Awesome Music / Sword Art Online

Even amidst Sword Art Online's massively Broken Base, one thing that nearly everyone can agree on is that the music is absolutely phenomenal.

---

Swordland remixes

• Easily the most recognizable OST of the series, "Swordland", which plays in the most climactic action moments. It became the most iconic theme of the series, by far.
• The Phantom Bullet arc features a glorious, faster-paced electric guitar remixed for Gun Gale Online, appropriately named Gunland.
• "Survive the Swordland" is a slow-paced remix, which gives the feeling of Heroic Spirit and the need to persevere.
• "Aerial Fight", a majestic remix which gives the sense of soaring through the skies.
• "In Another Land" a very adventurous remix used for the Caliber arc. It's used for all the SAO II episode trailers for post-Phantom Bullet.
• "Drive Your Way" is a catchy guitar riff version of Gunland which plays when Kirito and Sinon drive down a highway on a buggy.
• "Let's Join Swords" features one of the most impressive Swordland remixes yet, having the instrumentals and tune of the original Swordland, but the faster pace of Gunland. Fitting as it's a Moment of Awesome for the film with all of the swordsmen and gunmen joining forces to take down the Final Boss.
• "Find Your Sword In This Land is the Alicization version, featuring an unorthodox but phenomenal orchestra that combines violin, trumpet, and guitar to give off a very archaic, medieval, fantasy themed spin on the iconic piece.
• "You Can Save Him", used as the Integrity Knight Eugeo theme, giving a militaristic feeling signifying Eugeo's conversion but at the same time holding traces of the familiar melody of "Swordland", giving rise to hope that Kirito can still save him.
• "The Human Empire Army" featured in War of Underworld is an absolutely breathtaking remix that combines "False King" and "Swordland" together, putting emphasis on how monstrous Gabriel and Vassago are, as well as Kirito and the heroes who resist them. It is ultimately used during the Final Battle between Kirito and Gabriel to fit the Moment of Awesome.

Season 1

• The first OP theme "Crossing Field" (performed by LiSA), and the first ED "Yume Sekai" (performed by Asuna's voice actress, Haruka Tomatsu).
• The second OP "INNOCENCE" (performed by Eir Aoi) and the second ED "Overfly" (performed by Luna Haruna) might just top the first OP and ED in terms of awesomeness.
• "Luminous sword", Asuna's combat theme. This is a classic Kajiura-style theme that fits the main female lead to a T. Mother's Rosario in S2 brings a remix in "Light Your Sword", used for the duel between Asuna and Yuuki.
• "Fight!" gives a fast-paced theme used for certain battles. It's not too edgy or urgent, but still thrilling nonetheless.
• "We Have To Defeat It", a truly impressive climactic piece used during boss battles before the tides are turned in the hero's favor.
• "False king". Yeah, yeah, make all the "EPIC RAPE MUSIC!" jokes you want. That doesn't make this theme any less awesome! Plus, the theme has its chance to shine, free from the Squick factor, during the scene where Kirito beats Sugou in real life.

Season 2

• The second season of Sword Art Online brings us some new music to the table, starting with the first OP "IGNITE" (performed by Eir Aoi) and the first ED, "Startear" (performed by Luna Haruna).
• The OPs keep being awesome with Season 2's second opening: "Courage", performed once again by Haruka Tomatsu. Same for the ending, Shirushi, again by LiSA.

Ordinal Scale

• Ordinal Scale has the main theme "Catch the Moment" performed by LiSA. Also, five songs performed by Sayaka Kanda as Yuna:
• "Ubiquitous dB", perfect to introduce an upbeat idol. There's also a version sung by Asuna and Silica.
• "Longing", more slow-paced, but no less beautiful. Used for the battle music for the first boss fight.
• "Delete" is more ominous, but still awesome.
• "Break Beat Bark!" really pumps you up. Especially when it's used in the fight between Kirito and Eiji. There's also a version sung by Lisbeth and Sinon.
• The crowner for the finale, "Smile For You". This one will bring you to tears, as the real Yuna gets her wish to sing in front of many people before bidding goodbye to her father and disappearing forever.

Alicization / War of Underworld

Alicization hasn't missed a beat in the awesome music department:

• The first opening theme for Alicization ("ADAMAS") is absolutely amazing.
• Alicization's second OP, ("RESISTER"), by SAO first-timer ASCA, can give even LiSA a run for her money with its fast paced beat that works perfectly well with the intro's fight sequences.
• "Iris" by Eir Aoi, the first ending theme for Alicization, a complete opposite to the empowering tone of the opening "ADAMAS", reflecting a sense of melancholy, despair, and a possible hope further empowered by Eir Aoi's orotund voice.
• War of Underworld's first ending theme, "unlasting" by LiSA, a haunting ballad focused on Alice and the uncertain future she faces. Not to mention that the ED sequence for it looks spectacular, to the point that people who aren't fans of SAO (or even really keep up with the franchise in general) were completely blown away by it. One common praise for it is that it seems to be directed not as a typical anime ending credits sequence, but is far more reminiscent of an experimental music video.
• The first opening, "Resolution", certainly keeps up with its predecessors. And since it's sung by Haruka Tomatsu, it perfectly captures the feeling of Asuna venturing into Underworld to rescue the love of her life at any cost.
• So does the second, "ANIMA" by ReoNa. The lyrics fittingly describe how Kirito's memories and soul will be restored by his loved ones, pulling him back from his catatonic state to once more be the hero he is.
• Alicization's version of Swordland, dubbed Sacred Swords, more than lives up to its predecessors. Throwing in an ancient fantasy sounding theme with the violin being accompanied by guitars and trumpets. It also brings back a singer chanting which hasn't been done since the original Swordland.
• "Beginning the Destiny", Kirito, Eugeo, and Alice's Image Song. A beautiful song featuring the trio together that encapsulates the beginning of their journey.
• "The Blue Rose Sword Battle", the theme that plays when Eugeo uses the Blue Rose Sword. The first minute is rather calm and chill, fitting for the winter/ice theme of the sword, and then picks up more strength in the middle, to the point it's almost impossible not to hear Eugeo calling "ENHANCE ARMAMENT!" in your head as it plays.
• "Niji no Kanata Ni", used firstly when Eugeo is brainwashed by Quinella, the second time when he dies. Probably the saddest track on the OST.

Image Songs

• Several of the image songs for the characters:
  • Kirito's image song, "Sword & Soul", illustrates his undying love and dedication to Asuna, as well as the endless challenges he faces but never giving up no matter how hard it is.
  • Asuna's image song, "My Independent Destiny", depicts her internal struggles in the virtual world and her love for Kirito that helps her get through this.
• She Has to Overcome Her Fear. A fast-paced song with techno-beats, an electric guitar, and a female choir, this song plays first during the moment when Sinon solidifies herself as one of the most badass snipers in existence.
• You Are Not Alone is the perfect sorrow-filled song that captures the sadness of what is considered to be the biggest Tear Jerker in the series with the death of Yuuki Konno.

Game OSTs

• We can also add "Windia", the opening theme to Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization, also performed by Luna Haruna.
• "The Place We Should Have Reached" is an epic remix of "We Have To Defeat It", fitting as its the Floor 100 Boss of SAO and the toughest boss battle of all.
• "Thrill, Risk, Heartless", the OP for Fatal Bullet, perfectly captures the futuristic world of guns.
• "Blazing Bullet" is a duet between Kirito and Sinon and it is simply glorious to the ears. The synchronicity and unity between their VAs while singing is nothing short of amazing.
• "Selfrontier" shows that ASCA continues to knock it out of the park with this violin, bass and drum ditty. Bear in mind this is for Rising Steel, a mobile game.
• "Gyakkou Spectrum", the opening theme for the game's second season (now renamed to Unleash Blading) also done by ASCA is just as great.