That braid crown with mini-ponytail really become "Asuna's hairstyle" now. Now anytime I see even the mini-ponytail without the braid crown I still think it is Asuna-inspired.

Good job on the light novel illustrator for making her so unique looking. Look at what she looks like in early web novel picture.
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She looks so generic! No way should would be as iconic today with that look!
On a side note I found a site with early characters designs.
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Most characters look the same. Kirito looks as generic as always but at least the LN gave him a unique outfit!

But Sinon is almost unrecognizable from her early designs.
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She kind of looks like a character from the manga version of Gunslinger Girl.