There’s something I want to share with you all: this piece which I uploaded on Amazon not too long ago. It may seem like a random review of a random DVD. But to me, it’s the culmination of nearly three months hard work. That’s right, I said three months. Some of you may find that shocking. Which is why I want to discuss things here and now, rather than wait forever to talk about it on my other blog: https://autisticbloggerreviews.wordpress.com. Hopefully, when I’m done, you’ll understand why one of my favourite hobbies is also one of my biggest drawbacks. Let me explain.
For those of you who don’t know, I like writing Amazon reviews in my spare time. They help me practise my creative skills when I’m not working on documents like articles or cover letters. Since 2014, I’ve posted more than 50 of them, with over 85 helpful votes between them. I’m even listed as one of the site’s Top Reviewers. However, few people realise the amount of time and effort that goes into one of these pieces.
Sometimes it’s easy. If I know the product well and plan what to say in advance, then it only takes me a couple of weeks to write the review – depending on how much spare time I have. But sometimes the process takes A LOT longer. If there are dozens of points I want to make, for instance, I usually skip the planning stage and try writing the piece as quickly as possible. This is never a good idea. Knowing what to say and how to say it are two different things.
Without a proper layout, I don’t know when best to bring up certain points. Do I mention them straight away? Or save some for later? Which would be better for the reader? Also, how long should I talk about these points? Should I go into detail? Or can they be summed up in a sentence or two? Do they even need mentioning? Writing on instinct can only take you so far.
Plus, given how much my Autism makes me a perfectionist, I’m constantly revising my thoughts. Here’s a peek into my autistic mind:
Should I add this word here or does it work better there? Is this sentence too long or too short? Does it lead into this sentence okay? Am I using this word too much? Can I get rid of this sentence? Will the paragraph make sense without it? When should I start a new paragraph? Do I use a comma here or a dash? What about a bracket? A colon? A semi-colon? Should I change this word? Or this sentence? Or this paragraph? Should I just start over again?
All these questions – and more – constantly nag me as I write. That’s why I spend more time editing my work than actually finishing it.
In my last update, I said there were numerous reasons why I hadn’t been posting new content on my blog: work, job searching, drama rehearsals, etc. But the main reason was this review. I didn’t want to start anything else before finishing it, in case it stressed me out even more. That being said, focusing solely on the review didn’t help either. It was exhausting reading the same words over and over again. I couldn’t focus my thoughts properly. And I began losing all sorts of things; time, patience, motivation, even my own sanity. It was getting to the point where I would literally spend a whole week on one paragraph, then another week on the next and so on. Until eventually three months had gone by. As you can imagine, it was a huge relief when I finally clicked the submit button on Amazon.
It does concern me how long I take to write things sometimes. Especially as my dream is to become a children’s author one day. How can I hope to write books if I can’t even manage a 2000-word piece in less than two weeks? It doesn’t seem possible, does it?
The sad thing is I know how to prevent myself running into these sorts of writing problems. I just didn’t apply that knowledge here because I thought the review would take me longer to finish if I did. Ironic, isn’t it?
I’m sure many of you would say I’m just overthinking things. Or my time would be better spent on more important projects. I do agree with you 100%. But old habits die hard as they say.
Completing this review was a real eye-opener for me. It helped me realise I need to be more organised. Not just with writing, but my life in general. If I took my time planning what to do, when to do it and how long for, it would make things much easier on me.
All of that aside, I am glad how this review turned out. My dedication and determination made it one of the best I’ve written to date. So please take a look and let me know what you think of it. The other parts are available on my Amazon profile, where you can vote if they’re helpful or not (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/profile/amzn1.account.AHNGEVB42MLFVOSAZTJJKBFBACEQ?ie=UTF8&preview=true).
I know this isn’t like my usual posts. But given how vast Amazon is, and how much I had to sacrifice for this review, I couldn’t bear the thought of nobody seeing it. Enjoy:
When I see Asuna, I see the embodiment of a well-written female lead. Not only is she a resilient fighter, with a charming personality, but the story also explores the deeper aspects of her life (e.g. her flaws, motives and insecurities), making her one of the most fleshed-out characters in the series. I’ve always felt it’s because of her we have other well-developed heroines like Leafa and Sinon. And, if given the opportunity, she could carry the series just as well as Kirito does. Naturally, when I found out Season 2‘s last story-arc would feature Asuna as the main protagonist I was eagerly anticipating it. So does Part 4 live up to her character? Let’s start with the story.
Continuing where Part 3 left off; Yuuki introduces Asuna to the Sleeping Knights, a group of players who will soon be disbanding because of commitments they have in the real world. Before they do, however, they want to achieve a monumental task. Specifically, clear a high-level boss with only their guild! Asuna doubts it’s possible. But she agrees to join the group so they might stand a better chance. Over the next few days, she grows immensely fond of her new friends and wants to know them in real-life, too. But when she offers to meet them, they all seem uneasy about something. Even Yuuki – who’s been calling Asuna “Sis” for some reason – says it’s best if she forgets them after clearing the boss. Confused, Asuna decides to investigate. It turns out her teammates have been hiding an unfortunate secret. And when she finds the real Yuuki, she’s determined to stay by her side her until the end.
Meanwhile, Asuna’s home life isn’t much better. Her mother keeps pressuring her to transfer schools and give up gaming – almost to the point of being hostile. Asuna has strength in the virtual world. But she’s helpless when it comes to reality. Now she has to find a way to stand up for herself or risk losing the friends she loves.
From the synopsis alone, you can tell just how dedicated the writers were to making this Asuna’s story-arc; Kirito hardly appears, the subplot focuses heavily on her personal life, and she even gets the chance to be a leader again. It’s pleasing to see her in the spotlight like this. Especially considering how she’s been undervalued in recent volumes. Let me explain.
During the first half of Season 1, Asuna was as much the lead character as Kirito. Her sword skills and strategic mind made her a powerful warrior, while her feelings gave her a more loving persona. All in all, she was a solid 3-Dimensional character with tremendous audience appeal.
Then came the later arcs.
Alfhiem had the terrible idea of turning Asuna into a damsel in distress. Seeing her wait to be rescued felt insulting because it diminished her prowess and made her look weak. The Extra Edition (OVA) did restore some of her credibility, but only enough to make her a side character. Phantom Bullet also struggled to maintain her relevance. In my opinion, the closest she’s come to showing her full potential again was in the Calibur arc, where she and her skills were featured as prominently as the other characters’.
So what about Mother’s Rosario?
Starting with the main plot, its set-up allows Asuna to become the centre of our attention. Being the only Sleeping Knight we recognise, we expect her to raise her game and stand out as the group’s leader. Does she do that? Absolutely! Using her old boss-raid knowledge, she comes up with unique battle strategies, and fights alongside her teammates, with all the heart and determination she had during Season 1. Her actions remind us exactly why she was second-in-command of KBO (Knights of the Blood Oath).
The subplot is handled well, too. For the first time, we get to experience Asuna’s home life and just how deeply it contrasts her virtual one. This is largely thanks to the presence of her mother.
Whenever Kyouko is onscreen, we can see why Asuna feels intimidated by her. It’s not just her design – or the animation’s use of dim lighting – but her aggressive, overbearing personality. She’s so strict about Asuna’s future that she frequently decides her life for her. She even tries forcing her into relationships, knowing full-well she has a boyfriend (Part 3). What’s more, if Asuna opposes her judgement, or even considers leading a different life, Kyouko makes it clear she won’t tolerate it. Just like she won’t tolerate her socialising with lower-class people.
Although it was tense watching the scenes between Asuna and her mother, I wish there’d been more focus on their relationship. The main plot is engaging with its action and diverse characters. But their conflict felt like the stronger story to me. Not only does it perfectly emphasise the harsh realities gamers face after logging out, but it shows a side of Asuna we’ve rarely seen before. By exposing her vulnerabilities, and what she’s desperate to hide, it adds significant depth to her character – making her more relatable to the audience. I’ve often compared her problems to those I’ve had with my own mother.
If executed right, this subplot could’ve been groundbreaking for the series. Unfortunately, despite its incredible build up (episodes 1 and 19), the writers chose not to tackle things head on. Instead, they padded out the conflict by giving more screen-time to the Sleeping Knights and almost casually mentioning a solution. It’s a bit underwhelming how easily they resolved the matter. But to be fair, the payoff does work. When Asuna finally confronts her mother, she settles their issues in a way that’s both touching and unique.
Another criticism I have is the story’s pacing. Given how short the arc is – and how much it focuses on Asuna – the narrative barely has time to develop its side characters. Even when it tries, their scenes often feel rushed; like they’re trying to reach the next plot point as soon as possible. In other words, Mother’s Rosario has the same pacing problems as Season 1. Consequently, we don’t learn much about the individual Sleeping Knights, and they can come off as being one-dimensional.
The only member worth mentioning is Yuuki.
Also known as Zekkon, Yuuki is the cheerful, free-spirited swordswoman, who admires Asuna for her gaming experience. In the beginning, her role seems straight-forward enough. Like Leafa and Sinon, she acts as a mentor/ally to the main lead; teaching Asuna to fight for her future, while also forming a close bond with her. As the episodes progress, however, we find out there’s more to Yuuki than meets the eye. In fact, she has one of the saddest backstories the series has ever produced. I can’t reveal too much, or else it will spoil the last three episodes. But when her secret is uncovered, everything suddenly makes sense: why she and the Knights had to defeat the boss solo; why she’s always in such high spirits; and why she doesn’t want Asuna getting too close to her. In case you’re wondering, it’s not because they’re related – it’s just a coincidence they have Yuuki in both their names. The real twist is far more tragic. To put it simply; the Knights are disbanding because Yuuki is leaving, and she knows for a fact she’ll never see them again. Her send-off is so beautiful I almost cried.
Now, some of you may be wondering about Kirito. Where does he fit into all this? As I mentioned before, he’s hardly seen in this volume because Asuna is the main lead. He’s mostly there to provide information and support, like the other side characters. Even so, the story doesn’t forget to highlight everything he’s accomplished throughout the season. During one battle scene, for instance, he uses the Holy Sword of Excalibur (obtained in Calibur) and cuts down high-speed spells with a skill he learnt in (Phantom Bullet). Plus, the virtual device he’s been working on plays a vital role in the last two episodes. Hardcore fans may be disappointed by his lack of action. But I think it’s smart whenever a series shifts focus to another character; it keeps things fresh and allows the latter to develop as much as their co-stars.
As for the other recurring characters (Klien, Silica, Lisbeth, Yui, Leafa, Sinon, etc.), they only make cameos here. The most we see them is during a montage (episode 24) where they interact with the Sleeping Knights, and other familiar faces. Which, I will admit, is very nostalgic.
In conclusion, Part 4 is a satisfying end to SAO2. The plot wasn’t taken in the direction I would’ve hoped. But the writers did a fantastic job making Asuna feel like a real heroine again. She remains centre-stage throughout, her abilities were used to their fullest potential, and she was given some much-needed character growth. On top of that, the volume touches on numerous real-world issues; such as AIDS, peer pressure and family conflict. So much so, you feel a personal connection with each of the victims. For a series heavily based around virtual gaming, it’s admirable how much relatability the episodes push for.
And that concludes my reviews of SAO2. Is it on par with the first season? For the most part, I’d say yes. It had a bit of a shaky start with its raunchy humour and slow pacing (Part 1). But it quickly made up for it with complex characters, engrossing storylines and a tone that enabled it to stand out from its predecessor. Additionally, the attention to detail shows how committed the writers were to maintaining the series’ success.
I would recommend this volume, and the rest of SAO2, to any fans of anime. Specifically, those who enjoy video games and/or realistic scenarios. The episodes provide just the right nostalgia for returning fans, while also incorporating new aspects which leave lasting impressions – even on late-comers.
At the time I’m writing this, there haven’t been any plans to make a third season of SAO just yet. But there is the 2017 movie, Ordinal Scale. If they decide to release an English Dub on Blu-Ray or DVD, I may consider reviewing it. Until then, stay tuned.
(P.S. I apologise how long it’s taken me to post this review; please let me know if it was helpful or not.)
The Autistic Blogger 