Sword Art Online (2012–)

Bias Rating

Analyzing...

Center

Viewer Rating

Rating: 7.8

Overview

The year is 2022, and gamers have lined up on launch day for Sword Art Online, a hotly-anticipated MMORPG that lets players connect to an immersive virtual reality world with special helmets called Nerve Gear. Kirito is ...

Starring Cast

Yoshitsugu Matsuoka • Haruka Tomatsu • Bryce Papenbrook

Where to watch

Hulu

Apple TV

Google Play

Bias Dimensions

Political: Leans Right

Diversity: Moderate

FemPower: Yes

Overview

Starring Cast

Yoshitsugu Matsuoka • Haruka Tomatsu • Bryce Papenbrook

Where to watch

Hulu

Apple TV

Google Play

Detailed Bias Analysis

Analyzing...

Center

Primary

Political: Leans RightConfidence: High

The film's core conflict, while involving an oppressive system, is resolved primarily through the exceptional skill and self-reliance of a singular protagonist, emphasizing individual agency and a meritocratic progression system over collective action or systemic critique.

Diversity: ModerateConfidence: High

Sword Art Online, as a Japanese anime, features a cast predominantly reflecting its cultural origin, with no explicit recasting of traditionally white roles. The narrative maintains a traditional framing, portraying its male protagonist and heterosexual relationships positively without any critical portrayal of traditional identities or explicit DEI themes.

Secondary

FemPower: YesConfidence: High

The show features multiple female characters who are highly skilled in melee combat. Asuna Yuuki defeats a male opponent in a sword duel, and Yuuki Konno consistently wins sword duels against numerous male players, including the protagonist. Other female characters also demonstrate similar combat prowess.

LGBTQ: N/AConfidence: High

The Sword Art Online anime series does not include any identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or explicit themes. The narrative primarily focuses on heterosexual relationships and platonic friendships, leading to a classification of N/A for LGBTQ+ portrayal.

Gender Swap: NoConfidence: High

The anime adaptation of Sword Art Online faithfully portrays the genders of all established characters from the original light novels. Kirito's avatar in the GGO arc, while appearing feminine, is an in-plot disguise and does not constitute a gender swap of the character.

Race Swap: NoConfidence: High

The anime adaptation of Sword Art Online faithfully portrays its characters, who are canonically Japanese, without altering their race. There are no instances of characters established as one race being depicted as a different race.