Hello and welcome to Project Nitsuj. Today we’re continuing our adventure into SAO: Alicization. When we last left off with Kirito and Eugeo, they find out the truth about the ruler of this world and how she needs to be stopped. Can Kirito and Euge0 fight through the integrity knights and take down the ruler of tower? Let’s find out.
Opening and Ending Theme
The second opening is “Resister” by ASCA. At first I wasn’t a big fan of this song, but as the episodes went on and the fights got more intense I started to like it. The song matches up perfectly with what Kirito and Eugeo are doing now and it continues to get you hyped for what’s about to happen. Is it better then the first song? No. But it’s a good follow up.
The ending for the second half “forget-me-not” by ReoNa. Yeah, I wasn’t a big fan of this song. It’s not a bad song, I don’t even dislike it. I just never really got into it. ReoNA and even the lyrics and symbolism are beautiful to listen. But, at the same time the song just feels a little out of place after everything we just got done watching.
Episodes 14-17
Episode 14 starts with Kirito and Eugeo getting their swords back from the armory (now all they need is some potions and they’re good to go). As soon as they leave the armory, they come across their first integrity knight, a crimson-armored wearing individual who uses a bow and arrow and can control fire. They have a short fight where Kirito acts as the shield and Eugeo as the sword who defeats the knight (scene here: https://youtu.be/mSgwrZI0za4). It soon gets revealed that this is the same knight who took Alice all those years ago and Eugeo is pissed (as he should be). Eugeo comes close to drawing his sword and killing the knight right then and there but Kirito stops him (that is not the way of the Aincard style). Kirito and Eugeo continue their climb to the top of the cathedral (it wouldn’t be so bad if the scenery changed up a little). When they stop to take a rest they spot 2 lolis watching them (and no, they’re not legal).
In episode 15, the two lolis introduce themselves as Fizel and Linel. They’re sisters in training who snuck out of their room to see if the intruders were demons or not (no, but they have been known to lewd the loli). At first, they seem innocent and harmless but they get close to Eugeo and Kirito and stab them both with paralysis daggers (perfect assassins). As they drag Eugeo and Kirito up the stairs to the 50th floor (I feel like it should be the other way around) where an ambush is waiting for them, we find out that the lolis were born in the cathedral and used as test subjects for Quintella who was working out the kinks of her resurrection spell. The lolis along with a group of other kids were forced to kill themselves only to be resurrected by Quintella. The spell had a few nasty side effects such as kids exploding, others being mutilated, and some coming back as an entirely different person (isn’t magic fun?). Not wanting to meet the same fate, Fizel and Linel did their own research where they discovered that if they could kill cleanly with one strike the pain would be minimal, and the odds of a successful recovery would be higher. The only question was how to do that clean strike? In the end, Quintella abandoned the experiment and Fizel and Linel were the only ones left standing, so they became integrity knights (you survived Quintella’s crazy ass. You earned it). However, they’re not official integrity knights as they lack the training and discipline of one and snuck out to prove their worth by killing Eugeo and Kirito themselves (defeating the intruders your comrades couldn’t will do that). They finally reach the 50th floor where Fizel and Linel get ready to kill Eugeo and Kirito in front of the knights but Kirito grabs their daggers and cuts them with it paralyzing them in the process. It turns out Kirito never trusted them in the first place and casted a healing spell as the lolis approached them (makes sense, everybody in this place is trying to kill you. Don’t trust anybody). Kirito doesn’t kill them but instead has them watch his duel with the integrity knights that they mocked earlier. Kirito takes on the leader where we get a pretty impressive swordfight as the leader has a sword that can shoot beams (holy crap, she’s got the Master Sword! Link, you fool, https://youtu.be/JTdj_ROBtnE). The knight gets revealed to be a woman named Fanatio which pisses her off because nobody takes her seriously when they know her true gender. She plays the feminist card, but Kirito shuts that BS down by saying he has no intention of holding back (this man fights women all the time, you are no different). Eugeo is able to move again and uses his skills to freeze up everyone but the female knight has a strong will and she won’t go down.
At the start of episode 16, Kirito and Fanatio end their battle with a sword beam battle (it’s Gohan vs Cell all over again. Scene here: https://youtu.be/yNsL0E_rLpA). Kirito wins and once he sees a giant gaping hole in her chest, he tries to heal her but his healing isn’t working as she’s lost too much blood. Desperate to save her, Kirito uses the dagger given to him by Cardinal to save the knight and the two swordsmen continue on their journey. They arrive at an elevator where they meet a girl who’s been operating the elevator for over a hundred years (and to think I felt bad for the butter robot from Rick and Morty). They go as high as the elevator will take them where they arrive outside to a beautiful garden where Alice is waiting for them under a tree (well this is quite symbolic). Once she sees them the tree turns into her sword and she begins to fight Kirito where Kirito’s plan is to distract Alice to give Eugeo the chance to stick his dagger into her (the one Cardinal gave him, not the one in his pants). Despite their best efforts, even with Eugeo able to freeze both Kirito and Alice, he isn’t able to stab her. They actually break the wall where Kirito and Alice get sucked out of the building (like a vacuum) leaving poor Eugeo alone (scene here: https://youtu.be/RWlJp8y_6-Q).
Nothing to say about episode 17. Kirito and Alice are still alive thanks to Kirito who stuck his sword into the wall. They agree to a temporary truce and begin to climb up the tower to the 95th floor where they’ll have a chance to re-enter the cathedral (scene here: https://youtu.be/H4_LfWr99Xk). As they make it to the 85th floor, they come across gargoyles (sadly, none are voiced by Keith David) who transform into minions from the Dark Territory and attack them (corruption in the church. What a surprise). Back in the cathedral, Eugeo makes it to the men’s bath area and comes across his next opponent.
Episodes 18-21
In episode 18, Eugeo takes on Bercouli the leader of the integrity knights and legendary hero who slayed the dragon near Eugeo’s village (surpass the legend to become a legend). Their fight begins where we see Bercouli’s buster sword (Cloud’s is still better) has the power to create time defying slashes (a sword that defies the laws of reality. Nothing new there). Eugeo however does manage to disarm and beat Bercouli in a cool, smart, and unique series of moves that forces Bercouli into the baths with Eugeo (woah Eugeo, I know Alice tried to kill you earlier but keep your eyes on the prize and if that fails there’s always Kirito). Eugeo then freezes the water and uses his sword’s second power, leech life in a gamble to try to outlive Bercouli and win (scene here: https://youtu.be/kqiTpgdvH1U). Just when it seems like Bercouli is fading and Eugeo will have the win, in comes the senator (or court jester. Well if that’s not social commentary I don’t know what is) named Chudelkin who says Bercouli is a disgrace as a knight and turns him into stone for reprogramming leaving Eugeo at the mercy of the senator. Back with Kirito and Alice, they eat hot buns and Kirito gets ready to tell Alice about her past.
In episode 19, Alice hears Kirito out about her past and she agrees to join his cause to protect humanity. She even damages her eye for defying Quintella and going against the gods of this world (a small price to pay). Meanwhile, Eugeo wakes up in Quintella’s room where we see a good and likable character show how weak-minded he is (he’s making Anakin Skywalker’s turn to the Dark Side look believable). Quintella convinces Eugeo that no one loved him. His mom, Alice, and even his understudy. But Quintella will love him, she’ll give him all the love he needs. She strips in front of him (because fanservice and because I’m sure it was in the light novel) and has him lay on top of her naked body (I never thought I say this but Eugeo, turn away from the naked woman). Eugeo soon falls under Quintella’s spell and soon becomes her new knight (scene here: https://youtu.be/PaumYXW_wYw, to think she could have saved so much time and knights by just flashing her boobs in front of him).
At the start of episode 20, Kirito heals Alice’s eye the best he can and carries her on his back as he continues to climb back into the church (way to rip off One Piece). Kirito manages to find Eugeo’s sword and the two head towards the floor of the senate whose main job is basically a security system. They make sure everyone is following the rules of the church and if they aren’t they appear in front of people who broke the rules as a lifeless head (giving them nightmares. Still not as bad as the Momo challenge) and send an integrity knight to arrest them. They find Chudelkin where he talks about how he was the one who erased Alice’s memories and enjoyed every second of it (I daresay he got off on it). He manages to escape Alice’s grasp and disappear on them as they head to the next level where waiting for them is the new (but not improved) Eugeo (or Darth Eugeo as I call him) is there and ready to fight. He has no memories of his past or rather he doesn’t care about them anymore. All he cares about is Quintella as she gives him everything he wants (damn son, was she that good?). We end the episode with Kirito about to take on his apprentice Eugeo in a one on one duel (https://youtu.be/YPiz1_sU30o).
So for the first half of episode 21, Kirito and Eugeo have their duel with both sides not yielding to the other. Kirito tries desperately to bring Eugeo back to his senses (stop thinking with your penis and think with your mind). Just when it seems like Kirito’s words reach Eugeo, he freezes Kirito and Alice in ice (https://youtu.be/nC8zz95rm8s. Scene here: https://youtu.be/cKSoT3-z3Uk), and then goes to see Quintella to get his reward (she may be evil but she has a body you would kill for). Just before Eugeo can partake in his reward (and open the floodgates for rule 34) he tries to stab her with the dagger only for her to protect herself at the last second (well at least we know she doesn’t like it raw). It turns out Kirito’s words were able to bring Eugeo back to his senses and feeling responsible for what happened, decided to try and defeat Quintella by himself to make up for his past mistakes (a noble deed but a stupid one. We’re trying to save humanity here. Put your ego aside for one minute and think of the world). So we get Eugeo fighting a naked Quintella (again, because fanservice and because I’m sure it was in the novel) before Kirito and Alice join him after escaping their icy prison. Quintella orders Chudelkin to kill them and for his reward he’ll get Quintella’s body for one night (Nitsuj and the Jack Bros.: I’ll do it). With Chudelkin motivated now (please, this fight will be over in 5 minutes) he uses his art to summon a giant flaming court jester (let’s play this by sight).
Episodes 22-24
Episode 22 gives us 2 disappointing fight scenes. Kirito easily kills Chudelkin who falls for the oldest trick in the book (scene here: https://youtu.be/CJLqTbPY3JA, a man’s libido can only get him so far). We get a boring and pointless talk between Kirito and Quintella (less talking more sword swinging) who reveals that Quintella is just a program who can be easily destroyed by the press of a button but she doesn’t care about that all. She then summons her ultimate weapon, Sword Golem (I’m guessing names aren’t your strong suit Quintella?), a collection of all the holy weapons combined into one disappointing design of a monster (you’re making the Yellow Devil from Megaman look creative). Eugeo once again shows how useless he’s become as he just stands there and does nothing as Kirito and Alice get fatally wounded and are slowly dying (I’m beginning to wonder why he’s here?). Thankfully, they get saved by Cardinal who arrives thanks to Eugeo and one-shots the Sword Golem (scene here: https://youtu.be/xfWfv-2pPYE?t=103) before shedding a tear over her spider servant Charlotte who gave her life for Kirito and the others (am I supposed to feel sad here, because I’m honestly wondering where was she a few episodes ago when we needed her?).
There’s a lot of craziness in episode 23 (Reki, your story is starting to get weird and given what we’ve seen so far that’s saying something). We find out that the Sword Golem (God that name is so stupid) is actually made of people and Quintella plans to sacrifice half the population to make more. Cardinal won’t stand for it and volunteers her life in exchange for the population and Quintella accepts this with open arms taking pleasure in slowly killing her. Eugeo has an epiphany (this is where things start to get crazy) and realizes what he must do to save everyone. He has Cardinal use her remaining strength to turn him into a sword and he fights the Sword Golem where he manages to win (in a fight that I can only say makes the fights against Master Hand and Crazy Hand less silly). Eugeo then sets his sights on taking down Quintella where he fails and dies (and not a single tear was shed. Not even from Alice. That’s your childhood friend lady, show some respect). At first Kirito just sits there and does nothing (which pretty much sums up his role through the entirety of this episode. The Kirito of old would have grabbed Eugeo and killed Quintella) but as he remembers everyone’s sacrifice and their will not to give up, he rises to his feet and prepares to fight Quintella in one final duel (scene here: scene here: https://youtu.be/LWPG7JvfgDo).
The final episode of the season starts with Kirito dawning his SAO outfit (bringing it back baby) and fighting Quintella who is still naked (I can’t defend this anymore, this is just stupid fanservice). The fight starts off not going Kirito’s way as he gets outmatched by Quintella who uses his own techniques and even Asuna’s technique for some reason. It isn’t until Eugeo calms him down and uses his own blood to turn Blue Rose into the Crimson Blue Rose and hand it to Kirito does the tide of the fight change. Using his dual-wielding skills Kirito manages to slice off Quintella’s arms who slices off his arm as well (an arm for arms). Kirito lands the final strike in her chest (no! Aim for the head) where it damages her whole body beyond repair so she decides to go to plan B, escape to the real world (scene here: https://youtu.be/qOKDaUXEdGo). Yep, no lie, she literally has a portal that will take her to the real world. What body did she have waiting for her on the other side is unknown and one we’ll never find out because she never made it over to our side thanks to Chudelkin who uses his dying breath to embrace Quintella (if he starts humping your leg, it means he likes you) and uses his flames to kill himself and Quintella in one big fiery explosion. The death continues with Eugeo dying but he names Kirito’s sword Night-Sky Blade (that’s not bad). Kirito uses Quintella’s panel to reach the outside world where we find out Rath is being attacked by terrorists (maybe building a giant base out at sea wasn’t the best choice) who break into the lightcube cluster control room which causes a surge through the system which hits Kirito’s fluctlight and possibly kills him (scene here: https://youtu.be/AepWWJSTIeo, of course we know that’s not going to happen) and that ends the season.
And that was the second half of the first season. It started off good, got silly and stupid near the end, and ended on a suspenseful note. Hope your ready for next part because we’re going to war. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time on Project-
(Seras): I’m back~!
*Seras enters the room with her cloths tattered, her air a mess, and a few bruise and burnt marks over her arms and legs*
(Nitsuj): That’s a new look for you Seras.
(Seras): Funny.
(Nitsuj): Where have you been? You’ve been gone for a week.
(Seras): Proving how easy it is to slay a dragon. Come on.
*Seras leaves the room and Nitsuj follows her down the stairs and into the living room*
(Seras): Wah la!
*Seras presents the body of a virtual dragon that looked like a smaller version of Rayquaza that was blue, had purple markings all over it, and a deep cut that ran along the stomach. Nitsuj stood there wide-eyed shocked at what he saw*
(Nitsuj): You maniac! You actually did it.
(Seras): Yeah, I found this bad boy lurking around the official website of Dungeons and Dragons. Followed it back to its cave, waited for him to leave, planted a trap inside and around the cave, and then we fought. He put up a good fight. Almost had me a few times. Carting him back was the hard part. Anyway, I brought him back hoping you could use his data and craft me a new weapon. Let me know what you come up with when you get a chance. I’m gonna go finish the rest of my Sprite.
*Seras heads off to the kitchen to get her Sprite*
(Nitsuj): Well time to bust out the drawing board. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time on Project Nitsuj.
(Seras): Blah! It’s gone flat!
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