Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online

Not anywhere near the main show, but it was never meant to be. Just a fun little 12 episode story that can maybe drag in some parts, but also manages not to waste any time. The characters are all enjoyable, although the "villain" can be a little annoying. Overall a good side project and would definitely recommend. I hope the characters make it into the main show somehow or this gets a season 2. Oh and that end credits song is really good :)

Karen Kohiruimaki always felt out of place in the real world. Due to her extreme height, she found it hard to make friends with other girls her age. Everything changes when she's introduced to VR and Gun Gale Online. In GGO, Karen is free to play the cute, chibi avatar of her dreams. Can Karen find friendship in this bullet-ridden MMO...?

In terms of origin I would say Llen has a better origin since Kirito is just some kid playing a video, where as Lelien in real life is a sexy woman who is surprisingly tall to most characters and is a college student. However, as a protagonist she is annoying but only in the game.

It is overall a good side story but I prefer the other series. That is all i am going to say about it.

It's a fun series worth a watch too bad there's no season two but that's really the only thing I can complain about.

I'm still fairly new to anime, and from everything I've gathered this might be a bit of controversial one. What I mean by that is that at time of writing and the current state of SAO I think that this spinoff is better than the main show.

*Ducks the slings and arrows*

A twelve episode spinoff from one of the major anime franchises this is another story within Gun Gale Online and features none of the main shows characters.

This was no doubt a gamble, with little to tie it to SOA other than the setting it could have fell flat and from everything I've heard from the anime community many think it did.

I however really enjoyed it, a short single story spread across a dozen episodes really worked. It tells the story of a girl who ventures into the online game and becomes a whirlwind sensation with her abnormally tiny and overwhelming cute avatar.

The story is oddly dark in places but softened up with cutesy visuals and Lenns sickly sweet voice. The action is excellent and frequent and it's very well paced which is something you certainly can't say about SAO!

I really enjoyed this and would love to see Lenn and co back. A rollercoaster ride, an emotional story, great characters and a really nice surprise of a show.

The Good:

Action packed

Well scripted

A lot of fun

Great story

The Bad:

Nothing springs to mind

It is quickly forgotten that it is a simple spinoff and with a construction of strong characters, with their traumas and the way they reconstruct themselves in the virtual world is inspiring.

It is worth watching, even without references to the world of Sword Art Online.