Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online S2 - There's an Impostor Among Us

Key Takeaways

Surprising plot twists in every episode keep viewers engaged and on their toes.
Pitohui’s ruthless character alignment leads to shocking betrayals and twists in the story.
Concerns arise over the prolonged tournament arc and lack of variety in season 2.

As a long-time fan of SAO and its spinoffs, I must say that GGO S2 has been nothing short of spectacular! Every week, I eagerly await the latest episode, my heart pounding with anticipation as I wonder what new twists and turns the story will take. The characters are well-developed and engaging, the action is fast-paced and exhilarating, and the plot keeps me guessing at every turn.

heads up: the discussion that follows discloses plot points from Gun Gale Online Alternative’s Episode 20 titled “The Showdown,” currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll.

Gun Gale Online, or GGO as we’ll refer to it hereafter, is its knack for keeping viewers on their toes. It starts off by unveiling a vibrant and ever-changing game map in episode 1, followed by turning the entire audience against the main characters in episode 2, before swiftly shifting focus onto secondary characters in episode 3. In episodes 4 and 5, it throws a curveball with an unexpected tournament rule that significantly amplifies the danger and thrill.

Every installment in this series never fails to surprise – something unexpected always unfolds that leaves us scratching our heads! It’s rare for a show to consistently keep its audience on their toes like this one does, and true enough, this latest episode was no exception; it was jam-packed with twists upon twists! Though the unpredictability is thrilling, I must admit that I have some reservations about where the storyline seems to be heading.

Pitohui Leading the Charge

Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online S2 - There's an Impostor Among Us

Let’s chat about the fantastic aspects of this episode initially, such as Pitohui’s character development and the unexpected turns. In this part, we’ll delve into Pitohui, while the subsequent section will cover the two significant plot twists.

Did You Forget Who I Am?

Known for her relentless playing style, Pitohui is a familiar figure in the game. Her cunning and effective strategies, on display during past Squad Jam tournaments, have left a lasting impression on everyone. While many respect her athletic prowess as a player, there’s also a sense of caution about what she might do next.

It’s clear that everyone on Team Betrayals shares the same sentiment. However, as they wage their battles, they gradually come to see that adhering to Pito’s guidance offers their best chance at winning the tournament. Although her decisions might seem peculiar occasionally, they consistently prove beneficial for them in the long run. Consequently, trust in Pito began to grow among the team members. Sadly, this faith proved to be their undoing. In this particular episode, Pito ends up taking the lives of two of her teammates. For a brief moment, they forget about Pitohui’s true nature – merciless and ruthless.

“I just sent him to be with his friends at the bottom of the ocean, that’s all.”

—Pitohui, Episode 7

Pitohui’s Character Alignment

In the game Dungeons & Dragons, there’s a useful feature called Character Alignment. This tool allows both writers and players to easily determine a character’s moral standing, which can provide insight into their motivations and choices. The Character Alignment chart categorizes characters into nine groups – delve deeper because it’s quite fascinating. Specifically, Pitohui falls under the category of Chaotic Neutral.

A Chaotic Neutral character prioritizes their personal values and autonomy above all else, making them self-governing individuals who might lean towards good or evil, whichever appeals to them at a given moment. This unpredictability is what makes such characters, like Pito in GGO, truly captivating.

There’s an Impostor Among Us

In this episode, there are two significant surprises involving Pitohui:

A Twist Upon a Twist

As a dedicated fan, I must admit that GGO never shies away from surprising us. In fact, right from the get-go in Season 2, it’s been a rollercoaster ride filled with unexpected turns. But the twist in this very episode is something extraordinary – it was orchestrated by Pitohui herself! If you look closely, you’ll see that she had been meticulously setting up these twists as part of her grand plan all along.

As soon as Pito learned about the new rules, she swiftly devised a strategy to embed herself within the treacherous group, with the ultimate goal of eliminating them one by one. So far, her scheme has been progressing according to plan, and she is now just a few moves away from realizing her main ambition: squaring off against Llenn in an unbridled battle.

Never Let Them Know Your Next Move

In our modern world, it’s challenging to come up with something novel that leaves audiences in awe due to the sheer amount of content we consume daily. We often find ourselves able to predict the course of a story. However, Gun Gale Online (GGO) has managed to catch us off guard on several occasions within a single episode. It appears that for this season, GGO follows the philosophy of “keep them guessing” when it comes to plot twists. This unpredictability makes each new episode a thrilling experience, as we eagerly await the next surprise they will reveal.

It’s Good, But…

Once more, we’ve emphasized it countless times: This season, GGO has been nothing short of exceptional. Each episode is top-notch and there’s little reason to skip watching this series each week. Nevertheless, certain points deserve consideration, not because they represent significant flaws or deficiencies, but rather as matters of concern.

It’s Been Dragging On For a While, No?

The main issue at hand revolves around the ongoing tournament. While I’ve enjoyed every moment so far, let’s face it – we’re seven episodes in and we’re smack dab in the middle of the final stages. If the pace remains consistent, the Third Squad Jam tournament might stretch to episode 10 or even 11. It makes one wonder if things aren’t being drawn out a bit too long, doesn’t it?

Maintaining an element of novelty and intrigue in each episode surely keeps audiences hooked on the story, but there’s a risk of veering too far off course, causing the tournament to drag out longer than intended. Overstaying one’s welcome could potentially lead viewers to lose interest, even in something they once found thrilling and cherished. Will this be the fate of GGO? Only time will reveal the answer. Fingers crossed for a different outcome!

Is This it?

The second concern is still related to the tournament. Or rather the fact that this season only has the tournament. One of the best things about the first season was indeed the Squad Jam tournament, there’s no question about that. Another undeniable fact is the tournament in Season 2 is an improvement in all fronts over the first season.

Yet, the initial season presents an aspect that’s been missing so far in the subsequent one: Diversity. In the former, we witnessed Llenn engaging in the real world, socializing with her peers and expressing her concerns and uncertainties. We saw her within GGO outside of the tournament. She undertook missions, navigating the grimy city, and even browsed for top-notch equipment. These elements are yet to surface in the second season. Yes, the tournament is thrilling, but it seems limited. Here’s hoping there’s more to come.

Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online S2 is available to stream on Crunchyroll.

2024-11-27 00:34

Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online S2 – There’s an Impostor Among Us