5 and cannot wait to see where season 2 is heading.

This anime has a delectable taste to it for gamers and for people who love the whole action drama type of animes. this anime most people say, that the game should become real. they would get rich off of this game if it were to become a game. thats how good the anime is. its so good it leaves u wanting 2nds, 3rds and 4ths of this dinner and dessert.. Sword art online has a great aura around it.. i give sword art online 5 stars out of 5

Just by the name of the anime i thought it was going to be about learning how to draw swords or something. Then i found out it was a anime, the cover looked good so i watched it. If you are into suspense,love story,action,and comedy (only a little) then this is a anime for you. Its just plan out AMAZING. It will make you cry,and jump for joy and even make you want to go into the anime and punch some of those (female dogs). Well if you LOVE anime with a passion you'll fan girl a lot then.