This week for Anime Sunday I’m covering the 2nd Cours of the excellent second season of Sword Art Online’s anime adaptation.

Plot Synopsis: One day at the end of the year, Suguha shows Kazuto a news article about the legendary item, the Holy Sword Excaliber, being discovered in ALO.

Plot: So while the above plot covers what leads up to the events of Episodes 15-17, Episode 18 is where the real plot will begin for me, as those episodes were just a side story. Episode 18 is the beginning of the Mother’s Rosario arc and it is one of the most emotional stories I have ever read and I can’t wait for it to be animated personally. The plot focuses almost solely on Asuna and her interactions with a girl named Yuuki in the new ALO (the new one includes the floating castle Aincrad from Sword Art Online [pretty much the entire game itself in case you are wondering]).

Characters: Kirito is a very minor player in this arc and I believe that this will redeem Asuna from her damsel in distress position of the Fairy Dance arc. While I’m sad that Sinon has been relegated to a non role in this second half, although we do get to see her kick some serious ass in ALO as a Cait Sith archer in the Caliber side story. Asuna and Yuuki’s interaction so far has only just started, but believe me when I say that just because you may find Asuna boring in the first season, doesn’t mean she can’t grow on you. I love this story arc because it shows that Kirito really isn’t that overpowered, and much more importantly that even the faintest hope in life can bring about miracles.

Art: The artwork is just as amazing as the first half of this season, but I’m really happy with the 3rd opening animation they use, the 2nd reused some scenes so it was only so so.

Music: The opening and ending themes of this second half are amazing, and I love the musical track that runs during the Caliber arc.

Overall: If you weren’t watching this season already you need to be, even if it’s only from episodes 18-24.