Asuna (Sword Art Online)
fictional character from Sword Art Online
Asuna Yuuki (Japanese: 結城 明日奈, Hepburn: Yūki Asuna) is a fictional character in the Sword Art Online series of light novels by Reki Kawahara. She is mononymously more commonly known as simply Asuna (アスナ), her player name in the eponymous video game, which the novels are set in. Asuna appears as the lover of Kirito; as well as the female protagonist, and is in the sub-leader of the Knights of the Blood (血盟騎士団, Ketsumei Kishidan; lit. 'Knights of the Blood Oath') guild, notable for being the strongest guild in Aincrad. She is also depicted as having earned a reputation as a skilled player in-game, giving her the nickname Flash (閃光, Senkō), which, coupled with her physical attractiveness, have made her well-known and sought after by other players.
Both Asuna and Kirito have become popular characters in anime and manga fandom, frequently appearing on lists of the most popular anime characters. Additionally, Asuna has featured in numerous official Sword Art Online merchandise, and has been the subject of mixed to mostly positive critical reception, with focus on her relationship with Kirito, attractiveness, and role in the series.
Creation and conception
In an interview with series creator Reki Kawahara, the author noted that the female characters in Sword Art Online were not based on anyone he knew in the real world, with him stating "I don't usually make a character, setting, or anything before I start writing. As I write the story, the girls become what they are now. So, somehow, I don't know exactly, but somehow, my subliminal idea or some hidden emotion creates the characters to be strong and capable." Kawahara also added that he wrote the series to demonstrate that he views online gaming not as a social ill or escape from real life, and thus decided to show games in a more positive light in his light novels. In another interview with Anime News Network, interviewer Lynzee Loveridge noted that Asuna is a "very strong, capable female character", likening her to Genji's mother in The Tale of Genji, to which Kawahara agreed.
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