[Xellos-_^]

Originally Posted by Trajan

What appears on screen is worth more than what is merely stated to be a fact. Kirito clearly rubs the back of his neck and says "ouch." It's more than mere "discomfort." Beyond that, it's doubtful that after two years without feeling pain that players would still instinctively react the same way you or I would.

Spoiler:

that scene of kirito getting hit by Asuna and flying into a wall never happen in the novel. That was added by the anime studio.