Volume 1, Chapter 5 Progressive Volume 1, Aria of a Starless Night, Part 1 (Chronological) Aincrad Manga Stage.001 Progressive Manga Chapter 001 (Chronological) Episode 01 (Cameo) Episode 02 (Actual) Asuna Yuuki (結城 明日奈, Yūki Asuna) is a fictional character who appears in the Sword Art Online series of light novels by Reki Kawahara.

Additionally, Asuna has featured in numerous official Sword Art Online merchandise, 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.

[3] In an interview with Haruka Tomatsu, Asuna's voice actor, she said that "rather than having something similar to her, I feel that to me, she is the ideal person that I would want to become.

Upon being released, she creates two avatars for Alfheim, Asuna (the Undine Healer) and Erika (and the Sylph battle character), and went on to continue living together with Kirito.

When the Dark Territory began their attack, Asuna logged into the Underworld under the super account, the Goddess of Creation, Stacia.

In the real world she’s the heiress to a rich and distinguished family full of CEOs and politicians and is thus expected to go to the best schools, get the best grades, get a highly respected job, and marry an influential high-society man — her whole life has been planned out for her since birth.

There is no room in the plan for spending time in an online game with her friends, going to a non-top tier school, or loving a normal boy.

"[9] Eisenbeis further complained that "in the first arc of Sword Art Online, Asuna was a strong fighter and one of the leaders who thousands depended on to get them through the death game alive.

"[10] Responding to this criticism, Karen Mead of Japanator.com disagreed, writing that "in Asuna's case, her actions are instrumental to her own rescue; if she hadn't broken out of her cell and gone exploring late in the show, Kirito wouldn't have gotten the card he needed to get to where she was and rescue her", thus invalidating her role as a damsel in distress technically, though the criticism itself was still seen as valid.

[11] Nevertheless, Eisenbeis praised the fourth arc of Sword Art Online as it focuses primarily on Asuna's point of view – an "excellent choice" in his opinion, as it "allows Asuna, who suddenly went from strong female lead to weak damsel in distress in the series’ second arc, to once again come into her own and develop as a character."

[13] A third Charapedia poll, which asked fans to list their favourite "cool" women in anime, had Asuna placed second with 525 votes.

[16] Yet in another Charapedia poll, "Asuna" was first on a list of the "top 20 anime characters Japanese fans would name their children after"; "Kazuto" (Kirito) placed fourth.

[17] A Chinese website, Bilibili, took a reader poll to find the most "moe" characters of 2015; Asuna winning the female third place and Kirito listed in the male top 8.

[18] Asuna and Kirito were awarded first and second respectively in a character poll by Dengeki Bunko (the publisher of Sword Art Online) for their light novels.

[19] Additionally, Asuna scored first place in a Tokyo Otaku Mode survey where users polled which anime characters they most want to date, where 2,845 respondents from 100 countries participated.

"[25] Italian restaurant La Ricetta in Zama, Kanagawa features pancakes prepared with anime and video game character art, including Kirito and Asuna.

[26] The character has received positive critical reception, and her popularity has led to her being featured in several promotional efforts or merchandise of the series.

[31] Sword Art Online girls (including Asuna) feature in a merchandise lottery by Bandai, with Anime News Network humorously noting that "the girls of Sword Art Online have brought in a pretty penny for the franchise's creators, whether the characters are lounging under parasols or starring in their own manga spin-off.