Although the anime series began in 2012, Sword Art Online was set in the year 2022, with the official launch of the SAO system taking place on November 6th. As the real world progresses ever closer to that date, fans might wonder how close modern technology has gotten. While the public doesn’t have access to VR hardware quite like the fictional NerveGear, there are an increasing number of VR MMORPGs, with games like Zenith: The Last City getting frequent comparisons to the anime’s VR world, Aincrad.
The development of these technologies makes the warnings in Sword Art Online more important now than ever. There are inherent dangers to fictional worlds that become as immersive as the real world, especially given some gamers’ perspective that the VR space has no taboos. SAO’s characters found out quickly who was up to the task of facing off against these threats and who wasn’t, with a handful of characters facing the risk of real death to ensure others got out of the game safely. Those characters showed off their bravery, and audiences can learn a lot from them about navigating virtual reality responsibly.
Lisbeth (Shinozaki Rika)
After becoming trapped in SAO, Lisbeth worked as a blacksmith, which allowed her to contribute to the escape efforts without having to risk her life in the battles themselves. While she remained in the background throughout the original arc, her bravery began to grow in later seasons.
Perhaps most importantly, and most overlooked given the courageous actions of other characters, Lisbeth went back into the VR world on numerous occasions. The survivors of Aincrad suffered extreme trauma, but many, like Lisbeth, still believed in the good of virtual reality. Her continued participation and support for her friends, even when VR proved to still have serious risks, shows a quiet bravery that was rarely acknowledged.
Selka Zuberg
Selka was introduced during the Alicization arc as Alice’s younger sister who had been expected to live up to her sister’s reputation. After learning what Alice had done, Selka snuck away to the cave that Alice, Eugeo, and Kirito had explored as children.
While it wasn’t a great act of heroism, entering the cave with no backup or protection definitely required bravery. She remained a minor character, but her determination to understand her sister was admirable and became more important when she was the only one who would accept the new Alice. Selka put her love for her sister before her concern for herself, which earned her the audience’s respect.
Yui
Yui was an AI created for the original SAO game, but she quickly became a character in her own right after bonding with Kirito and Asuna. When they adopted her as their daughter, she became fiercely loyal to them beyond any programming, even to the point of self-sacrifice.
Yui revealed herself in Aincrad to stop The Fatal Scythe from killing Asuna and Kirito, which she believed would result in her complete erasure. She also helped them in ALfheim, though there was a similar risk of being deleted. She eventually was able to exist beyond the VR world safely, but only after repeatedly demonstrating her bravery in battle and in being left by her parents for the real world.
Leafa (Kirigaya Suguha)
It’s hard to be brave when you know that nothing you’re dealing with has real-world stakes. So, while Leafa is a great character who helps Kirito a lot in ALfheim, she is not going to rank high compared to other characters who had to live through the terror of SAO. Despite that, she became second only to Asuna in Kirito’s adventures, which put her in more danger as the show went on.
In particular, she and Asuna drew attention to themselves when trying to get Kirito back from Rath. As the Underworld grew ever more precarious, Leafa had to suffer the most pain in addition to putting her soul on the line, demonstrating that her bravery was on par with the others, though she hadn’t been through as treacherous of situations.
Alice
From childhood, Alice was courageous and kind, breaking the Taboo Index on accident while she tried to help someone in need. Though the Administrator turned her into an Integrity Knight, she maintained that core urge to protect others, which helped Eugeo and Kirito get through to her.
Alice Synthesis turned her back on the Integrity Knights to do what was right, fighting a virtually unstoppable villain (Quinella) and jumping in front of blows meant for her friends. She then continued the fight, taking on a position of leadership as the human empire fought against the Dark Territories. She exemplifies the height of both physical and emotional bravery throughout her time on SAO.
Eugeo
Eugeo was inspired by Kirito to become a warrior, but his single-minded determination and strong moral core were all his own. He chose to become a knight in the hopes of rescuing Alice and faced any trial that was necessary to get to her. In addition, he overrode his programming and willfully broke the Taboo Code to save Tiese and Ronye.
Guided by Kirito’s philosophy that morality extended beyond laws, each of his actions was a rebellion against the system he was literally coded to support. He faced opponents that were far stronger than he was, and in order to stop the Administrator, Eugeo sacrificed his life.
Klein (Tsuboi Ryoutarou)
While Klein was a relative newbie when he entered Sword Art Online, his proud Gryffindor spirit led him to join in the fight. He immediately sought out his friends when he learned the truth about the game and eventually led a guild that was working to clear the game, both of which showed his impulse to protect others.
Klein frequently teamed up with Kirito to protect lower-level players and stop the PKs who were committing literal murder. In each instance, he risked his real life by joining the fight. Though he became less prominent in later struggles, Klein was a permanent member of Kirito’s friend group and joined the fight for the Underworld for their sake.
Asuna (Yuuki Asuna)
Asuna was originally hopeless about her future in SAO, but she quickly became one of the bravest warriors they had. She became a leader in the Knights of the Blood guild and became well-known for being a healer who also fought hard in battle, despite the real-world risks. When Kirito was about to be killed, she jumped in front, sacrificing her life for his.
Though Asuna miraculously survived SAO, she suffered multiple further traumas, which she faced through her faith in Kirito. When he was taken by Roth in the Alicization Arc, she fought in both the real and virtual worlds to save him and the other members of the Underworld, even putting her own soul on the line. Asuna was brave in the traditional sense, but she was also brave enough to tolerate helplessness to ensure nobody suffered alone.
Sinon (Asada Shino)
While the Phantom Bullet arc was not highly-rated, it did introduce one of the best and bravest characters in the series. Sinon lost her father in a car accident and nearly lost her mother in a robbery gone wrong, in which she killed the robber herself. This left her with life-long trauma, which she joined Gun Gale Online to help manage.
Sinon has a remarkable amount of bravery to repeatedly try to face her fears through gaming and real-world exposure therapy. On top of that, she worked with Kirito to stop Death Gun, despite knowing that her life was in danger, and worked with Asuna to save Kirito and the Underworld. She faced her fears and risked her life doing what was right.
Kirito (Kirigaya Kazuto)
At the heart of each crisis in Sword Art Online, Kirito had to become stronger to face his trials. What makes him brave is how much he volunteered for, taking on extra burdens that threatened his life and soul simply because others were in danger. Though he started as a loner, Kirito soon became a hero who couldn’t stand the thought of someone dying.
He willingly charged into fights, but he also took action to ensure others were safe, even when it was to his disadvantage. There was no fight Kirito wouldn’t face and no personal sacrifice he would not make for others, making him the bravest character in Sword Art Online.
