Episode 23: “Bonds”
- 23 of 25
- December 8, 2012
- 23 min
- Aired
Contents
| Series | Sword Art Online |
|---|---|
| Episode | 23 of 25 |
| Japanese | 絆 |
| Original air date | December 8, 2012 |
| Episode length | 23 min |
| Studio | A-1 Pictures |
| Previous episode | Episode 22: “Grand Quest” |
| Next episode | Episode 24: “Gilded Hero” |
| Streaming | Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu |
“Bonds” is episode 23 of the anime Sword Art Online. It first aired on December 8, 2012.
Summary
The summary below describes what happens in this episode.
Kazuto reflects on his past and his relationship with Suguha. Leafa considers ending her in-game relationship with Kirito, but is encouraged by Recon. Leafa and Kirito engage in a one-on-one fight, which they both abandon.
Characters in this episode
Music in this episode
- OP 2“INNOCENCE” — Eir AoiAnimeThemes
- ED 2“Overfly” — Luna HarunaAnimeThemes
Where to watch
Streaming services that list Sword Art Online. What you can watch depends on your country. Acino does not host any video; each link leads to the service's own page.
Episode guide
All 25 episodes → · 22 of 25 episodes have a summary
About the series
This anime series is set in a virtual reality game where players are trapped and must survive. The story follows Kirito and his interactions with fellow players, including Asuna Yuuki, as they try to escape the game. What makes it distinctive is the high stakes, where death in the game means death in real life.
Read the article →References
- “Sword Art Online”. Kitsu. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- “Sword Art Online”. MyAnimeList. Retrieved October 27, 2026.
- “Sword Art Online”. AnimeThemes. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
Episode titles and air dates come from Kitsu. The summary is written by Acino with AI assistance and checked so that it does not copy other sites.