Sword Art Online Alicization Episode 43

Awakening (覚醒) is the forty-third episode of the Sword Art Online Alicization anime adaptation. It aired on August 22, 2020.

Plot
Kirito was in a dire situation, as he had to fight Vassago with only one arm, while also protecting the exit gate from the red players. He knew he could not hold on much longer, but he refused to give up. Suddenly, he felt a warm presence beside him, and saw Eugeo's spirit smiling at him. Eugeo told him to use both of their swords, and together they unleashed a powerful wave of light that logged out all the red players from Underworld. Vassago was furious, and tried to absorb the life force of his fallen comrades, but Kirito was faster. He used the same energy to restore Eugeo's sword to its original form, and changed his appearance back to his SAO avatar. He then faced Vassago in a final duel, and overpowered him with his skills and determination. Vassago was defeated, but he swore to come back and kill Kirito and Asuna. Kirito decided to end his threat once and for all, and used his sword to transform Vassago's avatar into a huge tree that resembled the Gigas Cedar. Vassago was trapped inside Underworld forever, and his real body aged rapidly as a result. Kirito then used the remaining power he had to heal the wounded survivors, and bid farewell to Eugeo. He then joined Asuna, who was on her way to help Alice reach the World End's Altar, where Miller was pursuing her.

Meanwhile, the situation at the Ocean Turtle was critical. The American soldiers had unlocked the UW server's full potential, which would cause the time flow inside UW to speed up by millions of times. Through a direct link that Higa had established with Kirito's mind, Kikuoka urged him to escape with Asuna through the World End's Altar before it was too late, or they would be stuck there for two centuries. Alice had reached the altar with her dragons, but she told them to run away, as Miller was pursuing them. However, the dragons refused to abandon her, and faced Miller's wrath. They were about to be slain by him, when Kirito and Asuna showed up to defend them.

Locations

 * Underworld
 * Dark Territory
 * Ocean Turtle

Adaptation Notes

 * Adapted from Volume 18, Chapter 21, Parts 8; Chapter 22, Parts 1-2