Sword Art Online features several formidable characters. Who among them is the strongest?
The light novel adaptation of the anime series Sword Art Online (SAO) quickly became a fan favorite. The series has progressed from the NerveGear death game „Sword Art Online“ to the Augma augmented reality game „Ordinal Scale.“ From the first season onwards, and especially in the film adaptation, viewers see the characters put through their paces in a number of different gaming worlds. Characters with varying strengths and abilities have emerged from its many gaming settings.
Virtual reality massively multiplayer online games mix fiction and reality. This allows for the portrayal of a wide range of personalities, each with their own set of talents and expertise. Each character in the Sword Art Online series has its own unique set of strengths and weaknesses, and these disparities are reflected in their respective degrees of ability.
Updated September 3, 2024 by Oluwatokiloba Folami: The Sword Art Online anime series is well known for its portrayal of epic battles and powerful characters. From the protagonists, Kirito, the black swordsman, who manages to overcome any obstacle and adversary with sheer skill and tenacity, to Asura, who’s well known for her lightning-quick sword attacks, these characters have shown immense skill and frightening attacks.
However, the protagonists in the Sword Art Online anime series aren’t the only characters who are well-versed in fighting in VRMMORPGs. Whether it be supporting characters like Yui to more morally gray characters like Bercouli, these characters have shown that when it’s time to go all out, they are a force to be reckoned with. 15 Yui
First Appearance: Episode 11
Yui was initially created to help with the mental health of Sword Art Online players due to it being the first VRMMORPG. However, with Sword Art Online turning into a death game, Yui was blocked from performing her duties as players were left to either succumb to various mental stresses in-game or overcome them. Due to various malfunctions, Yui took the form of a little girl and forgot her primary purpose. Eventually, Kirito and Asuna adopted her.
As an entity tied to the core programming of the game, Yui possesses Game Master rights and is no different from Administrator, only that she doesn’t seek to control everyone and everything. What makes Yui particularly powerful is that she’s not bound by in-game rules and operates outside it. 14 Bercouli
First Appearance: Alicization Episode 01
The leader of the Integrity Knights, Bercouli Synthesis One is known as the oldest Integrity Knight and remains one of the very strongest. As a knight, Bercouli has lived for a very long time but had his memories sealed, making him forget most of his past. However, in Rulid village, the legend about Bercouli facing a white dragon persists.
In terms of abilities, Bercouli uses the Time Piercing Sword, and with it, can slash both the future and the past. His attentiveness, mastery, composure, and pure physical ability make him a true master. With his ability to slash even outside of time, affecting cause and effect, Bercouli has proven his strength. 13 Leafa
First Appearance: Episode 1
The famous Kirigaya Kazuto, known more popularly as the Black Swordsman, has a cousin who was raised as his sister. After Kirito’s encounter with Sword Art Online, Kirigaya Suguha decided to join in on VRMMORPG games. Whether dexterity and skill run in their family’s genes or Leafa is simply just as much of a prodigy as Kirito, the female warrior has proven herself.
As a Sylph warrior, Leafa is well-versed in the wind attribute and uses it beautifully. While her sword skills are top-notch, her tenacity and regeneration abilities, as shown while using the Terraria account during the War of Underworld astounded many. 12 Oberon
First Appearance: Episode 15
Unlike many other Sword Art Online characters, Sugou Nobuyuki didn’t possess incredible skill or tenacity but still had incredible power, all thanks to him running the account of Fairy King Oberon as the creator of Alfheim Online. With the Fairy King and administrator abilities, Oberon could do whatever he wanted.
Unfortunately for the Fairy King, Kirito could also access administrator privileges thanks to Kayaba Akihiko’s legacy and Yui, leveling the playing field.
