~Synopsis~
One year after the SAO incident, Kirito is approached by Seijiro Kikuoka from Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Department "VR Division" with a rather peculiar request.That was an investigation on the "Death Gun" incident that occurred in the gun and steel filled VRMMO called Gun Gale Online (GGO). "Players who are shot by a mysterious avatar with a jet black gun lose their lives even in the real world..." Failing to turn down Kikuoka's bizarre request, Kirito logs in to GGO even though he is not completely convinced that the virtual world could physically affect the real world.
Kirito wanders in an unfamiliar world in order to gain any clues about the "Death Gun." Then, a female sniper named Sinon who owns a gigantic "Hecate II" rifle extends Kirito a helping hand. With Sinon's help, Kirito decides to enter the "Bullet of Bullets," a large tournament to choose the most powerful gunner within the realm of GGO, in hopes to become the target of the "Death Gun" and make direct contact with the mysterious avatar.
~Information~
Type: TVEpisodes: 24
Status: Currently Airing
Aired: Jul 5, 2014 to ?
Producers: Aniplex, A-1 Pictures, Aniplex of AmericaL
Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Game, Romance, Shounen
Duration: 23 min. per episode
Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older
~My First Impression~
I have read all light novels of SAO until the Alicization arc, and I'm a big fan of the series. And so far the Phantom Bullet arc has the best action and story, which is the theme for the new SAO II anime. The new season will revolve around the new VRMMORPG game "Gun Gale Online" or GGO for short. Seems unlike the original SAO anime which covered two arcs of Aincard and Fairy Dance arc (a total of 4 volumes of the light novel series) in 25 episodes, the new season will only based on the Phantom Bullet arc (2 volume of the light novel series) and they are gonna make a total of 24 episodes. So, unlike the first season, I'm expecting a good slow and steady show this time.The first episode started with a good pace with a lot of good explanation on the Virtual Reality. Also, the question of "What is Real?" is really interesting. Anyway, the animation is good so far. As for music, I liked the first season OP and ED more. Can't say anything about the action with this one episode, since there are none so far. But I'm a little disappointed with the character design of Kirito and Asuna. According the story line, Kirito should be almost 16 years old and Asuna a year older, 17. I was expecting a little matured look for them than the first season. Seems the animator's decided on the cuteness. As for Kirito's Avatar in the GGO, I have to say................. WHAT THE HECK............... I know from the original light novel that his avatar is gonna be cute female type. So, his long hair and cute face didn't came as a shock to me. But what shocked me is that stupid Breast Plate of his............. since when Kirito has boooooooooobs? LOL... Anyway, as a big fan of SAO, I'm surely gonna follow this till the end.
Animation: 10/10
Sound: 8/10
Story Concept: 9/10
Action: 9/10 (No action on first episode, but with the OP and ED, looks like it will be good).
Character Design: 9/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
