Cover wise, I could immediately tell the scenario Haruyuki Arita would find himself in and opening the volume and seeing the artwork I knew I was right. However, what did catch me off guard was how it transpired. Perhaps, most interesting, this is easily the fastest Haruyuki Artia got close with someone, however, on the other hand, it isn't that he was unfamiliar with Maestro considering they shared constant connection in Brain Burst 2039. I loved how the plot progressed with Maestro easily showing there is potential for Kawahara, if he so desired, to potentially allow any major character to be killed off in the story and brought back someway. Interestingly, it did at least appear that there might be something more to this since Maestro was a little clammy about some of the specifics for getting the Brain Burst 2039 application back and points. I am curious how her character will grow in the future.
In any case, I liked the way everyone banded together to save the kings of pure color from unlimited EK, though, in Kawahara's fashion, nothing is ever as simple and as easy going as everyone hopes. Easily, this volume has one of the most memorable ways for a volume to end.
The harem side of it is getting too ridiculous, so it lost a star because of that. We get a training arc, some jokes and a twist ending. Read it pretty fast as it is a pretty short volume.
Curious to see how the author is going to finished the story over the next 6 volumes.
The end of the White Legion arc is near. This volume has a lot of shonen elements, predictable on their nature but enjoyable nonetheless. Of all the light novels I’ve read, Accel World has the best cliffhangers, always hyping up for the next volume with more mysteries on the way.
Can’t wait for Volume 25!
P.S. This volume marked the tenth anniversary of this series. An amazing landmark for a series with incredible world-building and well-written game mechanics. Happy anniversary Accel world!