Anime opening songs have a unique ability to infuse life with energy, evoking a desire to battle monsters and igniting a passion for making the world a better place.
Sword Art Online is a treasure trove of captivating songs accompanying me during everyday tasks like washing dishes, morning jogs, or simply basking in the sun.
This light novel turned anime series revolves around the journey of Kazuto “Kirito” Kirigaya and Asuna Yuuki, the main protagonists, as they navigate various virtual reality MMORPGs. Since its inception in 2012, Sword Art Online has captivated audiences with its immersive storytelling and compelling characters.
Being a fantasy action anime, the series demands powerful songs that leave a lasting impact. These songs, performed by talented female vocalists, possess enchanting melodies and rich vocal ranges, adding depth and emotion to the story. With a total of eight opening songs, Sword Art Online has a remarkable musical repertoire to offer.
Sword Art Online Opening Songs
1. LiSA – Crossing Field
Real name Risa Oribe, the singer who was born on June 24, 1987, started her music career as the vocalist of the indie band Chucky. Following Chucky’s disbandment in 2005, Lisa moved to Tokyo to pursue a solo career.
She debuted in 2010 as one of the vocalists for the fictional band Girls Dead Monster in the anime Angel Beats! Lisa then released her first solo single, “Oath Sign,” on November 23, 2011, which was used as the opening theme. Fate/Zero.
Due to the song’s success, Lisa was chosen to perform the first opening theme for the anime series Sword Art Online in 2012: “Crossing Field”. This opening theme accompanies the Aincard arc when Kirito and Asuna, along with a thousand other players, are trapped in a virtual world of Sword Art Online.
2. Eir Aoi – INNOCENCE
Almost the same track as LiSA, the singer, born November 30, 1988, made her major debut under SME Records by releasing the single “Memoria,” which was used as the first ending theme song for Fate/Zero.
“Innocence” is Eir Aoi’s third single, released on November 21, 2012, and used as the second opening theme song for the anime series. Sword Art Online.
The opening of the second half of SAO, or the Fairy Dance arc. Even though of the 6,147 survivors who had successfully logged out, 300 of them, including Asuna, had not woken up for some unknown reason. This arc is set in the virtual world of ALfheim Online, and Kirito is trying to save Asuna.
3. Eir Aoi – Ignite
Sword Art Online II aired in 2014 and once again had Eir Aoi as a songwriter. “Ignite” is the seventh single, released on August 20, 2014.
The first Sword Art Online II round explores the Opening that fills the Phantom Bullet arc. A mysterious incident occurred in a VRMMO game called Gun Gale Online (GGO).
A mysterious player who calls himself Death Gun shoots and causes the real death of other players. Kirito was asked to investigate this rumor.
4. Haruka Tomatsu – Courage
Born on February 4, 1990, is an actress, seiyuu, and singer under the Music Ray’n label. HarukaTomatsu filled Asuna’s voice.
“Courage” is Haruka’s 14th single, released on December 3, 2014, and used as the second opening theme. Sword Art Online II. It became his most successful single, having peaked at number 4 on the Oricon charts and remaining for eleven weeks.
The opening that fills the second half of Sword Art Online II includes the Calibur and Mother’s Rosario arc.
5. LiSA – ADAMAS
Previously Lisa released the single “Catch the Moment,” which became the theme song for Sword Art Online The Movie: Ordinal Scale (2017).
Aired 2018, Sword Art Online: Alicization again using LiSA to perform the opening song: “ADAMAS.”
This time, Kirigaya Kazuto is offered a job at a private company called Rath. His job was to test a 4th generation experimental FullDive engine called the Soul Translator (STL), which ran on very different principles than previous FullDive engines.
6. ASCA – RESISTER
Asuka Ōkura, born on September 5, 1996, is known by the stage name ASCA. Japanese musician under the Sacra Music label, who debuted in 2013 after being a finalist at the 5th Animax All-Japan Grand Prix.
After focusing on his studies, he resumed his music career at the end of 2016. His songs have been featured in various anime, from The Pet Girl of Sakurasou, Fate/Apocrypha, and Sword Art Online.
“Resister” is her fifth single, released digitally on January 13, 2019, and physically on February 27, 2019; this song is used as the opening of the second act of Sword Art Online: Alicization.
Accompanying Kirito and Eugeo’s journey to fight with the Integrity Knights to reach the top floor of Central Cathedral, save Alice, and stop Quinella’s tyranny.
7. Haruka Tomatsu – Resolution
The 19th single, “Resolution,” was released digitally on October 13, 2019, and received a physical release on November 20, 2019; the title track is used as the opening theme of Sword Art Online Alicization: War of Underworld.
This time our hero, Kirito, fell into a sort of coma due to a power failure caused by a terrorist attack on Rath’s base. The focus shifts to Alice, who must protect Kirito while engaging in a war with the Dark Territory.
8. ReoNa – ANIMA
The latest trailer shows that the one who fills the opening of the final round of Sword Art Online is ReoNa with a song called “ANIMA.” It will air on July 11. As a fan of this anime, I’m looking forward to it.
