Synopsis
Kaede Honjou, a first-time virtual MMORPG player, suddenly becomes a celebrity because of her overpowered skills.
Story
This was yet another anime about a virtual online game, but what's good or rather different about it was that it doesn't involve anything where: a player cannot log out, someone will die in real life if they got killed in-game, or some AI needs some love and compassion.
It's just literally about how a player should deal with a game -- enjoy it, be kind to the players you meet, and remember to sometimes take a break from it.
Characters
Maple, even though she's a total newbie in the world of gaming, has able to cope up with the mechanics in NewWorld online, thanks to her being sharp-witted.
In terms of her abilities, she can be easily seen as a combination of Naofumi from
The Rising of the Shield Hero and Rimuru of
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.
And Sakura from
Cardcaptor Sakura if we're going to based on her look below:
We've got a bunch of supporting cast here, but if I get to pick whose character I would choose to play with if I were also to be a player in their game, it would be Kanade.
His ability was quite similar to Maple, in a way he can use various skills, though limited to just magic spells.
(
All this time I thought he was a girl, and when I tried to search for more info about him I was surprised to see he's referred to as a 'he'.)
Writing / Storyboarding
I gotta say, the writers didn't miss a mark when it comes to an online game. They showed how a player can be addicted, so they reminded the viewers to also focus on their health and other priorities. There's also the developers who keep on balancing and maintaining the game, 'cause that's how devs really should be (even though in the final ep. they just decided to leave Maple at her current state /lol).
And lastly, the sportsmanship, I think that was the most important of all. Players should know how to accept defeat, do not hold any ill feelings, and congratulate the winner wholeheartedly.
For something I didn't quite like, I thought the boss battles in early episodes didn't have any climatic moment.
Artwork / Animation
What's noticeable here was the upgrade in the art as the series progresses. Some episodes have showcased amazing backgrounds.
And for all the monsters that were shown here, I really liked the one in episode 8, the design there was really captivatingly freaky.
Music / Sound
There's only one insert song that you'll get to hear throughout the whole season (wish they have added more).
Episode Ratings
- 1 - Defense and First Battle - 3.5
- 2 - Defense and Friends - 4
- 3 - Defense and Reaching Second Level - 3.5
- 4 - Defense and Second Event - 3
- 5 - Defense and Spoils of War - 4
- 6 - Defense and Reinforcements - 3
- 7 - Defense and Upgrades - 3.5
- 8 - Defense and Third Event - 4
- 9 - Defense and Fourth Event - 3.5
- 10 - Defense and Attack - 4
- 11 - Defense and Mighty Foe - 4
- 12 - Defense and Bonds - 5
PS: Mii's incantation for her skill Flame Prison (ep. 11) was quite similar to Dragon Slave by Lina Inverse from
Slayers.
