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How Old Is Gohan In Sword Art Online Alicization? He's Not a Character in SAO!
Let's clear the air right from the start: Gohan, the formidable Saiyan warrior from the Dragon Ball universe, does not appear in Sword Art Online: Alicization. It's a common and understandable mix-up, as both series feature incredible action, compelling characters, and deep, intricate worlds. However, Alicization is an arc entirely within the Sword Art Online saga, focusing on Kirito's adventures in a sophisticated virtual reality.
So, while Gohan is busy defending Earth from cosmic threats, our journey today takes us deep into the virtual realm of Underworld, where the concept of age, time, and human consciousness takes on entirely new dimensions. Forget Saiyan power levels for a moment, and let's unravel the true characters and their complex stories within one of SAO's most ambitious sagas.
Setting the Record Straight: Gohan Isn't in Sword Art Online Alicization
The core question about Gohan's age in Sword Art Online Alicization stems from a simple, yet significant, misunderstanding between two entirely separate anime franchises. While discussions about character ages are a staple in both fan communities, Gohan's narrative belongs exclusively to Dragon Ball. Sword Art Online Alicization tells a very different story, centered on advanced virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and the very essence of the human soul.
Instead of Gohan, the central figures of the Alicization arc are Kirito, Alice, and Eugeo, whose journeys through the virtual world of Underworld are filled with unique challenges, profound sacrifices, and incredible personal growth. To truly appreciate their stories, it's essential to understand the intricate world they inhabit.
Navigating the Digital Frontier: Understanding Sword Art Online Alicization
Sword Art Online: Alicization represents a monumental leap in the SAO narrative, diving into the deeply philosophical and technological underpinnings of virtual reality. The story kicks off in June 2026, when Kirigaya Kazuto, known as Kirito, is hired by the mysterious company Rath. Their goal? To test the Soul Translator (STL), a revolutionary FullDive machine capable of accelerating time and even copying human souls. This secret initiative, "Project Alicization," aims to create bottom-up military AI within a virtual world called Underworld, where time flows a thousand times faster than in the real world. Understanding this incredible time dilation is crucial for grasping the experiences of its inhabitants; you can in our dedicated guide.
Kirito's Plunge into Underworld: A Journey of Self-Discovery
After a brutal attack in the real world leaves Kirito severely brain-damaged, he's covertly moved to the Ocean Turtle research facility and connected to an STL for experimental treatment. He awakens inside Underworld, seemingly with his real-world memories intact but with a strange disconnect to this new reality. Here, he meets Eugeo, a kind-hearted woodcutter, and gradually recalls a shared childhood with another friend, Alice, who was taken away for breaking the Taboo Index. Their quest to reach the Central Cathedral and rescue Alice forms the backbone of the initial Alicization arc, pushing Kirito to question the very nature of this world and his place within it. For a full breakdown of Kirito's role and how his real and virtual ages intertwine, you'll want to .
The Core Trio: Alice, Eugeo, and Their Shared Destiny
Kirito's journey to the Central Cathedral leads him and Eugeo through the Swordcraft Academy, ultimately culminating in a confrontation with the Axiom Church and its powerful Integrity Knights. Among them, they find Alice, transformed and with her memories suppressed, now known as Alice Synthesis Thirty. Eugeo's unwavering determination to restore Alice's memories and fight for justice makes him one of the most beloved characters in the series. Both he and Alice undergo significant transformations, challenging their core programming and understanding of self. To truly and her unique "age" progression, explore our detailed character profile. Similarly, to within the human empire and his pivotal contributions to the story, we have a comprehensive overview waiting for you.
The War for Underworld: Real-World Threats and Digital Heroes
The second part of the saga, Alicization – War of Underworld, escalates the conflict dramatically. The Ocean Turtle, the real-world facility housing Kirito's body and the Underworld server, comes under attack from a mercenary group led by the sinister Gabriel Miller. Their objective: capture Alice, the true bottom-up AI. Gabriel logs into Underworld as the Dark Emperor Vector, orchestrating an invasion of the Human Empire by the Dark Territory's army.
With Kirito in a catatonic state, Alice and the remaining Integrity Knights are left to defend their world. However, hope arrives from the real world as Asuna dives into Underworld as the Goddess Stacia, followed by Sinon as the Sun Goddess Solus and Leafa as the Earth Goddess Terraria, using powerful super-accounts. The conflict rapidly grows into a global virtual war as tens of thousands of American VRMMO players join the Dark Territory, prompting Lisbeth to rally Japanese players from ALO to aid the Human Empire. To who brave this digital battlefield, our guide offers deep insights. Furthermore, a closer look at the terrifying individuals driving this invasion, like Gabriel Miller and PoH, will .
In a climactic turn, spurred by the Fluctlights of his friends and a remnant of Eugeo's will, Kirito's mind is restored. He awakens, defeating PoH and later Gabriel in a final, harrowing battle. The war leaves a lasting impact on Underworld and its inhabitants.
The Aftermath and the Future: What Becomes of Underworld?
As the Underworld server's time acceleration reaches its peak, Alice is logged out to the real world, her Fluctlight transferred to an android body. Asuna, choosing to remain with Kirito, experiences 200 years of subjective time with him in Underworld. Upon their eventual log-out, their memories of this extended period are suppressed, but a copy of Kirito's 200-year consciousness is preserved by Rath employee Takeru Higa.
Years later, Kirito, Asuna, and Alice discover they can re-access this saved Underworld. They log in to find a world that has advanced into a space-faring civilization, where they are revered as the legendary Star King, Star Queen, and Integrity Knight Alice by the descendants of their friends. This incredible conclusion highlights the enduring legacy of their actions. To and how Underworld flourishes, dive into our post-Alicization overview.
Unpacking the Ages: Character Lifespans in Alicization
The concept of "age" in Sword Art Online Alicization is multi-layered. Characters like Kirito, Asuna, Sinon, and Leafa maintain their real-world ages while logged into Underworld. However, their subjective experience of time within Underworld can vary wildly due to the Fluctlight Acceleration. For example, Kirito experiences distinct periods of time in Underworld, first as a child with Alice and Eugeo, then later for over two years as a swordsman, and finally for an additional 200 subjective years with Asuna.
Characters born and raised within Underworld, like Alice and Eugeo, age organically based on the accelerated timeline of their virtual world. Their "apparent age" is their true age within their existence. This distinction is crucial for understanding the depth and maturity of their characters, irrespective of the real-world time that has passed for the human players.
Beyond Gohan: Diving Deeper into the World of Alicization
While Gohan remains firmly in his own universe, the world of Sword Art Online Alicization offers an unparalleled exploration of virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and what it means to be human. From the philosophical debates sparked by Project Alicization to the epic battles that decide the fate of an entire world, there's a wealth of stories, characters, and intricate details to uncover. We encourage you to explore our comprehensive guides to truly grasp the nuances of this groundbreaking arc and appreciate the unforgettable journeys of Kirito, Alice, Eugeo, and all who fought for Underworld's future.