Overview
Reki Kawahara originally wrote Sword Art Online for the Dengeki Light Novel Award in 2002 but wrote more than the maximum amount of pages needed. Since he could not trim the pages and did not want to erase the manuscript, Reki posted it in his personal website on November 2002 under the pen name "Kunori Fumio". Having received many good responses from the readers, Reki continued the series with sequels and various side stories at his site. As of July 2008, the website has exceeded 6.5 million views.
In 2008, Reki's Accel World won the grand prize for the Dengeki Light Novel Award and was to be published on February 2009. When Reki's editor found out about Sword Art Online, it was decided that the web novel will also be published on April 2009 under the Dengeki Bunko label.
An anime adaption by A-1 Pictures was announced at Dengeki Bunko Autumn Festival 2011 and will air on July 7 2012 (Tokyo MX, 24:00).
Production Staff
Director: Tomohiko Ito
Animation: A-1 Pictures
Synopsis
"Even if it's a game, it's not played as one."
In November 6 2022, a Virtual Reality MMORPG called Sword Art Online(SAO) was released. Using a VR Helmet called "Nerve Gear" which simulate in-game character control using brain signals, approximately 10,000 players logged into SAO's virtual world.
However, an unexpected event occurred when Akihiko Kayaba, the creator of SAO and the Nerve Gear, announced that players cannot log out from the game. In order to log out, players must complete all 100 floors of SAO and defeat the final boss under the condition that death in-game means death in the real world. Tampering the Nerve Gear in the real world will also cause death to the player.
Having a new deadly predicament set on the 10000 players, Kirito, a skilled player who was a beta tester for SAO, sets out to complete the game and achieve freedom.
Characters
Kirito
The main character of the story.Known as "The Black Swordsman". A player who prefers solo'ing instead of working together. One of the top class players in SAO(Sword Art Online).
Asuna
The main heroine. Known as "The Flash", Vice Leader of the "Knights of Blood".
Cline
A friendly player that meets Kirito at the start of the game and quickly befriends and learns from him. He and Kirito later separate because he has friends who were also new to the game, and since he was taught by Kirito who was an experienced player, he couldn't leave them. He uses a katana to fight and leads a party.
Scilica
A girl whose class is a Beast Tamer. Fights using familiars. She was rescued by Kirito when she was under attack by monsters.
Lizbet
Asuna's friend. Works as a blacksmith.
Lyfa
The main heroine in "Fairy Dance" arc. A slyph who first met Kirito in ALO (ALfhiem Online). She has feelings for Kirito.
Shinon
The main heroine in Phantom Barret arc. A sniper in GGO (Gun Gale Online).
Yuuki
The heroine in Mother's Rosario. Known as "Zekken" in ALO, She is strong enough to rival Kirito and Lyfa in terms of power.