Sword Art Online, the famous anime that brought the isekai genre into the limelight, has captured the hearts of many fans worldwide. If you’re new to the world of Sword Art Online and want to dive into this virtual reality adventure, we’ve got you covered with a step-by-step guide on how to watch it. In simple terms, we’ll break down the order for you, so you can enjoy the series without confusion.
Release Date Order of Sword Art Online
Let’s start with the order in which the episodes and movies were released. This order follows the dates when they first hit the screens:
- Sword Art Online TV Series – Premiered on July 8, 2012
- Type: TV Series
- Sword Art Online: Extra Edition – Released on December 31, 2013
- Type: Movie (Special)
- Sword Art Online II – Aired on July 5, 2014
- Type: TV Series
- Sword Art Online Movie: Ordinal Scale – Released on February 18, 2017
- Type: Movie
- Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online – Premiered on April 8, 2018
- Type: TV Series (Spin-Off)
- Sword Art Online: Alicization – Started on October 7, 2018
- Type: TV Series
- Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld – Began on October 13, 2019
- Type: TV Series
- Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld Part 2 – Aired on July 12, 2020
- Type: TV Series
- Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night – Released on October 30, 2021
- Type: Movie
- Sword Art Online Progressive: Scherzo of Deep Night – Premiered on October 22, 2022
- Type: Movie
Chronological Order of Sword Art Online
Now, if you want to follow the story’s timeline, we have a chronological order for you. This order includes all the core seasons and movies that contribute to the main storyline:
Chronological Order of SAO (Seasons & Movies)
- Sword Art Online TV Series – This is where it all begins, airing on July 8, 2012.
- Sword Art Online II – The second season continues the story and is essential to the plot. It started on July 5, 2014.
- Sword Art Online Movie: Ordinal Scale – This movie is a crucial part of the narrative and should not be skipped. It was released on February 18, 2017.
- Sword Art Online: Alicization – The third season of Sword Art Online began on October 7, 2018.
- Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld – The sequel to Alicization, which began on October 13, 2019.
- Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld Part 2 – Continues the story and started on July 12, 2020.
Chronological Order of SAO (Including Specials & Spin-Offs)
If you’re a die-hard fan and want to explore every nook and cranny of the Sword Art Online universe, here’s the order that includes specials and spin-offs:
- Sword Art Online TV Series – The starting point for the main storyline.
- Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night – While optional, this movie offers extra SAO content. You can skip it if you’re in a hurry.
- Sword Art Online Progressive: Scherzo of Deep Night – Another movie, building upon the Aria of a Starless Night. It adds depth to the Aincrad Arc.
- Sword Art Online: Extra Edition – This special movie is a recap of the first season with additional content. You can skip it if you’re short on time.
- Sword Art Online II – The second season continues the main plot.
- Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online – While technically a spin-off, it’s worth a watch if you want a different SAO experience.
- Sword Art Online Movie: Ordinal Scale – This movie is vital to the main story and should not be skipped.
- Sword Art Online: Alicization – The third season is essential for the overall narrative.
- Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld – The sequel to Alicization and a must-watch.
- Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld Part 2 – Continues the story to its conclusion.
So, there you have it—the Sword Art Online watch order simplified for newcomers. Whether you choose the release date order or the chronological order, get ready to embark on an exciting virtual reality journey with Kirito and his friends. Enjoy the adventure!
