Many fans may think about how an anime protagonist would be more interesting if they just had more character development. In Sword Art Online's case, that's what most think about when it comes to Kirito. Although it is argued he was at his best in the first season, he became less and less relatable as the series continued.
This is because most fans consider him overpowered and bland. However, if Asuna took Kirito's place, there is no doubt that many things would have turned out different—and even for the better.
10 She Would React Differently To Being Trapped Inside The VRMMORPG
Kirito was scared and shocked when it was revealed they would be stuck inside the online world—however, he had more luck than the average person. This is because he was already a beta player who had a slightly higher chance of survival.
On the other hand, Asuna wasn't a gamer nor a casual player. Her older brother was the one who bought the VRMMORPG Sword Art Online, and she happened to play. As seen from when Kirito first met her without knowing who she was, she reacted in a more reclused and freaked-out manner than Kirito ever did.
9 She Would Have To Learn All Of The Mechanics First
Unlike Kirito, Asuna Yuki comes from a wealthy family who dictates her every move. In the latter half of the second season of Sword Art Online, it was revealed that Asuna's older brother was supposed to be trapped in the virtual world instead of her.
However, because Asuna took an interest in games and wanted to try playing them, she ended up with this twisted fate. As Asuna was new to video games, she wouldn't be anything like Kirito—a beta player—who already knew the games' mechanics.
8 She Wouldn't Be Used As A Damsel In Distress
Before the Fairy Dancer arc of Sword Art Online, Asuna was the best female anime character. However, she was reduced to nothing more than a damsel in distress who needed saving from the male lead and her boyfriend, Kirito.
This stain on the series fans had an issue with until she got her due diligence, as shown in Sword Art Online: Alicization when she had to save Kirito from inside the virtual world. If Asuna had been the main character, she wouldn't have allowed this to happen—and this is even more believable in Sword Art Online: Progressive.
7 She Wouldn't Be A Solo Player At First
Kirito could be a solo player after declaring himself a Beater—combining the words "beta player" and "cheater"—because he had the skills to do what he wanted alone.
Although he joined the Moonlight Black Cats guild, which resulted in the main reason he became a solo player—not to lose anyone else—Asuna would not have the confidence to do what he did. Asuna would work on her skills as much as she could before joining a guild, unlike Kirito.
6 She Would Have A Different Fighting Style
Every character in the world of Sword Art Online has a preference as to what weapons they use in-game. Kirito enjoys his unique skill of dual-wielding two swords, while Asuna has a fast and elegant fighting style that utilizes speed and rapiers. This is why she received the nickname "Lighting Flash" in the online world.
She would also have different Sword Skills that would fit with her fighting style, and it would be quite interesting to see how she acquires them throughout the series.
5 She Would Have A Tougher Time Defeating Enemies
No matter how much Kirito worked to get to where he is currently, there is no doubt, he has the plot armor of an isekai anime protagonist. Unlike Kirito, it was shown how Asuna struggled to learn the mechanics, how to fight, and how to survive passing comments she makes at the beginning of the series.
There's no doubt Asuna would have a more difficult time in defeating various low-level enemies at first before working herself up to go against high-level enemies.
4 She Would Have Different Thoughts Than Kirito
Although the light novel mainly shows Asuna's thoughts, fans rarely hear anyone other than Kirito think about what he is going through and feeling.
As the secondary character but second most important one, it would be interesting to see how Asuna dealt with the pressures of surviving in a completely different world. This is especially true in Sword Art Online: Progressive, where Asuna is shown to have a more challenging time accepting the truth that awaits her in the novel.
3 She Would Have A Completely Different Family Dynamic
No one knew Asuna's backstory in Sword Art Online. However, if Asuna were the main character, fans would quickly see why Asuna is the way she is in the real world and how they deal with her being trapped inside the online world.
This would be even more interesting if fans saw how her brother—the one who was supposed to be trapped inside the game in the first place—deals with the expected guilt he would have towards his younger sister.
2 She Would Have Better Character Development Overall
Asuna's character development in Sword Art Online is all over the place, making it difficult for fans to understand her character. First, she was written as more of a tsundere character who had a no-nonsense attitude. However, after falling in love with Kirito, she became more gentle and lost her sharp edge.
Then, she became a damsel in distress during the Fairy Dancer arc and regained what made fans love her in Sword Art Online: Alicization. She stood at the frontlines to fight against enemies and PTSD from watching people around her die in Sword Art Online. Her character development would be more streamlined if she were the main character, as her original concept was terrific.
1 She Would Have An Actual Personality
Arguably the most agreed-upon fact in Sword Art Online is how Kirito has little to no personality. This is made better in the manga version of Sword Art Online: Progressive, where he is shown to be more eccentric than in the original series.
Asuna stands out more than Kirito at first because she had both a character archetype of a tsundere and a more interesting personality than Kirito. If Asuna were to be the lead, fans would see why she was so cold to Kirito initially, and they would be able to understand her feelings at being trapped inside the game.