Light Novel |
Manga |
Anime |
Sword Art Online (ソードアート・オンライン ) is a Japanese light novel series written by Reki Kawahara and illustrated by abec, which has been published by ASCII Media Works under their Dengeki Bunko imprint since April 2009.
The series has been licensed for an English release by Yen Press under their Yen On imprint.
Synopsis
In the year 2022, virtual reality has progressed by leaps and bounds, and a massive online role-playing game called Sword Art Online (SAO) is launched. With the aid of "NerveGear" technology, players can control their avatars within the game using nothing but their own thoughts.
Kazuto Kirigaya, nicknamed "Kirito," is among the lucky few enthusiasts who get their hands on the first shipment of the game. He logs in to find himself, with ten-thousand others, in the scenic and elaborate world of Aincrad, one full of fantastic medieval weapons and gruesome monsters. However, in a cruel turn of events, the players soon realize they cannot log out; the game's creator has trapped them in his new world until they complete all one hundred levels of the game.
In order to escape Aincrad, Kirito will now have to interact and cooperate with his fellow players. Some are allies, while others are foes, like Asuna Yuuki, who commands the leading group attempting to escape from the ruthless game. To make matters worse, Sword Art Online is not all fun and games: if they die in Aincrad, they die in real life. Kirito must adapt to his new reality, fight for his survival, and hopefully break free from his virtual hell.
Characters
- Kirigaya Kazuto / Kirito
- Yuuki Asuna / Asuna
- Alice Zuberg
- Kirigaya Suguha / Leafa
- Asada Shino / Sinon
- Eugeo
- Yui
- Rika Shinozaki / Lisbeth
- Ayano Keiko / Silica
- Tsuboi Ryoutarou / Klein
- Andrew Gilbert Mills / Agil
- Konno Yuuki / Yuuki
- Hosaka Tomo / Argo
Light Novel Volumes
Manga Volumes
Sword Art Online: Aincrad
The manga adaptation of the first two volumes of the light novel: with art by Tamako Nakamura. It was serialised in Dengeki Bunko Magazine and published under the Dengeki Comics imprint from September 2012.
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September, 2012 |
September, 2012 |
Sword Art Online: Fairy Dance
The manga adaptation of the third and fourth of the light novel: with art by Tsubasa Hazuki. It was serialised in Dengeki Bunko Magazine and published under the Dengeki Comics imprint from October 2012.
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October, 2012 |
August, 2013 |
June, 2014 |
Sword Art Online: Phantom Bullet
The manga adaptation of the fifth and sixth of the light novel: with art by Koutarou Yamada. It was serialised on ComicWalker and published under the Dengeki Comics NEXT imprint from September 2014.
Sword Art Online: Mother's Rosario
The manga adaptation of the seventh of the light novel: with art by Tsubasa Hazuki. It was serialised in Dengeki Bunko Magazine and published under the Dengeki Comics NEXT imprint from December 2014.
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December, 2014 |
August, 2015 |
June, 2016 |
Sword Art Online: Calibur
The manga adaptation of the part of the eighth of the light novel: with art by Kiya Shii. It was serialised in Dengeki G's Comic and published under the Dengeki Comics NEXT imprint from August 2015.
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August, 2015 |
Sword Art Online: Project Alicization
The manga adaptation of volume 9-18 of the light novel: with art by Koutarou Yamada. It was serialised on Web DenPlay Comic and published under the Dengeki Comics NEXT imprint from October 2017.
Sword Art Online: Kiss and Fly
The manga adaptation of 22nd volume the light novel: with art by Bekkourico. It was serialised in Dengeki Maoh and was published under the Dengeki Comics NEXT imprint from March 2020.
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March, 2020 |
Sword Art Online: Re:Aincrad
The manga adaptation of the aspects of the Aincrad arc that were not included in the anime adaptation. It features art by ???. It is serialised in Dengeki Daioh and set to release under the Dengeki Comics NEXT imprint.
Sword Art Online: Girls Ops
The manga spin-off based on the light novel: with art by Neko Nekobyou. It was serialised in Dengeki Bunko Magazine and later Web DenPlay Comic. It was published under the Dengeki Comics NEXT imprint from July 2014.
Sword Art Online The Movie: Ordinal Scale (Manga)
The manga adaptation of the anime original movie based on the light novel: with art by IsII. It was serialised on Web DenPlay Comic and published under the Dengeki Comics NEXT imprint from March 2017.
Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization
The manga adaptation of the video game spin-off based on the light novel: with art by Tomo Hirokawa. It was serialised in Dengeki Maoh and published under the Dengeki Comics NEXT imprint from March 2017.
Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris
The manga adaptation of the video game spin-off based on the light novel: with art by Tomo Hirokawa. It was serialised on Web DenPlay Comic and published under the Dengeki Comics NEXT imprint from May 2020.
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May, 2020 |
December, 2020 |
July, 2021 |
Anime
Sword Art Online

An anime adaptation of volumes 1-4 of the light novel. Aired for 24 episodes between July 8, 2012 and December 23, 2012
CAST:
- Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as KIRIGAYA KAZUTO (KIRITO)
- Haryka Tomatsu as YUUKI ASUNA (ASUNA)
- Ai Kayano as ALICE ZUBERG
- Ayana Taketatsu as KIRIGAYA SUGUHA (LEAFA)
- Miyuki Sawashiro as ASADA SHINO (SINON)
- Nobunaga Shimazaki as EUGEO
- Kanae Itou as YUI
- Ayahi Takagaki as RIKA SHINOZAKI (LISBETH)
- Rina Hidaka as AYANO KEIKO (SILICA)
- Hiroaki Hirata as TSUBOI RYOUTAROU (KLEIN)
- Hiroki Yasumoto as ANDREW GILBERT MILLS (AGIL)
- Aoi Yuuki as YUUKI KONNO (YUUKI)
- Shiori Izawa as TOMO HOSAKA (ARGO)
EPISODE No. | EPISODE TITLE | AIR DATE |
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01 | The World of Swords | July 8, 2012 |
02 | Beater | July 15, 2012 |
03 | The Red-Nosed Reindeer | July 22, 2012 |
04 | The Black Swordsman | July 29, 2012 |
05 | Murder in the Safe Zone | August 5, 2012 |
06 | Illusionary Avenger | August 12, 2012 |
07 | The Temperature of the Heart | August 19, 2012 |
08 | The Sword Dance of Black and White | August 26, 2012 |
09 | The Blue-Eyed Demon | Spetember 2, 2012 |
10 | Crimson Killing Intent | September 9, 2012 |
11 | Girl of the Morning Dew | September 16, 2012 |
12 | Yui's Heart | September 23, 2012 |
13 | Edge of Hell's Abyss | September 30, 2012 |
14 | The End of the World | October 7, 2012 |
15 | Return | October 14, 2012 |
16 | Land of the Fairies | October 21, 2012 |
17 | Captive Queen | October 28, 2012 |
18 | To the World Tree | November 4, 2012 |
19 | The Legrue Corridor | November 11, 2012 |
20 | General of the Blazing Flame | November 18, 2012 |
21 | The Truth About Alfheim | November 25, 2012 |
22 | The Grand Quest | December 2, 2012 |
23 | Bonds | December 9, 2012 |
24 | Gilded Hero | December 16, 2012 |
25 | The World Seed | December 23, 2012 |
Sword Art Online II

An anime adaptation of volumes 5-8 of the light novel. Aired for 24 episodes between July 5, 2014 and December 20, 2014
EPISODE No. | EPISODE TITLE | AIR DATE |
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II 01 | The World of Guns | July 5, 2014 |
II 02 | Cold-Hearted Sniper | July 12, 2014 |
II 03 | Memories of Blood | July 19, 2014 |
II 04 | Gun Gale Online (GGO) | July 26, 2014 |
II 05 | Guns and Swords | August 2, 2014 |
II 06 | Showdown in the Wilderness | August 9, 2014 |
II 07 | Crimson Memories | August 16, 2014 |
II 08 | Bullet of Bullets | August 23, 2014 |
II 09 | Death Gun | August 30, 2014 |
II 10 | Death Chaser | September 6, 2014 |
II 11 | What It Means to Be Strong | September 13, 2014 |
II 12 | Bullet of a Phantom | September 20, 2014 |
II 13 | Phantom Bullet | September 27, 2014 |
II 14 | One Little Step | October 4, 2014 |
II 15 | The Queen of the Lake | October 18, 2014 |
II 16 | The King of the Giants | October 25, 2014 |
II 17 | Excaliber | November 1, 2014 |
II 18 | Forest House | November 8, 2014 |
II 19 | Zekken (Absolute Sword) | November 15, 2014 |
II 20 | Sleeping Knights | November 22, 2014 |
II 21 | Swordsman's Memorial | November 29, 2014 |
II 22 | Journey's End | December 6, 2014 |
II 23 | Beginning of a Dream | December 13, 2014 |
II 24 | Mother's Rosario | December 20, 2014 |
Sword Art Online: Alicization

An anime adaptation of volumes 9-14 of the light novel. Aired for 24 episodes between October 7, 2018 and March 31, 2019
EPISODE No. | EPISODE TITLE | AIR DATE |
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Alicization 01 | Underworld | October 6, 2018 |
Alicization 02 | The Demon Tree | October 13, 2018 |
Alicization 03 | The End Mountain | October 20, 2018 |
Alicization 04 | Departure | October 27, 2018 |
Alicization 05 | Ocean Turtle | November 3, 2018 |
Alicization 06 | Project Alicization | November 10, 2018 |
Alicization 07 | Swordcraft Academy | November 17, 2018 |
Alicization 08 | Swordsman's Pride | November 24, 2018 |
Alicization 09 | Nobleman's Responsibilities | December 1, 2018 |
Alicization 10 | Taboo Index | December 8, 2018 |
Alicization 11 | Central Cathedral | December 15, 2018 |
Alicization 12 | The Sage of the Library | December 22, 2018 |
Alicization 13 | Ruler and Mediator | January 5, 2019 |
Alicization 14 | The Crimson Knight | January 12, 2019 |
Alicization 15 | The Relentless Knight | January 19, 2019 |
Alicization 16 | The Osmanthus Knight | January 26, 2019 |
Alicization 17 | Truce | February 2, 2019 |
Alicization 18 | The Legendary Hero | February 9, 2019 |
Alicization 19 | The Seal of the Right Eye | February 23, 2019 |
Alicization 20 | Synthesis | March 2, 2019 |
Alicization 21 | The 32nd Knight | March 9, 2019 |
Alicization 22 | Titan of the Sword | March 9, 2019 |
Alicization 23 | Administrator | March 9, 2019 |
Alicization 24 | My Hero | March 9, 2019 |
Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld

An anime adaptation of volumes 15-16 of the light novel. Aired for 12 episodes. IT aired between October 13, 2019 and December 29, 2019.
EPISODE No. | EPISODE TITLE | AIR DATE |
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War of Underworld 01 | In the Far North | October 12, 2019 |
War of Underworld 02 | Raids | October 19, 2019 |
War of Underworld 03 | The Final Load Test | October 26, 2019 |
War of Underworld 04 | Dark Territory | November 2, 2019 |
War of Underworld 05 | The Night Before Battle | November 9, 2019 |
War of Underworld 06 | Battle of the Knights | November 16, 2019 |
War of Underworld 07 | Stigma of the Disqualified | November 23, 2019 |
War of Underworld 08 | Blood and Life | November 30, 2019 |
War of Underworld 09 | Sword and Fist | December 7, 2019 |
War of Underworld 10 | Stacia, the Goddess of Creation | December 14, 2019 |
War of Underworld 11 | Heartless Choice | December 21, 2019 |
War of Underworld 12 | Ray of Light | December 28, 2019 |
Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld Part 2

An anime adaptation of volumes 17-18 of the light novel. Aired for 11 episodes. It aired between July 12, 2020 and September 20, 2020
EPISODE No. | EPISODE TITLE | AIR DATE |
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War of Underworld P2 01 | The War of Underworld | July 11, 2020 |
War of Underworld P2 02 | End to Eternity | July 18, 2020 |
War of Underworld P2 03 | Instigation | July 25, 2020 |
War of Underworld P2 04 | Code 871 | August 1, 2020 |
War of Underworld P2 05 | Prince of Hell | August 8, 2020 |
War of Underworld P2 06 | Memories | August 15, 2020 |
War of Underworld P2 07 | Awakening | August 22, 2020 |
War of Underworld P2 08 | The Night Sky Blade | August 29, 2020 |
War of Underworld P2 09 | Beyond Time | September 5, 2020 |
War of Underworld P2 10 | Alice | September 12, 2020 |
War of Underworld P2 11 | New World | September 19, 2020 |
Related Series
- Sword Art Online: Progressive (Retelling of Aincrad Arc)
- Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online (Spin-Off)
- Sword Art Online Alternative: Clover's Regret (Spin-Off)
External Links
- Sword Art Online Wiki
- Anilist - Sword Art Online
- Anilist - Sword Art Online (Anime)
- Anilist - Sword Art Online II (Anime)
- Anilist - Sword Art Online: Alicization (Anime)
- Anilist - Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld (Anime)
- Anilist - Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld Part 2 (Anime)
- Anilist - Sword Art Online: Aincrad (Manga)
- Anilist - Sword Art Online: Fairy Dance (Manga)
- Anilist - Sword Art Online: Phantom Bullet (Manga)
- Anilist - Sword Art Online: Mother's Rosario (Manga)
- Anilist - Sword Art Online: Calibur (Manga)
- Anilist - Sword Art Online: Project Alicization (Manga)
- Anilist - Sword Art Online: Kiss and Fly (Manga)
- Anilist - Sword Art Online: Girls Ops (Manga)
Gallery
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