KiriSuna

KiriAsu is the het ship between Kirito and Asuna of the Sword Art Online fandom.

Canon
Kirito and Asuna encountered each other in the dungeon on the 1st Floor when Kirito found Asuna overworking herself in battle and looked out for her when she collapsed (though in the film, they encountered each other earlier when he saved her from carnivorous plant monsters). The two decided to join a party and become partners in order to beat the boss of the 1st Floor, as their mutual goal was to clear the game and survive. During the boss fight on the 1st Floor, he called Asuna by her name for the first time, noticing earlier her character name below the HP gauge. She was also one of the two people (the other being Agil) who knew the reason why Kirito branded himself a Beater.

Initially, the two did not get along due to their differences in battle strategies. However, Kirito’s influence inspires Asuna to stop expecting death and resolve to keep fighting in order to clear the game and return to the real world. They often argued, particularly when Kirito found himself in accidental compromising situations with Asuna (such as groping her when she teleported to him and rummaging through her undergarments to help look for her sword). Kirito often refrained from retorting negatively towards Asuna when she argued with him though he would yell back at her when pushed. However, as they spent time together, they developed a humorous friendship - they went out on “dates” often, rode boats together, and teased each other. After clearing the 25th Floor, Asuna left her party with Kirito to become the sub leader of the Knights of the Blood, and Kirito once again became a solo player, though they continued seeing each other in battle strategy meetings, during which they constantly fought. During a argument over how to beat the boss of the 56th Floor, Asuna was surprised that Kirito was a level above her and challenged him to a duel. While Asuna initially managed to force Kirito on the defensive with her speed and short-delay-time Sword Skills, she was tricked into leaving herself open when he feinted drawing and striking with a second sword, resulting in her defeat.

By the 59th Floor, Kirito and Asuna began spending more time together. Despite the quarrels, many of their friends notice the pair’s budding feelings for each other though the two were slow to realize them themselves. By the 74th Floor, Asuna begins cooking delicious meals for Kirito. During the battle with the boss of the 74th floor, Kirito’s HP is nearly depleted and he collapses, causing Asuna to panic and feel emotions she never felt before as she was terrified that Kirito would die. After this, she decides to take a leave from the guild to spend time with him. However after they are betrayed by Kuradeel whom Kirito kills to protect Asuna, Kirito comforts Asuna. This leads to him kissing her and confessing his love to her. He then requests that he stay the night with her, and she agrees. After dinner, she believes he wants to be intimate with her but he corrects her that he merely wanted to sleep in the same room with her. Embarrassed by the situation, Asuna shouted and attacked Kirito, though the Area effect stopped her. Once they made up, they finally did sleep together and, later that night, Kirito proposed to Asuna, which she happily accepted.

They get married and buy a house on the 22nd Floor, where they reside for two weeks as their honeymoon until being called back to the front lines. During those two weeks, Asuna reveals to Kirito and Nishida that in the beginning, she would cry due to the fact she was trapped in a death game and she would take that sadness and turn it into determination thus allowing her to level up extremely quickly. She explained to them that it was Kirito who taught her that there are people trying to experience this world for what it is and that he is the reason why she is alive and looks forward to tomorrow. Upon being summoned back to the front lines for the 75th Floor, Asuna breaks down about her fear of dying and if she and Kirito will be able to return to the real world, as her dream is to meet, date, and marry him for real. Kirito asks Asuna not to take part in the boss fight in the 75th Floor to which she replies if he did not return, she will commit suicide thus joining him in the fight saying she will protect Kirito. During the battle, as Heathcliff is about to strike Kirito, Asuna, while paralyzed, was able to jump in front of Kirito, taking the hit for him and costing her to lose her life in-game. Kirito is so overcome with grief that he overcomes his draining HP and defeats Healthcliff, thus clearing the game. As the Aincrad collapses, Kirito and Asuna meet and reveal their true names and ages. Both begin to cry as they believe they are about to die for real and profess their love to each other before disappearing.

As they did not die in the real world, Kirito is shocked that Asuna has not awaken like he did. He finds she is in the hospital and he visits her in the hospital every day. He is shocked that her family has arranged for her to marry Sugou whom Asuna despises. Upon learning Suguo captured and diverted Asuna to ALfheim Online (ALO), Kirito dives into the game to rescue her. Suguo tries to manipulate Asuna into believing Kirito will be killed in his attempt to save her but Asuna has complete faith in Kirito and is overjoyed when he finally reunited with her. Suguo then attacks them - bounding and assaulting Asuna right in front of a paralyzed Kirito, who angrily vows to kill Suguo. After fulfilling this vow, Kirito frees Asuna and returns to the real world to rush to the hospital to finally meet her in person. They embrace, introduce themselves to each other and share a deep kiss. Kirito catches a glimpse of his and Asuna’s avatars walking hand-in-hand to symbolize the end of SAO.

The two enter into a relationship and attend school together, and become famous for their extremely close relationship. Because of what happened in SAO and ALO, Kirito takes a secret mission in solving a murder mystery regarding Gun Gale Online (GGO) and he did not tell Asuna that there was a risk of him dying and took part in the mission in secret since he did not want to risk her safety. Asuna eventually found out the details on her own and rushes to Kirito side, holding his hand as he is fighting in GGO. Once he came out of the game, he said that it was her warmth that gave him the strength to win.

They are shown to still have a happy relationship even a year and a half after the SAO incident. While watching the stars in ALO, they promise to watch a meteor shower in the real world and he says he will give her a real ring. When Asuna begins losing memories of SAO after playing Ordinal Scale, Kirito becomes worried. He visits her at her house and comes across her diary, which details the effect her memory loss is having on her. He embraces her, causing them to fall on her bed and he kisses her as he vows to recover her memories. Once the final battle is over, Kirito and Asuna fulfill their promise to watch a meteor shower and Kirito gives her a promise ring. Even though Kirito has decided to go to school in America for the summer to pursue his mechatronics career, he asks Asuna to accompany him overseas, as he could not live without her, even if it was a very selfish desire. Asuna replies that her answer to that question was decided a long time ago. He saves her when they are ambushed by Johnny Black though Kirito is drugged and diverted to The Underworld. Asuna stays by his side as he is hospitalized and, when he is secretly taken to Turtle Island, Asuna tracks him down, as she refuses to leave Kirito’s side and decides to dive into The Underworld to help him.

In the Underworld, Kirito still retains his memories and feelings for Asuna, but is unable to remember anything after the time he asked her to come to America with him. Upon realizing that he was trapped in the world, he was torn between finding a quick way to escape so that he could reunite with her and playing out his role in this new world. After defeating the Administrator, Kirito’s fluctlight is damaged, leaving him in a near vegetative state though before he collapses, he imagines Asuna coming to save him. Asuna learns of Kirito’s state and dives into the Underworld to save him. Upon reuniting, both shed tears of joy and she embraces him as she promises to support him. Alice, who also has feelings for Kirito, is hostile towards Asuna, who is equally jealous of Alice.

During the battle with Vassago, Asuna is nearly killed before Kirito awakens and saves her, much to Asuna’s joy. After defeating Vassago, Kirito and Asuna embrace before deciding to go and help Alice. Kirito stays behind to fight Gabriel while Asuna goes with Alice to help her go to the real world. Despite Alice’s concern, Asuna trusts Kirito. Once the battle is over, Asuna decides to stay in the Underworld with Kirito. They live in the Underworld for 200 years (a few days in the real world) and become the Star King and Queen of the Underworld before they finally awaken.

Quotes
"No matter what, my heart will be forever yours, and I will fight until the day I see you again."

- Kirito to Asuna

"Im not going to die because I will be the one to protect you."

- Asuna to Kirito

"Its not being live that makes me happy. It’s being in love with you that makes me happy."

- Asuna to Kirito

"I wouldn’t know what to do if you died."

- Asuna to Kirito

"My life belongs to you. I’ll stay with you until the end."

- Kirito to Asuna

"You know if you married someone that means you love every side of your significant other that you know already. So if you see a new side after love, doesn’t that mean you’ll love your partner even more."

- Kirito to Asuna

"Long ago, in a big castle floating in the clouds, a boy who dreamed of being a warrior and a girl who loved to cook met and fell in love. Those two are gone, but after a long, long journey, their hearts met again."

- Line from SAO Light Novel #4

Fanon
The Sword Art Online fandom is notorious for its many ships, as majority of the female characters have or are implied to have feelings for Kirito. Though KiriAsu are an official couple, this ship has clashed with several fanon ships, such as with Alice, with Suguha, with Sinon, and even with Eugeo.

KiriAsu is the most popular ship of SAO, as they are the main characters and are in a confirmed serious relationship. It has the most fanfictions and fan arts of the fandom.

Fandom
PIXIV

WIKIS
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Trivia

 * Kirito is a year younger than Asuna.
 * Kirito is the reason Asuna took a liking to in-game cooking, as he taught her that she can enjoy life in SAO, including the taste of food.
 * According to Asuna, she used to have nightmares about dying but whenever she is with Kirito, she doesn’t have them and she sleeps better next to him.
 * Despite his teasing of her, Kirito is afraid of Asuna’s temper.
 * The promise ring Kirito gives Asuna is very similar to the gemstone he found in ALO.
 * The license number on Kirito’s motorcycle is Asuna’s birthday.
 * Reki Kawahara wrote a non-canon Chapter 16.5 of the light novels, which is a detailed sex scene between the pair. This chapter has become notorious among the fandom although Reki has stated it is not canon.
 * The side series Sugary Days explores Kirito and Asuna’s honeymoon days, including many sexual encounters between them.

Variations

 * KiriAsuYui — the familyship between Kirito, Asuna, and Yui