Asuna (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 Onlinemerchandise, 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.