Alice and Kirito: Exploring the Canon and Fanfiction Relationship

The question of whether Alice is the girlfriend of Kirito in the popular series Sword Art Online has sparked much debate among fans. In reality, while Alice does display romantic feelings towards Kirito, the series itself and the official canon clearly establish Kirito's relationship status differently in the game world and the real world.

Canonicity: Alice and Kirito’s Relationship

Firstly, according to the official canon of Sword Art Online, Kirito is not in a romantic relationship with Alice. Despite her evident affections, the series portrays Kirito as seeing Alice strictly as a friend. The few instances in the game where Alice shows romantic interest are primarily expressed through actions rather than words, further cementing her role as a friend.

Alice's Romantic Feelings: An Unrequited Emotion?

Alice's romantic feelings towards Kirito are palpable. Her actions and behavior in the game, particularly in early episodes, suggest that she harbors deeper feelings for him. However, the intensity and nature of these feelings are often nuanced. When Alice opens up to Kirito and shows her real self, Kirito finds her personality charming but not to the extent of romantic involvement. This is consistent throughout the series, where Kirito often expresses that he values Alice's friendship and respects her feelings, even if he does not reciprocate in the same way.

Kirito's Relationship Landscape

Kirito, in the context of the series, is known as a harem anime protagonist. A noticeable aspect of harem anime is the abundance of female characters who develop romantic interests in the male protagonist. In the case of Sword Art Online, Kirito has a primary canon love interest in Asuna. Asuna remains the girlfriend he genuinely desires and pursues after escaping SAO. Beyond Asuna, Kirito interacts with other characters like Suguha/Leafa, who are step-siblings to Kirito. These relationships are established and are often considered "squinch," a niche term for situations where characters who are designated as friends develop inappropriate or unintended romantic feelings.

Additional Characters: A Rich Fantasy World

While Alice's romantic feelings are notable, she is not the only female character in the series who develops strong bonds with Kirito. The game and its spin-offs explore a wide array of relationships, including Lizbeth, Silica, Sinon, Tiese, and Ronie. Additionally, Yuuki, a game original character, and other female characters such as Stream Philia are also part of the broader universe. The multifaceted relationship landscape of the series enriches the narrative and offers fans a variety of stories to explore and enjoy.

Fanworks and Spinoffs: Expanding the Canon

Fan fiction and spinoff games often expand on the established canon and create alternate scenarios where characters might explore romantic relationships. In these fan-created works, Kirito might be portrayed as having a girlfriend in Alice or other characters. These fan works are creative interpretations but are not considered part of the official canon. They offer fans a chance to explore different narratives and provide deeper insights into the characters' potential relationships.

Conclusion: Alice as a Friend, Not a Girlfriend

In conclusion, while Alice does express romantic feelings towards Kirito, their relationship is primarily depicted as a close friendship in the official canon of Sword Art Online. Despite there being fan discussions and interpretative works suggesting a romantic relationship, the established narrative is clear: Kirito and Alice remain good friends, but she is not his romantic partner.