Last updated on October 13th, 2024 at 03:02 pm
Sword Art Online Watch Order Guide & Fillers
Sword Art Online is the most popular isekai anime, so you can tell how much fans love this series. It offers isekai in a different but amazing way. You will definitely fall in love with the series. With its many seasons and spin-offs, it can be confusing to figure out the best way to watch the series. Don’t worry – this simple watch order guide is here to help. Whether you’re new to the adventures of Kirito and his friends or a longtime fan wanting to watch the series in the right order, this guide will make it easy. I’ll also point out the filler episodes so you can skip them if you want to stay focused on the main story. Let’s get started on this exciting journey!
Plot Summary
With the release of the revolutionary NerveGear, gamers everywhere can now experience a fully immersive virtual reality. One of the most popular games on this new console is Sword Art Online (SAO), which transports players to the breathtaking world of Aincrad, a medieval landscape where imagination is the only limit. However, what starts as an exciting adventure soon turns into a terrifying ordeal when the game’s creator traps thousands of players inside.
The “log-out” function is removed, leaving players with only one way to escape: clear all 100 levels of Aincrad. But there’s a deadly twist—if a player dies in the game, they die in real life. Among the trapped players is Kazuto “Kirito” Kirigaya, a skilled gamer who had the advantage of being a beta tester. Despite his experience, Kirito quickly learns that surviving this world isn’t something he can do alone.
Teaming up with Asuna Yuuki and other talented players, Kirito faces powerful enemies, challenging bosses, and dark guilds that threaten their progress. Together, they strive to conquer the game’s challenges and find a way back to reality, knowing that every step could be their last. Sword Art Online is a gripping story of survival, friendship, and determination in a virtual world where the stakes are as real as they get.
Sword Art Online Chronological order
For the most satisfying viewing experience, it’s recommended to watch Sword Art Online in chronological order.
Sword Art Online the Movie: Progressive – Aria of a Starless Night
Sword Art Online (Season 1) – Episodes: 25
Sword Art Online the Movie: Progressive – Scherzo of Deep Night
Sword Art OFFline (Special) – Episodes: 9 (Skip)
Sword Art Online: Extra Edition (Special) – Episodes: 1 (Optional)
Sword Art OFFline: Extra Edition (Special) – Episodes: 1 (Skip)
Sword Art Online II (Season 2) – Episodes: 24
Sword Art OFFline II (Special) – Episodes: 9 (Skip)
Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online (Spin-off) – Episodes: 12
Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II (Spin-off) – (Upcoming)
Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale
Sword Art OFFline: Ordinal Scale (Special) – Episodes: 1 (Skip)
Sword Art Online: Alicization (Season 3) – Episodes: 24
Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld (Season 4) – Episodes: 12
Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld Part 2 (Season 4 part 2) – Episodes: 11
That’s it. That’s the way to enjoy this beautiful series. It’s better to skip the ones with a skip tag on them, but if you want more, then you can watch them. And don’t watch anything else that is not on the list.
Sword Art Online Release order
Although Sword Art Online can be watched in release order, it is highly recommended to watch it in chronological order.
Sword Art Online (Season 1) – Episodes: 25
(Jul 8, 2012 to Dec 23, 2012)
Sword Art OFFline (Special) – Episodes: 9 (Skip)
(Oct 24, 2012 to Jun 26, 2013)
Sword Art Online: Extra Edition (Special) – Episodes: 1 (Optional)
(Dec 31, 2013)
Sword Art OFFline: Extra Edition (Special) – Episodes: 1 (Skip)
(Apr 23, 2014)
Sword Art Online II (Season 2) – Episodes: 24
(Jul 5, 2014 to Dec 20, 2014)
Sword Art OFFline II (Special) – Episodes: 9 (Skip)
(Oct 22, 2014 to Jun 24, 2015)
Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale
(Feb 18, 2017)
Sword Art OFFline: Ordinal Scale (Special) – Episodes: 1 (Skip)
(Sep 27, 2017)
Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online (Spin-off) – Episodes: 12
(Apr 8, 2018 to Jul 1, 2018)
Sword Art Online: Alicization (Season 3) – Episodes: 24
(Oct 7, 2018 to Mar 31, 2019)
Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld (Season 4) – Episodes: 12
(Oct 13, 2019 to Dec 29, 2019)
Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld Part 2 (Season 4 part 2) – Episodes: 11
(Jul 12, 2020 to Sep 20, 2020)
Sword Art Online the Movie: Progressive – Aria of a Starless Night
(Oct 30, 2021)
Sword Art Online the Movie: Progressive – Scherzo of Deep Night
(Oct 22, 2022)
Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II (Spin-off) – (Upcoming)
Sword Art Online Fillers
Sword Art Online series have no reported filler episodes, highlighting the quality of the series. Each episode is part of the manga canon, ensuring a consistent and engaging storyline throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is Sword Art Online based on a manga or light novel?
Sword Art Online is based on a series of light novels written by Reki Kawahara and illustrated by abec. The light novels came first, published from 2002 to 2008, and gained a large following. While there are now manga adaptations of SAO, the light novels are considered the original source material.
Q2. Is there a Sword Art Online game?
Yes, there are several video games based on the Sword Art Online series, including titles like Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment, Sword Art Online: Lost Song, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet, and more. These games often explore new storylines or expand on the existing ones.
Q3. What is Sword Art Online: Alternative Gun Gale Online?
Sword Art Online: Alternative Gun Gale Online is a spin-off series written by Keiichi Sigsawa. It focuses on a new protagonist, Karen Kohiruimaki (LLENN), and her adventures in the Gun Gale Online game. This series has a different tone and set of characters from the main SAO storyline.
Q4. How does the virtual reality technology work in Sword Art Online?
In the series, players use a device called the NerveGear (and later the AmuSphere) to fully immerse themselves in the virtual world. These devices intercept and manipulate brain signals to create a highly realistic and interactive virtual experience.
Q5. Is Sword Art Online suitable for children?
Sword Art Online is usually okay for teens aged 13 and up, but it’s best for parents to check it out first. It’s got some intense action, mature themes, and mild violence, so it might not be suitable for younger kids. If you’re looking for lighter Isekai titles like “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” or “Log Horizon,” those might be better options for younger viewers.