| Yuuki Konno | |
|---|---|
| Sword Art Online character | |
| First appearance |
Volume 7, Chapter 3 Sisters' Prayer Prologue (Chronological)
Mother's Rosario Manga Stage.001 (Cameo) Mother's Rosario Manga Stage.002 (Actual)
SII Episode 19
|
| Created by | Reki Kawahara |
| Voiced by | Aoi Yuuki (Japanese) Erica Mendez (English) |
| In-universe information | |
| Race | ALO: Imp |
| Gender | Female |
| Family | Aiko Konno (sister) |
| Nationality | Japanese |
Yuuki Konno (紺野木綿季, Konno Yūki) is a fictional character who appears in the Sword Art Online series of light novels by Reki Kawahara. She is mononymously more commonly known as just Yuuki (ユウキ) Starting in Serene Garden, she and her guild eventually arrived at ALfheim Online, where she became known as Absolute Sword (絶剣, Zekken) due to winning sixty-seven consecutive duels on the street, including one against Kirito.[1] Prior to becoming known as Yuuki of ALO, Yuuki Konno was a child with AIDS since birth. Her parents, as well as her twin sister Aiko, were infected too.
In an interview with series creator Reki Kawahara, the author noted that the female characters in Sword Art Online were not based on anyone he knew in the real world, with him stating "I don’t usually make a character, setting, or anything before I start writing. As I write the story, the girls become what they are now. So, somehow, I don’t know exactly, but somehow, my subliminal idea or some hidden emotion creates the characters to be strong and capable." Kawahara also added that he wrote the series to demonstrate that he views online gaming not as a social ill or escape from real life, and thus decided to show games in a more positive light in his light novels.[2]
She is an Imp in ALO, and she starts fighting anyone by promising one Original Sword Skill (OSS) to make a combo attack 11 times if she is defeated: due to his invincible status, she is nicknamed Absolute Sword (絶対剣, Zekken).
One of the main characters from Volume 7. She was an Imp in ALO, she started dueling anyone promising an 11-hit Original Sword Skill (OSS) if she's defeated: due to her undefeated status she's given the title "Absolute Sword". Eventually Asuna fights her but loses. After the fight Yuuki asks her to help defeating the 27th Floor boss with her guild the "Sleeping Knights" in desire to etch all their names on the Monument of Swordsmen to make a memory. After certain events, which include the defeat of the boss it is revealed that Yuuki has HIV/AIDS and the guild members are patients in terminal state: to test the Medicuboid device, designed supposedly by Rinko Koujiro, in care for future patients. Yuuki forms a strong bond with Asuna, in reminder of her late elder twin sister Aiko Konno. With the time passing Yuuki's condition deteriorates and after she entrusts her OSS «Mother's Rosario» to Asuna before she dies peacefully in ALO, surrounded by over 1000 players from every tribe in the game, including her guild members, Asuna and her friends. Asuna takes the lead and is committed to improving the quality of life of Yuuki, an Alfheim Online player who is hospitalized as a terminal AIDS patient. Kazuto cooperates when he designs a small device that allows Yuuki to be present at the school, one of his pending wishes.[3] [4]
Richard Eisenbeis of Kotaku complimented Yuuki as a "powerfully human" character, writing "Like with the classic Beowulf, Yuuki finds her meaning and immortality in the written word. For her, having her name (and those of her soon-to-pass-away friends) on a virtual wall for all eternity is proof that she existed. To her, even that is enough."[5]
A Kotaku review praised her relationship with Asuna.[5]
Eisenbeis praised the fourth arc of Sword Art Online where Yuuki is the heroine in the Mother's Rosario arc, The arc as a whole was called "both heartbreaking and beautiful."[6] Yuuki Konno was first introduced during the second arc of Sword Art Online's second season as Asuna grew closer with her, and soon found out that she was actually terminally ill.[7] Yuuki was voiced by Aoi Yuuki and played a significant role in one of the most poignant arcs of the anime’s second season.[8]
In an official character popularity poll hosted by Dengeki Bunko for the cover of abec Art Works, Yuuki ranked second.[9] A second survey affirms Yuuki the fourth place of the most popular characters of Sword Art Online.[10] Yuuki was awarded fifth in a Dengeki Bunko character poll for their light novels.[11]
In a fan contest where respondents chose between 41 options for the next Sword Art Online figurine, Yuuki placed 5 and 24.[12]
The character has received positive critical reception, and her popularity has led to her being featured in several promotional efforts or merchandise of the series. She also features in promotional advertisements for a series of Umaibo puffed corn snacks by Namco.[13]
Sword Art Online girls (including Yuuki) feature in a merchandise lottery by Bandai, with Anime News Network humorously noting that "the girls of Sword Art Online have brought in a pretty penny for the franchise's creators, whether the characters are lounging under parasols or starring in their own manga spin-off."[14] There are also 3D light-up LED models of Kirito, Asuna, Sinon, Leafa, and Yuuki.[15] There was also a relaunch of the Yuuki Konno figure for June 2021.[16] Another figure also features Yuuki Konno.[17] Sword Art Online glasses based on the characters had a "Mother’s Rosario Yuuki" model "These glasses incorporate the purple, red and yellow colours of Yuuki’s costume and include the bold design from her outfit to capture her brave spirit."[18]