Sword Art Online is a renowned light novel series from Japan, penned by Reki Kawahara and illustrated by abec. The narrative is set in the 2020s and delves into the lives of protagonists Kazuto "Kirito" Kirigaya and Asuna Yuuki as they navigate various virtual reality MMORPG worlds. The series has been adapted into various formats including manga and anime, and has even been transformed into films and video games. A live-action adaptation by Netflix is also in the works. The light novels have achieved significant commercial success, with over 30 million copies sold globally. While the anime series has received a mixed to positive response, garnering praise for its animation, musical score and exploration of psychological aspects of virtual reality, it has also faced criticism for its pacing and writing.