Sword Art Online’s OP single has a cover illustration featuring the heroine – and the artwork is legions more incredible and true to how her appearance should be, versus the anime series’ pop-idol waitress variant.
This art piece nearly freezes one still with fascination – a color of chestnut is gorgeously complemented by a vivid background made immense in appearance by means of many varied blues. Not often, if ever, will one see such a strange tone of orange serving the role of front and center – yet that’s particularly one of the reasons why it stands out so strongly. It’s a contrast for the better, as indeed, one can see themselves that it’s certainly beautiful.
Her hair and eyes match in hue – with there being an overall shimmer and sheen present in them both, as well as the background, and even the entire image for that matter. Bright specs of light escape from assorted points spread across the artwork – each spec being not necessarily white, yet a shade of blue only ever short of it, doing well to develop a consistency and balance not only in how they collectively come together, however also in how they act with other elements as well, such as the outfit of our heroine.
The manner in which blues cascade in a pattern behind her look to imply a far-reaching space, vast and infinite – and the semi-circular pattern sprouting from the bottom left is wonderful in forming an informal balance, as does the flow of the heroine’s hair and her overall positioning.
Seeing her like this, it’s indeed rather unfortunate she’s not as stunning within the anime series.
Jun 26, 2012 @ 2:44 CDT
Blame the choice of character designer for the anime. Seriously, I didn’t get over it yet. I so, so wanted them to have been true to the novel designs… Well, at least that artwork is amazing indeed. Too bad that’s only the cover of a single I’ll never own xD
Jun 26, 2012 @ 9:23 CDT
And neither will I.
Jun 26, 2012 @ 2:59 CDT
seriously I think I am only one who can’t really see the difference except that is clearer over here