Sword Art Online Watch Order

 

Sword Art Online is a futuristic Isekai series that focuses on the lives of protagonists Kazuto “Kirito” Kirigaya and Asuna Yuuki as they play through different virtual reality MMORPG worlds. 

It is one of the most loved and watched Isekai series in the world and fans simply can’t get enough of the music, animation and exploration of varied psychological aspects of different realities. There is also high-octane action involved that makes Sword Art Online a complete package.
 

The consistent success of the franchise has led to several instalments revolving around the primary storyline, making it a little confusing for new watchers or those intending on watching SAO. We have curated this article to help you with that. In this blog, we will be discussing Sword Art in chronological order, where you can watch it, their watch order based on the release dates along with a small summary of each instalment and top-rated episodes. 
 

We have also added a few FAQs to deal with any extra doubts or confusion you might have. We hope this article helps you watch and enjoy Sword Art Online in the correct watch order.

Have fun!  

 

 

 

Sword Art Online Chronological Watch Order

 

The chronological watch order of SAO is very standard as it follows the same path as the release date.

 

While there are a few alterations here and there, in the grand scheme of things, the anime must be watched basically how it was released.

 

And that watch order is as follows.

 

 

Where to watch: Crunchyroll, FUNIMATION, and Netflix

Sword Art Online can be watched on Crunchyroll, FUNIMATION, and Netflix. Sword Art Online Extra Edition, Sword Art Online II, Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online, Sword Art Online Movie: Ordinal Scale can be enjoyed on Crunchyroll and Netflix.

 

Sword Art Online: Alicization, and Sword Art Online  – War of Underworld on Crunchyroll

 

 

 

Sword Art Online Watch Order Based on Release Date

 

Sword Art Online released its instalments in proper order. In other words, the series was placed forward in the same sequence as the events of the main story.

 

Therefore, we can enjoy the anime just by watching them based on their release date without having to worry about confusion or anything along those lines.

 

This is the watch order of Sword Art Online based on the release date.

 

1. Sword Art Online

Sword Art Online starts with Kirito getting stuck in the game called Sword Art Online.

 

The point of this game is to complete all the levels. However, there is a catch.

 

You see since this game is created by NERVEGEAR, it uses immersive virtual reality that allows the game to provide some outstanding experience.

 

However, if the player dies in the game, he dies in real life. And that’s why the entire show is so capturing for the audience.

 

Kirito would have to survive in this seemingly virtual world, just so he could save his breath for the outside world.

 

And the only way he can do so is by meeting new people and completing all the levels necessary for this game.

 

However, it isn’t going to be nearly as easy as it may sound.

 

2. Sword Art Online: Extra Edition

Sword Art Online: Extra Edition starts with a story that is set a few years after the events of Sword Art Online.

 

The show talks about Kirito and his gang meeting his sisters. And this meeting is done in a school called the SAO Survivor School.

 

Here, all the girls will be having fun in the pool while Kirito will be having some serious troubles as Seijirou Kikuoka set up this entire activity of counselling that has led to him relieving the events of Sword Art Online.

 

As the girls enjoy their pool time, the boys are cooking something that is nothing less than frightening for the audience.

 

And that’s why this is a must-watch in the chronology of the series.

 

3. Sword Art Online II

Sword Art Online II is the second season of the original show as new characters are included in the narrative and a new path is followed by the plot.

 

In this instalment, the phenomenon of Sword Art Online is done. And Kirito seems to be enjoying his time in the real world.

 

However, things start to fall apart when our boy realizes something. A new game is in the town and it is said to be linked with countless deaths in the real world.

 

The police approach Kirito with the intent of having him to their aid. Our boy puts on his persona yet again and dives into the game of Gun Gale Online.

 

Here, he would meet an amazing sniper who will be her partner. And from that point forward, it is nothing but a mystery for both Kirito and the viewers.

 

4. Sword Art Online Movie: Ordinal Scale

Sword Art Online Movie: Ordinal Scale talks about a new concept called Augmented Reality. This game will be using Augma as its foundation and the entire premise seems to be quite fascinating to our gamers.

 

It is claimed to be much safer since doesn’t involve the complete surrender of the player’s consciousness and instead focuses on combining the physical and virtual elements of the player.

 

Kirito and his friends seem to be amazed by this concept and decide to hop into this new game called Ordinal Scale.

 

However, soon enough, they are going to realize that this new game is not as simple as they might have expected.

 

And despite all the safety claims that were made, the playthrough does hold some form of danger in it.

 

5. Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online

Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online starts with a completely new storyline. Just as the name suggests, the anime focuses on Gun Gale Online.

 

And so, this show is nothing but fascinating for the audience. There’s a reason why people love this version of Sword Art Online so much.

 

It talks about a cute little girl who gets a new life in the world of Gun Gale Online.

 

And so, this entire experience is nothing but a dream come true for her. However, what is important here is that just like the original anime, this one also comes with its share of risks in the main story.

 

And although our new main character may have felt that this is nothing but a fascinating dream, the reality will be a lot more disturbing than this.

 

6. Sword Art Online: Alicization

Sword Art Online: Alicization starts with our boy being a part-time employee at a new organization.

 

This organization is working on a new technology called A Soul Translator that allows the players of the games to communicate with each other.

 

And although this technology is in testing, it does have a lot of potential. Kirito happens to be working in this organization, to test its capabilities and excellence.

 

However, after returning to the real world, my man doesn’t remember anything. And that’s what makes it so entertaining for us in the first place.

 

He would end up in the Underworld and then won’t have any way to escape it.

 

Therefore, the only mission he would have is to survive here and figure out a way to make it out alive.

 

7. Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld

This instalment is a direct continuation of the original story and so, it happens to have a lot of great elements into it.

 

For starters, the series contains our main character in Comatose due to some unexpected technical glitches.

 

And that’s one of the many reasons why this segment is so popular. Moreover, Alice and his gang would have to figure out a way to escape the troubles that lie in the underworld while also ensuring that the real world is safe and sound.

 

Things would get very interesting with every passing episode as the situation gets more and more detrimental for the characters within the anime.

 

If you haven’t watched it yet, you are missing out on some good stuff.

 

8. Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld 2nd Season

This anime is going to act as the finite conclusion in the series. And although it won’t be the end of the franchise, it would definitely make it more interesting for us.

 

The series talks about the war that seems to be going on in the underworld.

 

And that’s one of the many reasons why this anime is going to be hyped as hell.

 

The story will dive into the true elements of this new game and put an end to the ideas that have surfaced thanks to Akihiko Kayaba.

 

Although he wanted to create artificial intelligence using this game, his dreams might be on the verge of extinction.

 

And that’s why the anime will change the game for all of us. If you haven’t watched it yet, make sure that you do so as soon as possible.

 

9. Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night

Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night is a movie that is the same as the original story.

 

However, it is more so from the perspective of Asuna and her life as a character within Sword Art Online.

 

The show focuses on Asuna and how she goes on to have an incredible career.

 

However, everything falls apart when she ends up joining the Sword Art Online launch event.

 

Soon enough, they realize that this game is nothing but a disaster. All those who have become a part of this game are going to be doomed as they can’t escape.

 

And if they end up dead in the game, they will lose their life as well.

 

Now those are some high stakes. And that’s where all the fun begins for this series.

 

10. Sword Art Online Progressive: Scherzo of a Dark Dusk

Sword Art Online Progressive: Scherzo of a Dark Dusk is the second movie from the Sword Art Online Progressive series.

 

And that’s what makes it so interesting in the first place. The story talks about the fifth floor in the game and it seems that this one is going to be much harder than the other floors.

 

The core narrative stays the same and so, the viewers are going to experience the same anime that they know and love but from a different angle.

 

 

 

Top Rated Episodes of Sword Art Online

 

Being a popular anime, Sword Art Online is a show that manages to entertain the audience in numerous ways possible.

 

And that’s why it is so captivating for the viewers. Moreover, there are a ton of incredible episodes that you can watch if you just want to revise the events that took place in Sword Art Online.

 

Some of them are as follows.

 

1. The End Of The World

This episode is so special because it talks about the climax of the series and focuses on the experience that Kirito and Asuna had in Sword Art Online.

 

It holds a lot of emotional weight and that’s what makes it so entertaining and capturing in the first place.

 

2. Reminiscence

This episode is extremely combat-heavy and talks about a set Player that seems to have a few priorities under her belt.

 

It talks about Asuna and their interaction with this new player as they try and get her under control.

 

3. Taboo Index

This episode is a lot riskier than what meets the eye. And that’s why it is so remarkable.

 

It talks about Kirito’s attempt to find Ronie and Tiese as they seemed to have lost their way to the dorm.

 

And in the process, Kirito is going to realize a truth that will shape him for the rest of his journey.

 

4. End to Eternity

The human empire seems to be on the verge of collapse. And that’s because their opponents are just too many to handle.

 

The fact that these guys are getting outnumbered goes on to show how capturing this battle would be.

 

And that’s why this episode is so entertaining for the audience.

 

5. Sword and Fist

This episode focuses on Alice and his attempts to escape an unforeseen issue. The fact that this man is going to be captured by a group is frightening enough for the audience.

 

And that’s what makes the anime so entertaining for all of us in the first place.

 

 

 

FAQs

 

1. What is the 3rd season of Sao called?

The third season of Sword Art Online is called Sword Art Online: Alicization. It talks about Kirito and his life in the underworld.

 

And the entire story has a new theme to it that isn’t available in any other instalment.

 

2. Is the Sao movie after season 2?

Sword Art Online Movie: Ordinal Scale is placed after the second season of the original series called Sword Art Online II.

 

This anime talks about a completely new concept followed by a completely new game.

 

3. Does Sao have 4 seasons?

Yes. Sword Art Online does have 4 seasons and all of them are quite entertaining, especially if you are a fan of the Isekai genre.

 

4. Did Sao get Canceled?

While the anime is continuing with its narrative, the game did get cancelled on July 29, 2016.

 

5. How old is Kirito?

Kirito’s age seems to fall under the bracket of 14 to 17. While he was 14 years old when he was first introduced, his age was around 16 towards the end of the series.

 

And during Phantom Bullet Arc and Alicization Arc, his age was claimed to be 17.