Thread:35166/@comment-65.26.222.163-20160809220149

Kirito and Asuna didn't die because Okahiko disabled the thing that fries their brain. When they are watching Aincrad fall apart Okahiko says "Congrats on clearing the game" which means that due to their deaths the game was cleared, therefore Okahiko let them live. Some people question why Asuna was allowed to live, and the most likely answer is that due to her sacrifice Kirito could kill Heathcliff. The reason Kirito was able to reanimate himself in SAO is as Okahiko said in I believe episode 24 of season 1, sheer human willpower. Kiritos love for Asuna and the other players gave him the strength to use sheer willpower to kill Heathcliff. 