Summary
TheSword Art Onlineanime is an iconic series known to many anime fans who love gaming and isekai. In recent years, various new anime focused on a gaming narrative have been released, but few can challenge the precedent thatSword Art Onlinehas set.
Among the few liesShangri-La Frontier,a series that takes the gaming genre in a new direction with its excellent portrayal of realistic gaming culture and skill-based gameplay. UnlikeSword Art Online,which is heavily influenced by themes of survival and saving the world,Shangri-La Frontierportrays a protagonist who simply wants to have a great time playing games, making it a strong addition to gaming anime.It even manages to outshineSword Art Onlinein a few key ways.
7Greater Emphasis On Player Skill Mastery
Knowledge Of Game Mechanics Beats Grit In Gaming Worlds
Kirito (SAO)is a talented VR swordsman, while Sunraku (Shangri-La Frontier)is a talented gamer. This difference between the two individuals speaks volumes about how they and their respective series approach defeating bosses and monsters. In a fictional world with monsters and bosses, being strong is necessary, but in a game, knowing how the game works and manipulating game mechanics is much more important, and in this way,Shangri-La Frontierdoes it better thanSword Art Online.
Rather than focus on grit, determination, and pure strength released through force of will and legendary equipment, a player’s mastery of their skills and the build they’ve selected has a greater emphasis inShangri-La Frontier.
6The Protagonist’s Love Is For Gaming, Not World Saving
Gaming For Passion Rather Than Survival
Kirigaya “Kirito” Kazuto and Rakuro “Sunraku” Hizutome are both portrayed as individuals with a love for gaming; however, one seems more intent on clearing games and discovering more dynamic ones, while the other is more intent on saving the world. The Aincrad Arc inSword Art Onlinewas largely based on players surviving, and for good reason.
However, continuing to have external influences and real-world threats portrayed through games makesSword Art Onlinemore of anisekai in a gaming world, rather than an actual gaming anime. Having players immerse themselves in gaming without the fate of the world hanging in the balance will speak to fans of gaming anime, who can connect more deeply to a protagonist who just wants to have a good time playing games.
5Minimal Fan Service
Shangri-La Frontier Stays True To Gaming
Kirito and Asuna’s relationship is undoubtedly a hallmark of theSword Art Onlineanime series. However, with the exploration of their relationship came many moments that fans describeas “fan service.“This typically watered down the plot of the series, making it seem more like filler arcs and poorly-thought-out slice-of-life arcs that broke away from the central narrative of gaming in general.
So far,Shangri-La Frontierhas featured little to no fan service, instead dynamically focusing on Sunraku and his obsession with gaming. This allows for a focus on gaming and the experience of the gamers, rather than diluting the plot with distractions.
4Realistic Depiction Of Gamer Communities
Sword Art Online Poorly Portrays Gamer Communities
When it comes to real-world gaming, casual gamers, and hardcore enthusiasts are two different types of individuals.Sword Art Onlineportraysall players of a gamein a similar manner, rather than distinguishing them based on their objectives — to pass time, to relax, or to clear the game. Additionally, in terms of community engagement outside the game,Shangri-La Frontierhas the upper hand.
Sunraku is constantly seen checking game forums on how to clear certain challenges, seeking experience from players who have already done so, while Kirito often seems to bulldoze through obstacleswith pure strength and talent. The gamer communities inSword Art Onlineseem more isolated and individualistic, rather than the more social forums that real-world games have.
3Exploration Of Multiple Game Genres Outside VRMMORPG
Greater Gaming Diversity Is Portrayed
TheSword Art Onlinegame in the titular series serves as a cornerstone VRMMORPG in the series. Interestingly, before and after playingSword Art Online, Kirigaya Kazuto isn’t shown playing any other type of game except VRMMORPGs, despite him being described as a game lover.
Shangri-La Frontier,on the other hand, has Sunraku exploring various types of games, particularly “trash” games with a ton of bugs, as he’s always figuring out a way to exploit said bugs to his advantage. Despite the series being based on the game “Shangri-La Frontier,” exploring various other game genres is a refreshing change, as Sunraku takes breaks from playing Shangri-La Frontier from time to time.
2Unique Requirements Are Needed To Beat Bosses
Strength Alone Is Insufficient To Clear Bosses
With enough determination, strength, and equipment, any boss in theSword Art Onlineseries will fall. However, that is not the case when it comes toShangri-La Frontier. Rather than prioritize character strength and grit,Shangri-La Frontierportrays incredible game mechanics, allowing for a range of methods for clearing bosses.
To conquer Wethermon of the Seven Colossi, Sunraku and his party were not required to ‘defeat’ the boss, but to parry his ultimate move, Clear Sky Conquest, Sky Clear, as a single strike would lead to death regardless of the player’s stats. Having unique requirements to conquer certain obstacles fits better into a gaming narrative than overpowering bosses with strength time and time again.
1Presence Of A Story Mode/World Progression
Sword Art Online Portrays Undefined Endpoints
Despite having a central theme asa gaming anime, none of the games portrayed inSword Art Onlinehave a form of story mode, which is very unlikely when compared with real-world games.
Due to the lack of structure that a story mode would usually bring to any game,the endpoint of the games inSword Art Onlineis undefined, and characters only seem to play for personal entertainment rather than clearing a quest or beating the game.Shangri-La Frontier,on the other hand, beautifully portrays a world progression in which events are triggered based on the completion of certain events, as seen with the defeat of Wethermon, where the world story progressed by 20%.
Shangri-La Frontier
Rakurō Hizutome, a high school student known for mastering poorly made games, takes on the challenge of a highly rated VR MMORPG. Diving into the complex and immersive world, he bypasses tutorials and jumps straight into action, uncovering hidden secrets and formidable monsters along the way.
