Why SAO Abridged Is the Best Parody Ever 

So I started doing these pinned comments to clarify my stance on these older videos like...a year ago, but I kept putting this one off because I knew it'd be time-consuming and I wasn't looking forward to it. This was the video that really launched my channel in its early days, and I remember being passionate about the subject at the time, so I do have some nostalgia for it, but ultimately, I think it's bogged down by a lot of meandering points, faulty logic - honestly, it's just not a framework I can see myself replicating today. I do think Something Witty did a great job with SAO Abridged, and it's kind of hard to talk about the parody's appeal without drawing comparisons to the original SAO, but in hindsight, I think other creators on the platform like Explanation Point and Ember Reviews have done a better job of capturing that appeal in more insightful ways. I guess I don't have much disdain for specific things I said, but rather it's the more general concept behind this video that I've since grown displeased with. First off, the whole "SAO is bad" narrative is something I had absolutely bought into around the time I made this, but that's not really true to how I feel now (and there was probably a degree of performativity to it back then also). I'm no SAO defender, but I don't think it's the worst thing to exist either. Truth be told, it doesn't interest me, which is why I pretty much never talk about it. I'd rather use my channel to talk about things that DO interest me, things that I AM passionate about. I'm generally not a fan of making content purely out of spite or disinterest, because I think that results in my worst work. Some people can make something constructive out of that, but I don't think I'm that kind of person. In this particular video, I feel like I could've made more of an effort to understand what the source material might've been going for, but instead I just played up the lack of understanding as bad writing. Maybe there's some truth to that, but I feel like a lot of these more negative "hot take" pieces tend to exaggerate a bit. So...yeah, I don't really vibe with the premise of this video anymore, but that's mostly because I think I can do better, which makes sense since I was still figuring this whole thing out back in 2017. I won't be deleting the video or anything (after all, if this video spread any misinformation, I kinda missed my chance to damage control that lol), but it doesn't sit right that this is one of my most popular videos and I have yet to post some sort of addendum to it on the page itself, so here's my piece. If you took the time to read this, even if you disagree with my criticisms of the video, I appreciate it. Anyway, here's the part where I point out specific nitpicks: 0:08 - "I'm not here to bash SAO" (proceeds to bash SAO) 1:04 - I guess there's some self-awareness here, I at least understood that I didn't have much to say about the original SAO, but dwelling on that for so long kinda undercuts the point. 10:15 - OH BOY, HERE WE GO. So a decent chunk of the comments here bring up DBZA and/or Hellsing Ultimate Abridged as the "true" best abridged series, and while it ultimately comes down to personal preference, the title of this video doesn't even reflect my own. I have a much more personal connection to DBZA, but I go on to say that SAO Abridged is a better parody because it improves upon the source material where DBZA doesn't, which...uh...that's not how that works?? Whether a parody "improves" upon its source is subjective, for one thing, but more importantly, I don't think that's necessarily what an internet abridged series should strive to be. You can't replace the original no matter how well-written your parody is, so just have fun telling whatever story you want to tell. This whole point was just me thinking I was slick in justifying a clickbait title, but looking back, it's not clever at all and there's actually a lot of holes in this reasoning, so much so that I'd have to completely deconstruct all the messy assumptions it makes, but I don't have the patience for that. 11:28 - Randomly throwing 2 shows under the bus with no explanation! THAT'LL ENHANCE MY POINT!! DO I SOUND SMART YET?? 12:13 - I don't think I've ever used "diegesis" in a script outside of this video. I'm in pain.

Klein?who dafuq is klein?.............OHHHHH u mean BallsDeep69

Klein? Who is Klein? I only know BallsDeep69.

"Kirito,you look...young." "And you look less hairy,balls." "My name is Klein." "Heh heh. . .no,it's not."

"And that's why SAOA is the best parody ever." "Are you done? " "Yes. But the legacy of the pebble lives on."

This video was sponsored by the Kirito is Always Right Foundation

'We need to save my family' 'the bandits are coming'

In an alternate Universe, SAOA is the official English Dub of the anime.

Kirito: Do you think we got married too quickly? Asuna: Yeah, obviously Kirito: Yeahhh me too. Do you wanna stay together anyway? Asuna: Yeah, obviously Kirito: Yeah me too, was that the entire conversation? Asuna: I think it was! Kirito: THAT WAS SO EASY! Asuna: WE ARE SO STUPID! Kirito: Jeez, lets hope we dont have to sacrifice a small child every time we need to have a talk like this. Otherwise buying that orphanage may not have been a terrible investment.

"Why did you create this game?" "Pfft. Idk" "Seems legit"

"DO IT, SACHI!" ..ahh.. we're gonna pretend that didnt happen.

*Kirito :* But, I got good news! You see there's no need to wonder where your god is! Cause he's right here! *and he's fresh out of mercy* *Random man : cries* I LITERALLY HAD THIS AS MY RINGTONE 😂😂😂😂

You forgot one thing. The fact many characters get a lot more screen time in general. Remember the guy in the episode 2 who could hear Jesus' voice? He became the leader of Laughing Coffin. Also, remember the army commander who had spanish guitar string accompanying his voice? Remember his strategy of "hit it 'till it dies?" Sounds familliar? Not to mention the cat player who is basically a running gag in the series. SAOA does so much more with its side characters, and thanks to this it makes the world feel so much more alive.

See, I don't want SAO to die out. Not because I like it, but because I want the abridged series to continue

What I love about the Sachi episode is that sets up jokes that have a punchline way later in the series The best one’s in Kayaba’s rant in the end of the season, when he says “Everyone’s dying left and right and your tutorial NPC is nowhere to be found”. He’s talking about one of the NPCs in Kirito’s guild; that guy’s incompetence in the game was indirectly responsible for hundreds of deaths. It’s hilarious.

First episode: "How many of you have seen Tron? Wait no one? Really?" Last episode: "So you have seen Tron!" My favorite part of the whole abridged is when they quiz each other as movie buffs haha

Actually you're wrong about Something Witty being fans of SAO, Something Witty actually hates SAO and they made this abridged series with the intention of making a better version (they succeeded).

So you're aware, SWE noticed you and said this video was "flattering" on their Facebook.

I'd have to say that my favorite part of SAO abridged was the whole marriage arc between Kirito and Asuna. It was comedy gold to see into their minds during those scenes and show their over-the-top decisions to show up the other and get them to break facade first, including buying an *entire orphanage*

I want SAO to continue so SAO abridged has more material to work with

*Hands award for analyzing an abridged series You did good, you deserve this

All in favor of claiming SAO Abridged being the canon series say "I".

Original reason for trapping thousands of people in a death game was brilliantly mocked in Abridged. Seriously, how unsatisfying is learning that thousands of people died and the ones to survive but have spent years trapped in a game was "I dunno, whatever". It's a slap in the face!

"You see, the problem with that is... It's an excellent idea and I wish I had thought of it 2 years ago."

"I CAN BUILD A ROBOT SO WE COULD DO FAMILY THINGS LIKE WALKING IN THE PARK." i almost cried

I never watched SAO, but SAO Abridged was really good. I have no intentions of ever watching SAO, but now everything I know about SAO will be from the abridged series so...

My favorite part had to have been when Kurito's and Asuna's voices in their heads were arguing with each other when they started talking about getting married, not only did those voices fit their personalities and was realistic due to everyone having their voice inside their head that you can make argue or yell or whatever but it was downright hilarious. I cant wait to see more.

3:18 Klein/BallsDeep69: "I get the feeling you get beat up a lot in real life." Kirito: "SHADDUP! HERE I HAVE POWER!"

My favorite thing about SAO abridged is how they made a deeply flawed relationship built on what is basically hatred and somehow made it both endearing and cringe worthy at the same time. Like seriously, after they get married try to watch anytime they call each other Honey and try to go "Awwwwwwww" while also retreating into your own face.

A quantum supercomputer, calculating for a *thousand* years could not even *approach* the amount fucks I do not give

Not just a bold claim... it's underlined too

"Which begs the question: WHY AM I STILL HERE!?"

My favorite thing about SWE's version is the foreshadowing they do with Kayaba's character. SWE gives you a chance to figure out that Heathcliff is Kayaba because of the movie quotes.

Most important trees in the show: Season 1 has the Fabled Word Tree of Gamagorath. Season 2 has the math tree.

Holy shit they turned Suguha into a pretty damn good character.

My favourite scene is from ep 10 Yui: but that all changed when I found you two K&A:aww Yui: the most broken sociopathic players I had ever laid my eyes on. Less people and more a lose combination of character defects Kirito: that kinda went in a different direction

"I never got the idea that dumb character choices to advance the plot are a bad thing." I want to hug you for saying that. And yeah, one thing that really set SAOA apart for me was all the great meta-jokes in regards to gamers, MMOs, and the culture around them. Right at the very start, Kirito sees a bunch of ads and is given the choice to purchase a stupidly expensive ad block, and that just sets the tone for the great jokes that follow.

EPISODE 12 IS OUT NOW. Yui: i wanted to know what love is, i wanted you to show me. Azuna: Damn Foreigner... Kirito: You mean the band... right?? Favourite scene.

Klein: I’ll clap for you with my teeth buddy! *clack clack clack clack*

I loved the reviving dragon part. Instead of it being one flower it’s 50 of them and it’s much more tedious which is so much more like a mmo.

Oh yeah and remember that whole arc about Kirito and Asuna getting married? How that was dumb and rushed in the original, and while it was too fast for their relationship in SAOA, that fact was part of the plot line. While SAO just had them be married, SAOA had them quarrel and manipulate each other and dodge around the other when they suggest not wanting to be married. And while their quarreling inadvertently brings them closer together, when they reach the bottom of the barrel, they both say it was too fast. That was way WAY better than the original. And Kirito's remark about the orphanage in that scene was both funny as a joke for us, and charming to add a bit of something redeemable to the snarky version of him from this show

Sword Art Online is one of the few Abridged series that actually works. The voice acting is good, the writing significantly improves on the source material and the changes that are made make it an absolutely fantastic show in its own right. Something Witty Entertainment definitely deserves their kudos for making possibly the best Abridged series in its own right. TFS is still the king of Abridged though, with DBZ Abridged, Hellsing Ultimate Abridged etc.

"The first thing I realized was 'why would a ghost need a teleport crystal?' The second thing I realized was 'Oh shit, window." -Kirito, episode 7 Seriously though, the assassin group leader and the one who killed his wife who didn't die in the original but were killed her made things all the more satisfying. As horrific as it my be for me to say this, I truly believe some people don't deserve to live. Seeing Kirito slice the assassins throat or hearing the misogynist getting pummeled to death offscreen made me go "THANK YOU!" because letting them walk away would mean they would kill more people!

Dont forget that with the addition of the second season, even if it's only like 3 episodes, it adds even more depth to kiritos character since we see that the reason hes like this is because of his relationship with suguha, seeing her bully him with same kind of humor and attitude that he had in the first few episodes make u realize that's why hes an asshole. In fact with the new release of the 14th episode we get a scene where as leafa she goes to explain about the game to kirito and begins with "for you see a long time ago" (smth along those lines), a parallel to the infamous story he tells balls in the first episode. We see hes a bully because he takes what she does to him and uses it in the game to feel power

It was the mermaid mafia all along

SWE did an outstanding job. I loved how they kept bringing back core points of previous plots rather than focusing what was in front of you 2 minutes ago like the original. Watching all 11 episodes of the first arc satisfied my desire of a better story in the SAO universe, which had so much potential.

But if SAO dies, so does the parody. You're stuck in a paradox. ;-)

"Oh look at me, I'm Kayaba Akihiko, I have like an invincible shield that can block any attack and also like a super sweet sword that deals infinity +2 damage and can cut through anything, even like Wolverine claws and shit, because I am awesome and cOooOl." ... "Truly, you are the voice of a generation."

The characters in SAO abridged are leagues better than the characters is SAO.

SAO Abridged isn't just better than the original, it's better than most good anime. Kirito and Asuna are both fascinating, their character growth both exceptional and unusual (two sociopaths becoming people), and episode 10 is one of the most hilarious and heart-rending episodes of anything I've seen.

"Hey GARY! Long time no see!" "We must save my- AHH!" "Yeah! Bet you didn't expect to see ME again, did ya' punk?!" "WE MUST SAVE MY FAMILY!" "You left us to die you Bastard!" "WE MUST SAVE MY FAMILY!" "THIS IS FOR SACHI! Choke on it! Choke on my vengeance! How does it taste?!" "We must- ARGH- save my... family-" 'Kirito laughing psychotically while repeatedly stabbing Gary' Ahh, one of my favorite scenes.

Here's why kirito beat SAO Actual kirito: to save my friends SWE kirito: they need to praise me

"The act of staying awake for three weeks at a time might not be relatable" HahahahahahahAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Oh dear. You've never done a thesis have you? That was very, very relatable.

The story had a central theme and message around it as well, although a bit absurd at first the abridged series focuses on the stuipidity of humanity and how Kirto looms in like a god. Throughout the story he constantly shits on humanity but as the story progresses he slowly comes to endear to them

I just realised. We never found out what happened to Fluffles

Man let me tell you about this fucking abridges series. During the last episode of the first season, there's a part where Kirito is crying his eyes out and says "I haven't said this out loud, but I love you Asuna!", and to that Asuna replies "I know". The thing about that is that it was said without the shrill, snarky tone Asuna's maintained for nearly the entire series. It was actually calm, and clear, and spoken from a place of peaceful happiness of someone maybe ready to face their end. In that final moment, with someone she loved, she finally dropped her act and was just *honest* and you know what? From a parody series that's a pretty fucking powerful move to pull on someone. Then the series goes out on one final joke, and the credits roll. They slowly pan out to an arcade-style countdown, and when the screen fades to black on 1, you hear a coin being put in. That was some GOOD FUCKING SHIT THERE and I have to capitalize to emphasize how nice that little bit was after coming right off of the ending scene. Not to keep sucking this series' dick but it was GOOD. Better than it had any right to be and I hope that SWE continues to make the second season as great, if not better and that they have a grand time doing it.

ADORABLE LITTLE TROGLODYTE

*W E M U S T S A V E M Y F A M I L Y*

"I love you so much I don't know your real name"

Dude 1: "Hey, you're not a girl!" Dude 2: "And you're not 17!" Dude 1: "I'm ok with this!" Dude 2: "Me too!" Some dude in crowd: "LOVE KNOWS NO GENDER!" ------------ BallsDeep69: "You look so... young." Kirito: "And you look less hairy, Balls." BallsDeep69: "My name is Klein." Kirito: "Aha, no it's not."

“Get to a high enough level and you’re basically untouchable. My wounds heal faster than you can make them; we could do this all day and you would not be any closer to beating me, not that it wouldn’t be fun. But I’ve got good news. There’s no need to wonder where your god is… because he’s right here… *and he’s fresh out of mercy*” was the hardest scene from any media I had ever seen for my formative years 😂

Also, the relation of Kirito and Asuna are well displayed and written too. I actually "felt" something between them in the abridged series

It's less of a parody and more of a rewrite. Roger Rabbit the movie is better than Roger Rabbit the book. Why can't other adaptations be superior to the original?

God damn Bethesda....

Kobayashi's Dragon Maid really was a great show. It's funny, heartwarming, emotional, and simply put, a good comedy.

What I really liked was how in SWE Asuna actually showed being jealous. Something I never understood was how Asuna could just sit there while all these girls hit on her husband/ love interest. She just.... never seems to be bothered by it??? Heck I remember in the Gun-gale arc Kirito introduces her as a "friend" to Sinon and just something about that rubbed me the wrong way. As far as I was able to get into it Asuna and Kirito never actually showed Sinon any sign that they were together. Heck after Sinon was obviously hitting on Kirito one of em could have atleast stepped up and said "uhm... yeah me and Asuna/Kirito are married". I'm convinced that Sinon doesn't even know about them. I guess I could be wrong? maybe I missed a scene or something... anyway /rant.

I had never heard of you or seen SAO abridged, but when this video showed up in my recommended videos, I saw the title and thought "Oh? The best parody ever, huh? That's quite a claim, better check that out." I added this video to watch later and watched SAO abridged. It is soooo much beer than the real show. Now, I don't hate the show, I just think it completely failed to live up to its potential. Well, anyways I guess what I'm saying is SAO abridged may in fact be the best parody ever. Great video too, by the way.

Best parody ever? It's one of my favorite anime ever. SWE's SAO is a masterpiece. Honestly, instead of bashing on SOA, the anime community should only recognize the abridged series.

I watched SAO abridged, and really enjoyed it. As I was watching it I thought "This is funny, and more realistic than a lot of the things that happened in SAO". When I watched the final episode of the first arc, and I heard kirito say "Because now... I've got something worth fighting for"... I fucking felt chills. That was when I thought "This show isn't just funny, and isn't just making a joke of SAO. This series is legitimately better than the source material".

"Hear me out before you assault me in the comments." What are you taking about, you're absolutely right.

Hellsing ultimate abridged is pretty good

The whole series was basically a cautionary tale on screwing things up by making dumb mistakes. Kayaba did it, Sachi made a mistake and died for it, Kirito and Asuna's whole "what happens after sex? Marriage, definitely!! Right?!?!?!" thing, Yui's "death" and Thinker's comedy of errors that led him to stumble into that dungeon in the first place - so many conflicts and negative consequences in the show were caused by a completely avoidable mistake that was under the character's control. And i love it.

IMO, DBZA and SAOA are the two best parodies... ever. Here's why: DBZ Abridged took a great series and, not only turned it into a genius comedy-series, but also expanded on characters that originally were lacking in DBZ, while also taking full advantage of the already great characters, such as Cell, Vegeta and Frieza. I NEVER thought I'd get into characters such as the Ginyu Force, Nappa, or even Android 16, the latter of whom they've given a touching backstory. They've made every episode of the parody so-far enjoyable, and TFS havr done what they needed to in order to make a show worth watching, with great story, comedy, and even emotional moments. SAO Abridged is EASILY comparable comparable to DBZA. It worked with what, in my opinion, is a lesser-quality story, albeit still somewhat enjoyable, and gave us phenomenal characters, great story and comedy, emotinal moments, and an overall great experience. I don't find SAOA or DBZA to be superior to one-another. They're both phenomenal, and at some points, have one-upped their originals, especially SAOA.

Blazingazurecrow and Grimmjack69 do great abridge work. And neither of them have dropped out half-way through a series.

During the part at the end of the final episode where Kirito cries and wails about wanting to be a real family and such, I legitimately teared up.

SAO abridged is a god damn treasure to this planet

"Kirito, why do you avoid guilds?" "I don't wanna talk about it."

Fuckin' Bethesda

Another reason why SAOA is an amazing parody; it feels like it was written by actual gamers

"But I was da one talkin' to ya T-Dog! You got cotton in yo ears OH MY GOD I AM SO SORRY"

SAO Abridged is the quintessential example of "There's no rule saying that the fake can't overcome the original"

You did not mention how portrayal of SWE Asuna is so much better than original one! Incomplete analysis :)

The abridged series was definitely better then a OG anime as the overall development of characters and relationships between them aren't fleshed out and kind of leave you with a wtf as for why they are together. The abridged gives them a hate/spiteful relationships at the start with them often at odds but its that chemistry that gives cause for their endearment to each other, rather then a ambiguously amicable relationship that magically becomes love of the original. Klien's bit at the end was touching since he was that normal guy just trying to be friendly to this ass hole character in hopes of making a change and he does in fact make a difference.

this is a good video I'll clap with my teeth

*someone "hey whats your favorite abridged moment?" "when cell comes out of the shadows singing mister sandman"

i've said it before and i will continue to say it. SAO is a good anime to get you into anime, it has great starter plot and good enough animation that me and many other people continued watching anime because of it. Once you have seen enough anime, you can realize its flaws in plot and character development, but if it's one of your first then it will definitely be entertaining and enjoyable.

The humor is very deadpool like. Absolutely dark and sarcastic, but with a heartfelt message and story underneath. It's been aprox. a year since episode 14, but I really hope that it keeps up.

"Lizbeth quality garuntee" *Sword Breaks Anyway* "Damnmit Liz! I told you not to give me dollar store crap!"

6:28 /Kyaba: As we speak the servers are being shut down and players logged out. /Kyrito: Not in that order right? *looks at falling castle* /Kyaba: You're going to need to get back to me on that one.

A key rule to good parody that so many (The damn Scary Movie dumbasses) forget: the parody must be a good work in and of itself. Remember Looney Toons? Almost every short was a parody, almost none of the originals are something a modern watcher has seen. Does that lessen the enjoyment or quality for a modern viewer? Hell no! Because it's parody done RIGHT.

Not enough people talk about how Klein was LITERALLY a fucking Saint. He not only stuck by kirito but encouraged him to be better no matter how much of an asshole he was to him every step along the way

I kinda want the Sao series keep going so “something witty entertainment” can abridged it and make it better

I love the Abridged series more than the actual show

Actually reason one it is the best parody ever: If you were to show this to someone who had not watched the source material they would legitimately wonder why so many people say SAO is garbage.

WE MUST SAVE MY FAMILY!

"I can empathise with the proces of writing a story" Yeah, that does it, I love the movie references, and knowing they are real even if I dont get them, makes it bette, the same with gaming references, I had to look up Leeroy Jenkins and when I found out I really enjoyd the joke.

You forgot the point number 4: THE TUTORIAL NPC. xD no need to explain, people will understand.

DBZA, in the hands of Team Four Star, is a straight up dub. It eliminates A LOT of filler, but it also just retells the story. Which is amazing, because who doesn't love the story of DBZ?! Kai (which literally means "Abridged", so HA!) does this too! And now we have a great dub for people who enjoy the more humorous aspects of DBZ. SAOA is a complete reimagining of the series. Adding complexities and other things the original never had to begin with! It's really a manner of how they abridge things.

Two words: Don Fluffles

My favorite joke in SAOA: “LOVE KNOWS NO GENDER!!!”