Event: “Clash of the Underworld” (monthly)
Event: “Integrity Knight Trials”
Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld is a triumph. It takes the time to honor its characters, particularly the female cast, who step up in Kirito’s absence to become heroes in their own right. The finale provides a satisfying, bittersweet conclusion to the longest and most ambitious arc in the series' history.
It proves that SAO is capable of mature storytelling when it moves away from video game gimmickry and focuses on the humanity (or artificiality) of its characters. Whether you are a die-hard fan or a lapsed viewer curious about how far the series has come, this is essential viewing.
Score: 9/10
Here’s a detailed, in-depth review of Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of the Underworld (specifically focusing on its connection to the broader Alicization arc and how it functions as a sequel, not to be confused with the mobile game Alicization Blading or the upcoming Last Recollection).
| Character | Type of Link | Why It Matters | |-----------|--------------|----------------| | Kirito | Broken link (trauma) | He cannot access his own sword skills until his link to Eugeo’s memory is restored. | | Alice | The linking witness | She is the first AI to cross the link into the real world (as a Light Cube). | | Asuna | The saving link | She links her 2-year waiting period to her avatar’s power to rescue Kirito. | | Vassago (PoH) | The corrupt link | He reverse-links SAO’s death game trauma into Underworld, turning it into a slaughterhouse. | | Eugeo (Memory) | The eternal link | Though dead, his residual link in Kirito’s Fluctlight provides the final sword skill. |
Once the Link Gauge is 100% full, tap the Link icon (two crossing swords) on the active character. Then select a Link Partner from your party.
Effects of a Link Attack:
Example Link Pair Bonuses (War of Underworld specific):
In SAO: Alicization Blading (also known as SAO: Alicization Rising Steel), the Link system is a battle mechanic that allows two characters to perform a powerful combined attack. During the War of Underworld story arcs, this mechanic becomes essential for high-difficulty content, raids, and tower events.
Key Terms:
Q: Can I link two of the same character?
No – must be different units, even if same name (e.g., two Kiritos cannot link). sword art online alicization war of underworld link
Q: Does link gauge carry over between battles?
No – resets each battle.
Q: Can I use a link attack if one character is asleep/stunned?
No – both must be active and not crowd-controlled.
Q: Is there a limit to link attacks per battle?
No, but each character can only initiate a link once every 4 turns (cooldown shown by grayed link icon).
Sword Art Online: Alicization was a turning point for the franchise. After years of Aincrad, Alfheim, and Gun Gale, Reki Kawahara delivered a story that was darker, more philosophical, and mechanically deeper than anything before. War of the Underworld (WotU) is the second half of that arc—a 23-episode climax (split into two cours) that adapts volumes 15–18 of the light novel. Event: “Clash of the Underworld” (monthly)
But this review isn’t just about the anime. You asked for a “long review looking into SAO Alicization War of Underworld link” – so I’ll interpret “link” as the connective tissue: how WotU links to previous SAO seasons, to the Alicization first half, to character arcs, and to the franchise’s thematic core. I’ll also touch on what it tries to do versus what it achieves.