Last time, we summarized up to episode 23. Kirito finally reaches the World Tree. Will he be able to rescue Asuna? There are many highlights, including the battle scene with Sugo (Oberon), so be sure to stay tuned until the end!
【Episode 24】The Gilded Hero
Reunion
With the help of Leafa and the others, Kirito overcomes the Grand Quest, reaches the summit of the World Tree, and finally reunites with Asuna. Asuna seems to have no doubt that Kirito will help her. Kirito then vows to take Asuna and Yui home with him.
System Console
Kirito immediately attempts to return Asuna to the real world, but Yui tells him that Asuna's status is bound by a complex code, and that a System Console is required to log her out. Asuna says she saw something similar in Lovetory. Then Oberon appears.
The Power of Oberon
Kirito is immobilized by Oberon's gravity magic. Oberon, also known as Sugo, proudly talks about his research. He claims he's close to mastering the divine ability of directly controlling people's souls. Asuna says, "What you have done will never be forgiven," so he hangs her in chains and humiliates her. When Kirito tries to stop him, he stabs him with his sword. He then lowers the level of his pain relief device. Kirito: Helpless
Akihiko Kayaba
Kirito believed himself to be the strongest in the game world and thought he could save Asuna, but he was unable to do anything and regretted himself. Then he heard a voice. "Are you going to run away? Or will you succumb to the power of the system you once denied? Stand up, Kirito," said Akihiko Kayaba.
Transfer of Administrator Privileges
System login. Kirito chants "ID Heathcliff," and stands up, using Heathcliff's ID to change the administrator privileges and make ID Oberon level 1. When Oberon rants that there is no way there could be an ID higher than his own, Kirito calls Oberon a thief, saying that he has stolen the throne of the world created by Kayaba Akihiko.
Duel
Kirito summons his most powerful weapon and hands it over to Oberon.
He then uses a system command to reduce the Pain Absorber's level to 0. He provokes Oberon, trying to disprove his belief that he has become the strongest by simply stealing something created by another human.
Conclusion
Oberon is completely powerless. He cries out in pain, receiving a small cut on his cheek.
Kirito tells Oberon that the pain is nothing compared to Asuna's suffering. Then Kirito cuts him down and Oberon disappears.
Asuna's Hero
Asuna calls Kirito a hero for saving her, but he denies it and declares that he will continue to work hard to make her believe him. He then returns to the real world and promises to come to her hospital room immediately to pick her up.
Compensation
Asuna logged out. Kirito called out to Akihiko Kayaba, who should not be there, because he had not logged out. Kayaba said that his presence was an afterimage of his consciousness. In return for his help, Kayaba entrusts Kirito with "The Seed," the seed of the world, and commands him to keep it.
Return to the Real World
After returning to the real world, Kazuto tells Suguha that everything is over. He also says that he couldn't have done anything without Suguha...
Suguha also says that she's happy to have been of help to Kirito in his world. Kirito then heads to Asuna's hospital room.
【Final Episode】Seed of the World
Sugou in the Real World
Returning to the real world, Kazuto makes his way through the snow to the hospital where Asuna is. Sugou is waiting at the hospital entrance and stabs him with a knife. Kazuto tells Sugou to face justice, but Sugou denies it, saying there are countless companies that want his help and that he will continue his research and become the king of this world. He then declares that he will kill Kazuto first.
To Asuna...
Despite his injuries, Kazuto retrieves Sugo's blade and holds it to his throat, but then throws it away. He then heads to Asuna's hospital room. There, Asuna has regained consciousness.
They then introduced themselves using their real names and shared a kiss.
Commuting
May 2025. Kazuto and Asuna were attending a school for SAO victims. Asuna was finally able to walk without crutches.
The two spent a peaceful time together, eating lunch.
What happened to Sugo afterwards?
That snowy day, Sugo was arrested in the hospital parking lot. Immediately after his arrest, Sugo denied any involvement in the incident and tried to put all the blame on Kayaba Akihiko, but as soon as one of his subordinates was brought in as a key witness, he readily confessed to everything.
Victims of Human Experimentation
Fortunately, none of the 300 missing survivors remembered the human experimentation. None suffered brain or mental abnormalities, and all are expected to be able to reintegrate into society.
They are reportedly attending the same school as the Kazutos.
After the incident at ALO's operator, Rekt...
The virtual MMO genre suffered irreparable damage from this incident. Rekt Progress was ultimately dissolved, and Rekt's headquarters suffered considerable damage. Naturally, ALO was forced to cease operations, and it was said that the other 5.6 virtual MMO titles being developed would also likely be canceled.
Akihiko Kayaba
Kayaba was dead. Apparently, he committed suicide. He apparently performed a high-power scan on his own brain at the same time as the SAO world collapsed. Copying one's consciousness onto the internet. He'd heard the success rate was less than one in a thousand. But since he'd definitely conversed with Kayaba's consciousness that time, Kirito was certain it had been successful.
Offline Meetup
He held an offline meetup at Egil's shop. The SAO members were there.
Congratulations to Kazuto for completing SAO! They cheered with joy and praise.
The Mystery of the Seed
After rescuing Asuna, Kirito took the Seed of the World entrusted to him by Kayaba to Egil and asked him to analyze it. As a result, it was discovered that the Seed of the World was a program package called The Seed, a full-dive virtual MMO environment developed by Kayaba.
The Role of The Seed
Anyone can create a world online by downloading The Seed from a server with a reasonably strong internet connection. Kirito asked Agil to upload The Seed to servers around the world so that everyone could use it. This brought the virtual MMO, which had been doomed, back to life.
The Future of Games
Alfheim Online's data has been completely transferred to a new operating company. Alfheim wasn't the only new world to be born. Hundreds of operators, from small businesses to individuals, came forward and launched virtual game servers one after another. These servers are now interconnected, and a system is now in place that allows characters created in one virtual game to be transferred to other game worlds.
Have your after-party in the game world!
Even though ALO's management company has changed and SAO avatars are now available, Leafa asks why she didn't return to her original form like the others. Kirito explains that her role as her original form has ended, and takes Leafa to join the others.
Aincrad
The floating castle Aincrad appears in the world of ALO. Kirito declares to Leafa that he will finally clear the 100th floor. However, he has become weaker since resetting, so he asks Leafa for help. This was a thoughtful comment, as Leafa wasn't in SAO, so she wanted to feel free to play along.
Fairy Dance Arc Impressions
Above all, Asuna's presence as the main heroine really stood out! Now that they've reunited with Yui, we can look forward to seeing more of these three in the future! And while it was unsettling to learn about her relationship with her sister Suguha, we can look forward to seeing her continue to play an active role as Kirito's "comrade" both as Leafa and as his sister.
Summary
The Aincrad Arc is about "meetings and partings." The Fairy Dance Arc seems to be about "relationships"! (This is purely my personal opinion.)
It's rare to find an anime that combines great characters, a great story, and great songs!
The next story, "Phantom Bullet," is also very interesting, so be sure to check it out!
