Last updated on August 12th, 2022 at 02:38 pm

Recently I had the pleasure of writing about the Most Powerful SAO Characters Of All Time. Now it’s time to ignore power entirely and make a simple assessment of who we enjoy the most from this series. 

And let me tell you there’s a lot to love…

Many characters in the series deserve recognition, but only 10 shall be chosen. However, I will be sure to throw in some runner-ups as well. 

You’ll be seeing quite a few characters from our most powerful listicle here today.

And our top 2 barely moved…well at all.

BUT, before I get into the popularity of these characters, I want to mention that SAO is a part of our ever growing Workout Database. 

We are continuing to work here at SHJ on getting a mini-database together for you guys, as well as a placement quiz to help you find your ideal workout from the SAO roster!

Feel free to check out our Anime Workout Database in the meantime.

If you like listicles like this one, here are a few more I think you might like:

• Most Popular Demon Slayer Characters Of All Time
• Most Popular DC Titans Characters
• Top Ten Most Powerful Star Wars Characters

Of course we’ve also done a handful more “Most Powerful” and “Most Popular” for other anime so if you’d like to check those out you can visit our other listicles here.

For this one I scoured the internet for help and almost every single listicle has a different take on who the most popular SAO characters are. So what I decided to do was compile ALL of them together and then took the average of all the compiled ratings and placed them in their slot accordingly. Additional characters who did not make it in the top ten that I want to mention as well can be seen in the runner-up section. 

As always, leave your comments below if you were expecting other characters!

MOST POPULAR SWORD ART ONLINE CHARACTERS

Number Ten: Agil

Real Name: Andrew Gilbert Mills

Epithet: None

Starting off our list of the most popular SAO characters is the best shopkeeper ever: Agil!

And I mean that both in virtual and reality…

Agil is the mighty axe-wielding shopkeeper who has time and time again supported characters in the series. He is an extremely personable character who is always looking out for others. He also possesses strong resolve and is a great commander on the battlefield when needed. This resolve and eagerness to assist others is seen even in reality at his very own coffee shop!

Agil at SHJ:

Agil Inspired Workout

Number Nine: Leafa

Real Name: Kirigaya Suguha

Epithet: Speedaholic

Speeding into number nine on the list of the most popular SAO characters of all time is the Kendo champ herself: Leafa!

Look who’s made it up a spot from last time…

Suguha was not always into the VR world. She originally believed that VR gaming was like a mask over reality and a person’s true nature. She came into the VR world as Leafa in order to get to know Kazuto better. As a person she is the center of social circles and carries an upbeat personality. She can become aggressively agitated when someone does decide to cross her though.

Leafa at SHJ:

Coming Soon!

Number Eight: Alice

Real Name: Alice Zuberg

Epithet: Fragrant Olive

At number eight among the most popular SAO characters of all time is the Integrity Knight: Alice!

Alice is generally a very determined person that works hard towards her goals. Becoming an Integrity Knight for the Axiom Church meant a lot to her and it showed in her own integrity and will to succeed. There is a mischievous and adventurous side to her as well. Though some of her actions may have gone against the wishes of others at the time, she was willing to pursue what she believed was correct.

Alice at SHJ:

Alice Inspired Workout

Number Seven: Yui

Real Name: Yui

Epithet: None

Coming in at number seven of our most popular SAO characters of all time is the adorable Yui!

Originally Yui was a very melancholic character who fell into a deep depression upon seeing the death and insanity that became of people in SAO.

She was created as a feel good mental health AI after all…

Upon meeting up with Kirito and Asuna, she began to find that the entirety of the world wasn’t unhappy, and joy could be found. This resulted in her true self coming up out of the funk she had fallen into. She is a generally happy and cheerful character who loves to see good in the virtual world and deeply cares for Asuna and Kirito, who eventually became her adoptive parents.

Yui at SHJ:

Coming Soon!

Number Six: Klein

Real Name: Tsuboi Ryoutarou

Epithet: None

Number six of our most popular SAO characters of all time is the kind bachelor: Klein!

Klein is a generally friendly character who is willing to help anyone who’s in need. Klein never holds a grudge against someone, always looking to find the best in those around him. Klein even in the face of everyone else at the beginning of SAO stands up for beta testers, advocating that it was not their fault for the situation everyone found themselves in. He is also the bachelor of the group, always finding himself chasing after the next pretty thing in front of him.

Klein at SHJ:

Klein Inspired Workout

Number Five: Eugeo

Real Name: Eugeo

Epithet: None

Coming in at number five of our most popular SAO characters of all time is the thoughtful Eugeo!

Eugeo is a kind-hearted character who considers the needs of others as well as his own. When meeting his childhood friend Kirito again, which he had no idea as both had initially lost this memory, he willingly gave part of his food away to help feed him.

What a guy…

He was originally a very compliant soldier of the integrity knights who would never imagine breaking any rules or laws set forth by the Axiom Church. He was convinced otherwise upon seeing the abuse of the people that Kirito and himself were charged to protect. This eventually brought him to resist the Axiom Church in order to save a childhood friend, Alice, from harm.

Let me reiterate…What a guy!

Eugeo at SHJ:

Coming Soon!

Number Four: Yuuki

Real Name: Konno Yuuki

Epithet: Absolute Sword

At number four among the most popular SAO characters of all time we have the optimistic Yuuki!

Yuuki was diagnosed at a young ages with HIV, which does not hold her back in the slightest. Utilizing her new-age medical tech, she dives into ALfheim Online and forms the guild of other terminally ill patients, the Sleeping Knights. She uses this guild to spread her ideals to others that just because of your condition, there is never any reason to not take what life you have to the fullest. She proves these words by becoming one of the most powerful swordswoman ever known within ALO.

Talk about an inspiration story…

Yuuki at SHJ:

Coming Soon!

Number Three: Sinon

Real Name: Asada Shino

Epithet: Hecate

Coming into the top 3 of the most popular SAO characters of all time we have the childhood hero : Sinon!

Sinon was victim to a tragic event as a child, where she took a gun from an assailant threatening her mother and killed him. This experience haunts her for much of the Gun Gale Online arc, which is why she is generally seen using a long range weapon to disconnect herself from her targets, but also to provide her a possible relief from her trauma with guns. Despite her trauma, she is generally a calm and collected character that also has a deeply kind heart that is willing to even forgive those who were once her enemies.

Sinon at SHJ:

Sinon Inspired Workout

Number Two: Asuna

Real Name: Yuuki Asuna

Epithet: Flash

Coming in at number two among the most popular SAO characters of all time is a woman on a mission: Asuna!

Asuna is a kind and caring character who, like Kirito, is willing to put herself on the line for those she cares about. She is generally a serious and driven character, who begins to loosen up as she fights alongside Kirito and the friends they gain along the way. It can be said she’s the mother hen of the group, always ready to defend them and take care of their needs.

And at no surprise becomes the adoptive mother of Yui…

Asuna at SHJ:

Asuna Inspired Workout Routine

Asuna Jump Rope Workout

Number One: Kirito

Real Name: Kirigaya Kazuto

Epithet: The Black Swordsman

Coming in at number one of the most popular SAO characters of all time is the legendary beta tester: Kirito!

Kirito is a calm and collected character who is unafraid to tell it as it is. He seems to get a kick out of agitating and teasing those around him, though deep down he actually truly cares for others, especially his friends. He is exactly who you would expect as the hero of virtual worlds, always pushing forward and looking to protect those around him. He quickly adapts to situations and overcomes obstacles which dare to stand in his way.

Hell this guy saves thousands of people and overcomes multiple overlords…

Kirito at SHJ:

Kirito Inspired Workout Routine

Kazuto Jump Rope Routine

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But I’d also love to hear who YOU think should be on this list!

The Most Popular Sword Art Online Characters of All Time (Runner Ups):

• Lisbeth
• Silica
• Heathcliff
• Sachi
• Death Gun
• Tiese

Don’t forget to comment your thoughts below.

As always, remember that all these routines should be paired with our Nutrition Pillars; and you can even check out our article on The Top Diets Used Among Celebrities as well.

If you want to step it up a notch on top of these workouts then you can also check out our Superhero Academy and Superhuman System as well.

Now get out there and begin unleashing your inner superhuman!

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Until next time,

Garrett

SHJ’s Green Arrow/Uncle Iroh

Looking to step it up a notch?
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