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Sword Art Online Watch Order
21 entries · · community-maintained
Also known as S.A.O, SAO
The Sword Art Online watch order runs through all four main arcs — Aincrad and Fairy Dance (Episodes 1-25), Phantom Bullet (Episodes 26-49), Gun Gale Online Alternative, and the sprawling Alicization saga — plus the Ordinal Scale movie and a stack of specials. Start with Episodes 1-25, then the lighthearted Sword Art Offline specials and Extra Edition before jumping into Episodes 26-49 and Sword Art Offline II. Watch Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale next, since the film bridges into later events, followed by the Fatal Bullet entries and the Gun Gale Online Alternative run of Episodes 1-12. Alicization comes last: Episodes 1-24, the Recollection and War of Underworld Reflection specials, then War of Underworld Episodes 1-12 and its recap. This is the complete chronological order including all movies and OVAs, so you always know exactly where each special and film fits between the numbered episode blocks.
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Recommended first watch
Checked October 2026Watch the main story in order: Season 1 (25 episodes, 2012), Season 2 (24, 2014), the Ordinal Scale film (February 2017), Alicization (24, 2018-2019), then War of Underworld Part 1 (12, 2019) and Part 2 (11, 2020).
Alternative: Gun Gale Online (12 episodes, 2018) and its second season (12, 2024) are a spin-off about a different player, so watch them whenever you like.
The two Progressive films, Unanswered//butterfly, the Sword Art Offline shorts and all specials and recaps are optional.
Start here
- Watch first
- Start with Episodes 1-25 (Season 1: Sword Art Online).
- What to skip
- 13 entries are optional: Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline Special (Season 1: Sword Art Online), Sword Art Online: Extra Edition Special (Season 1: Sword Art Online), Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline- Extra Edition Special (Season 1: Sword Art Online), Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Aria of a Starless Night, Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night, Sword Art Online II: Sword Art Offline II (Season 2: Sword Art Online 2), and 7 more. The story still tracks without them.
- Filler notes
- Sword Art Online: Alicization- Recollection Special (Season 3: Sword Art Online: Alicization). Recollection recap special (February 2019).
- Sword Art Online: Alicization- War of Underworld Recap Special (Season 3: Sword Art Online: Alicization). Reminiscence recap special (July 2020).
- Sword Art Online: Alicization- War of Underworld Reflection Special (Season 3: Sword Art Online: Alicization). Reflection recap special (October 2019).
Chronological order
Spot a mistake?
Fix this order
Season 1: Sword Art Online
#1–4 · 4 entries
- 1Episodes 1-25
Season 1, 25 episodes (July 2012). Start here: players are trapped in a deadly virtual reality game.
0/25 - 2Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline SpecialOptional
Sword Art Offline, bonus specials on the disc release (October 2012). Optional: extras with no story needed.
2 people are here, including Frosty and Karsten MulderOVA - 3Sword Art Online: Extra Edition SpecialOptional
Extra Edition special (31 December 2013). Optional: a standalone special about Yui and Suguha.
OVA - 4Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline- Extra Edition SpecialOptional
Sword Art Offline: Extra Edition (April 2014), a bonus episode from the Extra Edition disc. Optional extra.
OVA
Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Aria of a Starless Night
#5 · 1 entry
- 5Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Aria of a Starless NightOptional
Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night (October 2021). Optional: an alternative telling of the first Aincrad story.
Movie
Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night
#6 · 1 entry
- 6Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep NightOptional
Progressive: Scherzo of Deep Night (October 2022). Optional: an alternative telling of the early Aincrad story.
Movie
Season 2: Sword Art Online 2
#7–8 · 2 entries
- 7Episodes 26-49
Season 2 (Sword Art Online II), 24 episodes (July 2014). Continues after Season 1.
0/24 - 8Sword Art Online II: Sword Art Offline IIOptional
Sword Art Offline II, bonus specials on the disc release (October 2014). Optional extras.
OVA
Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale Movie
#9 · 1 entry
- 9Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale Movie
Ordinal Scale film (February 2017). A sequel to Season 2 and a prequel to Alicization.
Movie
Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet: The Third Episode
#10–11 · 2 entries
- 10Sword Art Online Fatal Bullet: The Third Episodes ONAOptional
Fatal Bullet: The Third Episode pilot short (February 2018), inspired by the game. Optional extra.
OVA - 11Sword Art Online Fatal Bullet: The Third Episodes/ SpecialOptional
Fatal Bullet: The Third Episode short (March 2018), inspired by the game. Optional extra.
OVA
Sword ARt Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online
#12–13 · 2 entries
- 12Episodes 1-12
Alternative: Gun Gale Online, 12 episodes (April 2018). A spin-off about Karen and her avatar Ren; watch any time.
0/12 - 13Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online SpecialOptional
Alternative: Gun Gale Online special (April 2018). Optional: an extra with no story needed.
OVA
Season 3: Sword Art Online: Alicization
#14–18 · 5 entries
- 14Episodes 1-24
Alicization, 24 episodes (October 2018). Continues the main story after Ordinal Scale.
0/24 - 15Sword Art Online: Alicization- Recollection SpecialOptional
Recollection recap special (February 2019). Optional: Kirito recaps the first 18 Alicization episodes.
OVA - 16Sword Art Online: Alicization- War of Underworld Reflection SpecialOptional
Reflection recap special (October 2019). Optional: recaps the first 24 Alicization episodes.
OVA - 17Sword Art Online: Alicization- War of Underworld Episodes 1-12
War of Underworld Part 1, 12 episodes (October 2019). Continues straight after Alicization.
0/12 - 18Sword Art Online: Alicization- War of Underworld Recap SpecialOptional
Reminiscence recap special (July 2020). Optional: a recap of the first part of War of Underworld.
Episode 1
Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld Part 2
#19 · 1 entry
- 19Episodes 1–11
War of Underworld Part 2, 11 episodes (July 2020). Finishes the Alicization story.
0/11
Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II
#20 · 1 entry
- 20Episodes 1–12
Alternative: Gun Gale Online II, 12 episodes (October 2024). Spin-off sequel; watch after the first GGO season.
0/12
Unanswered//butterfly: Sword Art Online
#21 · 1 entry
- 21Unanswered//butterfly: Sword Art OnlineOptional
Unanswered//butterfly film (July 2026). Optional: an alternative telling of the first SAO story.
Movie
The correct order to watch Sword Art Online, as one listShowHide
Watch Sword Art Online in this order. 21 entries, chronological.
- Season 1: Sword Art Online: Episodes 1-25
- Season 1: Sword Art Online: Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline Special (OVA) — optional
- Season 1: Sword Art Online: Sword Art Online: Extra Edition Special (OVA) — optional
- Season 1: Sword Art Online: Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline- Extra Edition Special (OVA) — optional
- Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Aria of a Starless Night (movie) — optional
- Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night (movie) — optional
- Season 2: Sword Art Online 2: Episodes 26-49
- Season 2: Sword Art Online 2: Sword Art Online II: Sword Art Offline II (OVA) — optional
- Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale Movie (movie)
- Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet: The Third Episode: Sword Art Online Fatal Bullet: The Third Episodes ONA (OVA) — optional
- Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet: The Third Episode: Sword Art Online Fatal Bullet: The Third Episodes/ Special (OVA) — optional
- Sword ARt Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online: Episodes 1-12
- Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online Special (OVA) — optional
- Season 3: Sword Art Online: Alicization: Episodes 1-24
- Season 3: Sword Art Online: Alicization: Sword Art Online: Alicization- Recollection Special (OVA) — optional
- Season 3: Sword Art Online: Alicization: Sword Art Online: Alicization- War of Underworld Reflection Special (OVA) — optional
- Season 3: Sword Art Online: Alicization: Sword Art Online: Alicization- War of Underworld Episodes 1-12
- Season 3: Sword Art Online: Alicization: Sword Art Online: Alicization- War of Underworld Recap Special — optional
- Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld Part 2: Episodes 1–11
- Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II: Episodes 1–12
- Unanswered//butterfly: Sword Art Online (movie) — optional
Something wrong or missing?
This order is maintained by the community. Report a problem, or sign in to fix it yourself.
Sword Art Online watch order FAQ
What order should I watch Sword Art Online in?
Watch the main story in order: Season 1 (25 episodes, 2012), Season 2 (24, 2014), the Ordinal Scale film (February 2017), Alicization (24, 2018-2019), then War of Underworld Part 1 (12, 2019) and Part 2 (11, 2020). Alternative: Gun Gale Online (12 episodes, 2018) and its second season (12, 2024) are a spin-off about a different player, so watch them whenever you like. The two Progressive films, Unanswered//butterfly, the Sword Art Offline shorts and all specials and recaps are optional.
Do I need the Progressive movies?
No. AniList lists Aria of a Starless Night (October 2021) and Scherzo of Deep Night (October 2022) as alternative tellings of the first Aincrad story, seen through Asuna's eyes. They are optional.
Where does the Ordinal Scale movie fit?
Between Season 2 and Alicization. AniList lists it as a sequel to Season 2 and a prequel to Alicization. It was released in February 2017.
Can I skip the recap specials?
Yes. Recollection (February 2019), Reflection (October 2019) and the War of Underworld recap (July 2020) only summarize earlier episodes, so they are optional.
What is the chronological order of Sword Art Online?
Start with Episodes 1-25 (Season 1: Sword Art Online), then continue with Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline Special (Season 1: Sword Art Online), Sword Art Online: Extra Edition Special (Season 1: Sword Art Online), Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline- Extra Edition Special (Season 1: Sword Art Online), Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Aria of a Starless Night, and Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night, followed by 15 more entries. The full Sword Art Online watch order on this page has 21 entries across 11 series, listed in chronological viewing order.
What is the release order of Sword Art Online?
In the order they aired, start with Episodes 1-25 (Season 1: Sword Art Online), then Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline Special (Season 1: Sword Art Online), Sword Art Online: Extra Edition Special (Season 1: Sword Art Online), Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline- Extra Edition Special (Season 1: Sword Art Online), Episodes 26-49 (Season 2: Sword Art Online 2), and Sword Art Online II: Sword Art Offline II (Season 2: Sword Art Online 2), followed by 15 more entries. Release order follows air dates and is not the recommended chronological order.
How many episodes is Sword Art Online?
Sword Art Online has 121 TV episodes in this order, plus 4 movies and 9 OVAs.
Where do the Sword Art Online movies fit in the watch order?
Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Aria of a Starless Night comes right after Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline- Extra Edition Special (Season 1: Sword Art Online), Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night comes right after Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Aria of a Starless Night, Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale Movie comes right after Sword Art Online II: Sword Art Offline II (Season 2: Sword Art Online 2), and Unanswered//butterfly: Sword Art Online comes right after Episodes 1–12 (Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II).
Can I skip anything in Sword Art Online?
Yes. 13 entries are marked optional: Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline Special (Season 1: Sword Art Online), Sword Art Online: Extra Edition Special (Season 1: Sword Art Online), Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline- Extra Edition Special (Season 1: Sword Art Online), Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Aria of a Starless Night, Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night, and Sword Art Online II: Sword Art Offline II (Season 2: Sword Art Online 2), and 7 more. Everything else is part of the main story.
Is Sword Art Online finished?
Yes. Sword Art Online has finished airing, and this order covers everything released so far in chronological viewing order.
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