Sword Art Online: The Aincrad Arc, Explained

Key Takeaways

SAO introduced the Isekai genre & VR gaming to mainstream media, starting with Aincrad.
Players navigate the deadly Aincrad to progress through levels, highlighting the importance of teamwork.
The arc culminates with a duel against the creator of SAO, revealing true motives behind the game.

As a devoted player of Sword Art Online, I can’t help but be moved by the story of Kirito and Asuna. Their journey through Aincrad is not just about virtual battles or leveling up their characters; it’s about learning the importance of teamwork, the pain of loss, and the power of love.

Back in 2002, a web novel titled Sword Art Online (SAO) made its debut, and ever since then, it’s been creating quite a buzz globally. It has given birth to numerous light novels, anime, manga series, games, movies, and more. For those who are already into anime and the Isekai genre, this might sound familiar, but when SAO was introduced, it was still a fresh concept that was yet to make waves. The unique premise of the story set it apart from what was commonly seen at the time.

One of the pioneering anime series, SAO, delved into online gaming, virtual reality, and various technologies that would eventually gain prominence in later years. Through its captivating storyline, it has transported viewers to numerous destinations throughout the years. However, it all commenced by introducing one of the most iconic settings in anime: Aincrad.

The Journey Begins – Introducing the World of Aincrad

Aincrad’s Creator Reveals the Deadly Consequences of This New VRMMO

Sword Art Online: The Aincrad Arc, Explained

The narrative of Sword Art Online commences by presenting our lead character, who is known as Kazuto Kirigaya in real life but prefers to be called Kirito within games and among his peers. The moniker Kirito is a fusion of “Kiri” from Kirigaya and “To” from Kazuto. This gaming enthusiast appears to be a dedicated admirer of the developer of an extraordinarily exciting upcoming game, Sword Art Online. Not only does the game promise intrigue, but so does the technology powering it.

Akihiko Kayaba and his team innovated a Virtual Reality technology called NerveGear, providing an extraordinarily realistic VR experience referred to as “Full-Dive”. This enables players to truly inhabit the world of Aincrad (and potentially others), almost indistinguishable from real life. Players can savor game food, breathe in game scents, and surprisingly, even sense game pain. In the story’s opening, we discover that Kirito has been a beta tester for SAO, and now, the long-anticipated release day is upon us.

Despite Kirito having gone through the beta version, the ultimate challenge that comes with the game’s launch was something unprepared for. As Kirito tried to sign out, a startling reality came to light – the log-out button no longer existed. Players who had ventured into Aincrad via NerveGear were now trapped within the game, and any attempt to remove the device would prove fatal to the user. In this way, one of the most notorious truths in pop culture becomes apparent: if you perish in the game, it’s as if you’ve died in reality.

If I die in the game, I’ll die in real life!

– Kirito

Climbing the Floors of Aincrad

The Players Face the Reality of This Death Game

As a gamer, I found myself immersed in the gripping world of Aincrad, an MMO where progression is blocked until you conquer a final boss on each floor. In this case, it took players an agonizingly long time to locate and defeat the boss of Floor 1. It was here that the grim reality of this “death game” truly hit home.

In the midst of numerous disagreements, players gradually unite with the purpose of discovering and vanquishing the floor’s boss. Their aim is to keep collaborating in order to advance through the game and ultimately emerge victorious. This alliance is where Kirito first encounters Asuna, his companion who becomes instrumental for not just this raid event, but for the majority of Sword Art Online’s subsequent adventures. At first, Asuna is hesitant due to her lack of experience with MMOs and the absence of friends within the game. However, when a shocking incident results in the death of the raid team’s leader, leaving Kirito to go solo once more, Asuna becomes determined not to let the game overpower her. Instead, she vows to fight harder and persevere.

I prefer to remain unchanged till the very end. Regardless of whether a formidable foe overpowers me and I meet my demise, I refuse to concede defeat against this challenge or this realm.

– Asuna

MMOs Are Truly a Multiplayer Experience

Our Characters Learn Why It Can Be Necessary (and Devastating) to Rely on Others

After some time apart, Asuna and Kirito eventually reunite, an interval marked by both hope and sorrow for Kirito. During this gap, he joined a guild with the intention of being a team player. However, a disastrous event occurred where his team was caught off guard, leading to their unfortunate demise. This incident made him swear off teamwork, but regardless of his efforts, he kept encountering individuals navigating Aincrad who left indelible impressions on him and whom he couldn’t help but impact in return.

In their reunion, Asuna and Kirito find themselves confronting a perilous enigma within the world of SAO, an event that makes them ponder the intricacies of this digital realm. Despite their occasional disagreements, they grow even closer during this adventure. However, when they cross paths again, battling another formidable foe, their bond is severely tested. Following narrow escapes from certain death, Kirito and Asuna decide to step away from the game’s obligations, acknowledge their budding affection for each other, and plan a wedding, opting for a tranquil life in a forest cabin.

However, following numerous other mishaps, they eventually procure an AI program, treating it as their ‘daughter’. Subsequently, they resume their battles on the frontlines. In a significant skirmish with heavy losses on level 75, it is disclosed that the creator of SAO, Akihito Kayaba, had been the mastermind behind the main boss raid team all along, secretly manipulating events within the game without any player’s knowledge. Upon his unmasking, Kayaba presents Kirito with an opportunity: if he can best Kayaba in a duel, he will release all players from SAO.

I’ll win no matter what.

The End of Aincrad?

Kirito Faces Off With Kayaba Once and For All

In contemplation, Kirito understands that Kayaba’s self-imposed invincibility could lead to folly, but he chooses to confront Kayaba regardless. In their fierce battle, with Kayaba poised to strike the fatal blow against Kirito, Asuna steps in, absorbing the blow instead and protecting Kirito. Enraged by her sacrifice, Kirito summons his strength and emerges victorious over Kayaba.

Sword Art Online is now available to stream on Crunchyroll.

2024-10-25 22:05