It's hard to miss the famous Sword Art Online saga. A work created by Kawahara Reki and abec, adapted into anime. Indeed, this work has been a great success in a variety of formats.
However, the only catch is that this anime has several seasons, so it's sometimes hard to keep track. You may be wondering in what order should you watch sword art online? You're on the right page! In this guide, we'll take you through the many journeys and tales of SAO, whether viewed in chronological order or by anime release date.
How to watch Sword Art Online
This anime features 3 seasons composed of 96 episodes and 4 films. The best way to watch sword art online is from the view in release order. So you can follow the story according to when the saga first appeared:
Depending on the release date of Sword Art Online
Season and title |
Number of episodes | Year |
Season 1: Sword Art Online | 25 episodes | 2012 |
Sword Art Online: Extra Edition | – | 2013 |
Season 2: Sword Art Online II | 24 episodes | 2014 |
Sword Art Online The movie-Ordinal Scale | – | 2017 |
Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online | 12 episodes | 2018 |
Season 3, Part 1: Sword Art Online: Alicization (2018-2020) | 24 episodes | 2018-2020 |
Season 3, Part 2: Sword Art Online: Alicization-War of Underworld (2019-2020) | 12 episodes | 2019-2020 |
Season 3, Part 3: Sword Art Online: Alicization-War of Underworld Part 2 (2020) | 11 episodes | 2020 |
Sword Art Online Progressive: A starless night (2021) | – | 2021 |
Sword Art Online Progressif: Scherzo of a Dark Dusk (2022) | – |
2022 |
In chronological order
If you wish to keep a chronological record on the history of sword art online, you can watch it in chronological order, as follows:
- Sword Art Online Progressive: The air of a starless night
- Season 1: Sword Art Online (episodes 1-2)
- Sword Art Online Progressive: Scherzo of a Dark Dusk
- Season 1: Sword Art Online (episodes 3-25)
- Sword Art Online: additional edition
- Season 2: Sword Art Online II
- Sword Art Online Movie: Ordinal Scale
- Season 3, Part 1: Sword Art Online: Alicization
- Sword Art Online Progressif: Scherzo of a Dark Dusk (2022)
- Season 3, Part 3: Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld 2nd season
The chronological order is primarily intended for fans who are already familiar with the series. It includes spin-offs such as Gun Gale and Clover Regret, but these can be ignored if you're only interested in the main plot.
About Sword Art Online
Sword Art Online is a by Reki Kawaharaillustrated by Abec, which has been adapted into an anime. The story takes place in the near future and follows the protagonist, Kirigaya Kazuto, nicknamed "Kirito", and Asuna Yuuki, as they explore various MMORPG worlds in virtual reality.
At the game's launch, 10,000 people connect to Sword Art Online's virtual reality. However, the plot takes an unexpected turn when players realize that they are are unable to leave the game. The latter find themselves trapped in a virtual reality and the only way out is to finish the game. But it's not easy, because everyone who dies in the game dies in real life.
Kirito, an experienced player who has been with SAO since its beta launch, decides to progress rapidly through the levels to find a way out. On his quest to complete the game, he meets many friends and finds a lover, Asuna.
Where to watch Sword Art Online?
This anime is available on several platforms such as Crunchyroll, Funimation, Netflix Us and Hulu. So if you want to watch them, you'll just have to check them out on these different streaming websites. You can also download movies and series on these sites with their various packages.
However, if SAO is not available in your area, you can always use a VPN to bypass the block. Among the best VPN providers is ExpressVPN, Nord VPNProton VPN, Cyberghost and Private Internet Access, to name but a few.
All you have to do is connect to a country where your anime is broadcast and you're all set. With this method, all you have to do is watch your favorite anime, even if it's not available in your area.