While in the first season there was character development in the form of people getting stronger by fighting or surviving tragedy in the virtual world, with Shino we get an excellent mix of her developing in both worlds and it shows growth in the talents of the writers. For with the use of showing her triggers and explaining how this led to her to going onto GGO, the episode exhibits what caused her trauma, how she copes, and left room for us to see how she could grow. That, amongst other facets of her being, really led to a strong episode gone into more below.
Topic 1: Trauma - Shino
The majority of the episode has us getting to know Shino who is another one of those characters who seemingly are in high school and live by themselves. Something which has always confused me about the animes I watch since not seeing parents in the series has become a slight norm. However, while Shino's mother may not be seen she does have contact with her grandfather and possible love interest Shinkawa who introduced her to GGO.
Leading to us talk about the meat of her story which deals with why she is so invested in playing GGO to get stronger. Well, it is due to GGO being her exposure therapy. You see, when she was a kid she was put into a position where she ended up killing someone with a gun and ever since then she has been traumatized. So her strengthening her character in GGO is how she vicariously tries to strengthen her actual person, and decrease the amount of panic attacks she gets when it comes to seeing guns. However, as much as she uses guns in GGO, it seems her exposure therapy isn't working that much since just a kid making a gun with their hand seems to put her into panic attack mode.
Topic 2: I'm Going Under - Kirito
With Kirito telling Asuna he plans to head to GGO, unfortunately she doesn't mention plans to join him in that world. From what it seems he will be going solo, as his rehab nurse, Ms. Aki, watches his body. But he seems to not be the only one going under. We see who likely holds the Death Gun investigating his next target and with two down he sees Shino as the next one to dispose of, and with the Bullet of Bullets tournament coming there perhaps has been no better time to not only publicize himself but take out a target.
Things To Note
Shino = Sinon
Topic 1: Trauma - Shino
The majority of the episode has us getting to know Shino who is another one of those characters who seemingly are in high school and live by themselves. Something which has always confused me about the animes I watch since not seeing parents in the series has become a slight norm. However, while Shino's mother may not be seen she does have contact with her grandfather and possible love interest Shinkawa who introduced her to GGO.
Leading to us talk about the meat of her story which deals with why she is so invested in playing GGO to get stronger. Well, it is due to GGO being her exposure therapy. You see, when she was a kid she was put into a position where she ended up killing someone with a gun and ever since then she has been traumatized. So her strengthening her character in GGO is how she vicariously tries to strengthen her actual person, and decrease the amount of panic attacks she gets when it comes to seeing guns. However, as much as she uses guns in GGO, it seems her exposure therapy isn't working that much since just a kid making a gun with their hand seems to put her into panic attack mode.
Topic 2: I'm Going Under - Kirito
With Kirito telling Asuna he plans to head to GGO, unfortunately she doesn't mention plans to join him in that world. From what it seems he will be going solo, as his rehab nurse, Ms. Aki, watches his body. But he seems to not be the only one going under. We see who likely holds the Death Gun investigating his next target and with two down he sees Shino as the next one to dispose of, and with the Bullet of Bullets tournament coming there perhaps has been no better time to not only publicize himself but take out a target.
Things To Note
Shino = Sinon
