Thread:Nathanhale1993/@comment-29759785-20161030085049/@comment-29759785-20161211174739

I highly disagree with a statement that SAO is so popular because of haram elements. Why? Because before SAO, during its releasing (mainly anime) and after SAO there were lots of harem series and now even one get close to its popularity - Sword Art Online is the most bought light novel series ever published.

In my opinion the main factors that decided its popularity are:

- Kirito x Asuna, their characters, personalities, history and, of course, relationship - it is anti-harem aspect of SAO, you could even say,

- interesting topics and the way the are shown: virtual world, being trapped in the game, artificial inteligence,

- anime adaptation: one may argue that tv series was far from perfect, but, for me at least, anime was first and finding out about was second. Maybe animated version omits some facts and simplify other things, but fights and music are on top level.

- introducing characters like Yui (and whole family-like vibe) or Yuuki (courage to speak about AIDS). Personally, I am ot fan of Sinon, so it is hard for me to objectively say if she is responsible in some part of SAO popularity

I even dare say that not being your typical harem series also gave SAO some popularity. Instead of some douche who is total oblivious to other girls' feelings, we were given a hero who chooses his love at the very start and stays faithful to her - that one thing was already very important for me.

So here are my thoughts. Hope you are satified with this answer.