I've been silently reading this thread for a long time but cannot help to post now. I think this update will be a big controversy. Many people will like it but many will hate it. Reasons are:
Decent quantity:
Although it's just 7/15, there are nearly 20 CGs, plus other stuff. So I think Fujino is trying to provide as much as he can.
Unexpected twist:
We know Asuna will be Inoda's pig wife, but maybe wasn't expecting it happens by rewriting Asuna's early memories.
Risky move:
Rewriting memories may not be the smartest move. I've seen people saying that this is too much an easy way out. Also, it somewhat repeats Alice's storyline of brainwashing. More importantly, this might be offensive to fans of SAO. People may accept that in this game Asuna is a total slut because this is a different universe, but getting too close to SAO's original story is different. People may feel that Fujino is rewriting the players' memories.
My thoughts:
I respect Fujino's work as he is producing much, but I still feel uncomfortable with this rewriting memories thing. Personally, I can understand if Fujino designs Asuna as a natural slut or forced to Inoda's dick, but changing her past memories makes the story even more ridiculous.
Clearly Fujino is taking the easiest way. Rewriting memories opens a big hole that almost anything can be filled in. Asuna still being Inoda's sex friend after quarantine? Sure, because her memories are changed. Asuna agreeing to raw sex and cum inside? Okay, because her memories are changed. Asuna having Inoda's baby? No problem, because her memories are changed. Inoda ending up with a harem? Yeah, Asuna will get girls for him because her memories are changed.
You see? Asuna won't have any resistance or struggles, because after memory change, Inoda now is her best love and she will do anything Inoda says.
So I'm now like many other people, maybe future plot isn't important anymore. We'll just wait and see more CGs and let this game end.
And maybe Fujino too. He also wants this game to end.
I've looked at people's comments in both this thread and the Chinese forums. People do share certain similar feelings. Allow me to share some general views from the Chinese forums:
1. Great CGs:
As usual, Fujino provides hot CGs. This is what he is good at. Many people especially like the last scene.
2. Disgusting brainwash:
Many Chinese fans don't like this brainwash idea either. Understandable, maybe because people naturally hate this threatening thing and makes everyone vulnerable.
3. Ridiculous plot:
Compared to making CGs, Fujino is weak in designing story plots. Another example: Being a computer guy, Kirito doesn't know he should make a copy of his data and test within that copy, but just using the original? Come on. Maybe Kirito knows but Fujino doesn't know (or doesn't care).
4. Offensive content:
I've seen many Chinese fans feel offended by this update. For one, it is because the brainwash. For another, Fujino seems to be breaking his promises, making many people disappointed. It's interesting that people say their left and right brains fight each other, as the CGs are hot while the story is gross.
5. Just end:
People are saying that they would just treat future updates as MMD simulators, only to see the hot CGs and care less about the story. Makes sense, because now with brainwash, anything can be possible, so it's pointless to guess what will happen and what the endings might be.
6. Not Naruto:
Another interesting thing is that many Chinese fans don't like the idea of Naruto as the new project. Some say that Naruto isn't good for masturbation. This may influence Fujino's future plan.
See you around!!!
