Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online

This series is set some time after the events in the original 'Sword Art Online' when the flaws that meant people couldn't exit the game and death in the game really meant death have been fixed. It is centred on Karen Kohiruimaki a girl who is self-conscious of her height so seeks out a virtual reality game where she can play a short character. Her character is Llenn and the game is Gun Gale Online. In this game there are tournaments where players form teams and fight it out till only one team has any members surviving. In her first such competition she is teamed with a player who goes by the name 'M'; he informs her that somebody will murder him in real life if he dies in the game.

If you weren't that keen on the original 'Sword Art Online' don't be put off this as it is effectively a totally new series that just happens to be set in the same reality and feature a virtual reality game. There is plenty of action and it gets tense even when there is no threat of real death for the vast majority of characters. Llenn is fun protagonist even if fans of realism might not be too keen on her entirely pink costume and matching P-90 submachinegun! The other characters are nicely varied; gun-nuts, kids just playing a game and even real soldiers using it for battlefield simulation. Given the cuteness of our protagonist there are a few surprising moments... I certainly wasn't expecting a mini-tutorial on how to sever somebody's femoral artery with a knife; I wouldn't be surprised if that gets cut from any UK DVD release! The story plays out nicely over the course of two such tournaments with the plot deepening as we learn more about the characters. The character designs are pretty good and the animation is solid. Overall I'd recommend this to anybody wanting virtual reality action without the cliché of in game death meaning real death.

These comments are based on watching in Japanese with English subtitles.

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

This anime is basically Sword Art Online, but with a better director and writer. While it definitely felt different compared to SAO as it kinda throws away the vibe that the original had estabilished to focus on the slice-of-life side, it still does a good job for being what it is. The characters are relatable and likable especially the main character, the script is actually good, and the visuals have more variety added to it thanks to Studio 3Hz who, by the way, did a really great job at it and deserves credit. That being said, I'm not a fan of the plot twist towards the end, but that was just me being nitpicky. Overall, not really that impressive all-round, but it's a good anime that are worth checking out especially if you watched SAO before.

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 :)

I watched this before ever knowing about SWO. Something about the image of a strange pink munchkin wielding an also pink FN P90 grabbed my attention I guess. I didn't compare it to anything and enjoyed it a lot! If you are going into it thinking it will be SWO then you'd best manage your expectations. Treat this like a spin off series with all new characters. Yeah it probably should have just been called "Gun Gale Online" but I guess the guys in marketing thought it would be better to have some brand recognition.