RJ Writing Ink

Sword Art Online: Alicization Episode 16 Review/Recap

I was too busy dealing with the fact that Game of Thrones and Star vs. were over that I forgot to write my review for the last episode of SAO: Alicization. I have to admit, though, that this show’s now starting to get a bit repetitive. Still, I promised that I would do every episode, and I will keep it. Or my name isn’t Roderick J Fritz!

It’s not; that’s just a pen name. And until I say otherwise, that is what it will remain as.

LINK. START!

Recap

So after that cliffhanger ending last time, Kirito manages to unleash his ultimate attack and is able to beat Fanatio, but he doesn’t have the heart to let someone that good die because of the Axiom Church’s corruption. So he decides to use one of those four dagger things to save her, even though Eugeo thinks he’s crazy to do so.

And then, as if to reinforce that the Axiom Church is evil, Kirito and Eugeo hitch a ride on an elevator with an attendant whose calling has been to work the elevator. For centuries. She can’t even remember her name.

After that sad scene, we finally get to see the main event, as Kirito and Eugeo manage to make it to the floor where Alice is waiting for them. Another epic battle ensues, their teamwork.and while Kirito has a hard time keeping up with her and her OP sword, Eugeo and Kirito restrain her with their teamwork.

Just as they’re about to use another dagger on her, though, she breaks free, and then the wall breaks open, sending Kirito and Alice falling outside of the Church. Before Eugeo can do anything, the building regenerates, leaving him alone, without his two best friends.

Review

So, a couple of things. While I didn’t mind seeing that elevator woman, I thought that they wasted time on her just to establish something that we already know: the Axiom Church is evil and the “Sacred Task” thing is like slavery with extra steps. I wanted to see Kirito and Alice fight some more! Since Alice’s return, it felt like the plot was making the fight between Kirito, Eugeo, and Alice a huge deal. Instead, it lasted about two minutes. That’s lame!

And I know that Kirito and Alice aren’t dead. Even if they didn’t have plot armor, those two wouldn’t let falling out of a building kill them. The whole point is to get Alice separated and make her see that she’s being used as a tool by the Church.

If what my fellow blogger Karandi says is true, Eugeo is going to have one of the best fights of the season in the next few episodes, while Kirito and Alice are stuck with exposition dialogue. Not looking forward to that, unless they make it interesting somehow.

So, this episode was a bit of a letdown after what happened in the previous episode. I hoped the fights would get better, but they didn’t. Not giving up hope, though.

I Give “The Osmanthus Knight” a 3/5

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One Piece Chapter 943 Review/Recap

Just when you think that you have found the absolute worst in hate sinks in fiction, the bar is lowered yet again. In this chapter, we learn the curse of the SMILE fruit, and how it hasn’t just robbed the people of Ebisu Town of their happiness, but of their ability to show any other emotion. It’s enough to make me sick to my stomach.

Recap

A flashback reveals that Tonoyasu, rather Lord Yasuie, wasn’t just the guy who tried whipping Oden Kozuki into shape, he helped the Nine Red Scabbards become the warriors we have seen. Back when they were just Oden’s followers and tried stealing money from him, he not only gave it to him, but even paid extra so they could learn to become people Oden could rely on as Shogun.

In the present, Hiyori explains what she meant about the SMILE fruit robbing the people of the ability to do anything but smile. As artificial Devil Fruits, there was no guarantee they would work. In fact, they only have a 10% chance of even giving people powers. Anyone else gets not only the “no swimming” effect, but loses the ability to express negative emotions. Shinobu confirms the same thing.

Orochi cruelly ordered the defective SMILEs to the leftover town. It saved them from starving, but it cursed them as well.

In the present, Orochi shows his wickedness once more, laughing at Yasuie’s death and comparing Wano to heaven itself. Just then, Toko runs up to her father, tearfully, begging him to get up but unable to do anything but smile. Orochi becomes enraged at the sight of her and decides to kill her right then and there. Before that happens, though, Sanji and Zoro show up, and they do not look happy

Review

Hmm, this is a new feeling. A calm, tranquil fury and its all being directed at our new hate sink, Orochi. As for the SMILE fruits, it churns my stomach to know that something so vile was allowed to exist. Robbing people of the ability to show any emotion except a fake grin, an unwanted mask that they can’t get off.

The Joker from DC Comics would probably think this is the funniest thing in the world right now.

Orochi and Kaido are poisons, rotting Wano from the inside out. If they can’t remove them from power, Wano will be destroyed.

That said, I like how the explanation that they give for the SMILE fruits, even if it is messed up. Thank heavens the Straw Hats were able to stop the production of those abominations.

Now the main problem, though, is that Toko is in Orochi’s sights, and he’s not going to let her get away. Sanji and Zoro can hold him off, but that will just attract more attention. Orochi’s thugs may let their guards down now, but Orochi will stay as paranoid as ever.

One way or another, though, I am looking to seeing Sanji and Zoro fight Orochi next week. It’ll give us a good look at what the monster is capable of.

I Give “SMILE” a 4/5