FULL EPISODE SPOILERS AHEAD
You know I realized how weird it is when Yuuki isn't smiling this episode. Like it makes me sort of uncomfortable. It's unnatural!
This is also the first episode in a while to feature a boss battle. I suppose you could count Thrymr, but, eh. That was part of a quest, not necessarily part of the game as a whole to advance the state of things for the players. In fact, I think it's safe to say we haven't seen a boss raid since...the Skull Reaper? So around Episode 13 of Season 1, yeesh.
Been a while, hasn't it?
Also: apparently none of the players recognize the legendary sword Excalibur, so, again, negligence plagues this show. Does everyone just live under a rock?
This was another good episode. Not great, but, for what it was, I liked it. Asuna took firm control once again as we saw the Sleeping Knights in action for the first time as a group, and we got to see Yuuki slice and dice some more--which she is an expert at. Also, there was a throwback to GGO, which is always a fun time. There's even some undertones that will be explored later and are laid down this episode, such as why Yuuki isn't always smiling.
Also known as the emotion bomb of the century. But that's later (like, tomorrow, I think).
It really wouldn't be a true SAO episode at this point if we didn't start at the end of last episode, where the spying guild showed up to take on the boss and Kirito shows up to stop them. Their mages hurl spells at Kirito but he's able to quite easily deflect them, noting how much slower they are compared to the bullets back in GGO. Not gonna lie, it was the first thing that popped into my mind when he deflected it, so I'm glad they mentioned it. I think he could have blocked them anyway, but, it was a nice touch.
Klein shows up to attack the rearguard, and Kirito declares he will buy them three minutes to get into the Boss room, and thus, the Sleeping Knights commence their attack. Yuuki is clearly the most impressive of the bunch, pretty much walking through players and cutting them down. She's clearly not putting any effort into this, and it makes me wonder what a legit fight between Kirito and Yuuki would look like--if Kirito were going all out with dual-wielding and Yuuki were to actually put her mind to the fight.
Yuuki, in this instant, reminds me a lot of the Natsu Dragneel from Fairy Tail type of anime character where they just get so into what they're doing that they're able to walk through opponents like it's nothing and just have a fun time doing so. I mean, with Natsu or other characters it's a little insane because that's really happening, but with Yuuki there's just an innocence to it because it's in a videogame and it's supposed to be fun. I brought this up last time.
Plus, this just adds to Yuuki's playful charm that is very welcoming. She listens to directions and she does everything with an astounding, even awe-inspiring, aura of confidence. It's quite wonderful.
Asuna, channeling her inner speed demon, attacks the healers of their opponents. While it is cool, it also uses that strange, almost too-fluid animation where certain movements are exaggerated and it feels quite over the top. Like, they're making far too many movements for just having to step to the side. Still, getting to see Asuna move quicker than pretty much everyone else is a sight long missed.
With the healers destroyed, the group falls and the Sleeping Knights advance into the Boss Room, where they prepare to take on the Boss. In the room, there's a feeling that something is amiss, as Siune almost says something and Yuuki stops her and nobody really knows what, and it throws Yuuki off her game as the Boss begins to appear. Not sure why he doesn't appear from the get-go but conveniences are conveniences.
The assault begins with Yuuki heading the charge while Asuna and Siune heal everyone, waiting for a weak point to open up. After several attacks at the limbs, Asuna notices the Boss's weak point and sends Yuuki to finish the job, who does so with gusto and nearly ease, destroying the weak point and even splitting the thing in half.
The fight itself is cool to watch as we see the Sleeping Knights working off of each other, but, it just doesn't feel as grand as it should. Perhaps its underwhelming compared to the much larger Boss fights we've seen, perhaps its because the Boss isn't Gleam Eyes, I don't know. It just feels like another boss, honestly, so there isn't really anything significant about it. Plus, we aren't as bonded with the Sleeping Knights as we were others during Boss battles back in SAO, so, the true magic and rush of everything isn't there.
At least the joy carries over into the characters, that's what matters. I mean, it gets Yuuki smiling, which is fun times. They head back to the main city after surprising the other guild, since they managed to defeat the Boss with only seven players, before deciding to go to Asuna's place for a little partay. But again, there's a slight moment where clearly something is off with Yuuki, who doesn't seem too thrilled with idea.
She gets right back into her element at the house, telling various stories in a light-hearted, peppy way until Asuna asks to be a part of the Sleeping Knights. She gets rejected, though, because they'll be disbanding for some reason shortly and probably unable to get back together afterward. Not sure why, though.
Perhaps it has something to do with what makes Yuuki so upset? It's an interesting question and is certainly something to consider when the end of the episode rolls around.
Asuna takes them to the Monument of Swordsmen where they find their names under Floor 27. Yuuki thanks her big sister, who Asuna thinks is her, since Yuuki has now called her that three times. Yuuki, realizing she has, is shocked and hurriedly logs out, ending the episode.
Whoa. The amount of awkward just went through the roof. Okay then.
The episode does a good job showing the closeness of the Sleeping Knights and how much they wanted to win the battle, even if the battle itself wasn't too impressive. Asuna continued to grow as a character and we learn a little more about Yuuki and how she isn't all fun and games, that there is something more to her character. That much is what keeps us guessing. You also feel for the girl because she's always full of life, so to see her crying at the end of the episode stings because you really want to know what's going on, and what's wrong.
Tomorrow (again, I think, not sure), we may in fact find out what is wrong. Get the tissues. See you then.
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