Sword Art Online: Alicization Episode 17 Review: Truce

I don’t know what was more shocking in this week’s episode of Sword Art Online: Alicization: the insane and impossible physics as well as the strength of Kirito and Alice while climbing the tower or the amount of times that Kirito said ‘baka’ at the beginning.

Japanese Original Episode Title: 休戦協定

Plot

Kirito managed to thrust his sword in the tower and is now dangling along the wall of the church with Alice. After making her realize that the only way for them to get out of this situation alive is by working together, she reluctantly agrees to help him climb up to the 95th floor where they can re-enter the church, but as soon as they reach the floor, she will slay him. Kirito tries to make Alice understand how shady is the Administrator’s authority and the Taboo Index as well as attempts to tell her about her true past, but she is not shaken one bit. After climbing up for a while, they encounter some minions from the Dark Territory, which starts making Alice distrustful of the Pontifex and along with Kirito, they fight together to defeat them. Meanwhile, Eugeo proceeds up the church until he reaches a great bath on 90th floor where he encounters Bercouli Synthesis One.

Episode Highlights

Alice, you are a sweetheart: I love her character so much. That serious voice of hers when she calls Kirito an idiot, tells him to be careful, or gives him a handkerchief and commands him to clean it before she kills him, was absolutely precious. Also, I have to add that she looks much stronger than Kirito both in skills and physical powers. I mean only being able to move with all that heavy armor that she is wearing is impressive.

The whole scene was impossible: Okay, despite the fact that my palms were sweating during the whole episode from stress and fear, I have to say that this scenario would never work under any circumstances ever. I mean Kirito must have been super strong and fit in order to be able to do acrobatics for so many floors while constantly producing metal rods with skills that drain his stamina AND carrying Alice with her heavy armor and weaponry, which he might be, but again even hearing each other out would be difficult and let’s not even mention the cold. On top of that how is he able to balance on those tiny rods? Even thinking about it makes my palms sweaty again. Kirito, you baka, you’ll give me a heart attack.

It’s happening: Finally Alice will realize that the Administrator is full of shit and is just using everyone. I mean come on, Dark Territory minions right outside the most safe building of the Underworld? You don’t need to be a genius to figure out that something is definitely fishy here. ‘Law is law and crime is crime’. I would really like to see Alice implementing those words with actions on Administrator when they reach the top floor, because we all know that she won’t kill Kirito and will join them in their quest as soon as they reach the 95th floor.

Themes & Trivia

Great minimap: This photo here summarizes the events that have happened over the last few episodes and gives a great outlook on the Axiom Church Layout.

SDF Vessel: So when they show Asuna having her breakfast, they mention something about Japan’s SDF vessels. Basically, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (海上自衛隊), JMSDF, also referred to as the Japanese Navy, is the maritime warfare branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. It is the de facto navy of Japan and was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy after World War II. The JMSDF has a fleet of 154 ships and 346 aircraft and consists of approximately 45,800 personnel. I’m taking back anything I said about the security of that place.

Comments

I loved Alice’s transition between ‘I will slay you as soon as I get the chance’ and ‘Please, be careful’ in this episode. She is absolutely adorable to watch and I can’t wait to see her full power and skills in battle. I feel like she is more badass than Eugeo and Kirito combined.

I will slay you but be careful.

Papa Bercouli is going to fight Eugeo and I am so excited to see their battle in the next episode. Also, is Bercouli going to fight naked? Because this will definitely make things more… interesting.

NEXT TIME: The Legendary Hero