Marwile watches SAO Part 23 "Yuuki's Backstory" · 11:16pm Jan 18th, 2019
Wow, I'm starting to realize that we're reaching the end of SAO and therefore the end of these blogs. No idea what I'll do then. This episode has a surprising amount of world building.
Asuna is trying to get into contact with Yuuki after her weird departure, but nothing works. Finally she asks Kirito for help (why is he still here) and he just knows the exact place where she has to go.
She goes to the hospital and after mentioning Yuuki's name she's approached by a doctor. He starts explaining about a special medical study they are having at that hospital, the medibot (I really hope that's the right name). They're essentially using the VRMMO technology to help patients, like by removing the pain signals send to their brains, especially dying patients. I really like and support the idea of using videogame technology to help people and that's something you should expect from this supposedly technologically advanced world.
We find out that Yuuki is part of that study and, wow, she had a really bad life and it's a miracle she still has such a positive personaliy. I'll spare you the details, but in short she's terminally ill, the rest of her family is already dead and she has to spend through the medibot nearly her whole life in the virtual world. Yuuki, who was able to watch the conversation through the cameras, finally makes contact with them and asks Asuna to meet her in the virtual world.
Also, how did Kirito figure that out on his own?
The two meet at the place where they had their duel and Yuuki reveals that all members of the Sleeping Knights are in a similar situation like her. We also find out that Yuuki's sister was the former leader of the Knights until her passing. At this point it should be obvious what the purpose of their goal was. After already losing three members they had decided to disband once the next one passes away which is prognosed to be very soon.
Asuna replies by telling her again that she still wants to be a member of the Knights even if they'll disband soon and that she wants to help and support the until the end. Yuuki accepts and tells Asuna her wish, going to school.
A nice and slightly sad episode. I left out many details about the world building regarding the medical technology and Yuuki's backstory, but I think I managed to narrow it down to the essential parts. And I'll end this blog now before I make any bad jokes about aids.
Clearly, you'll have to seek out the movie. Then I guess it's just patiently waiting for a chance to watch Sword Art Online: Alicization (I believe you mentioned you watch these dubbed on tv), fun fact it's not confirmed but it might actually run for about 50 episodes.