There’s always that one anime you weren’t expecting much out of but then are wonderfully surprised by how good it turned out to be. Sword Art Online is one such anime series that is just as good. While it can’t be called a masterpiece, it’s a fresh take on one of the most popular themes: gaming and virtual reality.
Even though the virtual world theme and some of its fantasy elements in Sword Art Online are not new, the anime manages to strike a reasonable balance between the nature of its virtual setting and the coexisting real world. Sword Art Online is a must-see for virtual reality and fantasy settings fans.
If you are thinking of giving the Sword Art Online anime series a try, here’s a guide to help you watch it in the correct order.
Sword Art Online Watch Order:
1. Sword Art Online
Alternate Title: None
Episodes: 25
2. Sword Art Online: Progressive Movie – Hoshi Naki Yoru no Aria
Alternate Title: Sword Art Online the Movie: Progressive – Aria of a Starless Night
Episodes: 1 (Movie)
Note: Sword Art Online: Progressive Movie – Hoshi Naki Yoru no Aria is a new version of the first season’s story that focuses majorly on Asuna’s point of view.
3. Sword Art Online: Extra Edition
Alternate Title: None
Episodes: 1 (Special)
4. Sword Art Online II
Alternate Title: None
Episodes: 24
5. Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online (Spin-off)
Alternate Title: None
Episodes: 12
6. Sword Art Online Movie: Ordinal Scale
Alternate Title: Sword Art Online the Movie -Ordinal Scale-
Episodes: 1 (Movie)
7. Sword Art Online: Alicization
Alternate Title: None
Episodes: 24
8. Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld
Alternate Title: Sword Art Online Alicization War of Underworld
Episodes: 12
9. Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld 2nd Season
Alternate Title: Sword Art Online Alicization War of Underworld Part 2
Episodes: 11
Sword Art Online is an action fantasy anime series adapted from the light novel series of the same name, written by Reki Kawahara and illustrated by BUNBUN.
Synopsis: In 2022, gamers can experience virtual reality within the Sword Art Online VRMMORPG thanks to an advanced technology known as NerveGear. NerveGear allows players to fully immerse themselves into the virtual world and control their avatars with their brain waves without moving their bodies. Thousands of players logged in with the game’s release, including Kazuto Kirigaya, with an avatar named Kirito.
However, what initially started as an exciting new experience quickly became a nightmare when players discovered they couldn’t log out. The game creator has trapped them in this virtual world, and the only way out is to complete the game. To make matters worse, if you die in the game, you will die in real life. Kirito must rely on his previous experience as a beta tester to survive in this deadly fantasy world.
