Sword Art Online Episode 23: Bonds
Manga volume 45-46
Canon/HIGH
OSHIMETER
8.0
58 Fans
5
4
3
2
1
PacingVisualWritingEmo ImpactSoundtrack
OSHIMETER
8.0
58 Fans
5
4
3
2
1
PacingVisualWritingEmo ImpactSoundtrack
QUICK TAKES
itsmemaku
VerifiedObviously Kirito tried the quest again, this time with Recon and Leafa helping out. For me, the MVP of that fight was Recon, ahaha, just kidding. What a clutch entrance from Sylphs and Cait Siths race. And as for the action sequence, it was epic, I loved it.
kuroneko_42
The way those silver knights just kept spawning was so overwhelming and it actually looked like Kirito was going to lose for a second
kanarazu_kami_72
Sakuya and Alicia showed up at the perfect time to save the day and it felt a little too convenient for the plot to just work out like that
guts_the_swordsman_189
My heart really broke for Suguha during that opening scene because she was just so devastated by the truth about Kirito and Leafa
kirishima_red_riot
Recon blowing himself up felt a bit random and the hole he made closed up almost immediately so it did not even matter much in the end
ungaikyo_usurper_57
I still feel weird about the romance plot with Suguha, but the way they handled the confrontation in the hallway felt grounded. Kirito admitting he used games to run away from his family explains so much about his solo player attitude from the start. Seeing the Sylphs and Salamanders join the raid was cool even if it was a bit predictable.
zettai_zetsumei_20
I finally got to see Kirito dual wield again and it was such a great callback to the Aincrad days when he was fighting those guardians
robin_reader
My chest ached watching Suguha in that hallway; it was such a raw, quiet moment before Kirito just *had* to log back into Alfheim, and I just hoped she'd be okay. Then, when all those players showed up to back him up at the World Tree, I let out a breath I didn't even realize I was holding—finally, some real camaraderie to help him save Asuna.
amaterasu_angel
I was kinda disappointed that Kirito only made it because of Asuna's admin card; after watching him fight those endless silver knights for so long, I really thought he'd pull off something more epic on his own. It just felt like a bit of a cop-out after all that struggle.
lordgenome
I honestly couldn't wrap my head around Recon blowing himself up right there; didn't he realize he'd just respawn, and it wasn't even gonna keep that gate open for Kirito anyway? It felt like such a desperate, almost pointless sacrifice, and it just made me wonder what he was really thinking in that split second, even if it didn't change anything in the end.
nianzol_nihility
OMG, when Kirito finally pulled out both swords again, I totally gasped! It's been ages since I've seen him go all out like that, and honestly, the sheer awesomeness of that final charge and how smoothly he moved made every single grueling step up the World Tree worth it for me.
professor_juniper
Suguha's quick turnaround to help Kirito, despite the super uncomfortable hallway moment, caught me off guard, but honestly, I'm just incredibly relieved to see them finally talk things out. I was worried that awkwardness would completely shut her down, so it's good to know she's prioritizing him over her own embarrassment.
may
It was such a relief when Asuna managed to drop that admin card, I mean, even while she was totally trapped, she found a way to help herself and Kirito, which just makes me think about how resilient she always was, even before all this. It really highlighted that she's always been a fighter at heart, not just someone waiting to be rescued.
waterblight_ganon_299
I seriously cracked up when Recon tried to confess to Leafa right before the raid, like, dude, read the room! I get why Leafa just blew him off though; she was totally focused on the mission and that's just how she is when things get serious.
rei_hino_373
When Leafa tossed her sword to Kirito, I actually felt my heart swell, because it wasn't just about giving him a weapon; it felt like her truly letting go of her own feelings and choosing to stand by her brother and Asuna, which is such a huge deal for her after everything.
cyprine
When they finally explained that Kirito found out his parents weren't his real ones when he was ten, it totally clicked for me why he's always been so isolated; no wonder he clings to the virtual world, it's probably the only place he felt like he truly belonged after that kind of revelation.
kageromaru
I mean, learning about Kirito's past totally made sense for why he's so introverted, but I was kind of bummed that his and Suguha's reconciliation felt so rushed after everything. Still, that fight at the World Tree was awesome, and my jaw dropped when they revealed the developers locked the gate and he needed Asuna's card.
reiner_ronin
I was so tense watching Kirito get cornered, but then the Sylph and Salamander armies swooped in right when he was about to get obliterated, and honestly, I let out such a sigh of relief. It felt incredibly lucky for him that they arrived at that exact moment.
gohan_glory
After that hallway talk, I truly thought Suguha might distance herself, but seeing her still help Kirito just showed me her incredible strength. She completely pushed aside her own hurt to be there for him, and that big sister energy she radiated felt so genuine and comforting to me.
buruburu_blade
When Kirito pulled out that second sword, I actually gasped a little, it was such a throwback to Aincrad and seeing him fight like that again made me realize how much I missed that raw power from him.
EPISODE CONTEXT
Positioned as the penultimate setup episode at 23 of 25, 'Bonds' follows the intense trials of 'Grand Quest' and channels that momentum into crucial character reconciliation between Kirito and Leafa. This episode serves as the emotional foundation for the climactic push in 'Gilded Hero,' transitioning the narrative from personal stakes to the final confrontation. It's the last breath before the endgame, making it essential viewing for anyone invested in how these character dynamics resolve.
QUICK TAKES
itsmemaku
VerifiedObviously Kirito tried the quest again, this time with Recon and Leafa helping out. For me, the MVP of that fight was Recon, ahaha, just kidding. What a clutch entrance from Sylphs and Cait Siths race. And as for the action sequence, it was epic, I loved it.
kuroneko_42
The way those silver knights just kept spawning was so overwhelming and it actually looked like Kirito was going to lose for a second
kanarazu_kami_72
Sakuya and Alicia showed up at the perfect time to save the day and it felt a little too convenient for the plot to just work out like that
guts_the_swordsman_189
My heart really broke for Suguha during that opening scene because she was just so devastated by the truth about Kirito and Leafa
kirishima_red_riot
Recon blowing himself up felt a bit random and the hole he made closed up almost immediately so it did not even matter much in the end
ungaikyo_usurper_57
I still feel weird about the romance plot with Suguha, but the way they handled the confrontation in the hallway felt grounded. Kirito admitting he used games to run away from his family explains so much about his solo player attitude from the start. Seeing the Sylphs and Salamanders join the raid was cool even if it was a bit predictable.
zettai_zetsumei_20
I finally got to see Kirito dual wield again and it was such a great callback to the Aincrad days when he was fighting those guardians
robin_reader
My chest ached watching Suguha in that hallway; it was such a raw, quiet moment before Kirito just *had* to log back into Alfheim, and I just hoped she'd be okay. Then, when all those players showed up to back him up at the World Tree, I let out a breath I didn't even realize I was holding—finally, some real camaraderie to help him save Asuna.
amaterasu_angel
I was kinda disappointed that Kirito only made it because of Asuna's admin card; after watching him fight those endless silver knights for so long, I really thought he'd pull off something more epic on his own. It just felt like a bit of a cop-out after all that struggle.
lordgenome
I honestly couldn't wrap my head around Recon blowing himself up right there; didn't he realize he'd just respawn, and it wasn't even gonna keep that gate open for Kirito anyway? It felt like such a desperate, almost pointless sacrifice, and it just made me wonder what he was really thinking in that split second, even if it didn't change anything in the end.
nianzol_nihility
OMG, when Kirito finally pulled out both swords again, I totally gasped! It's been ages since I've seen him go all out like that, and honestly, the sheer awesomeness of that final charge and how smoothly he moved made every single grueling step up the World Tree worth it for me.
professor_juniper
Suguha's quick turnaround to help Kirito, despite the super uncomfortable hallway moment, caught me off guard, but honestly, I'm just incredibly relieved to see them finally talk things out. I was worried that awkwardness would completely shut her down, so it's good to know she's prioritizing him over her own embarrassment.
may
It was such a relief when Asuna managed to drop that admin card, I mean, even while she was totally trapped, she found a way to help herself and Kirito, which just makes me think about how resilient she always was, even before all this. It really highlighted that she's always been a fighter at heart, not just someone waiting to be rescued.
waterblight_ganon_299
I seriously cracked up when Recon tried to confess to Leafa right before the raid, like, dude, read the room! I get why Leafa just blew him off though; she was totally focused on the mission and that's just how she is when things get serious.
rei_hino_373
When Leafa tossed her sword to Kirito, I actually felt my heart swell, because it wasn't just about giving him a weapon; it felt like her truly letting go of her own feelings and choosing to stand by her brother and Asuna, which is such a huge deal for her after everything.
cyprine
When they finally explained that Kirito found out his parents weren't his real ones when he was ten, it totally clicked for me why he's always been so isolated; no wonder he clings to the virtual world, it's probably the only place he felt like he truly belonged after that kind of revelation.
kageromaru
I mean, learning about Kirito's past totally made sense for why he's so introverted, but I was kind of bummed that his and Suguha's reconciliation felt so rushed after everything. Still, that fight at the World Tree was awesome, and my jaw dropped when they revealed the developers locked the gate and he needed Asuna's card.
reiner_ronin
I was so tense watching Kirito get cornered, but then the Sylph and Salamander armies swooped in right when he was about to get obliterated, and honestly, I let out such a sigh of relief. It felt incredibly lucky for him that they arrived at that exact moment.
gohan_glory
After that hallway talk, I truly thought Suguha might distance herself, but seeing her still help Kirito just showed me her incredible strength. She completely pushed aside her own hurt to be there for him, and that big sister energy she radiated felt so genuine and comforting to me.
buruburu_blade
When Kirito pulled out that second sword, I actually gasped a little, it was such a throwback to Aincrad and seeing him fight like that again made me realize how much I missed that raw power from him.
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