My favorite is Asuna. Not only is she outstandingly passionate about what she does, but she also cares about others before herself to the point that she would even die for them. This touched my heart, as I consider her a blessing in Kirito's life, he is very lucky to have her as his girlfriend. Despite the fact that her parents were very cruel to her, she decided to shove it away, acting like the cruelty never happened, and just played as the nice girl, because of the fact that she didn't want to be a burden to others. Not only that, but Asuna's personality is very cheerful, not a moody person who would want to get attention for her benefit. As shown in SAO 1 Asuna was very supportive to her guild members, encouraging them to beat the game, and to risk their everything to gain everything back. Asuna is very understanding as well, as she still forgave her mother even after everything her mother did to her, sometimes even showing her what it truly means to live life to the fullest. She is like a mother as well, being very caring to not only Kirito and Yui, but to her friends as well, since she alone doesn't want to selfishly recieve happiness for herself, but she wants to give happiness to others. Out of all the characters, Asuna would be the best character there is, she is like a role model of practically a saint, especially in SAO in Aincrad, she even put herself in the front lines because she is fighting for a purpose, and that is simply to protect the ones that she loves, and everyone else.
Kirito is probably like a solid last place, just barely beaten by Asuna.
I'm going to be honest, the characters in SAO kinda suck. They get no development, and Kirito is the most Gary Stu character I have ever seen in an anime. I'm sorry, how the hell does anybody get to a level that high so quickly while playing alone in an MMO? It doesn't work like that.
Asuna was cool at first, until she was basically cooking for Kirito all the time and standing in the background.
Now for my ranking of Klein, it's because he was the only character with some semblance of a personality, and he's the only logical character in the show. If he was the main character, it would've made SAO a hell of a lot better.
Kirito is probably like a solid last place, just barely beaten by Asuna.
I'm going to be honest, the characters in SAO kinda suck. They get no development, and Kirito is the most Gary Stu character I have ever seen in an anime. I'm sorry, how the hell does anybody get to a level that high so quickly while playing alone in an MMO? It doesn't work like that.
Asuna was cool at first, until she was basically cooking for Kirito all the time and standing in the background.
Now for my ranking of Klein, it's because he was the only character with some semblance of a personality, and he's the only logical character in the show. If he was the main character, it would've made SAO a hell of a lot better.
Well, now that the Alicization arc is over I can finally post in this thread (and yes I was waiting for it to end before formulating a solid opinion), my favorites are/were:
1. Asuna
She had a different role in every arc, we've seen her as a fighter, a leader, a housewife, a mother, a captive, a supporting character, a protagonist and so on, it was nice to see how well she handled the situations she was in, in the Aincrad she was trapped in a death game with no experience whatsoever yet, with Kirito's help she managed to beat the game, in FD she was a prime example of the Defiant Captive trope, Mother's Rosario was her time to shine, she was so badass and mature, this arc is easily the best coming-of-age story I've came across, her development was so remarkable and distinct, and during the Alicization she got the role she deserved, the role of Goddess of Creation - Stacia. And she was the one I could relate the most to in the series.
2. Eugeo
I liked his personality, his design and his interactions with Kirito and I would like to say: Burn in hell fujoshit who can't diferenciate friendship form other things and are thirsty for gay ships, both of them are straight as an arrow so heck off, it was nice seeing him go from a little boy to a badass Integrity Knight and his fate on Vol. 14 was impactful and left me in tears.
3. Yuuki
She's one of the main reasons why Mother's Rosario is my favorite arc, I loved her and her interactions with Asuna, and what happened to her also made me tear up.
4. Alice
Saber + Personality = Her, I think that it was hard not to like her, she's pretty much a Asuna 2.0, but I obviously still prefer the original.
5. Kirito + Sugu/Leafa
Well, everyone picked 5, so I had to choose them to finish my list
While many of them seemed generic at first, it was nice seeing their intricacies/complexities, characterizations/personalities and developments as the story progressed and the romance/relationship between Kirito and Asuna (which is expanded on the Progressive) is my favorite of all time, and I also liked the Eugeo & Alice pairing a lot.And I can't believe that people are commenting on this thread, which is for LN readers, having only watched the anime, please go back to AD or read the novel before you can speak about how "bad" these characters are, the only reason why they were "bad" was because of that stupid director who removed a lot of important stuff (characterization, backstory and developments) on the adaptation.
Kirito-kun is my bae. I'm obsessed with him XD ♥ I don't care what others say about him: YOU'RE WRONG. I'm leaving it at that.
They get no development,
Hey, don't tell lies to people. D:
and Kirito is the most Gary Stu character I have ever seen in an anime.
You must not have seen a lot. There are way worse Sues out there.
I'm sorry, how the hell does anybody get to a level that high so quickly while playing alone in an MMO?
He does it by grinding all night for eight hours without rest for several weeks.....unfortunately A-1 Pictures thought that was unimportant to show us in the anime.
My number one is a tie between Alice and Asuna
Asuna :: there's so much I can say about her character, but what I know is I fell in love with her character as soon as she was introduced. What's great about her character is how she's the same in every world/reality/game. I loved the fact that she actually used her real name when she first started playing SAO, even though it was a newbie move and she even realizes how stupid she was for doing that, but that small mistake I think reveals more about her character and the kind of person she is, as I said earlier before she's the only one who has truly been herself in all realities (not counting some parts of fairy dance/Alfhiem arc) she's cheerful, kind, understanding,very proud, strong and is calm/reserved when she has to be. She shows all those attributes no matter where she is. No one knew of her lonely and difficult childhood/upbringing because she puts others issues ahead of her's. Even though her mom was somewhat cruel to her, Asuna still believed she had to be/do better for her family until being with kirito made her realize she has to enjoy life and the way her mom behaves is not her fault, even after that realization she still tries to understand and remained kind to her mom and eventually helps her. She's kind to those who are kind and those she cares for but is willing to also fight and not back down when it's necessary. The Alfhiem/fairy dance arc changed lots of people's perception of her character and I understand why, I think the author did a huge injustice to Asuna, but I think it made her character much more stronger. She's a true survivor, she doesn't let her problems and difficulties define her. Also her love and trust for Kirito is honorable, she never get jealous over little things and is willing to befriend girls kirito meets unlike other harem characters. Anyway her only true rivial is Alice!
Alice :: like Asuna Alice is kind, strong, understanding, proud, confident and brave. I loved how she cared and never gave up on kirito when he was in a vegetative state. Also it can't be denied that Alice was a Asuna 2.0, her character is pretty much like sub commander of KOB Asuna before and even after she married Kirito. I believe the reason why Kirito got along so well and sort of had slight feelings for her was because of the similarities she shared with Asuna (basically she's Kirito's type). As much as I like Alice, Asuna came first! (In the story)
Suguha :: basically she's the best younger sister character I've seen in a long time. Also she's lovable, I can't hate her. I sort of understand why and how she fell for Kazuto and I don't think it's strange, but if someone had to be blamed I think it was Kazuto. When they were young Kazuto never treated her like a younger sister and was very distant especially after he found out they were not real siblings. They were practically strangers until after the SAO Incident. Since she had no real sibling (brother and sister) relationship with her brother, Suguha had to make up her own idea of who or what her brother was. She created her own brother and lived to understand and care for him form a distance. On top of that she found out they weren't actually siblings, so what does she do with this ideal person (brother) she's created? She falls in love with him because she obviously cared enough to want to be closer to him even though he didn't. Later on, Kirito changed from a brother she wanted to get close to, to becoming just a person she wants to get closer to. The SAO made her realize she cared deeply for Kirito even though she truly didn't know him, she breaks down and cried for someone who she hardly knew as brother so this incident allowed her to accept the fact that she loved Kazuto. She even took up ALO in order to understand Kazuto better when he was trapped in SAo. When Kazuto got back he realizes his mistake and tires to fix his relationship with Sugua because he knows he's at fault, however their reunion was bittersweet. I think the bittersweet almost painful part about them growing closer after the SAO incident was the fact that Kirito grew (because of SAO) to live up to all of Suguha's expectations so she falls deeper for him but she learns that he's grown to also care and love someone (something he never wanted did before SAO) she struggles to accept this because she wants to be happy that her brother has changed and grown, but I guess she wanted to be the one who opens him up. Anyway I think Suguha's character is misunderstood and it's all Kirito's fault for being a bad brother and I love her for caring for her brother and Asuna. Also she's cute and I especially loved her during the final battle in underworld. (She and Asuna made me enjoy reading the battle scenes in Alicization)
Shino/Sinon :: of course Shino, I love her and Suguha because they aren't stupid fan girls like Liz and what's her face (lol I remember her name but don't care). Sinon is a beast, brave, modest and proud while Sinon is kind, patient, brave and caring. She best exemplifies the reason Kayaba wanted to create a new realilty. I loved her story and her struggle to change and get over her fear, truly inspiring stuff. I love that she's 2 different people and the best part about watching her grow was to see those two personalities or characters become one or overlap.
Bercouli :: I'm a huge (project) Alicization arc fan and Bercouli's history and character was essential to the story so learning about him sort of early on when Kirito entered underworld built up his character (for me) and finally getting to meet his character and him living up to my imagination made me love his character and the world of underworld.y
What the eff is wrong with Shinon fan always hating on Asuna? Asuna is by far the best your Shinon is too damsel in distress who had to be saved by Kirito and got rekd by every villain she encountered. Meanwhile Asuna despite being caged by trash Suguho, she did her best to rescue herself become Kirito courage and apart from that She is always a badass.
*Bill Clinton's voice* I did not have sexual relationships with that anime girl. *Hilary Clinton's voice* waifu's rights are human rights, and human rights are waifu's rights. *God Emperor Donald Trump's voice* Yaoi anime will soon be illegal. All fujos will be arrested.