Ep 1. Squad Jam

In the first episode of Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online, we are introduced to a new VRMMORPG (Virtual Reality Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) world known as Gun Gale Online or GGO. The episode is entitled "Squad Jam" and it provides us with an overview of the game and the various characters and players that inhabit this world.

We first meet our protagonist, Karen, who also goes by the screen name Llenn, as she excitedly logs into Gun Gale Online for the very first time. Karen is a petite and shy girl in the real world, but in GGO, she creates her avatar as a pink-haired female gunner, equipped with a tiny P90 submachine gun. Karen hopes that GGO will provide her with the escape she needs from her real-world identity and allow her to become someone more courageous and confident.

As Karen explores GGO, we learn that it differs from other VRMMORPGs like Sword Art Online. In GGO, players are not able to use magic or swords but instead must solely rely on firearms. In addition, the player's hit points (HP) are based on real-life attributes, so smaller and weaker players like Karen will have less HP than larger and stronger players.

Karen soon enters the game's first-ever "Squad Jam" tournament, which involves teams of six players battling against one another in a confined area. Karen partners with a veteran GGO player named M, who is both impressed by Karen's shooting skills and drawn to her child-like appearance. M also introduces Karen to a group of players known as the "Pink Devil Squad", a group of young women who wear pink and specialize in close-range combat.

The Pink Devil Squad's leader, Pitohui, invites Karen and M to join them for the Squad Jam tournament, which will begin in two weeks. However, Pitohui warns Karen that the tournament is not just for fun, but rather there is a real possibility of players dying in the virtual world. Karen is initially hesitant but then decides to participate, convinced that the tournament will allow her to showcase her skills and gain the confidence she needs.

The episode ends with Karen forming a team with M and the Pink Devil Squad, ready to take on the other teams in the Squad Jam tournament.

In conclusion, the first episode of Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online sets the stage for an exciting and action-packed series. We are introduced to the unique world of GGO and its game mechanics, as well as the various characters and teams that will be competing in the Squad Jam tournament. The episode effectively captures the feelings of excitement and anxiety that come with entering a new world and taking on new challenges. Overall, "Squad Jam" provides an engaging and promising introduction to what promises to be an entertaining series.