Sword Art Online is one of the decent VRMMORPG type of anime. It brings us to the world of Virtual Reality Game but with a twist. They are trapped in the game and if they are killed inside the game world, they will die in real life too. It easily gain a lots of popularity and attention even until now. When you check anime rating websites like Anilist or MyAnimeList you can always see Sword Art Online inside Top 10 Most Popular anime ever.
So why it can't get higher rating or we can't call SAO best anime despite of its enormous popularity?
There is a simple saying in anime:
Popularity is not always equal to Quality.
I am not saying that SAO is bad. Its just the quality is decreasing as the story progress. And to be honest, I love the first half of Season 1. The story in Aincrad is the best. It actually got what it takes to be the best anime if they didn't rushed the story and eventually destroy the show. The fighting scenes in every floor is just amazing and the love story of Kirito and Asuna is one of the most romantic in anime even though Romance is not its main genre.
This is just the problems and reasons I saw why SAO is getting worst than being better.
Not Finishing the Aincrad Arc
What I mean is they should've finished Aincrad top floors. Killing Kayaba Akihito at 75th floor sounds like rushed to me. It should be better if they stretched the story a litle bit more until at least 90th floor and show more floor raids. Aincrad is the most exciting and interest arc in SAO and they just wasted it by rushing. If they just completed the 24 episodes of season 1 by only containing Aincrad story, their rating should be way higher right now.
Introduction of Other Girls in the Story
This is what we call fan service started. After Aincrad arc the story started to drop. The introduction of Suguha in the story is the start of the downfall of SAO. She is the sister of Kirito but later she learned that she is actually his cousin. And guess what, she has a feelings for Kirito. Adding third party in the relationship of Kirito and Asuna is not bad at all but please why his sister/cousin?. And the fact that the story are turning into a harem because of Silica, Sinon and Alice it makes the story more unappealing.
Season 2 Is Really Bad and It Should Be Unnecessary
Yes, this season is the worst. Imagine entering into a game about guns and firearms but you choose lightsaber. And one thing I look up to second season is more screen time for Kirito and Asuna. But what I got is Kirito meeting a girl in GGO. And the second cour which is more about Asuna is boring af. It looks like they are trying to tell more about Kirito and Asuna but in different path but fans want more Kirito and Asuna together. And I can blame them I want that too.
The Character of Kirito
Last but not the least is Kirito itself. His plot armor is really annoying. I know he is the main character thats why he will not die. But you can put it in a good way that aren't noticeable at all. Just for example in the battle with Heathcliff. His life bar should be empty and his death is inescapable but with his stupid plot armor, he still managed to survive and kill his enemy at the end. It would be acceptable if he has some skill or item that prevent him from dying but not. He survived and broke the system of the game for no other reason. And another 1 is he always make Asuna worry. Dude that girl is always at your side and truely loves you. But when Kirito enter the game, he completely forget all about Asuna. And one time when Asuna, Leafa and Sinon are trying to get Kirito's consciousness back but he refused, while he get his motivation and will to fight when Eugeo is the one who motivates him. That part is really irritating. Even Asuna itself is already enough at that part but he choses words from Eugeo instead.
Sword Art Online can easily be the best anime because of its unique plot, beautiful animation and good characters (except Kirito). But plot Armor and introduction of Harem really destroy the whole show. I just wish that Sword Art Online: Progressive fix all of it and give us a good show.
I agree, although this series has grown on me, as the more current seasons has come. I feel that the story lines have improved.