From the first floor攻略 onward, he is known as the “Black Swordsman” or “Beater.” He wields dual swords (initial equipment, normally a single-handed sword). He wears a black long coat.

A boy with black hair and dark eyes. Despite his slender features, he has a nonchalant demeanor and excels in insight and logical thinking; however, when it comes to interpersonal relationships, he can also display a rather childish side for his age.

Former beta tester (β tester). He is considerate of his friends, deeply emotional, and kind-hearted (though due to certain circumstances, he is actually not good at interacting with people). Age 16. Height: 163 cm. From Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture. Real name: Kazuto Kirito.

Family
Mother: Midori
Father: Mineo
Younger sister: Leafa (Rifa)

After clearing the first floor, she gained nicknames such as “Asuna of the Flash,” “Master of Clearing,” and “Vice Leader.” She later became the vice-leader of the Blood Alliance Knights (and topped the in-game popularity rankings for female players in Sword Art Online).

At first, she was desperately trying to clear the game—driven by her mother’s expectations and the fact that it had turned into a death game. Later, in the forest on the 22nd floor, she rescued a young girl who was an AI from Aincrad named Yui, treating her almost like her own daughter.

Generally speaking, she is a person of admirable character—beautiful, intelligent, from a distinguished family, and highly accomplished. A skilled rapier wielder, she is 17 years old, 160 cm tall, and lives in Miyasaka, Setagaya Ward. Her real name is Asuna Yuuki; she is the daughter of the CEO of the major electronics manufacturer “Lect.” She is not fond of horror—especially ghostly monsters.

Second-person pronouns: you, sir/madam
Forms of address: -kun, -san

Family:
Mother: Kyoko (university professor)
Father: Shozo (CEO of the major electronics manufacturer “Lect”)
Brother: Koichiro (a kind, considerate young man who deeply cares for his sister)

Real name: Ayano Keiko. A young beast tamer. She wields daggers, and her tamed monster is the little dragon Pina.

12 years old (always speaks in honorifics because she’s younger). 140 cm tall. Like Asuna, Mito, Yuki, and Sinon, she’s very popular—almost an idol.

Real name: Rika Shinazaki. A blacksmith girl (master smith). She often takes care of maintaining Kirito and the others' weapons and equipment.

An experienced mace user. Her nickname is Liz. Cheerful and caring. 15 years old. Asuna's close friend.

Real name: Konno Momoki. A naive and straightforward tomboy, known by the alias “The Ultimate Sword.”

Age: 15. Leader of the Sleeping Knights. Later becomes Asuna’s irreplaceable best friend.

Real name: Asada Shino. A high school girl living alone. Asuna calls her “Shino-n.” She’s cool and boyish, about 160 cm tall, and around 17 years old.

In SAO, she wields a bow; in GGO, she uses the sniper rifle “Ultima Latio Hecart II” (in reality, due to certain circumstances, she has a trauma related to guns).

Known as the “Mouse Argo,” he’s an information broker in Sword Art Online (self-proclaimed: a reliable older sister).

A former beta tester. He has a suspicious appearance, wearing a full-body hooded cloak. His face bears three rat-like whiskers painted on his avatar. He has golden-brown hair and stands about 160 cm tall. He’s around 17 years old.

He refers to himself as “Oretchi” or “Oira,” and ends his sentences with “ka,” “darō,” or “~sa.”

His nicknames include “Key-bo” (for Kirito) and “Ā-chan” (for Asuna), as well as “User-bo.”

Real name: Hosaka Karīna Tomo. Like in the game, he remains a mysterious figure even in the real world.

Real name: Ryotaro Tsuboi. Leader of the Fūrin Kazan. 24 years old. Usually a goofy, easygoing guy. He’s easily swayed by beautiful women he tries to pick up, but he’s also a dependable big brother who cares deeply about his friends.

With a rugged, samurai-like appearance and wielding a sword clad in red armor, he’s a quintessential MMO warrior character. Both in real life and within the game, he’s quite fond of drinking.

Real name: Andrew Gilbert Mills. 27 years old. A high-level handaxe wielder. African American, a burly Black man, and a true Edo native (easygoing and a dependable big brother figure).

In the real world, he runs the bar-style café “Dicey Café.” He’s well-known to Kirito and trades items (in the game, he works as a merchant).