Girls und PUBG
- Episodes : 12
- Genre : Action, Game, Military
- Airing Date : April 2018 - June 2018
- Producers : Studio 3Hz
Contains Spoilers
Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online Introduction and Story (Spoilers)
In season 2 of Sword Art Online, Kirito was brought back to the world-of-death game VRMMOs and found himself competing in Gun Gale Online. Fast forward to Alternative, and we see main character Karen is making her own way through the game in this spin-off series. Initially against entering the competitive scene as she merely used the game as a way to mask her anxieties, she is basically forced to by her friend and fellow player Pitohui. What begins is a more straightforward Sword Art Online tale where the stakes might not be as high but the action is every bit as satisfying.
What We Liked About Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online
The girls are cute, the action is exciting, and the plot makes a lot of sense. Main character Kirito is completely absent aside from a slight mention in one episode, but that is actually an improvement. There’s no all-powerful super Jesus in this show, it’s just skilled players laying it all on the line.
Discussion Time
While the plot does require some suspension of belief at a few points, it doesn’t detract from the storytelling overall. A few points in the series have cliffhangers that manage to leave you wanting more, but it does a good job delivering on its promise and telling a contained story.
Why You Should Watch Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online
1. Kawaii Girls
Karen is both attractive and tall in her real-life version, being a shy yet diligent college student by day and the cute, ferocious character she portrays online at night. Her friends are also very entertaining, from her best friend Miyu to her rival and companion Pitohui. There’s plenty of cuteness to be found for fans of some moe-type shows.
2. Real World Game Mechanics
Fans of Battle Royale type games will be familiar with some elements of GGO. It’s almost an exact approximation of a Players Unknown Battlegrounds in an anime setting. This makes it fun to watch and easy to follow. There’s still some deus ex machina a la Kirito shenanigans, but it's so limited that its nonexistent compared to the main series.
3. Action Action Action
The tournament action starts and it doesn’t stop. Karen is a spitfire, using her short height in-game to overwhelm her opponents. It’s fun to watch such a small being zip around on-screen and take down much bigger opponents. Her showdowns are some of the best no-holds brawls you’ll find in this kind of show.
Why You Should Skip Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online
1. It isn’t Sword Art Online
While we did enjoy this far more than traditional Sword Art Online, it’s not a departure everyone will enjoy. Some found Kirito’s harem and savior status to be a strong point of the show, and that’s decidedly absent. You won’t be able to uncover the next chapter or even a setup for Kirito’s story in this, so if that’s your reason for watching, you’d best avoid it.
Final Thoughts
Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online is a very fun watch that we’d like to see more of. Did you enjoy it? Maybe it reminded you of some favorite battle royale-type gaming moments? Let us know in the comments!
Author: Hercule SSJ
