Sword Art Online is one of the most popular isekai anime of all time. It has received mixed reviews, with some saying they love it and others saying they don't. Regardless, if you're planning to start the series, here's our Sword Art Online watch order and guide for new fans.
What Is the Plot of Sword Art Online?
The story follows Kirito, a Sword Art Online virtual reality MMORPG player, and his peculiar fate. Set in the fictitious year 2022, Kirito, like thousands of other users, is trapped in Sword Art Online after failing to log out.
Kirito has to defeat the 100-level tower boss to regain his physical form and survive. Kirito uses his VR MMORPG knowledge to build alliances, join guilds, and deal with his newfound allies and opponents.
ALSO READ: The Best Isekai Anime with Romance
Sword Art Online Watch Order and Guide
Since 2012, Sword Art Online has produced series, spin-offs, specials, and films. Because of this, anime fans may find the series daunting, given the number of shows available as of writing.
The good news is that it isn't as complicated as you may expect. While it might seem difficult to follow, the series is best enjoyed and experienced in order of release date.
Sword Art Online Watch Order Based on Release Date
Title | Year Released | No. of Episodes | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sword Art Online Season 1 | 2012 | 25 | TV Anime | Covers the Ainrad and Fairy Dance Arcs |
Sword Art Online: Extra Edition | 2013 | 1 | Special | Recap episodes with brand new scenes towards the end |
Sword Art Online Season 2 | 2014 | 24 | TV Anime | Covers the Phantom, Excalibur, and Mother’s Rosario Arc |
Sword Art Online Movie: Ordinal Scale | 2017 | 1 | Movie | A fun and enjoyable movie about new characters and members of Kirito’s club |
Sword Art Online Season 3 Part 1: Alicization | 2018 | 24 | TV Anime | Covers the Alicization Arc |
Sword Art Online Season 3 Part 2: Alicization-War of the Underworld | 2019 | 12 | TV Anime | Continuation of the Alicization Arc |
Sword Art Online Season 3 Part 3: Alicization-War of the Underworld 2nd Season | 2020 | 11 | TV Anime | Final part of the Project Alicization Arc |
Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night | 2021 | 1 | Movie | New version of Kirito and Asuna’s adventure in Aincrad’s first level |
Sword Art Online Progressive: Scherzo of Deep Night | 2022 | 1 | Movie | Second SAO Progressive movie |
The series has also spawned two related side stories with their plotlines. While Gun Gale Online takes place in the same world as Sword Art Online, Accel World takes place in a separate universe.
Title | Year Released | No. of Episodes | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Accel World | 2012 | 24 | TV Anime | Takes place 24 years after Sword Art Online |
Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online | 2018 | 12 | TV Anime | A spin off series following Karen Kohiruimaki |
If you have free time to spend watching anime, you might also like to watch Sword Art Online’s specials as follows:
Title | Year Released | No. of Episodes | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline | 2013 | 9 | Special | Comedy anime not related to the story of the series |
Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline Extra Edition | 2014 | 1 | Special | Sequel of the first special |
Sword Art Online Chronological Watch Order
You can also watch the series in chronological order to better understand the sequence of events in the series:
- Sword Art Online season 1
- SAO Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night Movie
- SAO Progressive: Scherzo of Deep Night Movie
- SAO Extra Edition Special
- Sword Art Online season 2
- SAO Alternative Gun Gale Online
- SAO The Movie: Ordinal Scale
- Sword Art Online: Alicization
- Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld
- Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld Part 2
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