Accel World - Episode 18

Lolis: Forever in your anime

On one hand, diverging from the main story, especially after that epic cliffhanger, will result in many annoyed fans who find out they have to wait at least two more weeks before getting to see why Chiyu did what she did. But despite this, there will still be a handful of others who appreciate Kuroyukihime finally getting a decent amount of screentime for the first time ever since she left Tokyo. As for myself, I'd say I'm split between the two sides. On one hand, I am frustrated about having to wait, but on the other, I found this episode to be quite entertaining as well. Although it was more or less a side story, there were some events that could possibly be related to the main plot.

First off, there were strong implications that Megumi is a Burst Linker. Everything from her hinting at knowing about the Accelerated World to her following Kuroyukihime into the hotel and most likely being the new avatar in the preview support this claim. If this is true, then it may have an effect on the main story as Megumi would undoubtedly want to help her (best) friend as a member of Nega Nebulous. However, there is also the chance that she's actually an antagonist (it'd be like the Chiyu incident all over again), with her goal being to target Kuoryukihime; this will add to the already complicated situation Nega Nebulous is in right now.

As for the Okinawan adventure story itself, the meeting between Kuroyukihime and that drunken piece of red scrap metal was your typical ironic encounter where, out of all the other possible Burst Linkers, it just had to be the Level 9 Black King herself. Now, it's obvious that Kuroyukihime and "Crikin", as she calls him, have met before. And since the nature of their relationship hasn't been disclosed yet, I'm assuming a part of the next episode will be dedicated to that while the rest will focus on Kuroyukihime helping the trio of Okinawan Burst Linkers in their quest to defeat the "monster" (i.e. the Burst Linker that was seen riding that dinosaur-like creature). If my previous guess was correct, Megumi will probably show up at the most intense moment and turn the viewers' emotions into either rage or joy. Obviously, I'm hoping it's the latter as things are already rage-worthy enough with Chiyu's betrayal.