The Aincrad Arc is the first arc of Sword Art Online Abridged.
Introduction
In the year 2022, virtual reality has progressed to the point that it's hard to distinguish from real life, thanks to Kayaba Akihiko and his latest invention, the NerveGear.
On November 6, 2022, 10,000 people swarm to buy a copy of its launch title, Sword Art Online. However, once they log into the game, they find that they can't log out, and when they die in the game they die in real life.
Their only way to escape from this world is to clear the game, which stands at 100 Floors of beautiful scenery, formidable Dungeons, and ruthless Boss fights, all within a castle in the sky.
Now, the fate of the helpless players rests in the hands of the game's strongest player. The only problem is he's an asshole who doesn't care about them.
Cast
Main Characters
- The male protagonist of the series. As in the original series, he is an extremely skilled combatant and one of the best players in the game. However, in the abridged version, Kirito is an arrogant and snarky egomaniac who often ridicules other players mercilessly, driving people like Asuna to call him "The Crown Prince of Douchebags". Despite the fact that he knowingly goes out of his way to inconvenience and ridicule other players, this is all a persona. Kirito is actually extremely self-conscious about himself and desperately wants people to like him but doesn't know how to due to his lack of social skills. He originally was so self-conscious that he became shocked and incredibly upset whenever people called him an asshole. Though Kirito complains constantly about weaker players, he is often manipulated into joining miscellaneous quests.
- Misanda (Episode 2) and xbubblemunkyx (Episode 5 – present) as Asuna Yuuki/Asuna
- The female protagonist of the series and second in command of the Knights of the Blood Oath. Though she is skilled at combat and strategy, possibly even more than Kirito, she utterly lacks in the fundamentals of gaming, as she was unable to open her menu, send trade requests, understand that the player's names aren't their real ones or even eat. Asuna is adept at dealing with Kirito's narcissism, but it's shown that she is extremely uncomfortable with black characters, namely Tiffany, due to her isolated upbringing. On the surface she appears to be a nice caring person but beneath that she is borderline psychotic, also as a result of her upbringing. Despite this she pretends to be nice to people so people will like her for the person she wants people to see rather than the person she is.
- The creator of the NerveGear and head programmer of the game Sword Art Online. He is a big fan of movies from the 30s to the 90s and often makes references to them, but he just as often gets annoyed when no one gets them. In the game he is known as "Heathcliff", the leader of the Guild "The Knights of the Blood Oath". He is known to be very sarcastic and often plays cartoon sound effects and silly music when he thinks something is a joke; for example, during Kirito's duel with Kuradeel, he played circus music because he thought it was a clown show.
- As Heathcliff he appears as a stoic leader who is proud to lead his tropes, but he is at constant odds when he comes into contact with Kirito. When they first met face to face, he offered him a place in his Guild, thinking Kirito would graciously accept, and was caught off guard when he refused. He struggles to keep in this persona though, especially when his fellow Guild members annoy him.
Supporting Characters
- Cheesemanjoe (Episodes 1 and 3) and Dizzasta (Episode 5 – present) as Klein/BallsDeep69
- The first player that Kirito meets in the game. He made his first character, BallsDeep69, as a joke avatar to use while he got the hang of the game but was stuck with the name when the creator removed the ability to log out. Kirito refuses to acknowledge Klein's real name (with the exception of when he has an emotional moment) and instead chooses to call him "Balls" or "Ballsy", something other players have continued.
- An African American living in Japan and a player in Sword Art Online. He doesn't appreciate the bravado and idiocy of most players in the game and enjoys putting people on edge and exploiting them, perhaps explaining his friendship with Kirito. He set up a weapons shop where he sells weapons that break easily to unsuspecting customers and admits that most of the players are idiots and are willing to buy anything and everything and therefore won't notice the difference.
- A member of the Moonlit Black Cats. She has very poor internet connection, causing her to lag and glitch frequently. She ends up running away because she's worried that her lag will end up getting her Guild killed. When Kirito finds her, she is able to show him how much of a jerk he has been to other players.
- A young girl trapped in Sword Art Online. Though she was a member of a small party, she split off from her group when her teammates threatened to skin her pet dragon, Pina, for leather-working experience. Silica's naivety ends up getting Pina killed when they are trapped in a battle with higher level monsters, and she is forced to team up with Kirito to resurrect her with the Pneuma Flower.
- A skilled blacksmith who runs a weapons shop in Lindas on the 48th Floor. She is, or rather was, best friends with Asuna who frequently visited her shop to repair her sword.
Side Characters
- Hayabusa449 as Fatty
- A fat young player pretended to be 17.
- A teenager who pretended to be a girl.
- The leader of the group that forms to fight the First Boss. Aside from Kirito, Asuna, and Tiffany, he is the most intelligent, sensible, and competent member of the group. He is very annoyed by everyone else's complete stupidity and lack of combat skills.
- A player who is under the belief that the beta testers of the game are the reason they're stuck in it. He has an undefined relationship with Diabel but he seemed concerned and shocked when he died. He later joined the Aincrad Liberation Front and became the leader of a group trying to claim the position as the leader in a power struggle. He tricked his major rival, Thinker, into being trapped in a secret dungeon and assumed the position in his absence.
- Don Fluffles as Don Fluffles
- A rather sadistic cat that learned to play Sword Art Online.
- A player in Sword Art Online. He is first seen in the fight against the first Floor Boss. He is shown to be insane as he constantly has visions of Jesus, who tells him to kill people. Most of the things Jeffrey says and does are because "Jesus told me to." In Episode 6, it's revealed that Jeffrey is the leader of Laughing Coffin, one of the most feared red Guilds in the game. Jeffrey always recites a Bible verse before killing his victims, but they are almost always obscure, inaccurate or made-up ones.
- spritestuff as Keita
- A cheater and the leader of the Moonlit Black Cats. He is also a manipulative opportunist and noticed that Kirito had very impressive stats, so he "convinced" him to join his Guild. The rest of the Guild is mostly made up of NPCs from various quests that Keita never finished. Keita figured out that as long as you don't complete the quests the NPCs stay with you and help fight and exploited this to his benefit. Keita owns a hat that adds +50 charisma points when worn, which he uses to convince other players (mostly Kirito) to do certain tasks for him.
- AtomicVoice as Gary
- An NPC who has a quest about saving his family, he was stolen by Keita to be in his Guild.
- Hayabusa449 as Derrick
- An NPC who has a quest involving bandits, he was stolen by Keita to be in his Guild.
- LordMegatronG1 as Charlie
- The game's tutorial NPC, who got stolen by Keita to be in his Guild.
- A player in Sword Art Online, and previous teammate to Silica. After driving Silica out of their Guild, Rosalia follows her and Kirito on their journey, and ambushes them. She reveals herself to be the leader of the low-level Guild Titan's Hand, and orders Kirito to hand the Pneuma Flower over to her.
- Rachel Michelle Thompson as Yolko
- A timid, clumsy and dim-witted player in Sword Art Online and a prospective victim of a murderer. After her friend Kains was murdered in a Safe Zone, Yolko accompanies Kirito and Asuna in their investigation. Though she is helpful in the beginning of the investigation, Yolko insists the killer is the ghost of her Guild Leader, Griselda, back from the dead to seek revenge on her and Schmitt. She, too, is murdered in a Safe Zone.
- Hayabusa449 as Kains
- A former member of the same Guild as Yolko, Schmitt, Griselda and Grimlock. After he was murdered in a Safe Zone, which caused his former teammate and friend, Yolko, to ask Kirito and Asuna to investigate what happened to him.
- ChaseFace and KaggyFilms as Schmitt
- A paranoid player in Sword Art Online who was often afraid of his angry fans and couldn't handle pressure. He makes a brief appearance in the fifth episode as the prospective victim of the murderer Kirito and Asuna are investigating. Schmitt worked as a game reviewer in the real world, and, since being trapped in the game, has become paranoid that his more hateful commenters will take advantage of his predicament and make attempts on his life.
- Sonicring123Dubs as Johnny Black
- One of the members of Laughing Coffin who is not very happy with Jeffrey's decisions on how to lead the Guild. He wanted the Guild to be bigger than the three members they had and for it to be more profitable.
- The husband of his Guild's leader, Griselda.
- The former leader of the Guild Golden Apple. She was killed by an unknown player six months before the events of her episode.
- Hayabusa449 as Kuradeel
- A member of the Knights of the Blood Oath who was introduced as Asuna's bodyguard. He appeared to be a quiet man, until he met Kirito that is. After which he became easily annoyed by his constant insults regarding his face, which included comparisons to Voldemort and Jeff Golblum in the Fly. He also appeared to have little concept of personal space as he broke into Asuna's house and watched her sleep to make sure he was doing his job properly, failing to see the irony obviously.
- Cheesemanjoe and KaggyFilms as Corvatz
- One of the players who fought the First Boss, during which he and another player came up with a strategy of grouping up "and hit it 'til it dies". He later became a "General" of the Aincrad Liberation Front. During this time, he found an item that punctuated his words with Spanish guitar and started talking in an accent to "boost morale among my men", ironically resulting in the opposite.
- eagle8burger as Sam
- An announcer who comments on fights in Collinia. He has a calm fact-based form of commentary, unlike his colleague Bob.
- An announcer who comments on fights in Collinia. He has a loud form of commentary and seems unable to count.
- A member of the Knights of the Blood Oath who is a hardcore roleplayer. He adopts a butchered Shakespearean style of speech and annoys everyone as a result.
- A blood thirsty player who ends up ruling over the mob that destroyed Collinia after Kirito and Heathcliff's duel.
- redasatomato as Yui
- A mysterious girl who appeared in Kirito and Asuna's house one day.
- A player who owns an orphanage for the children of the game who are too young to go out fighting Bosses.
- A member of the Aincrad Liberation Front. She is a loyal follower of one of the Guild members, Thinker, due to her blind love for him. She, like most players, didn't see/expect Kibaou to gain so many followers and start a rebellion in the Guild to overthrow Thinker.
- One of the players fighting to be the leader of the Aincrad Liberation Front after it devolved into infighting. He is wishing for peace and is at constant odds with Kibaou. Despite his name, as Yui points out, he isn't the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree, and he was tricked into going to a "peace talk" with Kibaou which was held in a dungeon. To his surprise it was a trap to leave him there with no equipment.
- An old man who fishes for the sole reason of having sex with them.
Episodes
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Differences from the Original
- The news broadcast that sets up SAO is skipped.
- Kazuto calibrating his settings and logging into his account is skipped.
- In the original, Kirito verbally expresses his excitement saying hello to the game's world and declaring "I'm back". In the abridged version, he thinks to himself about how long it's been since the beta test and wonders if anything's changed.
- SAO doesn't have advertisements plastered all over the place, nor is there the option to buy AdBlocker for $29.99.
- SAO doesn't have a profanity filter that later gets disabled.
- In the original, Kirito logs in at the same time as some other players, who are all excited to play the game. In the abridged version, Kirito appears to be by himself.
- The wide shot of Castle Aincrad is skipped.
- The scene of the players exploring the Town of Beginnings and forming Parties is skipped.
- In the original, Kirito first meets Klein when he asks Kirito to show him how to play the game, after correctly guessing that he was one of the beta testers. In the abridged version, Kirito's first meeting with Klein seems to be when he's fighting the Frenzy Boar.
- Kirito and Klein now exchange names after spending the day together.
- In the original, SAO is stated to have no pain sensation when players are injured. There is a feedback sensation described in the light novels, but that's described as a numbness or a shock. Given this, instances where characters seem to be in pain in the anime would be more attributed to a knee-jerk reaction to the idea of getting hit, rather than actual pain. In the abridged version, virtual pain seems to be a feature of the game.
- Kirito doesn't present himself as a cocky asshole because he's self-conscious or hates the idiotic players, nor is it stated or implied he gets bullied in real life.
- Kirito does pretend to be an asshole after the Illfang raid, but that was to stop the other players from fighting amongst themselves and focus their hate on him.
- Kirito doesn't kill the Frenzy Boar when he throws the stone at it. Klein listens to some advice Kirito gives him and kills it in one thrust.
- Kirito doesn't go into a long expositional ramble about "The Mithril Pebble of Pig Smiting" that lasts for hours.
- The shot of the Frenzy Boar spawning in is skipped.
- Kirito's explanation about SAO's skills, and how it doesn't have magic, is skipped.
- Kirito and Klein spending the day hunting monsters together is skipped.
- Klein no longer admires the game during the sunset.
- Klein stating that SAO is his first time using a NerveGear, and him stating how long he spent waiting in line to get it, is skipped.
- Kirito's monologue about the beta test is skipped.
- Klein does leave to get a pizza in the original, but he's a lot hungrier than his abridged counterpart.
- In the original, Kirito states that food in SAO can't satisfy your actual hunger. In the abridged version, it appears that the NerveGear can trick the brain into thinking that you've actually eaten.
- Klein's offer to introduce his friends to Kirito, followed by Kirito's unsure response, is skipped.
- Players' usernames don't appear above their heads.
- Klein's username isn't "BallsDeep69", and his avatar wasn't a joke one to use until he got handle on the game.
- This means his Guild members don't think that "My name is Klein" is how he says hello after correcting people so many times.
- In the original, Klein tells Kirito that he'll pay him back for everything he's taught him and they attempt to leave on good terms. In the abridged version, there's an awkward silence between the two before Kirito reminds Klein that he should get going.
- Klein doesn't mention the Alt+F4 command after he notices the missing log out button.
- Klein doesn't call Kirito "players guide" after he fails to find the log out button.
- The words "ha ha ha" don't repeatedly scroll across Klein's menu after he and Kirito realize they can't log out.
- Klein guessing that the missing log out button is a glitch is skipped.
- The part where Kirito points out that Klein missed his pizza delivery, prompting him to freak out, is skipped.
- Klein trying to contact the SAO's GM is skipped.
- Kirito stating that there's no other way to log out, prompting Klein to shout voice commands, is skipped.
- It's never stated that there was a problem during the NerveGear's beta test where beta testers would wander their homes and attack their roommates while playing a game on it. As such, this wasn't the reason the NerveGear was given its paralyzing ability.
- It's never stated that Argus faced numerous lawsuits prior to SAO.
- The part of the conversation where Kirito says they'll need to wait until someone removes their NerveGears is skipped.
- Kirito and Klein telling each other about their home lives is skipped.
- Klein asking Kirito about his sister, prompting Kirito to kick him in the balls for being too eager, is skipped.
- Kirito commenting how serious the situation is, as well as wondering why the admins haven't logged everyone out, is skipped.
- In the original, Kayaba's speech is proceeded by an ominous bell, which rings before the players are teleported to the town square. In the abridged version, the players are teleported without warning.
- It's never stated that SAO's teleportation has a tingling sensation.
- In the original, Kirito and Klein notice the first warning sign after hearing another player point it out. In the abridged version, Klein spots it himself and points it out the Kirito.
- In the original, Klein reacts to the blood with general shock. In the abridged version, he nonchalantly makes a comment about the game's maturity rating.
- Kirito doesn't comment on the blood.
- Kayaba's first and last names have been swapped. This is due to a translation error.
- Kirito recognizing Kayaba, due to being a fan of his, is skipped.
- Kayaba doesn't have trouble during his speech, including getting the players' attention, muting himself or getting people to understand the concept of dying in the game.
- The players don't chat about MMO related things in the town square.
- In the original, Kayaba's speech is well organized and seems to be pre-rehearsed. In the abridged version, Kayaba improvises most of his speech and almost forgets to mention certain things.
- Kayaba is never stated to be a fan of Western media. As such, he doesn't reference any movies, nor does he reference the comedian Gallagher when he's explaining the death game.
- Kirito doesn't make any references either.
- Kayaba no longer states that SAO was designed to trap players in the game.
- The scene where two players try to leave the town square is skipped.
- Some of Kirito and Klein's conversations during Kayaba's speech are skipped. These include:
- How the NerveGear's transmission signals are like microwaves.
- How cutting the power to the NerveGear won't work due to its battery.
- The part where they initially don't recognize each other after having their avatars changed, followed by their reactions.
- How SAO got everyone's physical appearances.
- Kayaba mentioning that 213 players have already died, due to people trying to remove their NerveGears, is skipped.
- Kayaba mentioning the news coverage of the deaths is skipped.
- Kayaba doesn't have any conversations with any of the players during his speech, nor is it stated that one of the crowd members is an acquaintance of his.
- It's never stated that the SAO launch day was someone's birthday.
- The part where Kirito imagines himself dying in the game is skipped.
- In the original, Kayaba tells the players he's left a present in their inventory and tells them to look for it. In the abridged version, Kayaba just points at the players and tells them he has a surprise for them, which prompts everyone to look in their inventory on their own.
- Kayaba doesn't comment on the amount of men playing as girls before changing their appearances.
- The two players who realize one is a guy and the other isn't 17 don't state to be "okay with this" after the initial shock, nor does someone shout out "LOVE KNOWS NO GENDER!!!".
- Kirito and Klein don't comment on each other's appearances in the town square.
- Kayaba isn't shocked that most of the players are "fairly attractive twenty somethings" nor does he voice his pride in them for "breaking down stereotypes".
- Kayaba now tells the players that they'll die for real if they die in the game after changing their appearances, rather than before.
- Kayaba's explanation of wanting to control a world of his own is skipped.
- Kirito glaring at Kayaba is skipped.
- In the original, Kayaba wishes the players luck before leaving. In the abridged version, he just simply says "adieu".
- The scene where Kirito acknowledges that Kayaba was telling the truth about the death game is skipped.
- The panic that takes place after Kayaba's speech is replaced with one player simply saying, "WE'RE FUCKED!!!".
- Kirito dragging Klein towards the alley is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't state that he needs "cannon fodder" for a Mini-Boss while asking for Klein's help. He tells him that they need to move to the next town because the fields near the Town of Beginnings will be picked clean soon.
- Klein is slightly less concerned about his friends compared to his original counterpart, stating that they're all as skilled as he is.
- Kirito doesn't run off crying because Klein called him and asshole, nor does Klein invite Kirito to join his Guild. The reason he leaves Klein behind is, while he could guide Klein through the early game and stay at an accelerated leveling pace for the sake of safety and progress, having more than one inexperienced player would slow the pace down too much and put them all at risk, and Kirito wasn't willing to be behind the level curve. Klein understood this, and let Kirito go.
- Kirito telling Klein to message him if he's ever in trouble is skipped.
- Kirito and Klein complementing each other's real faces is skipped.
- The scene where Kirito looks back and sees that Klein has gone is skipped.
- The scene where Kirito thinks about the real world, and imagines Suguha and his mom crying over him, is skipped.
- The scene of Kirito killing the Dire Wolf is skipped.
- A flashback to episode 1, and a montage of players dying, is added in.
- SAO doesn't have a Narrator setting, most of the information given was narrated by Kirito in the original.
- The fact that the Boss Room's location has changed from the beta test is skipped.
- The players who come to the Illfang strategy meeting aren't unaware that 2000 players have died, nor are they unaware that the game has 100 Floors.
- Diavel doesn't mention the death toll or the amount of Floors they have to clear.
- Diavel doesn't fail to rally the players.
- Diavel's joke being a knight is skipped.
- Diavel telling the players to inform those who didn't come to the raid that the next Floor is open upon their victory, thus giving them hope, is skipped.
- In the original, Kibaou enters the scene and starts talking about the beta testers unprovoked. In the abridged version, he enters the scene because Diabel mentions the beta testers.
- In the original, it's unclear if Diavel knew who Kibaou was before he introduced himself. In the abridged version, it seems Diabel had at least one encounter with Kibaou, as he reacts with annoyance upon hearing his voice.
- Diabel now inadvertently introduces Kibaou.
- Kibaou isn't mad at the beta testers because he thinks they're responsible for them being trapped in the game. He thinks used their knowledge from the beta test to hog all the good hunting spots and take all the easy quests, thus making it harder for the newer players.
- The part where Kibaou speculates that there are beta testers at the strategy meeting is skipped.
- The part where Kibaou demands compensation from the beta testers is skipped.
- Kibaou doesn't try to get a random player to back up his claims.
- Kirito no longer feels guilty after hearing Kibaou's speech.
- "Tiffany" doesn't call his avatar "Tiffany". Instead, he goes by "Agil", which is an abbreviated version of his real name, "Andrew Gilbert Mills".
- Agil doesn't go by "Thunder Lion", "The Chocolate Axe" or any other name he mentions.
- The guidebook isn't one of the default items in every player's inventory. It's available for free at the game's stores and was handed out by the beta testers.
- Agil doesn't assume that everyone read the guidebook, nor is it confirmed that they hadn't.
- Agil doesn't state that he's "done" with the other players.
- Kibaou reluctantly admitting defeat is skipped.
- The section about Illfang isn't a series of dark jokes that is heavily implied to have been written by Kirito.
- It's never stated nor implied that Kibaou had a habit of hijacking conversations to rant about his political beliefs.
- In the original, Diavel tells the players to group up before Kibaou's speech, as that was always part of his strategy. In the abridged version, he reluctantly tells them to do it after reading the guidebook, upon the suggestion of two random players, because he ran out of ideas himself.
- In the original, Kirito tries to find someone to form a Party with, but everyone has already formed groups. In the abridged version, it's heavily implied that Kirito tried to join these groups, but they all turned him down because they didn't like him.
- Kirito noticing Asuna sitting alone is skipped.
- Asuna isn't left out because she struggles to open the game's menu. She's left out because everyone else is already friends with each other and she doesn't want to intrude.
- Kirito doesn't assume Asuna got left out because she's a girl.
- It's never stated that Asuna struggled to eat for the first month.
- Kirito and Asuna forming their Party, and Kirito noticing Asuna's name, is skipped.
- The part where Diavel discusses the distribution of loot is skipped.
- In the original, the start time for the raid is 10am. In the abridged version, it's initially noon before getting set back to 2:30pm, due to the players' lazy protests.
- Diavel and Kibaou's burgeoning friendship, which happens in the background, is skipped.
- Asuna leaving the strategy meeting without Kirito is skipped.
- Diavel glaring at Kirito is skipped.
- The scene where Kirito and Asuna eat bread together the night before the raid, during which Asuna says she'd rather die than waste away in her room waiting for the game to end, prompting Kirito to ask her to try and not die during the raid, is skipped.
- The scene where Kirito tries to strategize with Asuna on the way to the raid, only to realize how much of a noob she is, is skipped.
- The players don't spend five hours getting to the Boss Room followed by another hour resting to get rid of their exhaustion.
- SAO doesn't base a player's stats on their real-life abilities.
- Diavel's brief pep talk before the Boss fight is skipped.
- The brief shot of Illfang sitting on his throne is skipped.
- One of the Ruin Kobold Sentinels isn't missing its snarl sound effect.
- The shot of Illfang and the Sentinels charging at the players is skipped.
- The shot of the players clashing with enemy forces is skipped.
- The players don't ignore Diavel's orders and start attacking randomly.
- No one stops in the middle of the Boss fight to play Bejeweled.
- Kirito and Asuna are now in Squad G, instead of Squad D, E, OR F.
- Kirito doesn't try to give Asuna pointers before she kills the Sentinel.
- Kirito's inner monologue about Asuna's skills is moved to after she defeats the Sentinel.
- Kirito no longer mentions that he can't see the tip of Asuna's rapier.
- Kirito doesn't think that Asuna might be better than him.
- Asuna doesn't ask Kirito if her getting "XPs" means she's dying.
- Asuna now knows what Kirito's name is prior to the Illfang raid.
- Kirito verbally complimenting Asuna's skills is skipped.
- Kirito attacking a Sentinel is skipped.
- Illfang's roar, signaling his second phase, is skipped.
- Kibaou commenting on the guidebook being right is skipped.
- Diavel doesn't try to attack Illfang on his own because he doubts the other players are skilled enough to do it themselves, he does it to get the last attack bonus.
- Kirito noticing that Diavel changed the plan is skipped.
- Diavel smirking at Kirito is skipped.
- Kirito commenting to himself that the second phase has changed since the beta test is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't go on a long lecture about the differences between a nodachi and a talwar. He tells Diavel to watch out, but he's too late and Illfang strikes Diavel down.
- In the original, Kirito didn't comment on the weapon change out loud.
- Kibaou noticing Kirito's warning is skipped.
- None of the players get "Soiled Pants" as a Bonus Item.
- Kibaou's reaction to Illfang's roar is skipped.
- Kirito chastising Diavel is skipped.
- Diavel doesn't refuse to accept the Healing Potion because he lost faith in the other players.
- The revelation that Diavel was a beta tester is skipped.
- It's never stated that Asuna thought that DPS was "some kind of sex thing".
- Kirito doesn't deliver a passionate speech to Diavel about how you shouldn't be compassionate to those beneath you.
- Diavel doesn't tell Kirito to replace him as leader, he simply tells him to kill the Boss and save the group.
- Kirito doesn't say he Diavel could've been friends, nor does Diavel doesn't say he doubts it.
- An inner monologue Kirito has about how Diavel was more selfless than him is skipped.
- Asuna doesn't come up with the plan to defeat Illfang, Kirito tells her to use the strategy they've been using to defeat the Sentinels.
- Kirito calling out Asuna's name, and her reaction to it, is skipped.
- Kirito's reaction to Asuna's face reveal is skipped.
- A section of the fight where Kirito and Asuna get knocked down, and Agil and the other players help them, is skipped.
- Kirito and Asuna don't fight over who should attack Illfang during the battle.
- Illfang's victory sign isn't a banner that says "Congratulation!" with a party blower.
- In the original, all the players celebrate their victory. In the abridged version, only one player celebrates.
- Asuna congratulating Kirito is skipped.
- There is never a cat that learns to play the game.
- Agil doesn't give Kirito a passionate speech about how he and the other players will follow Kirito to hell itself.
- The part where Kibaou chastises Kirito, assuming he let Diavel die, is skipped.
- The part where the players figure out Kirito was a beta tester and start turning on each other is skipped.
- Agil doesn't try to stop Kirito during his speech.
- The "Beater" aspect of the story is completely ignored in the abridged version. People hate Kirito just because he's an asshole.
- Asuna doesn't ask Kirito for "half the coat" after the battle. She asks Kirito how he knew her name, to which Kirito points out that it showed up in the corner of the screen when they formed their Party, which she somehow didn't see.
- Kirito suggesting to Asuna that she should join a Guild is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't point out the "disolve" typo.
- Kirito now dissolves his Party with Asuna halfway up the stairs rather than near the door.
- In the original, Kirito and Asuna part on relatively good terms. In the abridged version, their parting is a lot more confrontational.
- There is never a character called "Sir Jack Dapper" who serves as a narrator at any point in the series.
- In the original, the Moonlit Black Cats and Kirito met prior to the episode and went on a quest together, which is why they were celebrating. In the abridged version, they just randomly approached Kirito at his table.
- Keita isn't presented as a con man in the original.
- Keita doesn't have a hat that raises his Charisma Stat that he uses to get people to do what he wants.
- Charisma isn't a stat in SAO.
- Kirito joined the Guild of his own free will in the original.
- Keita doesn't have a hat that raises his Charisma Stat that he uses to get people to do what he wants.
- Keita doesn't ask Kirito to join their Guild because of his level. Kirito hides it from them out of shame, thinking that they wouldn't want him around if they knew, because high leveled players had a reputation of being selfish and greedy.
- Players can't see each other's levels in the original.
- It's never implied that Keita hacked Kirito's account.
- Kirito's level progression throughout the episode is skipped.
- In the original, Keita initially talks to Kirito formally until Kirito tells him to stop. In the abridged version, Keita is overly casual with Kirito to the point that it disgusts him.
- Kirito commenting on his repetitive level grinding strategy is skipped.
- The majority of the Moonlit Black Cats are not NPCs; they were all the members of their school's computer club. This means their names were Ducker, Tetsuo and Sasamaru, not Gary, Charlie and Derrick.
- It's never implied that Keita hasn't completed the game's tutorial, nor that he stole the tutorial NPC.
- SAO doesn't have a tutorial, the players are dropped into the main game as soon as they log in.
- It's never implied that Keita hasn't completed the game's tutorial, nor that he stole the tutorial NPC.
- Sachi doesn't experience lag, nor is it stated that she lives "in the boonies".
- Sachi's death wasn't caused by lag.
- Kirito now has a habit of cursing in the name of different deities.
- The part of the story where the Guild were trying to make Sachi a DPS player is skipped.
- The part where the Guild celebrate Kirito joining them is skipped.
- A fire doesn't start in the tavern that kills four people.
- The scene where Keita tells Kirito he thinks they can be as strong as the Floor clearers if they work hard enough is skipped.
- The revelation that the assault team made it to Floor 28 is skipped.
- The fact that the assault team doesn't share their level grinding information is skipped.
- Kirito admiring Keita's mindset, stating that it could change the elitist outlook of the assault team, is skipped.
- The scene where Klein finds out Kirito ended up in another Guild while the two are coincidentally level grinding in the same field is skipped.
- Klein's Guild, the Fuurinkazan, is never named in the abridged version.
- SAO's messaging system is now presented as voicemail system that can share images, rather than a text message system.
- In the original, the reason why Keita asked Kirito to look for Sachi in town was because he and the rest of the Guild were looking for her in a Dungeon. In the abridged version, the reason why he asked Kirito to look for her was because he was trapped in his room.
- Kirito isn't reluctant to search for Sachi.
- Kirito isn't stated to have "days off" from the Guild.
- The color of the Searching Skill's filter has been changed to match the Detective Mode from the Batman Arkham series.
- Kirito doesn't call the Searching Skill "Detective Mode".
- Kirito doesn't forget to turn the Searching Skill off when he finds Sachi.
- Sachi doesn't get freaked out by Kirito's glowing eyes.
- Certain Skills are never named in the abridged version.
- The Searching Skill doesn't cause Kirito's eyes to start sizzling once it's turned off.
- In the original, the reason why Sachi ran away was due to a general fear of dying. In the abridged version, she's worried that her weakness will get everyone she loves killed.
- The part where Sachi asks Kirito to run away with her, which Kirito initially thinks is her talking about suicide, is skipped.
- The part where Sachi says that she hasn't been sleeping is skipped.
- The conversation between Kirito and Sachi doesn't last until daybreak.
- The conversation topic doesn't change to how Kirito should be nicer to people.
- Kirito doesn't ignore Sachi's worries, he reassures her that she won't die.
- The scene where Sachi sleeps in Kirito's bed is skipped.
- Kirito's inner monologue about how he's never thought about the players who are scared of dying but keep fighting nonetheless and vowing to protect them is skipped.
- The Moonlit Black Cats never get indebted to the game's Mafia, and most of the Guild don't die trying to retrieve an item they owed them. The reason they died was because they went to get some extra loot in a Dungeon while Keita went to buy a base for their Guild.
- The scene where Keita informs the Guild of their debt replaces an earlier scene where the Guild discussed their improvement.
- While there are Guilds that extort players out of money, the game is never stated to have a Guild that openly advertises itself as a Mafia.
- While Floor 27 was a higher difficulty than the Moonlit Black Cats were used to, it's never stated to be as difficult as it is in the abridged version.
- Kirito's surprise at the hidden door's existence is skipped.
- In the original, most of the Moonlit Black Cats run in and open the chest before Kirito can tell them it might be a trap. In the abridged version, Kirito instantly tells them it's a trap and that they should leave it, but Gary opens it before Kirito realizes what's happening.
- It's never stated that players can alter an NPC's settings.
- The enemies that kill the Moonlit Black Cats aren't called "Slaughternauts" and "Murder Golems", they're called "Dark Dwarf Miners" and "Granite Elementals".
- SAO never verbally announces when monsters are spawning in or when an item has expired.
- It's never stated that certain members of the Moonlit Black Cats had all the Teleport Crystals or all the Healing Potions.
- No one manages to teleport out of the trap room, it was an Anti-Crystal Zone.
- Ducker's death is skipped.
- Sasamaru attacking the Granite Elemental that killed Tetsuo is skipped.
- Kirito trying to reach Sachi before her death is skipped.
- Sachi's last words weren't "This isn't your fault" in the original, they were "Thank you. Goodbye."
- Kirito couldn't hear Sachi's last words and only found out what they were months later.
- In the original, Kirito is constantly reminded of this incident, but he doesn't suffer from PTSD that's triggered by the phrase "It's not your fault", or any similar phrases, or anything that sounds like the name "Gary".
- In the original, Keita killed himself because he fell into despair after learning that his friends had died and because he felt betrayed after Kirito told him he was a beta tester. In the abridged version, it's heavily implied he committed suicide because he was afraid that the Mafia was going to kill him.
- Keita's suicide is moved to before the Christmas section of the story, rather than having it be a flashback during it.
- It's now unclear if Keita ever learned that Kirito was a beta tester.
- In the original, we see the conversation with the info broker, and she tells Kirito that the event is a Boss fight. In the abridged version, the conversation is now depicted in memory form, and event is now explained as a simple visit from Santa.
- The info broker doesn't have a cockney accent.
- The fact that Kirito has been taking risks to increase his level is skipped.
- The info broker mentioning that the Christmas event wasn't in the beta test is skipped.
- The info broker mentioning that the major Guilds are looking for the tree is skipped.
- In the original, the info broker doesn't mention the revival item, Kirito had already heard the rumor about it. In the abridged version, the info broker mentions the item, but it's explained as something vague that will "give anyone a merry Christmas". The idea that it can resurrect players is later suggested by Klein.
- Kirito doesn't run off to avoid paying the info broker. The info was free because the two knew each other from the beta test.
- The scene of Kirito preparing for the Boss fight is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't struggle to understand that what he's feeling is sadness over his friends dying. Kirito's whole motivation to fight the Boss is to resurrect Sachi, and if he dies trying that'll be his punishment for letting his Guild die.
- Because the abridged version skips straight to Kirito in the forest, the town we see in the episode is now portrayed like it's the Floor 35 town of Mishe, instead of the Floor 49 town of Myujen.
- The shot of Kirito running through the Dungeon's barrier is skipped.
- In the original, Kirito met up with Klein and his Guild because Klein was following him out of concern. In the abridged version, it seems like they bumped into each other by coincidence.
- Kirito doesn't directly tell Klein what happened to his Guild.
- The part where Klein asks Kirito to team up with them to get the item, followed by Kirito threatening to fight him, is skipped.
- The group that ambushes Kirito and Klein isn't the Mafia trying to collect Kirito's debt, they're a Guild that's also trying to get the revival item.
- The group was tracking Klein and his Guild in the original, not Kirito.
- Kirito's initial refusal to leave Klein to fight off the other Guild is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't thank Klein at any point during their encounter.
- Nicholas the Renegade doesn't talk.
- Klein never asks if Kirito was successful, he sees Kirito's face and realizes something's wrong.
- The item that Nicholas the Renegade drops isn't a hat, it's an item that revives players, but only within ten seconds of their avatar's death.
- In the original, Kirito gives the item to Klein, in case someone he knows dies. In the abridged version, Kirito states that he doesn't care what happens to it, so it's unclear if Klein kept it or not.
- Kirito does get depressed about failing to revive Sachi, but he doesn't vow to stop feeling emotions because of it.
- As such, this isn't later broken by Silica.
- Klein doesn't stop Kirito/get upset because he was "so close" to being a person. He stops Kirito to tell him to survive until the end, and then cries over how sad the entire situation is.
- In the original, the episode ends with Kirito receiving a pre-recorded from Sachi, which she made in the event of her death. It is at this point she tells Kirito that her death wasn't his fault, as she probably would've died at some point anyway. Despite this, however, she tells him that she knew how strong he really was and how it made her happy to have someone like him on her side, before asking him to survive until the end of the game as well, to find out why the death game happened. She then hums Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to cheer him up, hence the episode's name. It's implied that Kirito did receive this message at some point in the abridged version, or a version of it, as it was one of the scenes Jack skipped over trying to get to the Christmas section of the story.
- In the original, Rosalia acts like a generic mean girl stereotype. In the abridged version, she puts on an overly nice persona, with the not-so-subtle undertones of what she's actually trying to say.
- Silica doesn't get into an argument with Rosalia because she wanted to turn Pina into a pair of leather pants. The argument started because Rosalia wouldn't share her Healing Crystals with Silica, arguing that Pina could heal her and that the other Party members favored Silica over her.
- The Party members now seem to favor Rosalia over Silica.
- In the original, Silica leaves claiming that lots of players will want her in their Parties. In the abridged version, she says that "It's just gonna be me and Pina and it's gonna be awesome!"
- The part where one Party member begs Silica not to leave is skipped.
- Silica doesn't reassure herself during the Drunk Apes' ambush.
- In the original, Pina seems to heal Silica automatically. In the abridged version, Pina heals Silica when she asks her to.
- Silica isn't disappointed with the amount of health Pina restores.
- The part where Silica runs out of Healing Crystals is skipped.
- In the original, Silica is left defenseless because she loses her dagger after the Drunk Ape smacks her into the tree. In the abridged version, she's left defenseless because the impact left her temporarily unable to move.
- Silica doesn't ask Pina to heal her again, so we don't know if Pina's healing ability has a cooldown.
- Pina doesn't speak in Dovahzul.
- Pina doesn't die because Silica asked her to "hold them off for a sec", she died because she was automatically defending Silica.
- Silica doesn't think the beginnings of Pina's death animation means that she's evolving.
- Silica doesn't briefly see Kirito as princely figure surrounded by roses.
- Kirito doesn't tell Silica to stop staring at him.
- Silica begging Pina not to leave her is skipped.
- In the original, Kirito asks Silica why she's crying straight away and then blames himself for not getting there sooner. In the abridged version, Kirito initially tries to avoid the subject as he doesn't want to deal with the emotional Silica.
- Silica doesn't have a long sad backstory that causes Kirito to bang his head on a table out of annoyance.
- The term "Beast Tamer" is never mentioned in the abridged version.
- Silica blaming herself for Pina's death, followed by her thanking Kirito for saving her, is skipped.
- Kirito showing Silica that the feather is Pina's heart, and therefore Pina can be revived, is skipped.
- In the original, Kirito tells Silica about the Hill of Memories in the Forest of Wandering. In the abridged version, he tells her about it in the tavern.
- The part where Kirito explains that the pet's owner has to be there, or else the flower won't bloom, is skipped.
- Silica doesn't beg Kirito for help, he offers to help her straight away because she reminds him of his sister. Although, this might've been a lie so he could use her as bait to lure out Rosalia.
- Silica laughing at Kirito is skipped.
- The scene where Kirito gives Silica some items for the trip, and Silica tries to pay him back, is skipped.
- Kirito and Silica introducing each other is skipped.
- The scene where the two players from episode 1 try to get Silica to join their Party is skipped.
- In the original, Silica tells Kirito that her having Pina gained her fame as the "Dragon Tamer", and lots of players wanted her in their Parties as their mascot. All the attention made her arrogant, but Pina's death humbled her. In the abridged version, Silica appears to be a normal girl.
- Kirito telling Silica that he lives on Floor 50 is skipped.
- Kirito stating he's going to rent a room for the night is skipped.
- Silica offering to treat Kirito to some cheesecake is skipped.
- In the original, Kirito and Silica run into Rosalia before they enter the tavern. In the abridged version, they run into her afterwards.
- The tavern and the inn are now portrayed like they are two separate locations.
- Kirito noticing that Silica doesn't like Rosalia, and Silica trying to hide it, is skipped.
- Silica is now a lot more reluctant to talk to Rosalia compared to her original counterpart.
- Rosalia now learns Kirito's name during their first meeting, instead of when she was trying to mug him.
- Kirito's explanation of how SAO's Cursors work is skipped.
- Kirito getting agitated talking about player killers, prompting Silica to cheer him up, is skipped.
- Silica getting embarrassed after holding Kirito's hands is skipped.
- The scene where Kirito knocks on Silica's door, and she nearly answers it in her underwear, is skipped.
- The scene where Kirito explains the layout of Floor 47 to Silica, and someone tries to eavesdrop on their conversation, is skipped.
- Floria's nickname, "the Flower Garden", is never mentioned in the abridged version.
- Kirito never cries with such ferocity over Sachi during his adventure with Silica.
- Silica gets embarrassed because she notices that the Floor is full of couples, whereas she's with Kirito.
- The scene where Kirito gives Silica a Teleport Crystal, in case of emergencies, is skipped.
- Silica doesn't think that she needs the power to believe in herself to defeat the Garish Gerbera, nor does Kirito correct her by telling her to use her knife. She attacks it out of her own volition.
- Silica asking Kirito if he saw anything is skipped.
- Kirito now states that the reason why the monsters are attacking Silica is because she's so low leveled.
- A montage of Kirito and Silica killing some monsters, including some Giant Venus Flytraps, is skipped.
- A conversation about Kirito's sister is skipped.
- Silica getting attacked by the Land Anemone now happens offscreen and happens immediately after she got attacked by the Garish Gerbera.
- Kirito now reacts to the Land Anemone attack with annoyance.
- Kirito saving Silica from the Land Anemone is skipped.
- In the original, Kirito was the one who pointed out where the flower is. In the abridged version, Silica sees it first.
- The journey to get the Pneuma Flower isn't so complicated, nor does it involve Bosses. The flower we see is the actual flower.
- In the original, Kirito asks Silica if SAO is her first RPG in the tavern, which she confirms. In the abridged version, Kirito realizes that Silica doesn't play many RPGs when she complains about the structure of the quest.
- Kirito suggesting that they should revive Pina back in town, thus avoiding the dangerous monsters, is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't go on an overly dramatic monologue before asking Rosalia to come out.
- In the original, Kirito knew straight away that Rosalia was in Titan's Hand; he never thought she was in Laughing Coffin. He knew who she was because he was hired by the sole surviving member of a Guild Titan's Hand ambushed. In the abridged version, Kirito hadn't heard of Titan's Hand and went after Rosalia because she insulted him.
- Kirito explaining Rosalia's trick to keep her Cursor green is skipped.
- The part where Rosalia tells Silica that she joined the Party they were in to rob them, and how Silica was her main target, is skipped.
- Rosalia licking her lips is skipped.
- In the original, Kirito thinks that Rosalia and her Guild are despicable people. In the abridged version, he thinks they're a pathetic bunch of thieves who are only a threat to players that are easily frightened.
- It's never stated that Silica is scared of Slimes, nor is it implied that SAO has them.
- Rosalia is never presented as a psych student, and she doesn't push Kirito over the edge by saying that he sounds like a girl.
- Kirito doesn't sound as prepubescent in the sub or the dub.
- Kirito's confrontation of Titan's Hand, and his speech about levels, is a lot more deranged.
- In the original, Kirito tells Rosalia that he was after her. In the abridged version, Rosalia had already realized what Kirito was doing before the ambush.
- Silica is now shocked that Kirito used her as bait.
- Rosalia no longer states that she doesn't care if people die in the game because she doesn't believe that they're actually dying in real life.
- In the original, Silica suggests that they should run away from Titan's Hand. In the abridged version, she offers to back him up in the fight.
- In the original, Kirito tells Silica to have the Teleport Crystal ready just in case. In the abridged version, she decides to get it out on her own.
- In the original, the Titan's Hand members are scared of Kirito because they recognize him as the "Black Swordsman". In the abridged version, they get concerned when they realize that Kirito's a bit too confident for someone who seems so underprepared for the fight.
- In the original, Rosalia tells her thugs to attack Kirito because she doubts someone from the assault team would be on the lower Floors. In the abridged version, she does it because she believes Kirito is all talk.
- Kirito doesn't goad Titan's Hand into attacking him.
- Rosalia now states that all of her henchmen are Level 45.
- Silica now thinks to herself that she has to save Kirito, rather than saying it out loud.
- In the original, Silica notices Kirito's health regenerating after telling herself to fight and then waits to see if it happens again before commenting on it. In the abridged version, Silica notices it in the middle of her thought and comments on it immediately.
- Silica's reaction to Kirito's Battle Healing is now slightly annoyed.
- In the original, Kirito explains his Battle Healing ability when the thugs show hesitation about whether they can kill him. In the abridged version, he explains it after one Titan's Hand member asks how Kirito's still standing.
- The part where Kirito takes out a Corridor Crystal, and declares that he's sending Titan's Hand to prison, is skipped.
- Rosalia telling Kirito he can't hurt her because it'll make his Cursor orange, followed by Kirito stating that doesn't matter to him, is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't kill Rosalia, he sends her and her Guild to prison.
- It's now unclear what happened to the other Titan's Hand members.
- Rosalia doesn't claim that Kirito's sword in her neck will be "the deepest you'll ever be in a woman".
- Kirito doesn't shout "suck it Rosalia" while having sex with Asuna.
- Kirito apologizing to Silica for using her as bait is skipped.
- Kirito saying that he has to go back to the front lines is skipped.
- Kirito's statement to Silica that a player's Level and strength in the game is just an illusion is now something Rosalia says to Kirito.
- In the original, Kirito tells Silica they should hang out IRL. In the abridged version, he says they should go on more adventures.
- Silica doesn't call Kirito "the worst person I've ever met". She calls him a good person, commending him for being on the assault team, and develops feelings for him.
- Silica's inner monologue to Pina about her adventure with Kirito is skipped.
- Silica doesn't fail to bring back Pina, meaning she doesn't go on a bloodthirsty rampage as a result.
- The Boss the assault team are discussing isn't called "Sheeptar the Sheep King"; it's actually never named in the anime. Although, in the light novels, it's called the GeoCrawler.
- The GeoCrawler doesn't take them over two months to beat.
- The GeoCrawler is never stated to have killed twelve players.
- The GeoCrawler was on Floor 56, whereas Sheeptar seems to be somewhere passed Floor 59, as Kirito is seen relaxing there when Asuna was fighting it.
- Klein doesn't talk during the strategy meeting.
- The plan to lure the Boss to the village is a lot more in depth in the abridged series and now involves archers.
- Kirito doesn't mention the fact that some of his friends have been NPCs while stating his argument.
- Asuna arguing that the NPCs are expendable is skipped.
- Asuna telling Kirito to obey her orders is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't kill an NPC at the strategy meeting.
- The scene where Kirito and Agil talk about Asuna is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't take a nap because he got high after eating some random plants to increase his Alchemy Skill. He did it because he thought it was a nice day.
- In the original, Asuna was mad at Kirito because he was slacking off while everyone else was raiding a Dungeon. In the abridged version, she's mad because Kirito's absence resulted in more casualties.
- Asuna is a lot madder than her original counterpart.
- Asuna no longer mentions how every day they waste in SAO in another day lost in the real world.
- Asuna admiring the scenery is skipped.
- In the original, Asuna was swayed by Kirito's words and decided to take the opportunity to relax, resulting in her falling asleep. In the abridged version, Asuna isn't swayed by Kirito's words, so it's not really clear why she decided to take a nap.
- We now hear Kirito's thoughts after he wakes up.
- In the original, the players who pass by Kirito and Asuna comment on how lazy the two are. In the abridged version, they comment on the fact that it looks like the two are about to get lucky.
- The part Kirito where voices his disbelief over Asuna falling asleep is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't draw a cat face on Asuna, he keeps watch to make sure nobody attacks her.
- Kirito basking in the sunset is skipped.
- Asuna sneezing herself awake is skipped.
- Asuna looking around drowsily is skipped.
- In the original, Kirito comments on how well Asuna slept. In the abridged version, he teasingly asks how her nap was.
- Asuna drawing her sword, only to sheath it again, is skipped.
- Asuna's hand doesn't shake anymore.
- Asuna doesn't think that Kirito felt her up in her sleep.
- Kirito never mocks the Restaurant's lazy name, nor does he mock its quality.
- The part of the scene where players recognise Asuna is skipped.
- Asuna's nickname, "Lightning Flash", is omitted in the abridged version.
- Kirito and Asuna don't argue about the events leading up to their meal. Instead, Asuna thanks Kirito for looking out for her.
- A conversation Kirito and Asuna have about how some players have been manipulating sleeping players into accepting duels and killing them is skipped.
- The "Kirito is Always Right Foundation" is an abridged series original.
- Caynz doesn't beg for help while hanging from the tower.
- Kirito doesn't initially react so nonchalantly upon seeing Caynz, nor does he think it's an event or a prank. He initially thinks it was a duel but can't find a player with the "Winner" icon when he looks for it.
- Kirito telling Caynz to pull out the sword is skipped.
- Caynz screaming in pain is skipped.
- Asuna telling Kirito that the belltower is empty is skipped.
- The scene where Kirito and Asuna decide to team up in the belltower is skipped.
- In the original, Yolko emerges from the crowd because Kirito asked if anyone saw what happened. In the abridged version, she emerges on her own volition.
- Yolko no longer confirms that she was the one who screamed.
- Asuna asking Yolko if she saw anyone in the belltower, and Yolko confirming it, is skipped.
- Kirito asking Yolko if anyone wanted Caynz dead is skipped.
- Yolko's panicked expression is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't awkwardly reassure Yolko that she'll be fine inside the Safe Zone before realizing how factually dubious that statement is.
- Yolko habit of bowing to Kirito and Asuna is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't recap Caynz's death after they drop Yolko off.
- Kirito doesn't theorize that the culprit deliberately chose the dinner rush to make sure the event was seen.
- In the original, Guilty Thorn is referred to as a spear. In the abridged version, it's a sword.
- Asuna suggesting that they appraise Guilty Thorn is skipped.
- Asuna never questions why Kirito wants to help Yolko.
- The reason why Kirito he wants to help Yolko isn't to prove that it's impossible to die in a Safe Zone, nor is Asuna's motive to prove Kirito wrong. They both agree that it'd be best if they figure out how the event happened to prevent anyone else from using the same method again.
- Asuna telling Kirito to stop speaking to her so rudely and call her by her name is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't think that Yolko's name is "Yoga Pants".
- Asuna doesn't "pretend to be nice to people", nor is she such a broken person under the surface.
- A reference to Lisbeth, stating that she couldn't appraise the weapon because she was too busy, is skipped.
- One of Agil's disappointed customers leaving the shop is skipped.
- Agil doesn't sell overpriced bad gear to profit off the idiotic players. He buys mob drops from other players then resells them at a higher price, using the profits to help support low-levelled players. He only pretends to be greedy in the original to not seem soft.
- Asuna never talks to Agil in gangster slang in a misguided attempt to not seem racist.
- The reason why Agil pulls Kirito over the counter isn't because he hates her, it's because he's shocked that Kirito is hanging out with Asuna, as he believed they hated each other.
- Agil doesn't ask Asuna under his breath why she keeps coming back to his store or compare her to a witch or any other creature that's repelled by salt lines.
- Agil doesn't overhype his Appraisal Skill.
- Agil mentioning that Grimlock isn't one of SAO's top blacksmiths is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't realize that stabbing himself with Guilty Thorn is a dumb idea.
- Agil doesn't point out the unintentional racist undertones of giving him the murder weapon.
- Yolko is now more startled by Asuna mentioning Grimlock.
- Kirito doesn't ask Yolko if Caynz had any reason to fake his death.
- Kirito isn't as blunt with his questioning of Yolko.
- Yolko mentioning the name of her Guild, Golden Apple, is skipped.
- Yolko stating why the item was so special is skipped.
- In the original, Yolko mentions the possibility that Griselda's killer was one of her former Guildmates when Kirito begins to speculate it. In the abridged version, she mentions it immediately after recounting how Griselda died.
- Asuna speculating that Griselda was killed before she could sell the ring is skipped.
- Yolko's explanation of Grimlock and Griselda is skipped.
- This skips over the detail that the members of Golden Apple didn't know that Grimlock and Griselda were married in real life too.
- Yolko now mentions Schmitt with more disdain.
- Yolko now mentions that she and Schmitt are still friends.
- Kirito stating that he's met Schmitt at Boss raids is skipped.
- Kirito is now distraught over the idea of meeting Schmitt.
- Yolko begging to see Schmitt, in order to tell him what happened to Caynz, is skipped.
- Asuna mentioning that she knows someone in Schmitt's Guild who can tell him they're looking for him is skipped, so it's really not clear how they got in touch with him in the abridged version.
- Kirito telling Yolko not to leave her hotel room is skipped.
- The scene where Kirito speculates different methods behind Caynz's death is skipped.
- Schmitt is never stated to be a YouTuber, nor is he scared about his haters trying to kill him over his opinions.
- Johnny Black isn't one of the haters Schmitt is afraid of.
- The "meat toboggan" is never mentioned.
- In the original, Asuna says that she knew Schmitt, stating that he's an exceptional lancer. In the abridged version, even though they've been on raids together, Asuna doesn't seem to know a lot about Schmitt.
- Schmitt is now a lot more terrified of Grimlock coming to kill him compared to his original counterpart.
- Schmitt speculating that Grimlock was the who killed Griselda, and he's coming after them because they refused to sell the item, is skipped.
- Asuna doesn't realize that bringing Schmitt to Yolko was a bad idea.
- Yolko mentioning the possibility that Grimlock made Guilty Thorn for someone else in their Guild is skipped.
- In the original, Yolko mentions the idea that a ghost is the culprit in passing, before going on a rant about how they should've listened to Griselda and that only Grimlock can avenge her now. In the abridged version, the ghost idea is the focal point her rant.
- Yolko mentioning that she hasn't been sleeping is skipped.
- No one makes fun of Yolko's ghost story.
- The reactions to Yolko getting stabbed are skipped.
- In the original, Kirito was the one who called out Yolko's name when she fell out the window. In the abridged version, it was Asuna.
- In the original, there's a slight delay before Yolko seems to die. In the abridged version, she disappears as soon as she hits the ground.
- Asuna doesn't ask Kirito if Yolko's alright after she falls out the window, nor does Kirito make a comment about her chances.
- Kirito doesn't fail to jump onto the roof. He successfully lands on it and chases Caynz, but he teleports away before Kirito can catch him.
- Asuna never tells Kirito that he'll "never be Batman".
- Asuna no longer confronts Kirito at rapier point after he fails to catch Caynz.
- Kirito stating that Yolko should've been safe inside her room is skipped.
- Schmitt stating that Caynz was wearing Griselda's robe is skipped.
- Schmitt's rant about Griselda's ghost is a lot more deranged than it was in the original.
- Kirito doesn't leave Asuna alone with Schmitt.
- Asuna saying that she's starting to believe the ghost story is skipped.
- In the original, Kirito initially thinks Asuna bought the sandwich before she corrects him. In the abridged version, he realizes she made it straight away.
- Kirito doesn't figure out the mystery offscreen. He has two revelations while talking to Asuna.
- He figures out how Caynz and Yolko faked their deaths after dropping his sandwich.
- He figures out Grimlock's involvement in the restaurant after Asuna mentions the perks of being married in SAO.
- Kirito doesn't drop his sandwich because Asuna was mad he solved the mystery without her. He dropped it because he made a joke about how Asuna could get a second job selling her sandwiches, which Asuna didn't like.
- Kirito doesn't mourn the "death" of his sandwich.
- Kirito and Asuna don't head straight to Caynz, Yolko and Schmitt in the original. They first head to the restaurant, to let Caynz and Yolko deal with Schmitt on their own, before Kirito realizes they might be in danger.
- The conversation between Kirito and Asuna about what they would do if they got the ring is skipped.
- In the original, Yolko sneaks up on Schmitt when he gets distracted by a rabbit. In the abridged version, she suddenly appears before him.
- Schmitt thinking that Caynz is Grimlock is skipped.
- Schmitt doesn't offer to kill orphans for the "ghosts".
- Schmitt doesn't initially think that Kains and Yolko are still ghosts after they reveal themselves.
- The leader of Laughing Coffin isn't called "Jeffrey", he's called PoH, which stands for "Prince of Hell".
- PoH doesn't have hallucinations of Jesus telling him to kill people, nor does he quote obscure/incorrect bible passages.
- Johnny Black doesn't question his motif or authority, nor is the Guild failing to get clients.
- It isn't stated, nor implied, that PoH was one of the players at the Illfang raid.
- The members of Laughing Coffin don't put on fake psychotic personas, nor are they actually relatively normal people under the surface. They really are that crazy.
- The conversation between PoH and Johnny Black about how they should kill Caynz, Yolko and Schmitt is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't chastise the horse for ruining his entrance.
- Kirito doesn't claim to be a member of "Aincrad PD", nor does he give Laughing Coffin financial advice. He claims that there are players on the way to capture them, which scares them off.
- Kirito's actions don't result in Laughing Coffin rebranding themselves as "Laughing Coffin Industries", nor do they release an advert that gives away the location of their secret base. The reason why Laughing Coffin was destroyed was because their location was leaked by an unknown source.
- PoH doesn't declare that Caynz, Yolko and Schmitt are Kirito's slaves after their exchange.
- In the original, Kirito reveals how and why Caynz and Yolko faked their deaths to Asuna after he dropped his sandwich. In the abridged version, he reveals it to Kains, Yolko and Schmitt after he rescues them.
- Kirito's explanation of Caynz and Yolko's ruse isn't stylized like a Gameboy screen.
- The method Caynz and Yolko used doesn't involve exploiting a glitch. It involved disguising their teleporting in the explosion of certain items when they broke.
- In the original, Yolko already had the dagger stabbed into her back before her "death" to make it look like she got stabbed during the meeting. In the abridged version, Kains actually threw the dagger into her back.
- Yolko doesn't try to justify her lies to Kirito or argue against his reasoning, she accepts that she and Caynz got caught.
- Caynz never voices his confusion over who Kirito is, nor is it pointed out that Yolko didn't need to ask Kirito and Asuna for help. It's heavily implied that their plan revolved around someone looking into Caynz's "death", or at the very least someone tracking Schmitt down for them.
- The part where Yolko tells Kirito that they were going to tell him and Asuna the truth once everything was over is skipped.
- In the original, Schmitt did have a hand in Griselda's death. Grimlock anonymously ordered him to set a Teleport Crystal to the room she was staying in, which allowed Laughing Coffin to kill her. In the abridged version, Schmitt had no connection to Griselda's death whatsoever and was only apologizing to try and appease the ghost and save himself.
- Schmitt's innocence was revealed before the Laughing Coffin encounter.
- Kirito doesn't pretend to leave to let the former Guildmates argue before revealing Schmitt is innocent.
- Schmitt's innocence isn't proven by Kirito pointing out that Schmitt is too incompetent to kill Griselda.
- The part where Caynz and Yolko state that Grimlock was initially hesitant to help them is skipped.
- In the original, Grimlock is stated to have hired Laughing Coffin for both the murder of his wife and the attempted murder of his former Guildmates. In the abridged version, it's vaguely implied that Grimlock hired them to kill Kains, Yolko and Schmitt, and stated that he killed Griselda himself.
- The brief scene of Asuna capturing Grimlock is skipped.
- Kirito's speech to Caynz, Yolko and Schmitt isn't an intricate series of revelations that he had planned out, nor does it last passed Grimlock appearance, meaning Kirito doesn't get mad at Asuna for being "late".
- It's never stated that Asuna had trouble capturing Grimlock.
- It's never stated that part of Caynz and Yolko's plan involved them deleting their friends lists.
- Caynz doesn't get mad at Yolko for allowing herself to get tracked.
- It's never stated that the reason why Yolko was still trackable via her friends list was because she couldn't figure out how to delete it.
- Grimlock greeting his former Guildmates is skipped.
- Yolko asking Grimlock if he killed Griselda for the money is now something she asks Schmitt.
- Grimlock's motive is slightly altered to be more sexist. In the original, Grimlock was spurred on by the fact that he was afraid of dying while she seemed to be much happier in the game, and he feared that she would no longer be the woman he loved anymore. In the abridged version, he killed her because she started getting more independent and neglected to make him dinner for him at least once.
- The revelation that Griselda's real name was Yuuko is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't point out how stupid Grimlock's motive is.
- Asuna more or less gives the speech that Kirito gives, rather than pointing out that Grimlock's hat makes him look like a hipster.
- Grimlock doesn't crumble when Kirito and Asuna mock his hat. He crumbles when Asuna makes him realize how horrible he was.
- Caynz doesn't lament on the fact that he and Yolko wasted six months chasing after the wrong suspect.
- Caynz, Yolko and Schmitt don't kill Grimlock in order to avenge Griselda.
- In the original, Asuna asks Kirito what he'd do if he discovered a hidden side to the person he loved, to which Kirito says he would consider himself lucky. In the abridged version, she says it was nice to see that Kirito has a sensitive side.
- Kirito doesn't thank Asuna for tracking down Caynz, Yolko and Schmitt.
- Griselda's ghost doesn't talk to Kirito and Asuna.
- Kirito and Asuna don't run away screaming from Griselda's ghost.
- Kirito doesn't lose his sword by throwing it at Griselda's ghost.
- This event is never mentioned again, but it isn't because Kirito and Asuna both agree that it "never happened" out of denial. The reason it's never mentioned is because this was in a book of short stories that was released years after the original book.
- The part where Asuna asks Kirito to friend her is skipped.
- Asuna doesn't stab Kirito's eye out. This comes from an earlier scene where the two are discussing the marriage system, where Kirito asks Asuna if she's ever been married before and she threatens to stab him with the fork for even asking such a question.
- Lisbeth isn't presented as a shut in. She is mostly seen in her shop prior to meeting Kirito, but she's a relatively high-level mace-user, meaning she must get out and level grind fairly regularly.
- Lisbeth never offers to let Asuna live in her closet.
- It's never stated that Lisbeth is "living vicariously" through Asuna to the point where she considers Asuna's sex life as her own.
- Asuna saying that she's taking a break from hunting with the Knights of the Blood to hang out with Kirito is skipped.
- Lizbeth's teasing is now a lot more forceful and filled with more double entendres.
- Asuna denying her feelings is skipped.
- In the original, Asuna leaves because she's going to be late for her meeting with Kirito. In the abridged version, she leaves because Lizbeth creeped her out.
- The part where Lisbeth says to herself that whoever Asuna's meeting with must be special, and wonders if she'll meet someone special, is skipped.
- In the original, an entire day goes by between Asuna leaving and Kirito arriving. In the abridged version, he arrives pretty much after she leaves.
- The scene of Lisbeth forging a sword is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't threaten to burn down Lisbeth's shop.
- The brief scene of Lisbeth making sure she looks presentable for her customer is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't initially think that Lisbeth isn't the blacksmith.
- Kirito doesn't mock Lisbeth's hoopskirt.
- The part where Lisbeth speculates that Kirito is broke is skipped.
- Lisbeth doesn't awkwardly stumble over her words during her first meeting with Kirito.
- Lisbeth getting overwhelmed by the Elucidator's weight is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't mock Lisbeth for using the word "gnarliest", as she does in the dub.
- In the original, Lisbeth tries to stop Kirito from testing her sword out, thinking it will break Kirito's. In the abridged version, Kirito tests out the sword and breaks it before Lizbeth realizes what's happening.
- The tip of the sword shattering is skipped.
- In the original, Lisbeth stares helplessly at her sword before it breaks. In the abridged version, she thinks that maybe she can fix it before only for it to break.
- Kirito doesn't comment on the amount of crying women in his life.
- Kirito doesn't point out how he found both Sachi and Lisbeth crying near a bridge.
- The part where Kirito inadvertently calls Lisbeth's sword lamer than he thought is skipped.
- Lizbeth now asks Kirito to leave her shop after he destroys her sword.
- Kirito doesn't blackmail Lisbeth into making him the best sword she can forge. He challenges her to do it after she boasts about her blacksmithing skills.
- Lisbeth no longer mentions that X'rphan eats crystals.
- In the original, Lisbeth insists on coming with Kirito. In the abridged version, she accidentally ropes herself into the quest.
- Kirito's initial reluctance to bring Lisbeth along is skipped.
- Kirito introducing himself to Lisbeth is skipped.
- The part where Kirito says Lisbeth's name really weird is skipped.
- Lisbeth's pouting is skipped.
- Lisbeth sneezing while on the mountain is skipped.
- Kirito throws the coat a lot gentler in the original.
- In the original, Kirito says he's not effected by the cold because he's more resilient than Lisbeth. In the abridged version, he says it's because he's got more clothes on than her.
- Lisbeth commenting on the coat's warmth is skipped.
- In the original, Lisbeth thinks to herself that being alone with Kirito is getting weird. In the abridged version, she thinks that Kirito might not be as bad as she thought.
- Kirito doesn't tell Lisbeth to hurry up because it'll be dark soon, nor does he imply they might not get back before it gets dark.
- The part where Lisbeth tells Kirito to call her Liz is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't chastise Lisbeth for being too carefree in the Boss Room.
- Kirito doesn't accidentally call Lisbeth "Sachi".
- Kirito isn't blasted twice by X'rphan.
- Kirito isn't blasted because Lisbeth distracted him.
- Lisbeth watching Kirito fight X'rphan in awe is skipped.
- In the original, Lisbeth comes out of hiding to chastise Kirito for taking so long. In the abridged version, she comes out because she's celebrating their victory too early.
- Kirito doesn't chastise Lisbeth for not doing what he told her to do while they're falling into the pit.
- In the original, Lisbeth gets off of Kirito once he asks if they're alright. In the abridged version, she gets off after he tells her to.
- Kirito drinking a Healing Potion is skipped.
- Lisbeth thanking Kirito for saving her is skipped.
- In the original, Kirito seems to be aware that they couldn't teleport out of the pit. In the abridged version, he only becomes aware after he asks Lizbeth to use her Teleport Crystal.
- In the original, Lisbeth gets mad at Kirito for agreeing with all her worried speculations instead of comforting her. In the abridged version, she gets mad because Kirito starts complaining about how he's going to die in the pit with Lizbeth as company.
- In the original, Kirito tells Lisbeth they could run up the wall before trying it, prompting to her to call him insane. In the abridged version, he tries doing it without warning.
- Kayaba never plays sound effects to punctuate something he finds funny.
- Kirito saying he would've gotten out of the pit if he got a better running start, which Lisbeth denies, is skipped.
- In the original, Lisbeth talks about how you'd never go camping with a total stranger in places you'd never been before in real life. In the abridged version, she talks about how amazing it was that they fought a Dragon.
- Lisbeth asking why Kirito fell into the pit with her, to which Kirito says he'd rather die with a person than watch them die in front of him, is skipped.
- Lisbeth's backstory is only implied in the original. The only indication of Lisbeth's past is a picture of her friends, and the rest is up to the audience's imagination.
- Kirito doesn't suddenly grab Lisbeth's hand to get her to stop telling her sad backstory. She asks him to hold it to comfort her.
- Kirito doesn't start crying due to their similarities.
- Lisbeth commenting on the warmth of Kirito's hand is skipped.
- Lisbeth stretching after she wakes up is skipped.
- Lisbeth doesn't briefly start thinking like a character in a Romantic Noir.
- Lisbeth slaps herself because she's embarrassed that she held Kirito's hand.
- The part where Kirito explains that the pit was X'rphan's nest is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't point out that Lisbeth doesn't have to worry about hygiene after holding the Crystallite Ingot.
- In the original, Kirito didn't know that X'rphan was going to return to its nest until Lisbeth told him that Dragons were nocturnal and seemed to improvise their escape on the spot. In the abridged version, Kirito seems to have already figured out that X'rphan was going to return, and planned their escape, before Lizbeth woke up.
- Kirito creating a cloud of snow to hide from X'rphan is skipped.
- In the original, Lisbeth confesses her feelings to Kirito while they're in the air, but he doesn't hear it due to the wind. In the abridged version, she thanks him for helping her overcome her fears, which Kirito does hear.
- Kirito is a now lot more concerned about falling to his death compared to his original counterpart.
- The crafting system doesn't have an over the top, "seizure inducing", mini game that only the person crafting can see. Or at least it's never stated...
- Lisbeth planning to confess to Kirito after forging the sword is skipped.
- Kirito testing out the new sword is skipped.
- Lisbeth saying she wants to be Kirito's exclusive blacksmith from then on is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't point out how financially questionable it is for Lisbeth to give stuff away for free.
- In the original, Asuna was genuinely worried about Lisbeth and didn't notice Kirito was there until after she made sure Lisbeth was alright. In the abridged version, she seems to burst in because she knew Lizbeth was with Kirito.
- Asuna doesn't threaten Lisbeth or burn down her shop out of jealousy.
- Asuna mentioning that she was the one who told Kirito about Lisbeth's shop is skipped.
- Kirito and Asuna's bickering is skipped.
- Lisbeth doesn't run away out of fear. She actually runs off because she realizes that Kirito and Asuna like each other and she decides to not pursue her own feelings to give Asuna a chance and make her happy.
- Lisbeth telling Asuna that Kirito broke her sword is skipped.
- Lisbeth encouraging Asuna to pursue her feelings is skipped.
- Lisbeth claiming that she's going to get some supplies is skipped.
- Lisbeth saying she would've been back to her usual self if Kirito arrived later is skipped.
- The tower Kirito spots Lisbeth on doesn't have an Assassin's Creed-esque perch on it.
- Kirito doesn't go on a tangent wondering why Lisbeth's hair is pink. He thanks her for making him see that his life has meaning, even in the game.
- Lisbeth asking Kirito to tell this to Asuna is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't name the sword Lisbeth makes "Sunlight Heart", nor does he claim to name it "The Piece of Shit... DRAGON Shit that is" etc. The sword comes with the name "Dark Repulser" after it's made.
- In the original, Lisbeth vaguely implies to Kirito that she likes him, but it'll take her a while to get over it. In the abridged version, Lizbeth admits that she wanted to sleep with Kirito, expressing disbelief over how ridiculous that idea was due to how much of an ass Kirito is.
- In the original, it's heavily implied that Kirito knew Lisbeth liked him. In the abridged version, he's completely blindsided by this revelation.
- Lisbeth asking Kirito to beat the game is skipped.
- Lisbeth saying that Kirito is always welcomed at her shop is skipped.
- Kirito fighting a Lizardman Lord is skipped.
- Kirito's inner monologue about how long it's been since the death game started, and him speculating what Kayaba is thinking this far into the game, is skipped.
- Kirito does catch the Ragout Rabbit rather easily, but he and Agil aren't disappointed by how easy it was.
- In the original, Kirito threw two throwing knives at the Ragout Rabbit, one to scare it out of hiding and one to kill it. In the abridged version, it seems like he just threw one.
- Agil stating that the Ragout Rabbit Meat is the first S-Class item he's seen is skipped.
- Agil saying that, if they tried to cook the Ragout Rabbit themselves, they'll end burning it, due to their low Cooking Skills, is skipped.
- In the original, Asuna didn't hear that Kirito needed a chef until after she initiated the conversation with him, only bringing up her Cooking Skill level when he asks her about it. In the abridged version, Asuna hears that Kirito needs a chef when she enters Tiffany's shop and initiates the conversation by bringing up her level.
- Kirito doesn't comment on the fact that Asuna maxing out her Cooking Skill is a bit antifeminist. He instead expresses excitement that someone can cook the Ragout Rabbit for him, only to stop when he notices Kuradeel glaring at him.
- Kirito saying that it's weird seeing Asuna in Agil's shop, calling it a dump, is skipped.
- Asuna stating that she came to check if Kirito was still alive, only for Kirito to point out that she could've checked her friends list, is skipped.
- Asuna saying that it's almost time for the next Boss raid is skipped.
- In the original, Kirito initially offers Asuna a piece of the Ragout Rabbit before Asuna insists that she gets half. In the abridged version, he offers her half of it straight away.
- Asuna doesn't ask Kirito if him offering to split the Ragout Rabbit with her is him asking her out on a date, nor does she reinforce the prospect to the point that Kirito feels like he's being mugged.
- In the original, Kirito and Asuna agree to cook the Ragout Rabbit at Asuna's place after they leave Agil's shop. In the abridged version, Asuna tells Kirito to come to her house while they're in Tiffany's shop.
- Kirito doesn't joke about Kuradeel being Asuna's boyfriend, nor is she ever disgusted by such a concept.
- Kirito never insults Kuradeel's face with such unending fury.
- Asuna doesn't try to underplay her excitement after her celebration.
- Kirito smiling at Asuna is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't agree to share the Ragout Rabbit with Agil if he comes over to Asuna's house. He tells him he'll write a two paged review about how it tasted.
- The scene where Kuradeel argues with Asuna about going with Kirito is skipped.
- The conversation between Kirito and Asuna about how she's unhappy with what her Guild has become is skipped.
- In the original, Kirito and Asuna arrive at Asuna's place at the same time. In the abridged version, Kirito arrives by himself, and Asuna is waiting for him.
- Asuna telling Kirito how much her house cost is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't think that Asuna is leading him to a trap to kill him.
- Kirito doesn't mistake Asuna telling him to put his sword away for her telling him she can see his erection.
- Most of cooking process, including Asuna deciding what to cook, preparing the ingredients, and preparing some side dishes, is skipped.
- Asuna smirking at Kirito before revealing the meal is skipped.
- The dish Asuna makes doesn't glow.
- Asuna doesn't burp a cloud of golden smoke.
- Kirito doesn't find Asuna's change in behavior worrying, nor does he ask if she likes him.
- A conversation about how some players have given up fighting is skipped.
- Asuna teasing Kirito and indirectly asking if he's had a girlfriend is skipped.
- In the original, Asuna suggests Partying up with Kirito because the game is getting harder, especially for solo players. In the abridged version, she says that she wants to team up because she doesn't want anything bad to happen to Kirito.
- Asuna does pull the knife on Kirito twice in the original, but for different reasons. The first time was because Kirito accidentally implied she was one of the players that might hold him back, and the second time was because he tried to argue out of Partying up with her, due to not wanting to be on the front lines. In the abridged version, the first time was because Kirito was getting too close to figuring out she liked him and the second time was because he was taking too long to accept her Party request.
- The intensities of which Asuna thrusted the knife are swapped in the abridged version.
- Kirito using Kuradeel as an excuse to not Party with Asuna, followed by Asuna countering with the fact she'll just ditch him, is skipped.
- Asuna refilling Kirito's tea is skipped.
- No one points out Asuna's habit of shoving sharp things into Kirito's face.
- Asuna putting the knife away is skipped.
- The scene between Kirito and Asuna, where Kirito thanks Asuna for the meal and wonders if the death game really was what Kayaba wanted SAO to be, is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't complain about waking up so early to wait for Asuna.
- Kirito doesn't immediately know that he accidentally squeezed Asuna's boob in the original, nor is he familiar with enough anime tropes to realize where this is going.
- Kirito now only squeezes Asuna's boob once.
- In the original, the alert that pops up after Kirito slams into the pillar is the default "Immortal Object" alert. In the abridged version, it's a measurement of distance and a declaration that either Kirito or Asuna achieved a new record, implying this was a minigame.
- Asuna glaring at Kirito after smacking him is skipped.
- Kuradeel looking around for Asuna is skipped.
- Kuradeel does go overboard in his duties, but not to the extent that he breaks into Asuna's house and watches her sleep.
- In the original, Kuradeel states that he's been watching Asuna in her home for the past month, due to her disappearing all the time to hang out with Kirito. In the abridged version, he says he only became more vigilant after Asuna invited Kirito into her house.
- It's never stated that Kuradeel was watching Kirito and Asuna's meal.
- The part where Kuradeel tries to drag Asuna off is skipped.
- In the original, Kirito tells Kuradeel that he'll do a better job of protecting Asuna than he could. In the abridged version, he says that Asuna can take care of herself.
- Asuna telling Kirito that she'll explain everything to Heathcliff is skipped.
- Kuradeel telling Asuna to get to a safe distance is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't offer Kuradeel the chance to back out of their duel.
- PoH watching the duel from the crowd is skipped.
- In the original, Kirito and Kuradeel clash using two different Sword Skills, but Kirito manages to strike Tyrant Dragon's weak point and sever its blade. In the abridged version, Kirito destroys Kuradeel's sword within the first millisecond before Kuradeel can even prepare his attack.
- The shot of Tyrant Dragon's severed blade landing is skipped.
- The reactions to Kuradeel's defeat are skipped.
- Kuradeel trying to convince Asuna that Kirito cheated is skipped.
- In the original, Asuna fires Kuradeel as her bodyguard. In the abridged version, she just tells him to leave.
- Kuradeel's dagger doesn't land in his head.
- Asuna collapsing into Kirito's arms is skipped.
- The results screen of the duel is skipped.
- In the original, Asuna apologizes to Kirito for getting him involved with Kuradeel. In the abridged version, she compliments him on their teamwork.
- Kirito asking if Asuna's alright is skipped.
- Asuna didn't pretend to be a damsel in distress in order to get Kirito to fight Kuradeel on her behalf because it was "more satisfying" than complaining about his actions, nor was she trying to avoid the political backlash of beating Kuradeel up. She was, in fact, temporarily a damsel.
- The conversation after the duel isn't about how Asuna exploited Kirito. It's about how Asuna deserves a break after all her hard work as second in command, prompting her to take Kirito up on the offer and telling him to take the lead in battle.
- The scene where Kirito and Asuna fight a Demonic Servant together is skipped.
- The scene where Kirito and Asuna go into the Gleam Eyes' Boss Room before meeting Kobatz, only to run away screaming, is skipped.
- Asuna asking Kirito why he doesn't use a shield, and why he's not using the sword Lisbeth made him, is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't tell Asuna he loves her after she announces she brought sandwiches.
- Asuna telling Kirito to remove his gloves is skipped.
- Kirito and Asuna's perception of taste isn't drastically altered after eating the Ragout Rabbit.
- The scene where Asuna shows off all the meals she's learned to cook is skipped.
- Kirito suggesting that Asuna sells her food, only to take it back when he realizes there wouldn't be any left for him, is skipped.
- Asuna calling Kirito greedy before offering to make him more is skipped.
- The shot of Klein passing through the Safe Area's barrier is skipped.
- In the original, Klein and the Fuurinkazan are exhausted when they arrive in the Safe Area, meaning Klein doesn't realize Kirito and Asuna are there at first. In the abridged version, Klein notices Kirito and Asuna in the Safe Area as soon as he and his Guild enter it.
- In the original, Klein is a happy to see Kirito again. In the abridged version, Klein is neutral at best.
- Klein doesn't joke about Kirito's friends dying again.
- Klein getting starstruck by Asuna and introducing himself to her in a way that sounds like he's going to ask her out, prompting Kirito to punch him in the stomach, is skipped.
- The scene where the Fuurinkazan try to swarm Asuna is skipped.
- Klein stepping on Kirito's foot to get back at Kirito is skipped.
- Asuna giggling at Kirito and Klein is skipped.
- Klein doesn't ask Kirito if he wants to show Asuna his "Sword Skills", nor is Asuna interested in his response.
- Asuna explaining to Klein that she's in a Party with Kirito is skipped.
- Klein getting jealous of Kirito hanging out with Asuna is skipped.
- In the original, Asuna was the one who notices the ALF first. In the abridged version, Kirito notices them first.
- Klein recognizing the ALF is skipped.
- Asuna's line about how the ALF haven't been seen on the front lines since most of them were slaughtered on Floor 25 is skipped.
- In the original, Kobatz was an arrogant man who believed that he was entitled to whatever he wanted since the ALF had helped players out in the past. In the abridged version, he presents himself as valiant hero fighting both for glory and for the people.
- Kobatz doesn't talk like a Spaniard, nor are his words punctuated by Spanish guitar.
- Kobatz was a Lieutenant-Colonel, not a General.
- It's never stated that Kobatz was from Nagano.
- Kirito introducing himself to Kobatz is skipped.
- Kobatz's men don't verbally complain about his decisions.
- Kobatz asking Kirito for the Dungeon map is skipped.
- Kirito giving Kobatz the map, stating that he was going to go public with it anyway, is skipped.
- In the original, Kirito was the one who told Kobatz that he shouldn't fight the Boss while his men are exhausted. In the abridged version, it was Klein. Although, Kirito does still suggest that Corvatz should head home.
- The reason why Klein was mad at Kobatz was because Kobatz asked Kirito to give him the Dungeon map for free.
- Kobatz doesn't say that he's yet to defeat a Boss.
- Kirito and Asuna don't run after Kobatz, leaving Klein unable to catch up with his heavy armor. They all walk to the Boss Room together to make sure the ALF are alright, with Klein and the Fuurinkazan helping Kirito and Asuna defeat some Lizardman Lords. Kirito and Asuna eventually run off after hearing an ALF soldier's scream, leaving Klein to fight some spawning enemies, hence why he was late in the original.
- Klein telling Asuna to take care of Kirito is skipped.
- None of the ALF members respond to Kirito's question.
- In the original, Kirito was the one who told the ALF to use their Teleport Crystals. In the abridged version, Asuna was the one who did it.
- The soldier's response to this order is now a lot more sarcastic.
- Asuna stating that this is the first time she's seen an Anti-Crystal Zone in a Boss Room is skipped.
- Kirito's flashback to the trap in Episode 3 is skipped.
- Kirito suggesting that they could distract the Gleam Eyes, stating that it might be risky, is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't encourage Kobatz to attack the Gleam Eyes, he actually tries to get him to stop attacking it.
- The Gleam Eyes' fire breath attack is skipped.
- Kobatz isn't implied to have been one of the players who fought Illfang.
- In the original, Klein arrives prior to Kobatz's fatal injury and witnesses the ALF's struggle to teleport out. In the abridged version, he arrives just in time to see Corvatz land at the entrance and die.
- In the original, Kobatz's final words are "I can't believe it". In the abridged version, they're "Corvatz... can never... die."
- Kirito doesn't try to play Kobatz's death off with a joke.
- The ALF soldier that's cornered by the Gleam Eyes doesn't beg for help.
- In the original, Asuna runs in to fight the Gleam Eyes first and Kirito runs in to protect her. In the abridged version, Kirito runs in first because it fits his character arc better.
- Asuna getting punched by the Gleam Eyes is skipped.
- Kirito telling Asuna to leave the Boss Room is skipped.
- Kirito now runs in before Klein realizes what's happening.
- Klein running in after Kirito is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't wonder why he's saving the ALF.
- The one of the ALF soldiers that Klein rescues isn't delirious, nor does he ask if Klein is his love, Gloria.
- Klein and Asuna telling Kirito to run away is skipped.
- Kirito looking at Klein and Asuna, worrying what they will think about his Dual Blades Skill, is skipped.
- Kirito telling Klein and Asuna he's going to prepare something is skipped.
- Kirito sorting through his menu is skipped.
- Klein doesn't try to give a valiant speech to the Gleam Eyes.
- In the original, everyone is too stunned to speak upon seeing Kirito's Dual Blades Skill. In the abridged version, they collectively say "Holy shit!".
- Kirito doesn't rant at the Gleam Eyes for "making him care about people".
- Klein asking what kind of Skill Dual Blades is during the Gleam Eyes fight is skipped.
- Kirito getting punched by the Gleam Eyes is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't state that the ALF can "all go die" after he rescues them.
- Kirito initially thinking it's Sachi calling his name when he wakes up is skipped.
- Asuna stating that Kirito was unconscious for only a few seconds is skipped.
- Kirito is now a lot more flustered by Asuna hugging him compared to his original counterpart.
- Kirito's joke about Asuna squeezing out his last hit point is skipped.
- In the original, Klein says that Kobatz and two ALF soldiers were the only casualties. In the abridged version, Corvatz seems to be the only casualty.
- Kirito stating that they haven't lost a player to a Floor Boss since Floor 67 is skipped.
- Klein ranting about Kobatz is skipped.
- In the original, Klein looks for the Dual Blades Skill in the Info Broker Skill list. In the abridged version, he looks for it in the game's directory.
- Klein asking Kirito why he kept his Dual Blades Skill a secret is skipped.
- Kirito specifying that he got the Dual Blades Skill six months ago and didn't tell anyone because he was afraid how players would react is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't theorize that he got the Dual Blades Skill from fighting a Titan's Hand member.
- Klein indicating that players will be jealous that Kirito has Asuna is skipped.
- Klein doesn't say he's going to go find whatever passes for a beer on the next Floor, he says he's going to go activate the new Teleport Gate.
- Klein doesn't tell Kirito to not give up on humanity just yet. He tells him he's glad Kirito rescued the ALF, with the implication that he's glad that Kirito survived.
- Asuna stating that she wouldn't know what to do if Kirito died is skipped.
- Asuna telling Kirito that she's going to take a leave of absence from the KOB to be with him is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't joke around that his leg is falling asleep from Asuna being on top of him, nor does Asuna threaten to cut him for ruining the moment.
- No one was livestreaming Kirito's fight with the Gleam Eyes. Agil finds out about the fight via the game's newspaper.
- SAO is never stated to have livestreaming.
- Kirito saying he's abandoned his house, due to players swarming it to find out how he got the Dual Blades Skill, is skipped.
- Agil and Lisbeth don't laugh at Kirito's fight with the Gleam Eyes. Agil laughs about how the other players are reacting to the news and Lisbeth tells Kirito he shouldn't have told everyone their secret, as she was aware of the Dual Blade Skill prior to the incident.
- Asuna now delivers the message with a lot less urgency.
- Agil and Lisbeth don't jump out of a window out of fear of Asuna.
- In the original, Kirito and Heathcliff mention that they've met before at Boss raids. In the abridged version, their meeting in this episode the first time they've met.
- Kirito mentioning the incident with Kuradeel, as well as Heathcliff apologizing, is skipped.
- Heathcliff doesn't state that Kirito has become an inspiration to the other players.
- The meeting between Kirito and Heathcliff isn't about whether Kirito should join the KOB or not. It's about whether or not Asuna gets granted her leave from the Guild, as she was one of the KOB's best players and they couldn't afford to lose her.
- Kirito doesn't challenge Heathcliff to their fight in the original, Heathcliff challenges him.
- Heathcliff does ask Kirito to join the Guild in the original, but it was as a condition if loses the fight.
- Asuna doesn't point out that using her as a bargaining chip is a bit sexist.
- The scene between Kirito and Asuna before the fight, where they talk about how powerful Heathcliff is, is skipped.
- Asuna saying that Heathcliff's health has never turned yellow is moved to after the fight.
- The fight isn't narrated by an intellectual named Sam, or an overly loud manly stereotype named Bob.
- The nicknames said during the match are never mentioned in the original.
- In the original, Heathcliff was the one who commented on the amount of players in the audience, apologizing to Kirito. In the abridged version, Kirito was the one who comments on the turn out.
- Kirito asking for a share of the profits is skipped.
- Kirito and Heathcliff don't debate about which one of them is the best player in the game.
- In the original, Heathcliff is so certain that he's going to win the duel that he states the fight is Kirito's first mission as a member of the KOB. In the abridged version, he states that he'd be a fool to underestimate Kirito and tells him to "make his day".
- Kirito isn't knocked down by Heathcliff within four seconds of their fight. The strategy he comes up with is how the duel goes down in the original, but Heathcliff blocks the final attack and bashes him to the ground.
- Asuna watching the fight is skipped.
- Heathcliff doesn't call Kirito a noob.
- Collinia doesn't devolve into a flame filled lawless zone after the duel between Kirito and Heathcliff doesn't go how the audience wanted, nor is it eventually ruled by a guy called "The King of Ashes".
- In the original, Kirito complains that his KOB uniform is too flashy and Asuna says he looks great. In the abridged version, Kirito says he looks like a tool and Asuna comments that he's dressed appropriately now.
- In the original, even though he's disappointed with the situation, Kirito says that him joining the KOB will be good opportunity, and that he went as far as he could as a solo player. In the abridged version, Kirito is absolutely distraught that he has to join a Guild.
- In the original, Kirito tells Asuna about what happened to the Moonlit Black Cats after his fight with Heathcliff. In the abridged version, Asuna seems to be already aware of what happened.
- Asuna never calls Sachi "Sally".
- Asuna no longer says that she can't die because she has to protect of Kirito.
- Asuna now reassures Kirito that things will be different from his time with the Moonlit Black Cats.
- Kirito contemplating embracing Asuna, before deciding not to, is skipped.
- Godfree doesn't speak in Ye Olde English nor is he stated to be roleplayer.
- In the original, Asuna is the one who complains about Godfree's involvement. In the abridged version, Kirito is the one that complains.
- Godfree no longer states that he's commander of the front lines.
- No one mentions Kirito's fight against Heathcliff, nor does Godfree make a snide comment about how Kirito lost said fight.
- Asuna complaining that Godfree's training ruins her chance to be alone with Kirito is skipped.
- Kirito reassuring Asuna that he'll be back soon is skipped.
- In the original, Godfree mentions that another member of the KOB would be joining them but didn't say it would be Kuradeel. In the abridged version, he didn't tell Kirito there would be a third person at all until Kirito saw Kuradeel.
- Godfree dragging Kuradeel out from hiding is skipped.
- In the original, Godfree's training is an expedition to the Floor 55 Dungeon. In the abridged version, it's a team building exercise that Godfree not so subtly implies involves trust falls.
- Godfree doesn't refer to Kirito and Kuradeel's conflict as a "petty squabble".
- In the original, Kuradeel apologizes to Kirito for being rude to him. In the abridged version, he apologizes for going overboard with his duties.
- Godfree doesn't think that Kuradeel is an old man that Kirito can learn from, nor does Kuradeel inform him he's 26.
- The part where Godfree asks for Kirito and Kuradeel's Crystals, to test their reactions in dangerous situations, is skipped.
- Godfree doesn't ask Kuradeel for an Antidote Crystal.
- Kirito and Kuradeel's half-hearted cheering is replaced with Kuradeel saying that he hates SAO.
- Godfree now states that the Floor 55 Dungeon entrance is the halfway point of their expedition.
- The part where Kirito briefly imagines eating one of Asuna's sandwiches is skipped.
- Kuradeel doesn't mutter to himself that Godfree will die screaming.
- Godfree doesn't initially think that Kuradeel poisoning him and Kirito is a prank.
- Godfree stating that Kuradeel was in charge of packing the lunches is skipped.
- Kuradeel kicking away one of Godfree's Antidote Crystals and calling him an idiot is skipped.
- In the original, Kuradeel explains what his cover story is while he's hacking up Godfree. In the abridged version, he rants about how annoying Godfree is.
- Kuradeel now lets Godfree think he's stopped trying to kill him before dealing the final blow.
- Godfree doesn't try to turn this situation into a lesson for Kirito, nor does he state that the three of them will look back on this and laugh.
- Kuradeel stating that Godfree's death was Kirito's fault is skipped.
- Kirito asking Kuradeel why he's in the KOB and not one of the criminal Guilds is skipped.
- Kuradeel was a member of Laughing Coffin, as opposed to a fan. He was recruited after his fight with Kirito by PoH, who escaped being arrested.
- Kuradeel didn't try to kill Kirito because he was mad that Kirito made Laughing Coffin "sell out". He did it because Kirito humiliated him and because PoH told him to, in order to enact revenge on Kirito due to him being a part of the raid that arrested the other Laughing Coffin members.
- No one mentions the fact that most of Laughing Coffin have been imprisoned during Kuradeel's attack.
- Kuradeel stating that he better stop monologuing or else the poison will wear off is skipped.
- Kuradeel stabbing Kirito's arm is skipped.
- Kuradeel asking Kirito to describe his pain is skipped.
- Kirito wondering if he's going to die, and thinking about Sachi, is skipped.
- In the original, Kirito initially accepts his fate before realizing he wants to see Asuna again and begins weakly fighting back, which delights Kuradeel. In the abridged version, Kirito mocks Kuradeel and refuses to fight back to make sure Kuradeel can't enjoy his death.
- Asuna's relief that she made it in time is skipped.
- In the original, Asuna was keeping tabs on Kirito, Kuradeel and Godfree via the map, and came to rescue him after she saw Godfree disappear. In the abridged version, she was following them ever since the three left.
- Kirito doesn't make a joke about how he's glad he's dating a stalker.
- Kuradeel isn't implied to have an abusive mother who beat him so much he got sexually aroused by it.
- Kuradeel doesn't initially view Asuna as not a threat due to his prior experience with her. He tries to explain what happened, but she attacks him before he can finish his excuse.
- Kuradeel doesn't call Asuna a bitch after her first attack, nor does he try to insist that it's a compliment out of fear.
- Kirito doesn't call Asuna a bitch as a compliment, echoing Kuradeel's last words, before they kiss.
- Asuna doesn't claim she'll let Heathcliff deal with Kuradeel.
- Asuna doesn't kill Kuradeel, she hesitates at the last second, prompting Kuradeel to disarm her. Kirito then blocks Kuradeel's attack with his arm, losing a hand, before killing Kuradeel by jabbing him in the heart with his other hand.
- Asuna doesn’t start crying over general worry for Kirito's safety. She starts crying because she feels like the whole situation with Kuradeel was her fault and she feels like she should stay away from Kirito for his safety.
- Asuna doesn't foreshadow her "death" by saying she wants to "almost die once in a while" to get back at Kirito for making her cry for the second time that week.
- Kirito and Asuna expressing their feelings and promising to protect each other no matter what is skipped.
- Kirito asking to stay at Asuna's house for the night is skipped, so it's not really explained why Kirito went there in the abridged version.
- Asuna does strip out of nowhere, but she didn't do it because she wanted to and/or because Kirito pointed out the "dubious implications" of him staying over so late. She does it because she somehow confused Kirito asking to stay over as "let's have sex tonight".
- In the original, Asuna gave Kirito more of a warning that she was going to do something before she stripped. In the abridged version, she turns the lights off and strips when Kirito wasn't paying attention.
- Asuna isn't as confident to strip in front of Kirito in the original.
- Kirito doesn't squeal like girl when he that realizes him and Asuna are about to have sex.
- It's never stated that Kirito and Asuna did have sex in the anime, although it's heavily implied.
- Asuna does punch Kirito, but it's because she blamed him for her mistake, not because he called out someone else's name during sex.
- The spooky scene of Yui in the woods is moved to before Kirito and Asuna get married.
- Kirito isn't salty about Asuna punching him.
- Asuna doesn't yell at him for ruining the moment.
- Kirito doesn't ask Asuna to "fix him".
- Asuna sleeping, and Kirito waking her up, is skipped.
- Asuna telling Kirito she had a dream that the events in SAO didn't happen, and while she wants to escape SAO, the last two years have been special to her, is skipped.
- In the original, Asuna says they should take a break from the front lines, as she's scared something that bad will happen again. In the abridged version, Asuna doesn't know what to do now.
- Kirito and Asuna don't have voices in their heads judging their actions after their night together.
- Kirito does propose to Asuna, and she does say yes, but they don't immediately regret it and/or try to get the other to admit it first.
- Kirito and Asuna don't use Yui as a means to get the other to admit that getting married was a mistake.
- Heathcliff doesn't use Kirito and Asuna's honeymoon as an excuse to get Kirito as far away from an upcoming peace talk as he can. They ask for permission to take a break from the Guild and get married in secret.
- Kirito and Asuna now get married before their meeting with Heathcliff, not after.
- In the original, Kirito was the one who suggested that he and Asuna go to Floor 22. In the abridged version, Heathcliff orders them to go.
- In the original, Kirito and Asuna bought the cabin on Floor 22, which apparently cost them most of their money. In the abridged version, Heathcliff prepared it for them.
- Heathcliff hinting that he'll call Kirito and Asuna back to the front lines whenever he feels like it is skipped.
- Kirito jokingly telling Asuna not to fall off the balcony is skipped.
- Kirito worrying that their relationship only exists in SAO, prompting Asuna to tell him that, even though they're in a virtual world, her feelings are real and she'll find him once they're out, is skipped.
- It's never stated that Asuna's mother told her to never show weakness even if she's wrong.
- Asuna's parents aren't getting divorced.
- Kirito doesn't mention that he doesn't know Asuna's name.
- Kirito and Asuna don't start crying while they're making out.
- In the original, Kirito and Asuna find Yui in the woods while looking for a ghost. They quickly determine that she's not an NPC and take her back home to make sure she's okay. Asuna then gets worried that Yui might've logged into SAO by herself and gets in bed with her, hoping that she'll wake up soon. In the abridged version, Yui suddenly appears in Asuna's bed.
- Asuna's a lot more startled upon seeing Yui looking at her.
- Asuna is never implied to have "night terrors".
- Yui now speaks without using contractions in order to seem more robotic.
- Asuna's initially a lot more confrontational about Yui in the abridged version.
- Asuna no longer feels worried about Yui.
- In the original, Asuna asks Yui what her name is. In the abridged version, Kirito is the one who asks her.
- Yui says her name a lot quicker compared to her original counterpart.
- Kirito now says Yui's name is cute instead of Asuna.
- Kirito is now a lot more adamant about getting rid of Yui.
- In the original, Kirito and Asuna introduce themselves to Yui, but she can't pronounce their names properly, so she calls them "mommy and daddy" because it's easier for her to say. In the abridged version, Kirito and Asuna don't introduce themselves and Yui immediately asks if they're her parents.
- Heathcliff doesn't get trapped behind enemy lines during Kirito and Asuna's honeymoon.
- Asuna giving Yui a pie is skipped.
- In the original, Yui asks to eat Kirito's spicy sandwich, to which Kirito complies. In the abridged version, she asks to check on the geopolitical situation of one of the Floors' cities.
- Yui eating Kirito's spicy sandwich is skipped.
- Asuna now states that Yui looks beautiful while she's sleeping.
- Kirito and Asuna discussing Yui's missing memories is skipped.
- Kirito stating that they can't take care of Yui because they have to go back to the front lines soon is skipped.
- Kirito mentioning the equipment in Yui's inventory is skipped.
- Kirito saying that having Yui in their cabin makes it feel like a home is skipped.
- In the original, Kirito is the one that mentions that Yui's parents are probably worried about her. In the abridged version, Asuna is the one that mentions it.
- Yui talking in her sleep is skipped.
- In the original, Kirito and Asuna go to the Town of Beginnings to see they can find Yui's parents, and eventually end up rescuing Sasha and some of her kids from some ALF soldiers harassing them. They then go to Sasha's orphanage, where they ask Sasha if she's seen Yui before. In the abridged version, they head straight to Sasha's orphanage to "buy" another child.
- Kirito telling Asuna that Floor 1 is the ALF's territory and they better go fully equipped is skipped.
- The scene where Kirito and Asuna remember Kayaba's announcement is skipped.
- Kirito and Asuna's conversation about how many players live on Floor 1 is skipped.
- The scene where Asuna beats up an ALF soldier so much that they all run away in terror is skipped.
- The scene where Yui starts to sense everyone's hearts and remembers that she's always been alone, before getting overwhelmed and causing the area to glitch out, is skipped.
- Because the abridged version skips straight to the meeting with Sasha, it skips an entire day while they waited for Yui to recover.
- Kirito commenting on the amount of kids in the orphanage is skipped.
- Kirito and Asuna telling Sasha about Yui is skipped.
- Sasha explaining why she made her orphanage is skipped.
- Kirito and Asuna don't end up "buying" Sasha's orphanage in order to one up each other.
- Kirito and Asuna don't ignore Sasha and take all her accomplishments as their own.
- The shot of Yulier walking towards the orphanage is skipped.
- In the original, Asuna realizes straight away Yulier is a member of the ALF. In the abridged version, Yulier introduces herself as one of its members.
- Asuna no longer speculates that Yulier is there to start trouble.
- In the original, the source of ALF's infighting was slightly different. The Guild was originally founded to distribute resources to other players, but it grew too big and Kibaou's faction gained too much power and started monopolizing monster spawn points and extorting players for taxes. When members started to speculate that Kibaou didn't care about clearing the game, he tried gain favor by sending players to the front lines, resulting in Kobatz's death. Just when Thinker was starting to consider kicking him out of the Guild, Kibaou asked to speak with him and trapped him in the Dungeon. In the abridged version, the fighting started after a series of devastating loses, which Kibaou took advantage of and somehow amassed an army of followers. Thinker then tried to make peace with him, which Kibaou saw as a threat to his power grab, resulting in him trapping Thinker in the Dungeon.
- Everyone is now considerably more surprised that Kibaou gained so much power.
- In the original, Thinker was the leader of the ALF. In the abridged version, it seems like he was just another member of the Guild who ended up opposing Kibaou.
- Yulier no longer states that she was Thinker's second in command.
- Yulier doesn't have perverted fantasies about Thinker, meaning she doesn’t accidentally or deliberately slip them into her sentences.
- Yulier specifying that Thinker has been in the Dungeon for three days is skipped.
- No one points out how dumb Thinker was for agreeing to meet Kibaou in a Dungeon without any weapons or items.
- The part where Yulier talks about the Dungeon's difficulty is skipped.
- The part where Yulier explains that Kibaou is using his influence to stop anyone from rescuing Thinker is skipped.
- Yulier doesn't challenge Yui to a fight, nor do Kirito and Asuna threaten to kill Thinker if she does.
- Kirito and Asuna don't turn Yulier down, they agree to help because Yui can tell that Yulier's telling the truth.
- Sasha doesn't go into a rage and kick everyone out of her orphanage.
- Kirito and Asuna did know what Sasha's name was in the original.
- Kirito and Asuna trying to leave Yui under Sasha's care while they fight in the Dungeon, only for Yui to demand that she goes with them, is skipped.
- Kirito commenting that the Dungeon wasn't in the beta test is skipped.
- Yulier speculating that the Dungeon opens up new areas after each Floor is opened is skipped.
- Yulier guessing that Kibaou kept the Dungeon secret to have his own personal level grinding spot is skipped.
- The scene where they enter the Dungeon is skipped.
- The hall of pillars is now presented as part of the Dungeon, rather than part of the Black Iron Palace.
- It's now unclear where the Secret Dungeon is.
- Kirito and Asuna commenting on Yui's bravery, with Kirito stating that she'll make a great swordsman, is skipped.
- Yulier isn't concerned with Kirito, Asuna and Yui's family dynamic.
- Yui doesn't tell Kirito to attack the Scavenge Toads' eyes.
- Yulier apologizing for not helping Kirito fight the Scavenge Toads is skipped.
- Kirito and Asuna arguing over the meat that the Scavenge Toads dropped is skipped.
- Yui noticing Yulier smiling skipped.
- In the original, Yulier was tracking Thinker with her friends list. In the abridged version, it seems they guessed that Thinker was in the Safe Room.
- Kirito doesn't state that Thinker is crying while huddled in the fetal position in the Safe Room.
- Thinker doesn't voice his relief that Yulier has come to save him before composing himself.
- Thinker doesn't nonchalantly ask Yulier to deal with the Fatal Scythe, he tries to warn her but she's too overjoyed to realize what he's saying.
- Asuna telling Yulier to stop is skipped.
- Kibaou didn't tell Thinker the Dungeon has poor reception to prevent him from messaging anyone, Thinker just doesn't message anyone for some reason.
- In the original, Asuna tells Yulier to wait with Thinker and Yui in the Safe Room until Kirito and her are done with the fight, before telling them to leave later. In the abridged version, she tells them to leave straight away.
- Asuna doesn't state that she's going to have "words" with Thinker and Yulier later.
- Yulier isn't terrified of Asuna.
- Yui doesn't state that she might be able to help in the fight.
- Kirito telling Asuna to leave with Thinker, Yulier and Yui is skipped.
- Kirito no longer states that he can't tell how strong the Fatal Scythe is.
- Asuna doesn't claim that her and Kirito's love for each other can conquer anything while fighting the Fatal Scythe.
- Kirito doesn't state that "the power of love is bullshit".
- Kirito and Asuna trying to block the Fatal Scythe's attack is skipped.
- Yui doesn't talk to the Fatal Scythe.
- Yui reassuring Kirito and Asuna is skipped.
- The sword Yui summons to fight the Fatal Scythe isn't glitchy.
- Kirito isn't worried about what happened to Yui's sweater.
- Yui wasn't pretending to lose her memories, the action of forcing herself into the game caused her to temporally lose them.
- Yui calling Kirito and Asuna by their names is skipped.
- Yui's explanation of the Cardinal System is skipped.
- Yui's system name, Mental Health Counseling Program 001, is skipped.
- Yui explaining that her emotions aren't real is skipped.
- Asuna trying to console Yui is skipped.
- In the original, Yui's motive to meet Kirito and Asuna was because, after years of experiencing negative emotions, she saw that Kirito and Asuna were living much more normal lives compared to everyone else. This made her start feeling real emotions and made her want to stay with Kirito and Asuna forever. In the abridged version, it's because they kept defying every prediction she made about them, concluding that her understanding of human relationships was flawed, and decided to insert herself into their dynamic to experience it first-hand, only to become emotionally attached to them as a result.
- Yui started crying a lot earlier in the original version, and with much more intensity.
- Yui doesn't quote the Foreigner song "I Want To Know What Love Is".
- Kirito telling Yui to say what she wants is skipped.
- In the original, Yui states that she deleted the Fatal Scythe, which is why the Cardinal System was after her. In the abridged version, it seems like she just defeated it.
- Kirito holding Yui's hand is skipped.
- Yui telling Kirito and Asuna to continue her work is skipped.
- Asuna stating that she can't be happy without Yui is skipped.
- Yui doesn't apologize for "being a burden".
- Kirito doesn't yell that he's sick of Kayaba "kicking his heart in the dick".
- Kirito telling Asuna that he's hacking into the system is skipped.
- Kirito no longer calls the item he made to contain Yui's code "Yui's Heart".
- Asuna doesn't try to hide her feelings over seeing Yui again by mocking Kirito's.
- Kirito and Asuna saying goodbye to Thinker, Yulier, Sasha and some of her kids is skipped.
- Kirito and Asuna walking back to their cabin is skipped.
- Asuna calling Yui their "first child" is skipped.
- Yui's voice in the wind wishing Asuna luck is skipped.
- Kirito and Asuna's conversation in the cabin isn't about their relationship. It's about how some players are living normal lives in the game and how they depend on the people on the front lines, like them.
- This scene is moved from their final days in the game to just after their adventure with Yui.
- Asuna doesn't make suggestive comments while watching Kirito sleep. She comments on how innocent he looks and then wonders if he's younger than her. This doesn't deter her for long, as she then hugs him and says she wants them to be together forever, which wakes him up, much to her shock.
- Heathcliff doesn't send the message to Asuna in this scene, he sends it to Kirito later.
- In the original, Kirito didn't hear what Asuna said, and she tries to cover it up out of embarrassment. In the abridged version, he did hear her and teases her about it, much to her dismay.
- Kirito voicing his fatigue after having fun every day of their honeymoon, causing Asuna to pout, is skipped.
- The scene where Asuna asks Kirito for a piggyback ride, and jokingly warning him not to turn around while she's getting on, is skipped.
- Asuna admiring a ladybug is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't say that their honeymoon was nice despite the fact their daughter "died right in front of [them], thinking she was alone and unloved".
- Nishida is never stated to fish with no pants on, nor is he implied to have sex with fish.
- In the original, Nishida was accompanied by two other fishers. In the abridged version, he's alone.
- In the original, Nishida just waves at Kirito and Asuna. In the abridged version, he comments on the beautiful weather they're having.
- Asuna telling Kirito to wave back is skipped.
- Asuna asking Kirito if he wants her to get off his shoulders is skipped.
- In the original, Kirito takes off running so that Asuna can have fun on their walk. In the abridged version, he takes off to run away from Nishida.
- Everything from Asuna watching Kirito sleep to Kirito running with Asuna on his back has been moved from before they met Yui to the final day of the game.
- An entire mini arc, where Kirito helps Nishida catch a fish Boss, is skipped.
- The scene where Kirito tries and fails to catch a fish, where he meets Nishida, is skipped.
- The fact that Nishida worked for the company that provided network security for SAO is skipped.
- Nishida having dinner at Kirito and Asuna's house is skipped.
- Asuna one shotting the Boss, receiving praise from a crowd of onlookers is skipped.
- Kirito mopping over the fact their honeymoon is over is skipped.
- Asuna revealing that used to cry herself to sleep thinking about losing a day in the real world, but then Kirito showed her she can live in the game too and changed her entire outlook, is skipped.
- Kirito and Asuna saying goodbye to Nishida and leaving Floor 22 is skipped.
- The meeting where Heathcliff sets up the next Boss fight is skipped.
- The fact that the Boss already killed ten members of the KOB's recon team is skipped.
- Kirito telling Heathcliff that Asuna is his top priority is skipped.
- The scene where Kirito asks Asuna not to attend the Boss raid, prompting Asuna to say she'll kill herself if Kirito dies, is skipped.
- This makes Kirito's request to Kayaba later more of an ego boost.
- The revelation that, when the players were being transported to the hospitals, some of their avatars passed out until they reconnected to the server is skipped.
- The fact that, since they're being kept alive by machines, it's only a matter of time until their real bodies die is skipped.
- Kirito telling Asuna that he doesn't care if they clear the game or not so long as he can be with her forever is skipped.
- Asuna telling Kirito that she wants to go on real dates with him, get married and grow old together is skipped.
- Kirito and Asuna realizing that they don't have a choice but to keep fighting is skipped.
- The scene where Kirito and Asuna arrive in Collinia, and the other players start gossiping about Kirito, is skipped.
- The scene where Kirito and Asuna meet up with Klein and Agil while waiting for Heathcliff is skipped.
- The scene where Heathcliff arrives and uses a Corridor Crystal to warp straight to the Boss Room door is skipped.
- Kirito and Asuna commenting on the tense atmosphere is skipped.
- In the original, Heathcliff tells the players his battle strategy before the Boss fight. In the abridged version, he uses a metaphor for how they need to fight together, which the players don't understand.
- Heathcliff doesn't fail to rally the players.
- The assault team isn't forced into the Boss Room earlier than expected by a group of bandits.
- Asuna reassuring Kirito before the Boss fight is skipped.
- Klein and Agil aren't implied to go on adventures together without Kirito.
- It's never mentioned that SAO has Chimeras.
- Kirito telling Klein and Agil to not die is skipped.
- The players don't initially think the Boss fight is a metaphor while they're waiting for the Boss to appear.
- In the original, Asuna was the one who spotted the Skull Reaper first. In the abridged version, it was Klein.
- Heathcliff telling the players to fan out is skipped.
- Kirito telling the two players to run away is skipped.
- Agil doesn't question his decision to play as a merchant after seeing the Skull Reaper's opening attack.
- In the original, the fight with the Skull Reaper lasts for an undetermined amount of time, during which fourteen players die. In the abridged version, the Skull Reaper glitches out and dies on its own after killing two players.
- In the original, the players fall into despair because they're exhausted and they're thinking about how the Bosses are going to get tougher from now on. In the abridged version, they fall into despair because the door to the next Floor fails to open, trapping them in the Boss Room.
- No gets contorted into a Cronenbergian horror trying to teleport out of the Boss Room.
- The players don't start complaining about SAO's flaws. The flaws in the game are either ignored in the original or added onto in the abridged version.
- Heathcliff doesn't get mad at the players.
- Since Heathcliff never references any movies, Kirito doesn't figure out that he's Kayaba that way. He realizes who Heathcliff is because he noticed that he was the only player who wasn't exhausted and whose health wasn't in the yellow. This makes him realize that his health never goes into the yellow because the system is protecting him.
- This is supported by the fact that, during their duel, Heathcliff blocked Kirito's final attack so fast that it was like his shield teleported, which was faster than the system should allow a player to go. Kayaba confirmed that this was him activating the game's assist mode.
- The other reason that made Kirito realize who Heathcliff was is it's boring to watch someone else play an RPG.
- Heathcliff doesn't try to convince everyone that the system's protective wall was a lucky glitch that saved him from Kirito's assassination attempt. He just kinda accepts that he's been exposed in the original.
- The players aren't unaware who Kayaba is.
- Kayaba now acts as a kind of Ghost of Christmas Future-esque figure to Kirito, showing him how he might turn out if he doesn't let people into his life.
- In the original, Kayaba reveals he was going to be the Final Boss. In the abridged version, Kayaba became Heathcliff as a last-minute attempt to help the players clear the game.
- Asuna clinging to Kirito's arm is skipped.
- Kayaba revealing why Kirito got the Dual Blades Skill, as well as him stating that it determines the hero of the game's story, is skipped.
- Kayaba stating that he expected Kirito to be the one facing him at the end of the game is skipped.
- Kayaba saying that Kirito exceeded his expectations with what the Dual Blades Skill could do is skipped.
- While Kayaba does say he is impressed with Kirito's fighting skills, he doesn't say that he expected Kirito to be leading the players in his stead.
- The KOB soldier's valiant speech is replaced with him simply telling Kayaba to die.
- Kayaba doesn't point out how pointless the KOB soldier's attempt to kill him was.
- It's never stated that one of the paralyzed players landed in such an uncomfortable position.
- Asuna doesn't try to convince Kayaba to unparalyze her.
- Asuna doesn't try to set him on fire with her mind.
- Kirito asking Kayaba if he's going to kill the entire assault team to hide his secret is skipped.
- Kayaba doesn't start ranting about the other players' idiocy after being exposed nor does Kirito defend them.
- Kirito doesn't point out how childish Kayaba's Heathcliff persona is, nor does he impersonate Eric Cartman or compare Kayaba to a crying baby.
- Kayaba doesn't kill anyone for "mildly sassing" him after being exposed.
- In the original, Kayaba says he's going to head to the Ruby Palace at the end of the game to wait for those who make it that far. In the abridged version, he doesn't say where he's going to go, but he might watch a movie in the meantime.
- In the original, Kayaba was the one who initiated the rematch, as a "reward" for finding him out. In the abridged version, Kirito is the one who asks for it, in order to end the game for everyone else's sake.
- No one points out how sudden and anticlimactic the final battle is.
- In the original, Asuna begs Kirito not to take Kayaba's offer. In the abridged version, she asks why Kirito would want to get out of the game faster.
- Kirito's flashback of all the people who've died in front of him is skipped.
- Kirito doesn't make a passionate speech about how his outlook on life has changed over the last two years.
- Asuna doesn't try to initiate a round of applause for Kirito, forgetting that she's still paralyzed.
- Klein doesn't "clap" with his teeth.
- Asuna doesn't sarcastically comment on how Kirito put her down in a way that prevented her from seeing the fight.
- In the original, Kirito thanks Agil for helping out the players. In the abridged version, he tells Tiffany to let Lizbeth know he was lying about what he named his sword, although he words it so vague that it confuses him.
- In the original, Klein tells Kirito not to apologize until Kirito buys him dinner when it's all over. In the abridged version, he's so overjoyed that he made a difference in Kirito's life that he can barely form a sentence.
- Kayaba doesn't give Kirito the chance to back out of their fight.
- In the original, Kirito thinks to himself that their fight isn't a normal duel, and that he plans to kill Kayaba. In the abridged version, he thinks to himself that things will be different to their last duel, as now he has something to fight for.
- The arc's main theme song doesn't play during Kirito and Kayaba's fight.
- Kirito's inner monologue during the fight is skipped.
- Kirito realizing he's going to lose, and wishing Asuna to live on, is skipped.
- Asuna doesn't tell Kirito to "cry your little bitch tears" upon her "death".
- Kayaba does question how Asuna broke out of his Admin Paralysis, but he doesn't make a joke stating that she broke out via the power of love.
- Kayaba doesn't half-heartedly apologize for killing Asuna or blame her jumping in front of his sword.
- Kirito doesn't call Kayaba a bastard.
- In the original, Kayaba is surprised and disappointed that Kirito wants to continue their fight. In the abridged version, Kayaba is initially excited to finish their fight "right", only to be disappointed by Kirito's weak attacks.
- Kayaba doesn't make a speech about how he's "the god of this world" before he stabs Kirito.
- Kirito's health bar running out is skipped.
- The shot of Kirito dying and reforming is skipped.
- Kayaba backing off in fear of Kirito's second wind is skipped.
- In the original, Kayaba is happy that Kirito defeated him, before silently waiting for his avatar to die. In the abridged version, he verbally expresses his joy, only to be disappointed that Kirito didn't make the reference he thought he did.
- Kirito smiling at Asuna's sword after his victory, commenting that "we did it", is skipped.
- The scene of the game announcing it's been cleared, accompanied by a montage of various players that Kirito and Asuna have met, is skipped.
- This was probably skipped because it showed that Pina was still alive and Lisbeth was in her shop.
- When Kirito wakes up in the cloud area, he doesn't verbally wonder if he's in heaven before stating he must be in "the other place" once he sees the loading screen.
- In the original, when Kayaba suddenly appears, he comments that the sight of Castle Aincrad crumbling is a "stunning view". In the abridged version, he agrees that seeing everything they've been emotionally invested in get destroyed is "disappointing".
- In the original, Kayaba reassures Kirito and Asuna that the players were all logged out a few seconds before their conversation. In the abridged version, he isn't sure whether the players got logged out prior to the system wipe.
- This was probably changed because Kayaba's logout list contained characters that were either dead in this version or had their names changed.
- Kirito and Asuna don't ask how Kayaba is.
- Kayaba isn't worried about what's going to happen to him now that the game has been cleared.
- The reason Kayaba started the death game didn't involve him being sleep deprived or the game being extremely glitchy due to him rushing it out, nor does he make a joke about forgetting his motivation. He actually forgot why he wanted to make it a death game in the original. The only thing he can remember is he became obsessed with the idea making a flying castle, free from all earthly laws and restrictions, using the game to create this world.
- SAO is never stated or implied to be published by Bethesda or any other American company.
- Kayaba saying that he hopes his castle is still standing in some other world, followed by Kirito reassuring him that it probably is, is skipped.
- In the original, Kayaba glances over at Kirito and Asuna when discussing the game. In the abridged version, he doesn't look at them until his final words to them.
- In the original, Kayaba congratulates both Kirito and Asuna after his big speech. In the abridged version, he seems to only congratulate Kirito before his big speech.
- Kayaba doesn't call Kirito and Asuna "the dictionary definition of 'lesser of two evils'".
- Kayaba doesn't say he feels such a deep connection with Kirito, nor does he try one last time to feel it again before he disappears.
- Kayaba tries to leave the game twice in the abridged version, rather than doing it once.
- Kayaba doesn't shout out "Peace!" when he leaves the game.
- Asuna saying that, since their avatars will be destroyed at the same time, they'll be together forever is skipped.
- In the original, Asuna was the first one to ask what the other's real name was. In the abridged version, it was Kirito.
- Kirito isn't shocked by the fact that Asuna used her real name in the game.
- Asuna didn't think that "Kirito" was his real name nor does she say that his real name is a terrible one.
- Asuna doesn't think Kirito wants to do butt stuff with her.
- Kirito and Asuna mentioning each other's ages is skipped.
- Kirito and Asuna don't point out that Kayaba was vague about whether they're going to survive the system wipe or not.
- Kirito and Asuna don't start crying about their future plans not coming to fruition. Kirito cries about not being able to send Asuna back to the real world and Asuna reassures him it's alright, because this is the happiest she's ever been.
- Kirito doesn't mention the idea of making Yui a robot body and taking her for a walk in the park.
- Kirito doesn't say "I love you" to Asuna, she says it to him and he neglects to say it back.
- Asuna does try to say "I love you" in the abridged version, or something similar, but she got interrupted when Kirito started crying.
- Asuna doesn't quote Han Solo back to Kirito.
- Kazuto looking around the room and at his hand is skipped.
- Kazuto taking off his NerveGear is skipped.
- Kazuto doesn't rip his catheter out when he wakes up, nor is it explicitly stated that he had one.
- The shot of Kazuto weakly walking down the hall is skipped.
Trivia
- The Aincrad Arc is 3 hours and 6 minutes in total, 2 hours and 41 minutes shorter that the original's 5 hours and 31 minutes run.
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