Ok, so first of all let me say, I'm not a "reviewer" so there'll be no fancy wordsmithing here. I'm just a fan of anime, and this is a series I enjoyed enough to decide to drop a few lines about it.

Let me clarify that I for one, am a gamer. I am NOT a pro gamer by any means and actually PvP (player vs player) is one of my LEAST favorites, because I suck at it. :D So, I can't say I like this series, because it had this awesome insight into the elite gaming world that I could really connect with. Well, it did have great insight but my point is if you like gaming...period, you can probably find plenty of things to appreciate about this series. Especially if you are even remotely familiar with MMO's (massively multiplayer online) RPG's (role playing games). :D And, I do love those...

But the excitement and flash of the gaming world, as amazing as it is, is not all that makes this series alluring. This also shows the realistic side of gaming, pro gaming. It has ADULTS, which I find refreshing since so many series now days like to show early high school or before! Yikes. It also has a great mix of both...the gaming side with the amazing fights and flashy badassery, as well as real side of the world where we have to work, experience disappointment, betrayal, depression, and friendship. It beautifully melds those things together with just the right touch of comedy.

The characters are also endearing, especially the main characters. I found myself really liking the interactions we see with them, their personalities and differences, etc. The main guy is great also. He's realistic, yet amazing all at once.

And despite what you may read elsewhere, the animation and fighting sequences are beautiful. It truly is amazingly well done. I've seen a LOT of CG anime shows and a lot of traditional anime, but I can tell you this is beautifully done, regardless of which you prefer. The motion is fluid the fights are well choreographed, etc. Sure there is some repetition in some sequences "weapon transform mode" etc. and I agree if they did away/changed that I'd be good with it, maybe happy even, but it's also not bad and doesn't take away from the series at all.

Lastly, I'll just say, the series is inspiring, exciting, and endearing. I truly enjoyed it, and best of all, it's just getting started, there are other seasons incoming, several more. I for one, cannot wait to see what they bring either! :D