Accel World

Accel World
Episodes: 24
Aired: Apr 7, 2012 - Sep 22, 2012

Plot: Set in 2046, Young Haruyuki Arita "Haru" who is a short chubby junior high student is the primary target for bullies. With his miserable life (in the real world), he blows off steam playing games on the virtual reality and is ridiculously good at it. People have access to this virtual world (kinda like the internet) with the help of a device called Neuro-Linker , everyone has it installed in their necks. Despite being a loner and bully magnet, Arita still has his childhood friends supporting and trying to cheer him up, Chiyuri Kurashima "Chiyu", (She is an annoying character who can't decided between his boyfriend and our MC Arita) and Takumu Mayuzumi "Taku" (Chiyu's boyfriend)

(Taku-chan, Chiyu-chan and Haru-chan)

(Haru's Badass Piglet Avatar)

Kuroyukihime a.ka. Princess Black Snow (Her fascination with Haru will eventually become affection as the story progresses) the popular Student Council Vice Pres. of the same school, discovers Haruyuki's amazing talent in the virtual world and eventually gives him a program called "Brain Burst" w/c gives him access to the "Accelerated World". Now "Burst Linkers" (People who had installed Brain Burst) whenever they choose can accelerate their thought process a thousand times faster than normal people. Meaning a second in the real world is like a thousand seconds for them, making everything around them stop. Haru however will unexpectedly discover that the Brain Burst program, beneath it shell ,is a multiplayer fighting game. He gains a humanoid avatar called silver crow. The plot revolves around him fighting fellow brain bursters (with the guidance and inspiration of kuroyukihime) and climbing up and eventually "flying up" (he'll eventually have access to a skill that is unique to the Accelerated World) to the top of the ladder. A lot is going on with the plot, issues with side characters "Taku", "Chiyu" and the enigma "Kuroyukohime" will keep you busy and entertained. (More Side characters will be introduced as the plot progress).There will be ups and downs for Haru as he tries to evolve from sore loser to be the best at what he does with the help of his friends.

(the Black King = Kuroyukihime)

(Haru seeing his "Silver Crow" avatar for the first time)

Review: The show offers a lot of entertainment, the fighting scenes are good and well-thought-of and there are a lot of characters (though a lot will annoy you w/c is a good thing for villains but bad for side characters). Viewers will be amazed by the well made virtual world that is the "Accelerated World" with all its rules and politics. Character designs are well made, the human counter parts are good but the android looking avatars are really great, colorful and well designed. The plot may sometimes be too shallow or not serious but it is expected from a "shounen" anime and it doesn't really affect the enjoyment that the show brings. It's mild and easy to watch and at the same time has good depth without being too analytic in its plot. If you want a good action shounen with logically well made plot this one is for you. 

My Personal Rating: 8/10 Nothing outstanding but will rarely bore you.

OP1: Chase the World - May'n
ED1: →unfinished→ - KOTOKO
OP2: Burst the Gravity - ALTIMA
ED2: Unite - Sachika Misawa