SAO Abridged Parody: Episode 18

[@AdventureNoises]

Our studio team had WAY too much fun putting the 'bat' in 'combat casualties'. RIP Little Hero. Don't fail your DPS checks. Big thanks to the Something Witty Crew for bringing us on

[@hattrickmusic5780]

PAINNNN

[@lambshello]

LMAOOOO bat in combat casualties

[@winst7765]

Poor Zelda, Nethaniel and Superfly

[@topatoman]

@@winst7765 reference to Albuquerque by Weird Al Yankovic by the way

[@bass-dc9175]

I HAVE GOT TO ask: How many times did you have to redo the final lines until you could say: "Private BigOlNuts, if you would ... lay dear squeaker to his rest." without laughing.

[@usagipoutine]

Kirito really ended up becoming his own Gary in the end. "We must save my family!"

[@DomTheeeFoe]

thus is what we call foreshadowing but HOLY FUCK a set up either 11 YRSRS TILL PAY OFF that is a huge commitment to the bit

[@GroundDwellerStudioS]

😂

[@tbuckley2031]

@@DomTheeeFoe wait remember when he met Leafa… THE BANDITS ARE COMING

[@Dr.Hashman]

Honestly yeah he should've totally yelled that during that final attack while getting PTSD flashbacks of Gary. And then failing miserably. Like "WE MUST SAVE MY FA-", then hit the ceiling.

[@TheUltimateRare]

"The bandits are coming!" "is that important?" "No they just say that every 3 seconds" "Always remember to jump. JUMP!" "and he's from the tutorial... (it's not a very good tutorial)"

[@jackson4w]

"Has anyone ever told you you're TOO humble? " "No they have not... and how dare they."

[@Daniel_3322]

abridged Kirito at his best right here

[@Kaiser_X3]

i missed this attitude

[@NocturnalPyro]

That is such an abridged Kirito thing to say!

[@kingpecon7009]

God if only Asuna could’ve heard that one 😂

[@GoblinZone1]

Oh god, noo.... there's no way the "Kirito is Always Right Foundation" actually has members

[@PeteyBickmore]

I can’t believe they took a silly throwaway joke with the tweet at the start of this season and called it back as actually part of the plot. And actually using the fact that Kirito well known and is seen as heroic for saving people’s lives to tie it all together. MADLADS. It does suck that it takes so long in between episodes but no wonder. We aren’t abridged anymore. We’re straight up re-writing the show and essentially re-shooting the damn show as well

[@thatjeff7550]

I believe the folks at Something Witty Entertainment said during the live feed that the reason it took so long was that they were working on 18, 19, and 20 at the same time. I'm hoping that means 19 won't take a year to see.

[@MamaCeelin]

@@thatjeff7550 There was also an issue with a copyright dispute with this episode that had to get resolved so it could be released.

[@ethanowens473]

Please, let it be soon. I can't wait that long again. I was beginning to lose hope.

[@daggern15]

@@MamaCeelin True but wasn't that resolved within about a week, or did the dispute start a significant amount of time before it was mentioned publicly?

[@rosebythecreek]

Ngl I forget that Kirito actually saved THOUSANDS of people from a death trap, and even when all of that was over it STILL wasn’t over bc of Sugou. And the Cait Sith and Sylph leaders being like “hey kid, you saved SO many of our loved ones. Of course, we’ll help you save your wife” I am on the verge of tears it was so beautiful.

[@PrinceDunke]

“my wounds heal faster than you can make them” to “they’re making wounds faster than we can heal them” is an absolutely great call back 😭

[@Oskanwhitchfather]

_KARMA YOU VINDICTIVE BENCH, _*_NOW IS NOT THE TIME!_*

[@DarkFabled14731]

Karma, you vindictive bench! Now is not the time!

[@krimznkomet4890]

Can’t wait for them to abridge alicization in about 35 years

[@howlinallen7720]

Real. I’ll be here waiting.

[@Deflamed_Sphere]

I'll be there the moment i come back after finally letting go

[@viniciushenrique6672]

Same. As long as this series keeps going, I'll be following along.

[@KFP_Prophet]

Kinda curious about them abridging Mothers Rosario, because that's actually a brilliant arc.

[@viniciushenrique6672]

@@KFP_Prophet Yeah. This is an arc that I can actually say is good. But then again, SAOA has being consistent in It's story, so who knows. It may come out just as good, or even better.

[@Probba]

Kirito's angry tweet from the start of the arc saving him in the end is brilliant RIP Squeaker

[@GustavoMartinez-op9gs]

It has been years since the start of the arc, would you mind referencing the specific chapter?

[@edwardlomeli5657]

@@GustavoMartinez-op9gsyeah I don’t remember which one

[@fkhendrickson9425]

@@GustavoMartinez-op9gs it’s episode 12, around the 9:20 mark

[@GustavoMartinez-op9gs]

​@@fkhendrickson9425Thank you so much man

[@YutoSarthon]

Squeaker lore goes HARD

[@keyblademasterclark]

"They're making wounds faster than we can heal them" ROFL I was not expecting a callback like THAT

[@Dragonslord01]

KARMA, YOU VINDICTIVE BENCH! NOW IS NOT THE TIME!!

[@shadowpriest2574]

Ow... right, I can see that being a callback. Did not think about it.

[@keyblademasterclark]

@@shadowpriest2574 that moment from episode 3(?) lives rent free in my head.

[@AC_Hurdles]

@@keyblademasterclarkep 4 I believe. Ep 3 was the guild death.

[@keyblademasterclark]

@@AC_Hurdles WE MUST SAVE MY FAMILY

[@oaky76]

My boy is a year closer to saving Asuna, you got this abridged Kirito!

[@omiehomie4542]

Lmfao

[@GemSurge95]

Imagine in the abridged, Asuna: "What took you so long f*cking long! It feels like I've been in this cage for 7 years!"

[@gangrenousgandalf2102]

​@GemSurge95 A-huh-! Yeahh, we've, uh, got a bit of character development to catch up on, but-

[@Rina_Jerjay]

Kurt

[@TheLastSpider-Man]

​@@Rina_JerjayOh yeah! I forgot about that video essay. I still love it

[@josiaharaki7310]

"to save his online wife from the real life version of that rich dude from Titanic" I never made that connection before today...

[@Mobius_117]

@@josiaharaki7310 An apt comparison given that dude’s actions in the film.

[@burnin8able]

@@Mobius_117 but also it's a brilliant piece of characterization to give her a line where she references a movie from the 90s, just like her brother.

[@Sabis2365]

Cal Hockley

[@martind5653]

@@Sabis2365 Gesundheit

[@Brindlehardware]

@@martind5653 @Sabis2365 no hablo nihongo

[@Ophiotaurus_AKA_Bessie]

“everyone here knew someone who was trapped in SAO.” That seriously made me tear up.

[@laucha1615]

10.000 people ingame is still 10.000 that got trapped in it for years, risking their lives in a glitchy bad-made game to survive, get back home, and reunite with their families, friends, and loved ones. kirito had a WHOLE race named after him for a reason. I just wished they didn't put the blame on travis 😠, Just admit that he was right Brian!! Don't twist the truth!! ugh, fudgin silphys 😒am i right?

[@CadOaThePickle]

same, rip my nephew you'll be missed, he died on the second day too 😭

[@Outcast33]

Not gonna lie I felt that too I had goosebumps

[@trunksrulz1986]

They definitely paid homage to the original in that speech, if I remember correctly the original speech was just as epic

[@Ophiotaurus_AKA_Bessie]

@ original?

[@roberthohman4637]

...I will be unable to stop chuckling at the fact the entire salamander race was occupied giving a funeral for a familiar NPC. Like that is just absolute loyalty to the bit.

[@LeoNinja1]

and squeakers wife and kids are named after the weird al song albequerque XD

[@tortiboy142]

While playing a funeral version of Darude Sandstorm on a Doodlesack

[@avroarchitect1793]

@@tortiboy142 THATS WHAT THAT WAS?!!!

[@StarLeader44]

@@tortiboy142 NO FREAKING WAY!!!!! IT IS!!!!!

[@billtenth5805]

Silica can sympathize.

[@azurebalmung4520]

...wait, does Squeaker being a '9/11 first responder' imply Alfheim recreated the incident itself as an in-game event?

[@SwordFighterDoggo]

Did you think for a second a game with flying and towers in it wouldn't get a 9/11 or two?

[@enigmatic2878]

It's an educational game for kids! What's a better way to learn about history other than experiencing history itself?

[@Xbalanque84]

...I like where this thread is going...

[@SwordFighterDoggo]

@@Xbalanque84 i mean honestly, i am surprised that those towers in wind elf kingdom are still standing

[@thunderblazeo965]

There is a fairground…

[@Smaptastic]

I love how all the spells are like "One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish" until Recon comes along with "A toll for the living, a toll for the lost" and the entire "Fear is the mind killer" mantra.

[@rosebythecreek]

IKR? I wonder if players can edit the incantations for person use so long as it goes with TOS

[@ultrapika1875]

@@rosebythecreek SWE said that the spells have more complicated source materials as they get more powerful (to go with the theme of Alfheim being an educational kid’s game). They said this during the post premiere stream, but idk if that’s still up.

[@JM-nothing-more]

​@@rosebythecreekwe all know that optimizers would make them as short as possible

[@darklugia2472]

bro I love dune hearing that quote almost gave me chills

[@reubenoakley5887]

They're more advanced spells

[@RealCoolstriker64]

I love how both siblings took accountability for their part in the problems while also excusing the others parts. It's the most satisfying resolution possible IMO

[@recaru0331]

Brought me to literal tears....

[@Ricardo_Rick]

Yeah, usually it goes with only one side apologizing, so it's good both know they were in the wrong but also too harsh on one another

[@chasevalliere]

let's not forget granpa

[@ICircuit64]

Legit better character portrayal and deveolpment than 95% of animes.

[@KianaWolf]

@@chasevalliere Scurvy was too good for him, I say.

[@arcadius3257]

Short king becomes confident after acquiring his girlfriend.. Yeah that checks out 😂

[@xeokrux]

5’7 is average height.

[@damanrando7608]

Apparently not "Short" if Suguha is to be believed

[@ethicalapemen3686]

It's happened before. Remember Krillin with 18 in Abridged?

[@AdamW-eo2yq]

In the real world he is actually taller than suguha i think but leafa is a giant

[@livingalife8879]

Cant believe that made him almost cool for a moment

[@dantesolomon5607]

Damn but imagine Suguha realizing what the last thing she said to him was before the SAO crisis... God that must have been overwhelming.

[@joshuahoward4556]

Amazing use of editing to put an emotionally impactful scene that is not only layered in it's emotions, but also critical into the plot itself in ways. So amazing!

[@FrostSylph]

also while it's a little cheap to have that not be in the opening of the first episode, it's completely fine because A: It was aaaaggess ago and there's no way they had that planned out from the beginning or even knew how big this was gonna be, and B: It works narratively since it shows how Kirito has gotten so used to tuning her out.

[@Medaumplay3]

So recon not only had the badass moment in the fight, which bought time for the cavalry to arrive, but in the "I gotta tell everybody" moment, it was when he sent everyone Kazuto's tweet, which made the cavalry come to begin with. he's gotta be checked for scoliosis after this, cause MY BOY RECON WAS CARRYING THIS TEAM SO HARD

[@LucianDevine]

AND helped keep Kirito healed for 3 HOURS! Boy's got some stamina to be sure!

[@Medaumplay3]

@LucianDevine Prime lebron numbers, I tell you

[@MyPisceanNature]

Don't worry, he's going to get rewarded THOROUGHLY. 😂

[@AzureIV]

@@LucianDevine 14:02 And apparently he is well hung as well. A total package deal.

[@deckire]

He even got the girl, my man had so many Ws

[@angrybrony]

After seeing the squeaker funeral sceen i can see why this might have taken a while to make. Crist let it be known they comit to the bit.

[@j.corbygaming]

I still cant believe that they made that themselves

[@brightstar5988]

It was so brilliant that the MOMENT after they said the said the salamanders had a ""personal"" thing I guessed it was the funeral the milisecond before the cut (bc I mean what ELSE would they care about)

[@kel000001]

@brightstar5988 my mind was thinking they massacred them, hence no more race war

[@OMartinez91]

​@@kel000001You're thinking of the Spriggans, aka all the Kiritos

[@alexs5814]

@@kel000001 You have also read that one fanfic, right?

[@Bronymonster44]

Honestly, I loved how this handled the mended relationship with Kirito and Leafa. It felt genuine and very realistic. Recon landing the girl and her swooning over being called "babe" was much funnier to me than I expected.

[@Fritz-co4pb]

She was always kinda into him. She just never could admit it so she gave him quests

[@delab13]

This is probably the part I've been most looking forward to in the series. Since this scene contributed the most to ruining the original series for me Kirito: "we cool?" Sister: "yeah we cool" Kirito: "great! Now let's go save Asuna" And then no mention or reference to this clearly emotional and dramatic scene for the rest of the series SWE is making SWO great again. An clearly I'm as invested as everyone else that's here for the ride

[@alicevioleta3184]

@@delab13 yeah, SAO really burned me during its original run, alfheim ESPECIALLY. i never watched or read beyond the first volume of GGO because it burned me so badly. SWE? they got me invested. they have my loyalty forever.

[@Rahhelthethird]

I love that Sugoha is in a regular relationship instead of being in Kirito's Spurned Women's Club.

[@warlordofbritannia]

Incest is only wincest in Crusader Kings

[@johnford8157]

For given definition of ‘regular relationship’ that is. Still, 1000x better than the original theme.

[@KaguroDraven]

Balls is still in the club though

[@Tasty_Tango45]

A club with only her and Liz is not really a club.

[@patchworkgolem]

@@Tasty_Tango45 And the gun gale girl, and the dragon girl, and-

[@r0cketm00se3]

"Hail Grievous, amiright?" Love the nod to the fact that they're B1 battle droids and that Sugu was the one to realize and reference it, she really is the sister of Kirito.

[@SupahTrunks7]

kirito had already noticed when he made a reference to phantom menace with his "army of racial stereotypes" (the gungans) quip but suguha is referencing either revenge of the sith or the clone wars show bc grievous isnt in phantom menace

[@Mobius_117]

@@r0cketm00se3 As someone else mentioned, Kirito noticed too. Might have been funny and in character for one of them to call them Clankers.

[@CC7567-x2k]

Also that they’re endless and infinitely spawning

[@DieGurke_]

Kirito even sayed "who didnt you steal from"

[@DieGurke_]

@@SupahTrunks7 "army of racial stereotypes" could refer to the Clone Army

[@arachnidcomics6404]

Alright ladies and gentlemen, Yall know what this means. Binge watch the series all over again in preparation for the new episode.

[@z0mb1e564]

You say that like I haven't watched the entire series about once a month this year 😂

[@Brevyn-ev8ce]

Once a month? Amateur. Try once every two days

[@Ferko_795]

​@@Brevyn-ev8ce Every 2 days? Why not in a single one?

[@unonymous123]

Aye aye Captain!

[@anacquiredtaste1748]

Wlep. It can't be helped. Time to rewatch and keep up the tradition

[@brycemcgough727]

As somebody who lost their sister recently, i wish so much i could have a moment like this with her. This episode hit me like a train in every possible way. We were very close at the time of her death and deep down i know she trusted me but i think back at the times we had growing up wishing i would have played my cards different but i was also a kid and unfortunately didn't know better. 10/10 episode will probably cry on every rewatch.

[@originalcharacterplznostea2749]

Hang in there, man. All wounds heal with time.

[@Kushula4815]

Damn, condolences man, that sucks. I hope this reminded you of good times too. Stay strong.

[@Jared_Is_Near]

I assume without the awkward attraction? But seriously though, good luck man.

[@j._]

If you don't have cc turned on, you might've missed this gem: "Agonizing high pitch batch cries of unspeakable bat heartbreak, which, incidentally, allow for echolocation" 17:25

[@Luni_2000]

I did

[@kaifearing8500]

“Leafa slash of bot deletion”, now I have go back through the whole series with CC on to find these gems I’ve missed

[@mreyes3543]

If you’re not watching this series with the Captions on, you’re missing half the series.

[@davidwilson6559]

​@kaifearing8500 dude you've missed soooo much 😂 its seriously one of my favorite things about most abridged anime excpecialy if they Canadian english substitute 😂 but this episode has definitely made the most use of them for sure

[@magicrealms]

18:24 is even better

[@SerafRhayn]

Wow, that did NOT feel like 20 minutes. but DAMN THAT CLIFFHANGER, THAT IS ILLEGAL!

[@17jacoyne]

Even worse is that they just split one episode into two…abridged my foot!

[@smallertoast8806]

I HATE IT HERE! TWO CLIFFHANGERS IN A ROW!

[@OceanFragments]

:3 I'll be 45 by the time episode 20 is out.

[@SomeDudeWithNoName]

I KNOOOOOW

[@Roeclean]

pretty nice cliffhanger, if i say so myself

[@villa3927]

8:13 So, not only did you turn their sibling conflict into a well written oportunity for emotional growth, not only did you tackle the conflict from a realistic perspective, you ALSO managed to SMOOTHLY transition into dark humor about dead granpa while having Leafa give the news with that amazing line delivery. And on top of that, the moment was still wholesome! Your entire team is made of fucking geniuses.

[@cobyedwards2693]

Forget a great parody, this is just a banger of a show

[@Cernumospete]

And they just needed... the better part of a year for that (just ignore what's after the comma) I mean it's pure, high-class awesomeness.

[@villa3927]

@@Cernumospete Heheh, If they can rewrite and fix the worst part of SAO, I dont mind whoever long they take. And they can take longer still if they do the last fight of the season extra punishing.

[@MrFraknak]

I found it hilariously bland and cringe but sure... "genius"...

[@Ash-un8kr]

literally better writing than the actual anime

[@matthewmccaffrey2636]

I will sue for the emotional WHIPLASH of going from a nyan based Naruto reference to A 911 RESPONDER FUNERAL BEING HELD BY ONLINE FRIENDS!

[@helioalves8884]

And a fucking _Albuquerque_ reference in the middle of said funeral. Followed by what has to be the saddest rendition of Darude Sandstorm known to man. Hell of a bit to commit to, but *god* it works.

[@DeathsPit00]

Not gonna lie. Using the Litany of Fear as the incantation for a huge AoE Self Immolation spell is pretty based. That was an awesome delivery for it as well. Very well done. Much love.

[@contruction]

Also using Recons NerveGear defect in order to make a spell stronger is both incredibly smart from character standpoint and pretty funny from writer's standpoint.

[@RazielSoulshadow]

Seriously though, that boy needs a new headset... as amazing as that trick was, yikes >_>

[@guregan634]

@@RazielSoulshadow Oh I'm sure his girlfriend wouldn't mind. Like damn, she's so into him.

[@soep19]

​@@RazielSoulshadow Imagine seeing your worst phobia while in VR. He literally gave himself a worse version of schizophrenia everytime he logs in lol.

[@josephlankford5541]

"For the one true Kirito!" Gonna be honest, I was PRAYING that it turn out that way. Now to wait for the return of 'Pissed off nerd with admin privileges!'

[@enderknight1442]

Yep. Oberon is f*cked.

[@Pokemaniak180]

Knowing how the show plays out, they HAVE to reference that at a certain point

[@CaptainCFalcon]

Oh... oh no. They're totally going to do that with the scene with Oberon...

[@Pokemaniak180]

@CaptainCFalcon I would be upset if they don't

[@josephlankford5541]

@@Pokemaniak180 I would LOVE for it to be Kayaba that says it.

[@chara2974]

"the worst she can say is no" [punches him down the stairs]

[@owenmaleski2203]

Well, she did say 'yes'

[@Leiliel1]

"...and I was *right!*"

[@kookamunga4714]

Yes is the best thing she can say. No is second best. Everything that is not a yes or a no, is way worst than NO.

[@cynthtnyc]

I didn't watch the original SAO or any of its spinoffs, and I will forever remain in my own personal reality in which THIS was the original SAO. Also, love how despite still being respectful (and frankly scared) of Suguha, Nagata has always known EXACTLY how to push her buttons and is finally acting more boldly on this knowledge. Good for you, Nagata!

[@grahamwebb7885]

You're honestly better off in that world, no creepy incest or harem in your world

[@firestormingfox4169]

You can do the opposite and eventually watch the original pretending it's an irreverent abridged of this, and laugh as it leaps whole heartedly into every shitty trope and blunder this series managed to overcome.

[@Alpha.Phenix]

You can at least try the Gun Gale Online stuff. I would recommend Alicization too, but it's so far into the story that experiencing what came before it (even the less good parts) is kind of a requirement.

[@SwordFighterDoggo]

Guns gale online alternative is actually pretty good

[@BullseyeRey]

Gun Gale Online is good at least.

[@MischiefMakerMarcy]

I love how much Kirito adores Recon, he treats him like his baby brother which he technically will be one day

[@fangsabre]

Its because he sees himself in Recon, minus the reflexive arrogant snark

[@jeremygeller9145]

They have the same taste in women

[@DomTheeeFoe]

He is like I must nurture him from the smug

[@VoidWalkerOblivion]

@@DomTheeeFoe "I must nurture him from the smug, because it is the only way he will survive my sister"

[@quinnv1905]

I thought he reminds him of sachi because of the glitching nerve gear similar to hiw sachi was always lagging.

[@galhahammusic]

Leafa "STOP LETTING PEOPLE ABUSE YOU" **saying while punching him**

[@Roeclean]

Shes the one person allowed to 😏😏😏😏

[@stevenkurtz2730]

she's one to talk

[@bippythechippy882]

Hey, Leafa is new at this whole "being open with your emotions" and "being nice to people" thing

[@gealachmidnight6614]

Recon and Kirito shaking hands with "My wife punches me during sex"

[@Yagamimoon]

peak sister behavior tbh

[@Shantari]

"Has anyone ever told you that you are too humble for your own good?" "They have not and how dare they?"

[@brightstar5988]

I wonder why???????

[@LucianDevine]

@brightstar5988 Definitely something that "The Kirito is Always Right Foundation" should investigate.

[@DemonKingHiei]

Abandonment is such a touchy subject and even more so when done for comedy sake. But you handled it perfectly

[@kuylardev]

"Surely they wouldn't cut this on a cliffhanger again!" i fucking hate myself for saying this in the pre-premiere chat

[@MustacheDLuffy]

They padded it out pretty well. I thought it’d be 10 minutes if they did it like this

[@winst7765]

Literally went in this thinking it was the season 2 finale 😂

[@matttaylor1996]

@@winst7765 Yeah... when i saw it was 18 minutes and knowing what the first 6 were i thought it'd be some rug pull he gets to the top and asunas like oh yeah no he's like super dead, lets go home.

[@jpd466]

Whelp. See you all again in 2026

[@owenmaleski2203]

Yeah, we should've seen that one coming

[@SingingSpock]

"Yeah it was, it was scurvy" is amazing. Setup and delivery

[@Hatchmatic]

The whiplash of that perfect anime "Go get her, bro" with the music swelling and everything, *immediately* undercut by "plunge that clunge!" is peak. You guys are on some shit.

[@salvadortoscano2534]

They require more blood to pay the debt owed from voicing over 16.5 They gotta pay their debt

[@jy8363]

As a non-native english speaker, thank you A LOT for the work you put on the cc ! I wouldn't get all the jokes if they werent there, and the details you put in them are the cherry on top !

[@tremor3258]

Points to Kirito's character development on "no one tell him" while full of excess iron

[@Midnight-wh2bs]

To be fair, this was more character development that happened at the start of the arc, not here, as even when they first left the city Kirito was a bit defensive of Recon.

[@spidersonic01]

CAN WE LIVE A REAL LIFE?! A REAL LIFE?! OR DO WE EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?!?!

[@Ferko_795]

CAN WE LIVE A REAL LIFE? AND KNOW PEOPLE OUTSIDE MACHINESSS

[@fatboy158]

CAN WE LIVE A REAL LIFE, BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DIGITAL SEA?

[@thomaslaing6800]

@@Ferko_795Oh so that’s the line… I thought it was “Outside the chains” for some reason”

[@howlinallen7720]

Alright time for a season one call back. Join in everyone! Ahem. TO THE RIGHT, TO THE LEFT

[@old-worldghost3451]

@@howlinallen7720 WE WILL FIGHT, TO THE DEATH!

[@grayrodent8232]

Dear lord Recon somehow kept on stacking Ws this episode.

[@Ellebeeby]

Poor boy has needed a win!

[@JGuraan]

My man pulled a Krillin this episode!

[@thatjeff7550]

@@Ellebeeby trust me, he's already has a heavenly reward waiting for him in Leafa's Secret Garden, LOL.

[@jullcepts8780]

​@thatjeff7550 dude there's other people here! XD

[@KermitTheFrogman]

It put a massive smile on my face

[@DemonKingVI]

I wanna know how many takes it took them to not only record the "Worthy of spiders" line without laughing, but to record it in such a way where it flows SO WELL that if you aren't paying attention you'll miss it because it feels like a natural part of the sentence.

[@dspace4514]

Recon is about to get so lucky tonight he is about to be spiders.

[@Kairukurumi]

All the spiders. ALL of them

[@kyosilver1999]

Recon the is the Krillan in f this series

[@WhatIsThatThingDoing]

R(ec)on was going to be spiders. He just was. He wasn't proud of that, but it was going to be hard to not have spiders all over his body after all is said and done. From Harry Potter and the portrait of what looked like a large pile of ash.

[@Kairukurumi]

@WhatIsThatThingDoing it looked like a large pile of ash, but what was it really

[@professorhaystacks6606]

@@Kairukurumi A large pile of ash. Which makes sense really.

[@moonlight.z6543]

In honor of Schmitt's reappearance: You hear that, Asuna? "Meat toboggan". Try getting _that_ image out of your head. Grippin' his entrails like the reign of Santa's sleigh. Streaking through the fresh morning snow on a trail of bile and gore, as his eyes beg the same question as the horrified children in his wake... _"Why?"_

[@KristopherPrime]

god, kirito is such an asshole! 🤣

[@princessthyemis]

One of my absolute favorite parts from early SAOA!!!

[@billtenth5805]

Gotta say, it's cool that they showed us what Schmitt was like before getting stuck in the Death Game. Makes me wonder if they'll bring him back in latter seasons.

[@joshuasnider4106]

​@@billtenth5805 I love that he calls his fans schmitheads 😂

[@shillinhite3911]

I love how normal and well adjusted he seemed as a streamer before the trauma of being put into a death game XD ... Poor Schmitt

[@NightZephyr_]

Okay but can we talk about the voice acting? SWE has always had stellar voice work, but oh my god Recon's Mind Killer and Kirito's final push scream sound so crisp and professional it's just *chefs kiss*

[@StarLeader44]

Don't forget Leafa! The VA is NAILING that role!

[@Prometheansky]

I wouldn't say always. First couple episodes were kinda rough with some of the side characters, and Asuna's voice was decidedly mid in the first episode. Still, I've heard worse in professional productions. (Not to say they're not a professional production now.)

[@Airs1000]

It's genuinely incredible that SWE doesn't just make it funnier, but full on fixes the plot and characters. There is real talent in this team, from the VAs to the writers.

[@moonlight.z6543]

Somewhere, somehow, Gary is laughing at Kirito trying to 'save his family'. I just know it.

[@averagejoey2000]

from hell he is

[@lanteanboy]

no, he just goes: HE MUST SAVE HIS FAMILY! over and over

[@valentds]

he died

[@lanteanboy]

@@valentds someone doesn't get the joke

[@Mansview1]

That monster still alive? Get him get him 😤 GARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@patro7177]

The fact you can hear Schmitt talk about the "meat tobogan" stuff around the 1:45 time is awesome (if you can't hear it turn on captions) such amazing attention to detail, good god

[@princessthyemis]

Omgg that's one of my favorite parts from the beginning of Abridged!!!! I love knowing it's brought back!!!! 😂😂

[@ashallen2143]

The captions make all of abridged so much better fr. My favorite this time was : *The Black Swordsman That's Not Guts Has Entered The Chat*

[@salvadortoscano2534]

CC is *SO* underrated in this Abridged, dude, you're basically telling people to get another full-sized helping just to try a seasoning in one piece of the meal

[@TheSchaef47]

I can't wait for it to come full circle in the Gun Gale arc.

[@joshuasnider4106]

​@TheSchaef47 it's gonna be so many country voices and American stereotypes 😂

[@nikee3_YT]

THEY’RE MAKING WOUNDS FASTER THAN WE CAN HEAL THEM

[@AC_Hurdles]

11:05 One of the greatest callbacks executed to perfection

[@nikee3_YT]

@@AC_Hurdlesthat and the schmit reference in the beginning, the writing of this whole series is really perfect

[@Tigrion]

Roger Roger

[@thedevilsapprentice6666]

KARMA YOU VINDICTIVE BINCH, NOW IS NOT THE TIME!

[@kiritotheabridgedgod4178]

*Sugo, laughing his ass off:* "There's no need to wonder where your god is, because he's right here, and he's fresh out of mercy"

[@WorgenDeath]

I love how the subtitles when Recon screams YES call him Rizzlord Recon

[@addisonjones2712]

The updated relationship dynamics completely change the vibe and make the story so much nicer. absolutely incredible

[@salvorhardim5014]

Love the Litany against Fear bit. Absolutely hilarious that a spell that ends with "only I will remain" is a suicide spell. Doubly funny because the game leaves you as a spirit where you die for a while, so the line might be literally true if you manage to take out all your enemies with the spell.

[@Fedorchik1536]

"IN A KIDS GAME!"

[@moh.syafrianabie8899]

@@Fedorchik1536 Yeah, a cool kids game

[@stephenboshears4832]

Apparently its actually a line from Dune

[@ericrhodes206]

​@@stephenboshears4832 it is

[@salvorhardim5014]

@@stephenboshears4832 Yes. It's a short mantra from Dune called the "Litany Against Fear"

[@alsinakiria]

"Well hung fool" I can't stop laughing. Jesus her brother is RIGHT THERE! Not even Kirito deserves to hear that.

[@drepul3819]

Brother AND Niece, Yui was still there

[@anzol4523]

"you've earned my brown flower tonight"

[@mediokay508]

​@@anzol4523 earned an audience with my brown flower, which is somehow worse. 😅

[@layzboi2250]

So much worse

[@salvadortoscano2534]

​@@anzol4523You think SWE would do SAO:A of the SAO bloopers??

[@Mrjcraft00]

I JUST REALIZED, Squeakers being a 9/11 first responder means 9/11 happened in the game, and that’s why there’s TSA at the Fairport.

[@just_a_tree8011]

18:32 "As he plunged into Asuna's clunge" - Something Witty Enttertainment SAO chapter 16.5

[@cachedgaming]

I gagged, cackled, and screeched simultaneously when I heard that 16.5 reference

[@salvadortoscano2534]

Oh...oh dear GOD

[@Swm9445]

Oh god. Them reading that is the most I have ever laughed at one time, in my life, ever.

[@just_a_tree8011]

@@Swm9445 same, you can’t watch at night though because it wakes other people up.

[@jt2249]

I remember realising that this series had transcended the source material and become it's own sort of series during the first season, but every episode just takes that further and further. The characters are more fleshed out, the jokes land so much better and the story beats feel way more natural. Well fucking done SWE, the work everyone involved has put into this series has been 100% worth it in my opinion. Plunge that Clunge.

[@thebeshortedcellist8182]

17:12 "Two beautiful children: Nathaniel and Super Fly." Didn't realise we were in Albuquerque

[@Runsofourlives]

Underrated reference. Maybe this is Weird Alfheim online?

[@LeoNinja1]

and the wifes name was also Zelda

[@tmanatee9567]

I was thinking about that song like, an hour before I watched this. Wild timing.

[@atoth62]

Knew I knew Nathanel and Superfly from somewhere. Makes sense it was Weird Al.

[@DuxBellorum13]

Came here to post this

[@EA.....]

18:43 is brilliant for the subtitles. Adminless privileges is such a great callback.

[@Ed_Warded]

HOW IS THIS SERIES WORTH THE YEAR WAIT. EVERY. FUCKING. TIME.

[@thecatladytm7172]

Because they're just that much better at writing than the official one lmao

[@andrewgray573]

They care about fixing Reki Cowabunga's plot.

[@jonathanwilshaw1133]

It's not an abridged, it's a rewritten SAO :)

[@qwilliams1539]

@@andrewgray573 Much better than Annie Plex Oosuh's rendition.

[@duckers0123]

Not really​@@thecatladytm7172

[@bennyk384]

"His dear wife Zelda, and their 2 beautiful children, Nathaniel and Superfly" Wooooowwww that is a deep cut! Weird Al Yankovic's Albuquerque? What a good reference!

[@stewartlynton9942]

Wonder if they were members of the Columbia Record Club...

[@Denali1922]

I was DYING when I realized what they were referencing!

[@kylerivera3470]

Nice catch! I completely forgot about that. I should listen to that song again. It's such a wild ride.

[@winst7765]

Huh, neat

[@FanOfMostEverything]

@@stewartlynton9942 He may be a hero, but he's not ready for _that_ kind of commitment.

[@MyToasterIsMoist]

AYOOOOO it was a MASSIVE honor to get to do a lot of the sound design for this! (also when I voiced those armor bros weeping, I was thinking about the loss of happy flute HD, rip forever)

[@Darknight1422]

Thanks for helping them bring this all together, y'all have done an amazing job!🎉

[@commentdouchery2838]

Excellent addition to the video

[@j.corbygaming]

@@MyToasterIsMoist phenomenal work!

[@angelramirez936]

Ty for the stellar contributions

[@TheCreepyLantern]

stand proud, ya cooked

[@johnroache6012]

The Squeaker funeral was worth EVERY second spent on making it! The shots, the dialogue, it was all hilarious! Well done!

[@dronicx4002]

I did NOT want to hear Suguha speak about her "brown flower" but here we are, dope episode, cute bat funeral xD

[@JRRGimli]

I think I would end my life out of embaressment if I heard my sister say that

[@mauricesteel4995]

Yeah, i agree that part was unnecessary.

[@technology5979]

The copywright jail breakout now has a timetable.

[@sudowoodo9579]

That’s what I was thinking. Also copyright jail is shorter than I thought.

[@willhuey687]

@@technology5979 looks like somebody posted bail

[@Stonerman135]

​@@sudowoodo9579early release for good behavior

[@AlicePhantomhive]

Trust me I know the pains of CR hell

[@ScotEd-o2w]

So that's what happened

[@123455thatguy]

Damn they actually communicated to resolve their issues. Incest was avoided with ease. They gave a really damn good reason for those other groups to show up and support them, and a good reason for the Salamanders to not. Overall just really nicely done.

[@Jenson_Beach]

rip squeekers :(

[@michaeltima5007]

​@@Jenson_Beachthe one and only

[@michaeltima5007]

It's so good that this feels like a re imagining more than an abridged

[@LucianDevine]

@@michaeltima5007 Poor guy was just 2 days from retirement...

[@duckers0123]

There is no incest in the original. I don't know what you were watching on the hub.

[@GFortz]

@9:10 The moment you realise it was RECON who made it all possible, not only by setting Suguha straight to allow for the siblings to reconnect, but also by making the entire affair public so that the cavalry arrives. You go, kid! More than earned it after the original series did you dirty. Also, mad cliffhanger skillz. I respect that.

[@deadlineuniverse3189]

Nagata: “I gotta tell everybody!” Nagata out there about to assemble the Avengers by dropping Kirito’s Location

[@jonsmitt9769]

What’s really impressive is everyone read his tweet and immediately responded. I can’t get 2 people to meetup for canoeing with a months notice yet this dude pulls in 2 armies in 3 hours.

[@spacecore6000]

@@jonsmitt9769 Try saving 6,147 lives then we'll talk.

[@swordquillinc.5335]

You know I like to think that the players here are also like... THIS IS A KID'S GAME... and this is the guy running the thing like dude there are ACTUAL kids here.

[@enigmatic2878]

Either Recon/Nagata is actually very well-liked in the story. Or they tried to scroll past it but saw "Kirito" in Nagata's tweet

[@seanmaxwell881]

Have you seen the way people stalk celebrities? Once Recon slaps the link between OG Kirito's "they kidnapped my wife" and game-footage of him telling them he's here to save his kidnapped wife from SAO out there... I promise you, the internet exploded with interest.

[@space-goat2312]

Hearing her sobbing with a slow version of the regular opening playing over it hits so hard

[@Wysteria108]

WERE RIDING THE MEAT TOBAGGAN WITH THIS ONE BOYS

[@MustacheDLuffy]

UP THE RIVER STYX

[@Saijansfavorites]

well, suguha will be at least.

[@jsemnikdo2229]

MeatToboggan is my username because of this abridged lmao

[@idonhaveanyideawhattocallm1472]

If I recall the original ending of the alfheim arc the abridged could have Kirito turn what's his face into a meat toboggan with the scenes available.

[@Glitch_Man42]

🗣🥩🛷🗣🥩🛷🗣🥩🛷🗣🥩🛷

[@stevenschnepp576]

Ending it in a cliffhanger when your release schedule is measured in years rather than weeks is... well, it's a choice, I suppose.

[@Gilhelmi]

They do it all the time................ Several times...... over many years........ and we enjoy it.😁

[@moonlight.z6543]

Kirito: fighting for his fudging life to the point of mind-break Suguha & Nagata: busy enacting a... surprisingly romantic... bit? with innuendo.

[@mauricesteel4995]

yeah, i didn't like that joke very much, okay, they love eachother, which was already stated, and up to the babe part, it was fine, but it was going for so long i was expecting Kirito to shout about this not being the time.

[@horineveresa]

They're such quirky (and naughty) duo of adolesence .

[@Bluemystgirl]

I appreciate the one guy who said "For Gondor" instead at 15:58.

[@SnakebitSTI]

Making the characters playing the MMORPG a bunch of nerds was an obvious change, but a good one nonetheless.

[@bsus1412]

This was soooo worth the wait! In just eight and a half minutes, you turned what was a generic harem girl of the season into a fleshed out character with compelling character development. Well done, SWE!

[@OPNightWing]

To think that I've been watching this since I was 12 is crazy to me. I'm 22 now and SAO was the first real anime I watched, when I discovered this channel it made me realize how great the anime community could be when they came together and made crative work for the people. Thank you for crazy ride so far. Cant wait to see the next episode when im 24 :D

[@keepironman14]

I just want to remind everyone, there is a comedic individual, whom's name i do not know, that has made a full list of custom closed captions if you enable captions you can see these extra bonuses during the entirety of every episode. Thank you, funny captions guy.

[@Rixxalight]

I think its someone on the team thats doing that tbh

[@keepironman14]

@Rixxalight yes, it usually is. A few channels have people on the crew that do add in funny captions. You have to have access to make captions for a video, but i think you can suggest edits if you see an issue.

[@nef36]

They USED to be community generated until KZbin removed that for absolutely no reason. RIP Canadian subs.

[@Emmariscobar]

@@nef36 Iirc the reason why they got removed was because some assholes were abusing them (and the title/description translation feature) to advertise their own channels in other people's videos, KZbin found it easier to just scrap the whole feature rather than actually bothering to moderate it properly.

[@Cassi_tastrophe]

Recon's VA is incredible. The line read on "THEY'RE IN MY SKIIIIIN, LAYING THEIR EEEEURRGGGGGS" was just... *Chef's kiss* poi-fect

[@Alex_From_Florida]

The amount of effort that was put into making a payoff to the Squeaker gag alone was enough to be worth the 1 year wait by itself

[@Solustos]

Kirito and Suguhas's relationship, the many callbacks, everybody coming in to Kirito's rescue because they learned of him being the real Kirito and so many more things in this show is so fucking good. I love the writing, you guys are amazing!!

[@gajaan316]

Man seeing Leafa actually paired with Recon was actually really sweet. Bro finally ranked up from Fudgeboy to Boyfriend. And this version of Suguha definately seems like girlfriend material, which makes me wish the actual SAO paired up most of the girls with at least someone, or not at all, rather than all fit under the Kirito posse. Cuz it be fun to see the many gaming relationships beyond just Kirito/Asuna. Man I cannot wait to see how this all ends. And how will y'all adapt THAT part in the story. And then Abridged Kirito actually throwing hands near the end. And I am PRAYING GGO comes next cuz I really want to see how can you "abridge" Sinon and her story.

[@r.s.2890]

Thats my issue with "harem" anime. Its MC or bust. Which is garbage, because no actual girl will tolerate her crush being sirrounded by girls while *also* being so freaking dense and indecisive!!! *some* of the girls wpuld blow up at some point and *force* the choice or leave the guy.

[@enigmatic2878]

​@@r.s.2890or at the very least have the mind to not be some puppy

[@platinumsky845]

​@@r.s.2890like Asuna?

[@r.s.2890]

@@platinumsky845 if you mean abridged asuna, then yes. She likes kirito and she made sure he knew it, and she *definitely* made sure other girls knew kirito was *hers* The female friendship is more comedy cuz they fear asuna, but im sure that'll change in time. Especislly with no worries on leafa's presence.

[@gmn7240]

Yeah agree, i know romance in sao is not really good written, but at least, have 1 ship sail (kirito x asuna), is better than nothing. However, the fact that other girl trying to get kirito attention, despite already know about his relationship with Asuna is annoying, the other girl feel like a obstacle for Kirito and Asuna moment.

[@rimgar7013]

"Grandpa divorced Grandma cause she asked one time for him to eat an orange so he wouldn't get scurvy." Kirito, I think your family is more messed up than you realize.

[@benpearson49]

Even in the original, I kinda got "this is Grandpa's fault vibes". It even fits the stereotype. A lot of MMO junkies have really horrible relatives. It's kinda how we got this way.

[@ChefMonke07]

And then he died due to scurvy. Fucking perfection right there.

[@sheicode3748]

​@@benpearson49 I feel called out

[@fenorlex1126]

​@@ChefMonke07Apparently, I heard that someone mentioned that the grandpa was already eating oranges until the grandma mentioned its medicinal properties for scurvy.

[@ChefMonke07]

@@fenorlex1126 Low key canon.

[@Bezalel_Dostoevsky]

HOW LONG WE HAVE AWAITED FOR THE TIME OF *RECKON*ING, PREPERATIONS SHALL BE MADE, REWATCH WE SHALL.

[@howlinallen7720]

You know how long I’ve been waiting for this? Oohimabouttomakeanameformyselfhere.

[@L_H_Try]

I’ve been waiting 8 months

[@skeletonpatch]

I am so curious to see how they handle Reckon here. SWE specifically set up the fact that he’s using a faulty NRV Gear and the original series completely forgets about his existence after his “heroic sacrifice” (I don’t remember him ever making an on-screen appearance after this, though I only got as far as the end of the Excalibur filler arc of the original series). Assuming he doesn’t come back post-Alicisation SWE has basically been handed the ingredients for an excellent emotional gut punch on a silver platter and they’ve already proven adept at delivering those to us.

[@DemonKingVI]

​@@skeletonpatch... oh no....

[@dwaynejackson551]

You guys made the funeral scene pay off so well I couldn't laugh at the name big ol' nuts. I almost hate you but I do respect you.

[@mazzo_6132]

"agonizing high pitch bat cries of unspeakable bat hearthbreak, which, incidentally, allow for echolocation" damn subtitles! 17:23

[@curtissmith4628]

the entirety of the subtitles were solid gold

[@MyLittleBasementDweller]

13:27 IS THAT THE FEAR DUNE QUOTE. for thos that missed it he whole thing is. “I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” ― Frank Herbert, Dune

[@lolmeme69_]

Haha, I was thinking the exact same thing! Can't believe we got a Dune reference here.

[@pcachu]

The Litany Against Fear is a certified hood classic.

[@EtamirTheDemiDeer]

Oh wow, I'd never heard the whole thing. That's really cool

[@moonlight.z6543]

You. You who put the slowed version of the opening at the beginning. You're paying my therapy bills in tears.

[@infernix2k]

i love that SWE figured out how to flesh out Suguha's character way more than Reki, while also abandoning the incest. they also made Rekkon an actually character.

[@yugijak]

Oh my god the wounds line followed up by "karma you vindictive birch" That was priceless!

[@Thabet22]

WE MUST SAVE MY FAMILY Batchest Batchest Batchest Edit : Having watched the episode finally I gotta appreciate the Recon development , Kirito getting recognition for his heroics and the much better sibling relationship It's just the best parody series ever

[@TheSaltyForks]

GARY!!!!! CHOKE ON MY VENGANCE!!!!! HOW DOES IT TASTE!!!

[@duusu2608]

Oberon: "See some of them have famil..... (deranged) Kirito!"

[@DomTheeeFoe]

​@@duusu2608Do mien eyes decive me? tis foreshadowing!

[@DemonKingVI]

IS it a parody? Or is the original a parody of the abridged? 😮

[@0axis771]

Their apology is so genuine and honest that I sometimes forget that this is an abridged and not the actual series. But I will treat this as the actual canon cause you deserve it.

[@vinnie666]

It's better than the actual canon anyway.

[@WishMakers]

never watched the original out of fear from friends, this is my canon

[@recaru0331]

Both of them deserved this treatment. And I needed this treatment.

[@jmvt3]

It was rushed. The confrontation was literally last episode.

[@johnnywhoa343]

@@WishMakers Your friends were right to warn you away from it. I wish I could bleach the canon of this show out of my head. The abridged is WAY better. In the canon, Kirito's sister has romantic feelings for him. That is somehow NOT the worst thing the canon did.

[@haramea]

The episodes are always so so so so so good, i'm so glad i found your chanel a decade ago, i don't particularly enjoy the SAO franchise BUT YOU, YOU PEOPLE HAVE COME TO MAKE ME LIKE IT SO MUCH, your characters are so alive, the references are always ON POINT It is with tears in my eyes for the drama that i thank you for working on this😌

[@CaptainCFalcon]

Holy shit, you guys brought back Kirito's crashout in episode 4. That's amazing. "My wounds _heal faster_ than you can _make them."_ "We can't keep up with this! They're making wounds faster than we can heal them!" That aside, this episode has already been worth the 2-ish year wait, just with that opening alone, & the resolution of their damaged relationship. That was beautiful. I'll probably edit this in case anything else pops up, but that "Karma, you vindictive bitch! Now is not the time for this!" was *_amazing._* I wouldn't have thought anything of that exchange otherwise.

[@VellusTerennia]

It was about a 14 month wait.

[@CaptainCFalcon]

@VellusTerennia was it? It felt like forever, jeez.

[@VellusTerennia]

@@CaptainCFalcon Ah, my bad, it was closer to 19 months; Episode 17 released in May of 2023.

[@curlystepper7386]

I love that the Tweet joke from the beginning season 2 episode actually came back as a plot point to motivate the other players to help Kirito! The genius writing of this series, I swear to god!!!

[@KelShu]

7:04 I love this part, Suguha and Kazuto apologizing to each other, acknowledging where they both messed up, and reconciling their relationship.

[@Isabelle-mp8rk]

I love that kirito is watching piece of schmitt games

[@Jtblake]

Love how Kirito wanted Recon to think his sacrifice was worth it. He really has become a better person after SAO.

[@Kaizer617]

I love how he's been nothing by nice to Recon since they met! Seriously, that part where Leafa got his hopes up by saying she was happy to see him and then said "Well, I would've taken anyone, honestly.", and he looked so deflated and disappointed, and Kirito was like "Don't you talk to him like that. How dare you.", was just funny and showed how far Kirito's come since the start of SAOA!

[@floricel_112]

8:15 imagine being such a bastard that everyone hated that you dying doesn't even come up in conversation anymore

[@josephperez2004]

Reminds me of a song warning people not to be jerks No one's gonna cry at your funeral No one's gonna drink at your wake No one's gonna sigh with a tear in their eye And no one's gonna miss you And no one's gonna notice And I'll enjoy the silence... When. You're. Dead.

[@allencrown]

Goals am I right.

[@TemporalEcho]

CAN WE ALSO JUST RECOGNIZE THAT THE SUBTITLES ARE GOLD?!

[@TheSchaef47]

They are now.

[@EA.....]

"Resonant ping of adminless privileges" was amazing as he stabbed the wall

[@MetalMockingjay]

I am so happy I turned CC on.

[@WishMakers]

I was worried cuz the initial premiere definitely didn't have the final draft but they came through and now they have the amazing quality of the previous episodes and it's a joy The one I really needed it for was "DATTEBAMEOW!!!" lmao

[@JCF327]

SHIT!!! Now I have to go back and watch it all again

[@Crashcloth1589]

It continues to astound me how incredible this series is and how much it improves on what the original was