Sword Art Online Enthusiasts Commemorate the Series’ Most Iconic Date

Today, November 7, 2024, marks a significant date for the Sword Art Online franchise, even though no major announcements have been made. This day is commemorated as the moment when the heroes of the series, Kirigaya “Kirito”Kazuto and Yuuki Asuna, officially cleared the titular game, setting the stage for the events that unfolded in Season 1.

According to the lore of the Sword Art Online anime, this monumental achievement took place at precisely 2:55 PM Japan Standard Time (JST), which translates to 12:55 AM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The franchise’s official social media platforms have been buzzing with celebratory posts, expressing gratitude to the series and highlighting its impact on fans’ lives over the years.

Commemorating Kirito’s Triumph in Sword Art Online

The official X (formerly Twitter) accounts of the Sword Art Online series have been actively acknowledging Kirito’s commendable feat. Along with announcing the time he cleared the game, they shared exclusive illustrations depicting Kirito and Asuna celebrating their hard-earned victory—fostering a sense of community and nostalgia among fans.

Additionally, the Dengeki Bunko’s X account contributed to the celebration with a creatively staged “breaking news”clip, complete with graphics and an ongoing ticker. This broadcast also mentioned the storyline detail that around six thousand players trapped in the virtual game awakened as a result of Kirito and Asuna’s triumph. Viewers were informed that more celebratory content is expected to follow.

Meanwhile, Dengeki Bunko’s official YouTube channel released a recap video featuring chibi-style representations of Asuna and Kirito. The characters narrate key moments from the series, accompanied by nostalgic footage from the first season.

As part of the tribute, the Dengeki Bunko imprint also distributed paper handouts styled as newspaper extras at Animate Ikebukuro. Although the distribution has concluded, there are indications that additional copies will be made available at other bookstores in the future. A PDF version has also been linked by the PR Times. For those interested in commemorative items, Aniplex’s online shop is promoting special merchandise until November 24, 2024.

English and Japanese fans alike are taking to social media to celebrate their love for the franchise. Many express their enthusiasm for rewatching the series, while others share their speculations regarding future developments:

“I’m watching every SAO anime,” a fan expressed in response to the celebrations.

“Peak anime,” wrote another.

“Sword Art Online could have the best open-world MMO—Guild systems, raids, dungeons, PvP, 100 floors. I’ve always said it: One Piece and SAO could develop some of the greatest games,” argued a third fan.

Overall, today serves as a perfect reminder of the dedicated community surrounding Sword Art Online. Fans are not only able to reflect on what has been created but also eagerly anticipate what lies ahead for this beloved series.

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