Despite its comeback in popularity among anime fans, Sword Art Online was arguably the most hated anime. The series was a pioneer in popularising the entire isekai genre.
Even though SAO was not without its problems in terms of storyline and characters, since it was the first-of-its-kind and was entertaining, it was a great show.
Today, there are many media to choose from that we can use, which is why we have decided to create this complete Sword Art Online watch order that is easy to follow.
Despite the constant criticism from western viewers, the show was able to make amends with the new seasons. But, the last few seasons have shown that even something that is criticized can prevail against negative criticism.
The first light novel was adapted into a variety of anime seasons as well as a stage anime film that could confuse newcomers to the anime.
The show will start with a huge concept, and I am confident when I say it’s going to be amazing. The show will undoubtedly captivate you at some point.
If you’re intending to stream Sword Art Online, do it according to the order below:
How Should You Watch The Sword Art Online Series?
This is the best order in which to watch the Sword Art Online series.
1. Order of Release
I. TV Series
- Season 1: Sword Art Online (2012)
- Season 2: Sword Art Online II (2014)
- Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online (2018)
- Season 3, Part 1: Sword Art Online: Alicization (2018–19)
- Season 3, Part 2: Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld (2019–20)
- Season 3, Part 3: Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld Part 2 (2020)
II. Movies
- Sword Art Online: Extra Edition (2013)
- Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale (2017)
III. ONAs
- Sword Art Online Fatal Bullet: The Third Episode – Pilot-ban (2018)
IV. Specials
- Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline (2013)
- Sword Art Online: Extra Edition (2013)
- Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline – Extra Edition (2014)
- Sword Art Online II: Debriefing (2014)
- Sword Art Online II: Sword Art Offline II (2014)
- Sword Art Online Movie: Ordinal Scale – Sword Art Offline (2017)
- Sword Art Online Fatal Bullet: The Third Episode (2018)
- Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online – Refrain (2018)
- Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld Reflection (2018)
- Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld Recap (2020)
V. Upcoming
- Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night (30th October 2021) (Movie)
2. Chronological Order
- Season 1: Sword Art Online
- Sword Art Online: Extra Edition
- Season 2: Sword Art Online II
- Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online
- Sword Art Online Movie: Ordinal Scale
- Season 3, Part 1: Sword Art Online: Alicization
- Season 3, Part 2: Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld
- Season 3, Part 3: Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld 2nd Season
Sword Art Online Has How Many Episodes And Seasons?
Sword Art Online began as a light novel before it got an anime adaptation that premiered on July 8th, 2012.
It has 96 episodes that span three seasons of the animated series.
Sword Art Online, the first series of Sword Art Online, includes 25 episodes. It was released on July 8, 2012, between December 23 and July 8, 2012. It was an adaptation of the Aincard as well as the Fairy Dance sub-arcs.
The second season consisted of 24 episodes and aired from July 5th until December 20th, 2014. The show was a re-imagining of an arc from the Phantom Bullet main arc, along with The Kalibur and the Mother’s Rosario side arcs.
The third season, which consists of 47 episodes divided into three parts, is the most recent. It was adapted from the seven parts that comprised the Alicization arc.
The first series was aired from October 7, 2018, to March 31st, 2019, presenting 24 episodes. The second set of episodes aired 12 episodes between October 13th, 2019, and November 29, 2019, with the finale arc of 11 episodes running from July 12th, 2020 until September 20th, 2020.
The series will be continued with two films, which will be adapted from the Progressive series.
How Many Movies Does Sword Art Online Have?
In November 2021, there were two new movies and another one that is scheduled for release in 2022, which is set for release in 2022.
The first film, Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale was released in 2017 and was a story of its own, which is an integral part of the Sword Art Online canon.
The second film, Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night, came out in 2021. It is the first adaptation of the Progressive series.
A sequel, entitled Sword Art Online Progressive: Scherzo of a Dark Dusk, is planned for release in 2022.
How Much Time Will It Take to Watch?
It will take you 93 hours and 10 minutes to stream every Sword Art Online anime installment.
This includes all films, TV series, OVAs, and specials.
The most recent film, “Sword Art Online: Progressive Aria of a Starless Night,” still scheduled for release, isn’t included in the viewing time.
If you adhere to the chronological sequence, it is possible to finish the series in 46 hours and 51 minutes.
Here’s a quick overview of each of the series’ durations in order of release date:
- Sword Art Online – 575 minutes
- Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline – 99 minutes
- Sword Art Online: Extra Edition – 101 minutes
- Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline – Extra Edition – 13 minutes
- Sword Art Online II – 552 minutes
- Sword Art Online II: Debriefing – 24 minutes
- Sword Art Online II: Sword Art Offline II – 117 minutes
- Sword Art Online Movie: Ordinal Scale – 119 minutes
- Sword Art Online Movie: Ordinal Scale – Sword Art Offline – 14 minutes
- Sword Art Online Fatal Bullet: The Third Episode – Pilot-ban – 3 minutes
- Sword Art Online Fatal Bullet: The Third Episode – 3 minutes
- Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online – 384 minutes
- Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online – Refrain – 23 minutes
- Sword Art Online: Alicization – 576 minutes
- Sword Art Online: Alicization – Recollection – 24 minutes
- Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld Reflection – 24 minutes
- Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld – 276 minutes
- Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld Recap – 24 minutes
- Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld Part 2 – 264 minutes
- Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night – unknown
Where to watch Sword Art Online with subtitles or dubbed?
Sword Art Online is available across all major streaming platforms for anime.
Here’s a list of the best places to watch the anime with subtitles or dubbed.
- Hulu is a streaming service that provides English subtitles and dubbed content.
- Funimation—English subtitles and dub
- Netflix US has English subtitles and is dubbed in English.
- Crunchyroll has English subtitles.
Conclusion
The best order to watch Sword Art Online is its chronological order.
Also, you can watch shows, however, they’re typically single-shots or recaps that don’t have anything to do with the primary storyline.
