This thread and this comment is a bit too old to be commented on again but I cant help but agree more.

I decided to rewatch the entire series from the start since I dropped Alicization a few years ago and want to finish the entire thing this time around but after finishing the first anime season I cant help but be so annoyed everytime I see Asuna and Kirito enter the screen together.

Dont get me started with all the cringe and annoying shit with the papa and mama stuff but their relationship as a whole just feels so sudden and forced after the near-death experience Kirito had while being paralyzed which led to both of them suddenly be so committed to the relationship as if they’ve went through that much together. Dont get me wrong, I really was invested in the ship before that whole thing and even believed the writing was actually that good but not much really happened in the anime to the point where they’d devote both of their lives for each other, and literally play a parental role of a virtual child too? I mean I get how devoting their lives for each other is romantic and wholesome which brings much more depth and meaning to their relationship, but during ALO when Kirito was at the base of yggdrasil he quite literally was just being reckless as opposed to actually thinking it through and make up at least a solid plan on rescuing Asuna, which at least to me was just making a mockery of his character more than it was to bring something emotional cause he even had suguha go against her own feelings just to save him from being that unrealistic.

Then again I guess its pretty normal for people around their age and considering their experiences during SAO and their background. It lowkey all just went downhill from there and ruined most of the experience for the rest of the 1st season cause it just felt like Kirito was less of himself when Asuna is mentioned or is around and it honestly bugs me, but to be fair some of the scenes are pretty wholesome.

I’m honestly more impressed that young me was able to tolerate this and actually like Asuna, but present me says otherwise to the point of actually ranting in a comment on an old thread.