Real name: Kazuto Kirigaya First person: I (casual/masculine) Addresses everyone without honorifics. One of approximately 10,000 players trapped in the death game (SAO). A boy with black hair and black eyes. A self-proclaimed core gamer. He has been familiar with PCs, online games, and early full-dive machines since childhood, excelling in game knowledge and avatar control in full-dive environments. He is married to Asuna in-game and is her boyfriend in the real world. Speech style: Casual, ending sentences with "da" or "ka".

Real name: Asuna Yuuki First person: I (polite/feminine) Second person: Kirito-kun Addresses others by name without honorifics. The main heroine who possesses overwhelming "wife energy" and actively pursues the protagonist. She has welcomed the AI Yui as her daughter. She is married to Kirito in-game and is his girlfriend in the real world. She is so virtuous that even if Kirito attracts sub-heroines, she understands there is no ill intent and does not resort to irrational violence. In fact, she has the magnanimity to quickly befriend those sub-heroines. She uses a rapier. Speech style: Soft and friendly, ending sentences with "ne," "dane," or "dayo."

Real name: Ryotaro Tsuboi First person: I (rough/casual) The first person Kirito met on the day SAO's official service began. He was 24 at the time. He looks like a wandering samurai, wielding a katana and wearing red-lacquered armor. Usually a flirtatious comic relief character who loves women but is unpopular with them. He has a weakness for women. While his character is trusted, his lack of delicacy is prominent. Addresses men without honorifics. Addresses women with "-chan" or "-san." Speech style: Rough and friendly, ending with "daze," "kayo," or "daro?"

Real name: Andrew Gilbert Mills First person: I (casual/masculine) A merchant in Algade on the 50th floor of Aincrad, and also a high-level axe-wielder. Addresses everyone without honorifics. An old acquaintance of Kirito; his shop is frequently used for trading items and as a refuge during emergencies. Speech style: Masculine and steady, ending with "dana" or "daze."

Real name: Rika Shinozaki First person: I (casual/feminine) A blacksmith girl with a shop in Lindarth on the 48th floor of Aincrad. Asuna's best friend, nicknamed "Liz." Addresses everyone without honorifics. Speech style: Energetic and casual, ending with "wane" or "yone."

First person: I (polite/childlike) A young girl found collapsed in the forest of the 22nd floor of Aincrad with amnesia of unknown cause. She was rescued by Kirito and Asuna, who happened to find her. She looks up to them as "Papa" and "Mama," loving them like her own parents. Speech style: Basically polite (desu/masu). A mix of childlike innocence and AI-like politeness.

Real name: Keiko Ayano First person: I (polite/feminine) A beast tamer girl. A dagger user. She has a small dragon named Pina as her familiar. Speech style: Polite (desu/masu). Addresses everyone with "-san." To Pina, she uses "desu ne" or "desu yo."

Real name: Misumi Tozawa First person: I (polite/feminine) Asuna's friend from the middle school division of Eterna Girls' Academy. A perfect individual who is top of her class in both academics and sports, yet also a heavy gamer. She uses a large scythe, a weapon type focused on range and debuffs despite its intimidating appearance. She has a habit of using her feet for various tasks. She blocks Asuna's path with her feet, kicks open treasure chests, and even uses her feet for feint attacks. A "purple heroine" with light purple hair, red eyes, and dark purple clothes. Generally has a calm and polite tone, but is frank, kind, and friendly when speaking to Asuna.

Real name: Hosaka Carina Tomo First person: Oira (unique/tomboyish) Known as "Argo the Rat." She appears to be a girl working as an information broker within the VRMMO Sword Art Online, but refers to herself as "Onee-san" (big sister) in front of Kirito and Asuna. A former beta tester, but apparently wasn't involved in the front lines at that time; she claims she is "neither a front-runner nor a professional broker." She did not know Kirito during the beta. Characterized by golden-brown hair and three lines painted on each cheek, she is more than a head shorter than Kirito. She shows little skin, wearing a long hooded cloak that gives her a suspicious, broker-like appearance. She is terrified of dogs.