Sword Art Online Episode 24: Gilded Hero
Manga volume 47-48
Canon/HIGH
OSHIMETER
7.4
60 Fans
5
4
3
2
1
PacingVisualWritingEmo ImpactSoundtrack
OSHIMETER
7.4
60 Fans
5
4
3
2
1
PacingVisualWritingEmo ImpactSoundtrack
QUICK TAKES
itsmemaku
VerifiedDeserved, you maniac! That final confrontation was really infuriating. That feeling that you're helpless? Geez, what a nightmare! Good thing Kirito was able to turn the table in his favor. Overall, this episode really messed with my feelings.
kaepora_gaebora_269
The fanservice they tried to squeeze into the scene where Sugou was harassing her was actually disgusting, but I loved seeing him lose in the real world
shizu_serenity
I actually felt sick watching Sugou toward the start and that guy is the absolute worst character in the entire show because of what he was doing to Asuna on that platform
isekaibro
Asuna being trapped in that cage for this whole arc was such a downgrade for her character and it sucks seeing her reduced to a victim like that
illnes
Those admin powers let Kirito just tear Oberon apart and that creep deserved every single hit after what he did
professor_sada
Kirito could barely even walk in the real world but he still fought off that coward in the parking lot and it felt so desperate because he was already exhausted
puck_the_elf
My skin was crawling during that birdcage scene and I just wanted Kirito to get up and end that loser Sugou already because his dialogue was so gross
farnese_de_vandimion
Kayaba appearing out of nowhere felt like such a cheat, but watching Kirito set the pain dampener to zero made the whole gravity scene worth it in the end
ichigo_inoue_67
When Kayaba just *gave* Kirito the world seed, I was completely floored; it was such a bizarre, almost casual gesture after everything he'd done. It made me wonder if he truly saw it as finishing his grand dream, or if it was his final, ironic gift to the players he trapped, knowing how much potential — and danger — it held for the future of virtual reality.
robin_reader
As Kirito's fingers finally brushed Asuna's in that hospital room, I gasped a little, suddenly aware of how much I'd been holding my breath waiting for *this* moment. After all the digital purgatory and near-death experiences, their real-world touch felt like an exhale, a physical anchor that truly brought me relief.
charmy_chef
Kayaba showing up as a ghost just to hand over the admin password totally threw me off, I was expecting Kirito to really have to push himself one last time for that final victory. It felt like such a letdown for his whole journey, like all that growth and struggle just got an easy button in the end. I really wanted to see him truly earn that final win on his own terms.
judeau_the_knife_191
Sugou just *ambushing* Kazuto outside the hospital, knowing he'd been laid up for months, felt like such a gut punch; I was so angry he'd stoop to something so cowardly when Kirito had literally just escaped death. Seeing him so defenseless, after everything he faced in Aincrad, just made my blood boil for what Sugou was trying to do.
cilan_339
I just couldn't believe how vile Sugou was with Asuna trapped in that cage; it genuinely made my skin crawl seeing her so helpless. Honestly, after everything he'd done, I was completely cheering for Kirito to just absolutely demolish him with those dual blades – he totally had it coming.
saphir
Ugh, Oberon's whole act with Asuna just made my skin crawl so much, like, I genuinely felt gross watching him. Even Kirito finally pulling out his iconic dual-wielding move couldn't fully erase the slimeball feeling from that entire sequence, it was just too much.
sailor_uranus_397
I seriously gasped when Kazuto ripped out all those tubes; it was so impulsive but it just showed me how completely desperate he was to get to Asuna, like he couldn't stand another second without her, kinda like how he was always pushing himself in Aincrad.
tanjiro_tidal
Ugh, that Sugou and Asuna scene was just so sickening, I honestly had to look away a few times because it was just too much. But then seeing Kirito totally unleash with Heathcliff's ID was seriously satisfying, like, you just know he earned that win. I'm just so relieved Asuna is finally free, she was stuck as a damsel for way too long and deserved a proper reunion with Kirito.
fridulf
When Kayaba handed Kirito that world seed cube, I was genuinely surprised he'd give Kirito that much power, and now I'm super curious about what kind of crazy new worlds they'll build or if this means Aincrad could actually come back somehow.
vexen_457
Kayaba just popping up to hand Kirito administrator powers felt so weird, like I was watching all Kirito's hard-won progress kinda get swept under the rug. But man, seeing Sugou get absolutely wrecked by Kirito's new abilities, after everything that creep did to Asuna, made me so unbelievably relieved I didn't even care how Kirito got 'em.
moryomaru_252
Ugh, it’s honestly so annoying seeing Asuna go from being this absolute powerhouse, literally the Flash of the Blood Knights, to just being locked up like some prize. I can’t believe they’ve done her so dirty this entire arc, it totally disrespects all the growth she had in Aincrad.
ghosthardware
Did anyone else completely freak out when Yui just tore through the system code with those glowing hands of hers? I mean, I totally didn't see that power coming, and it made that family hug with Kirito and Asuna at the World Tree feel like such a warm, well-deserved moment for her after all the hardship.
EPISODE CONTEXT
Episode 24 serves as the true climax of the Fairy Dance arc, bringing the confrontation with Oberon that has been building since the arc's introduction to its decisive moment. Following Episode 23's momentum as Kirito pushed deeper toward his objective, this episode delivers the payoff fans have been waiting for. It leads directly into the season finale, 'The World Seed,' which handles the aftermath and sets the stage for the franchise's future.
QUICK TAKES
itsmemaku
VerifiedDeserved, you maniac! That final confrontation was really infuriating. That feeling that you're helpless? Geez, what a nightmare! Good thing Kirito was able to turn the table in his favor. Overall, this episode really messed with my feelings.
kaepora_gaebora_269
The fanservice they tried to squeeze into the scene where Sugou was harassing her was actually disgusting, but I loved seeing him lose in the real world
shizu_serenity
I actually felt sick watching Sugou toward the start and that guy is the absolute worst character in the entire show because of what he was doing to Asuna on that platform
isekaibro
Asuna being trapped in that cage for this whole arc was such a downgrade for her character and it sucks seeing her reduced to a victim like that
illnes
Those admin powers let Kirito just tear Oberon apart and that creep deserved every single hit after what he did
professor_sada
Kirito could barely even walk in the real world but he still fought off that coward in the parking lot and it felt so desperate because he was already exhausted
puck_the_elf
My skin was crawling during that birdcage scene and I just wanted Kirito to get up and end that loser Sugou already because his dialogue was so gross
farnese_de_vandimion
Kayaba appearing out of nowhere felt like such a cheat, but watching Kirito set the pain dampener to zero made the whole gravity scene worth it in the end
ichigo_inoue_67
When Kayaba just *gave* Kirito the world seed, I was completely floored; it was such a bizarre, almost casual gesture after everything he'd done. It made me wonder if he truly saw it as finishing his grand dream, or if it was his final, ironic gift to the players he trapped, knowing how much potential — and danger — it held for the future of virtual reality.
robin_reader
As Kirito's fingers finally brushed Asuna's in that hospital room, I gasped a little, suddenly aware of how much I'd been holding my breath waiting for *this* moment. After all the digital purgatory and near-death experiences, their real-world touch felt like an exhale, a physical anchor that truly brought me relief.
charmy_chef
Kayaba showing up as a ghost just to hand over the admin password totally threw me off, I was expecting Kirito to really have to push himself one last time for that final victory. It felt like such a letdown for his whole journey, like all that growth and struggle just got an easy button in the end. I really wanted to see him truly earn that final win on his own terms.
judeau_the_knife_191
Sugou just *ambushing* Kazuto outside the hospital, knowing he'd been laid up for months, felt like such a gut punch; I was so angry he'd stoop to something so cowardly when Kirito had literally just escaped death. Seeing him so defenseless, after everything he faced in Aincrad, just made my blood boil for what Sugou was trying to do.
cilan_339
I just couldn't believe how vile Sugou was with Asuna trapped in that cage; it genuinely made my skin crawl seeing her so helpless. Honestly, after everything he'd done, I was completely cheering for Kirito to just absolutely demolish him with those dual blades – he totally had it coming.
saphir
Ugh, Oberon's whole act with Asuna just made my skin crawl so much, like, I genuinely felt gross watching him. Even Kirito finally pulling out his iconic dual-wielding move couldn't fully erase the slimeball feeling from that entire sequence, it was just too much.
sailor_uranus_397
I seriously gasped when Kazuto ripped out all those tubes; it was so impulsive but it just showed me how completely desperate he was to get to Asuna, like he couldn't stand another second without her, kinda like how he was always pushing himself in Aincrad.
tanjiro_tidal
Ugh, that Sugou and Asuna scene was just so sickening, I honestly had to look away a few times because it was just too much. But then seeing Kirito totally unleash with Heathcliff's ID was seriously satisfying, like, you just know he earned that win. I'm just so relieved Asuna is finally free, she was stuck as a damsel for way too long and deserved a proper reunion with Kirito.
fridulf
When Kayaba handed Kirito that world seed cube, I was genuinely surprised he'd give Kirito that much power, and now I'm super curious about what kind of crazy new worlds they'll build or if this means Aincrad could actually come back somehow.
vexen_457
Kayaba just popping up to hand Kirito administrator powers felt so weird, like I was watching all Kirito's hard-won progress kinda get swept under the rug. But man, seeing Sugou get absolutely wrecked by Kirito's new abilities, after everything that creep did to Asuna, made me so unbelievably relieved I didn't even care how Kirito got 'em.
moryomaru_252
Ugh, it’s honestly so annoying seeing Asuna go from being this absolute powerhouse, literally the Flash of the Blood Knights, to just being locked up like some prize. I can’t believe they’ve done her so dirty this entire arc, it totally disrespects all the growth she had in Aincrad.
ghosthardware
Did anyone else completely freak out when Yui just tore through the system code with those glowing hands of hers? I mean, I totally didn't see that power coming, and it made that family hug with Kirito and Asuna at the World Tree feel like such a warm, well-deserved moment for her after all the hardship.
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