Sword Art Online (SAO) has captivated millions of fans worldwide with its immersive virtual reality world and gripping storytelling. Created by Reki Kawahara, SAO has become a cultural phenomenon, spawning novels, manga, anime series, movies, and video games. In this blog post, we’ll delve into 30 Fascinating Facts About Sword Art Online that every fan should know.
- Origin of SAO
- Virtual Reality MMORPG
- The NerveGear Incident
- Kirito, the Protagonist
- Asuna, the Heroine
- Aincrad Arc
- Alfheim Online
- The SAO Anime Adaptation
- Multiple Seasons
- Influence on Virtual Reality
- Light Novel Success
- Manga Adaptations
- Video Game Spin-offs
- Cultural Impact
- Merchandise and Collectibles
- Soundtrack and Music
- Character Development
- Exploration of Virtual Reality Ethics
- Global Fan Community
- Continued Evolution
- Kirito and Eugeo Were Meant To Be Opposites
- Abec, the character designer.
- Reki Kawahara Wrote Short Stories On Female Characters
- Yui is the adopted child of Kirito and Asuna
- Asuna and Alice used their real names in the SOA
- Kirito was supposed to date Sachi
- In Swords Art Online: Gun Gale players get Money in cash won in the game.
- King Oberon’s Name was taken from the Play by Shakespeare.
- Lisbeth’s Hair color Changed in the SAO
- Inspiration from American Sci-Fi Novel
Origin of SAO
Sword Art Online originated as a light novel series written by Reki Kawahara. The first volume was published in 2009, with subsequent volumes released over the years. Its popularity led to adaptations in various media forms.
Virtual Reality MMORPG
SAO is set in a futuristic world where players immerse themselves in a virtual reality massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) called Sword Art Online. Players use a device called the NerveGear to enter the game.
The NerveGear Incident
In the SAO universe, players discover they are unable to log out of the game, and if they die in the virtual world, they die in real life. This grim scenario, known as the “NerveGear Incident,” sets the stage for the series’ plot.
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Kirito, the Protagonist
The main protagonist of SAO is Kazuto Kirigaya, known as Kirito in the virtual world. Kirito is a skilled gamer who becomes trapped in Sword Art Online along with thousands of other players.
Asuna, the Heroine
Asuna Yuuki, also known as Asuna, is another central character in SAO. She forms a close bond with Kirito and becomes his partner in the game as they navigate the challenges of Sword Art Online.
Aincrad Arc
The first arc of SAO focuses on the Aincrad storyline, where players must clear all 100 floors of the Aincrad floating castle to escape the game. Each floor presents its own unique challenges and boss battles.
Alfheim Online
After the events of Aincrad, SAO explores other virtual worlds, including Alfheim Online, a fantasy MMORPG where players take on the roles of elves, fairies, and other mystical beings.
The SAO Anime Adaptation
In 2012, Sword Art Online was adapted into an anime series by A-1 Pictures. The anime follows the events of the light novels closely and has garnered a massive following worldwide.
Multiple Seasons
The SAO anime has spawned multiple seasons, including Sword Art Online II, Sword Art Online: Alicization, and Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld. Each season continues to expand the SAO universe.
Influence on Virtual Reality
Sword Art Online has had a significant impact on the perception and development of virtual reality technology. Its portrayal of immersive VR experiences has inspired real-world advancements in VR gaming.
Light Novel Success
SAO’s light novel series has achieved tremendous success, with millions of copies sold worldwide. It has been translated into multiple languages, allowing fans from around the globe to enjoy the story.
Manga Adaptations
In addition to the light novels and anime, Sword Art Online has been adapted into manga series, offering fans yet another way to experience the adventures of Kirito and his friends.
Video Game Spin-offs
SAO has spawned a variety of video game adaptations across multiple platforms. These games allow players to explore the SAO universe firsthand and experience the thrill of virtual combat.
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Cultural Impact
Sword Art Online has become a cultural phenomenon, influencing other works of fiction and inspiring fan creations such as art, cosplay, and fan fiction. Its themes of friendship, courage, and perseverance resonate with audiences worldwide.
Merchandise and Collectibles
The popularity of SAO has led to a wide range of merchandise and collectibles, including action figures, posters, apparel, and more. Fans can proudly display their love for the series through these items.
Soundtrack and Music
SAO features a captivating soundtrack composed by Yuki Kajiura, known for its epic orchestral pieces and emotional melodies. The music enhances the atmosphere of the series and has become beloved by fans.
Character Development
One of the strengths of SAO lies in its character development, as protagonists and supporting characters undergo personal growth and face moral dilemmas throughout their journeys in the virtual world.
Exploration of Virtual Reality Ethics
Sword Art Online delves into thought-provoking themes surrounding virtual reality ethics, such as the consequences of blurring the lines between the virtual and real worlds and the impact of technology on human relationships.
Global Fan Community
SAO boasts a dedicated fan community that spans the globe, with fans organizing events, conventions, and online discussions to celebrate their love for the series and connect with fellow enthusiasts.
Continued Evolution
The Sword Art Online franchise continues to evolve with new novels, anime adaptations, and other media projects in development. Its enduring popularity ensures that the adventures of Kirito and his friends will continue to captivate audiences for years to come.
Kirito and Eugeo Were Meant To Be Opposites
Everyone who watches Sword Art Online can’t help but notice how similar Kirito and Eugeo appear, save for their eyes, swept bangs, and hair color. There are also theories that suggest Eugeo is a fluctlight replica of Kirito from Project Alicization.
But the reason Eugeo and Kirito resemble each other so much is because Reki Kawahara gave the illustrator of the light novels, abec, instructions on how to depict them so they would appear to be complete opposites.
Abec, the character designer.
When the novel was first being planned for publication, Abec—the illustrator of the Sword Art Online character design—was still a high school student. Note that Abec is a group of people rather than a single individual. Typically, Abec is depicted as a man dressed as a frog.
Abec has received multiple awards and is well renowned for its meticulous character design work.
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Reki Kawahara Wrote Short Stories On Female Characters
With the publication of SAO, the female characters—Asuna Yuuki as Asuna, Suguna Kirigaya as Leafa, Ayano Keiko as Silica, and Rika Shinozaki as Lisbeth—have become more well-known. Self-published short stories featuring female characters Silica, Suguna, Lisbeth, and Asuna, as well as a spin-off series called Girls Ops centered on their experiences in Swords Art Online, were written by Kawahara.
Yui is the adopted child of Kirito and Asuna
Yui was taken home by Kirito and Asuna after they discovered her in the forest and assumed she was a lost player in the SAO. Later, because she was interested as a child, Yui called Kirito “Daddy” and Asuna “Mommy”. She was later adopted by Kirito and Asuna.
Asuna and Alice used their real names in the SOA
Curiosity drove Asuna and Alice, two new players, to log onto the game. They utilized their true identities for their avatars because they had no idea about the game world, something they subsequently regretted after returning to the real world.
Kirito was supposed to date Sachi
Reki Kawahara revealed in an interview that although they had planned for Kirito to date Sachi, they changed their minds and had Kirito date Asuna in SAO because they wanted the lead heroine standing next to him to be more confident.
In Swords Art Online: Gun Gale players get Money in cash won in the game.
In Sword Art Online: Gun Gale, the players were able to withdraw the cash they won in the virtual world of a gun gale in the real world, and due to this, they were able to make money easily in the real world every month.
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King Oberon’s Name was taken from the Play by Shakespeare
Alfheim was the fairy king and Sugou’s adversary in Swords Art Online, according to Oberon. A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a comedy play by William Shakespeare, is where the name Oberon for the fairy monarch originated.
The Age of Players Changes after completing the game
Kirito was 16 years old when he logged into the SAO, but he was 18 when he finished it and returned to the real world. The players that entered the SAO were primarily around 16 years old, but two years had elapsed once they returned from the SAO.
Lisbeth’s Hair color Changed in the SAO
Lisbeth’s hair color was altered from what it is in SAO. Since hair color is the only setting that can be preset in SAO, Lisbeth’s hair color appears pink when it was actually brown. The character also played a role in the choice of the pink hair color.
Inspiration from American Sci-Fi Novel
The American science fiction book Real-Time Interrupt by James P. Horgan, which also centers on a character imprisoned in virtual reality, served as the model for the original idea of Swords Art Online.
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Conclusion
Sword Art Online has left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment, captivating audiences with its immersive virtual worlds, compelling characters, and thought-provoking themes. Whether through the original light novels, anime series, or video game adaptations, fans continue to flock to the SAO universe, eager to embark on new adventures alongside Kirito, Asuna, and their friends. As the franchise continues to grow and evolve, one thing remains certain: Sword Art Online will always hold a special place in the hearts of fans around the world.
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