Original
07/08/2012 - 12/23/2012 Finished
Sword Art Online (ソードアート・オンライン)
The NerveGear's revolutionary virtual reality plunges thousands into Aincrad, a sprawling medieval realm where players can explore without limits,until the game's creator seals them inside. Escape demands conquering one hundred perilous levels, but death in the game means death in reality. Kazuto "Kirito" Kirigaya, a beta-tester, discovers his head start offers little protection against insurmountable bosses and ruthless conspirators. Alongside Asuna Yuuki and fellow skilled players, he fights to lead everyone to freedom before the nightmare consumes them all.
25
Total episodes
25
Canon episodes
0
Filler episodes
0%
% Filler
Canon episodes · 25 Filler episodes · 0
Every season
Seasons and sequels
You may wonder, how many seasons does Sword Art Online have? Well, currently Sword Art Online has a total of 5 official seasons. Below is a complete list of the anime's seasons, arranged chronologically, including prequels, sequels, and canonical spin-offs.
Discover all seasons and episodes of this anime in broadcast order. Each season develops a key part of the story, introducing new characters, story arcs, and important events. Select any season to view detailed information such as the number of episodes, release dates, and a complete plot description.
Original
Secuela
Secuela
Secuela
SecuelaWhat to watch, what to skip
Watch order: filler vs canon
You're in luck! Sword Art Online doesn't have a single filler episode: all 25 episodes are canon. It's a faithful adaptation of the original manga, so you can enjoy it from first to last without skipping anything or checking any list of expendable episodes.
The 25 episodes of Sword Art Online aired in 2012 and follow the story's chronological order. There are no transition episodes, no needless recaps, no arcs invented by the studio: every chapter advances the main plot and develops the characters just as the source material does.
In short, the watch order for Sword Art Online is as simple as it gets: start at episode 1 and keep going to episode 25 without detours. If you came looking for which Sword Art Online episodes are filler so you could skip them, the answer is that there aren't any.
Episode by episode
Complete guide by season
25 Episodes
| # | Episodes | Aired | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The World of Swords07/08/2012 | 07/08/2012 | Canon |
| 2 | Beater07/15/2012 | 07/15/2012 | Canon |
| 3 | The Red-Nosed Reindeer07/22/2012 | 07/22/2012 | Canon |
| 4 | The Black Swordsman07/29/2012 | 07/29/2012 | Canon |
| 5 | A Crime Within the Walls08/05/2012 | 08/05/2012 | Canon |
| 6 | Illusionary Avenger08/12/2012 | 08/12/2012 | Canon |
| 7 | The Temperature of the Heart08/19/2012 | 08/19/2012 | Canon |
| 8 | The Sword Dance of White and Black08/26/2012 | 08/26/2012 | Canon |
| 9 | The Blue-Eyed Demon09/02/2012 | 09/02/2012 | Canon |
| 10 | Crimson Killing Intent09/09/2012 | 09/09/2012 | Canon |
| 11 | The Girl of Morning Dew09/16/2012 | 09/16/2012 | Canon |
| 12 | Yui's Heart09/23/2012 | 09/23/2012 | Canon |
| 13 | Edge of Hell's Abyss09/30/2012 | 09/30/2012 | Canon |
| 14 | The End of the World10/07/2012 | 10/07/2012 | Canon |
| 15 | Return10/14/2012 | 10/14/2012 | Canon |
| 16 | Land of the Fairies10/21/2012 | 10/21/2012 | Canon |
| 17 | Captive Queen10/28/2012 | 10/28/2012 | Canon |
| 18 | To the World Tree11/04/2012 | 11/04/2012 | Canon |
| 19 | The Lugru Corridor11/11/2012 | 11/11/2012 | Canon |
| 20 | General of the Blazing Flame11/18/2012 | 11/18/2012 | Canon |
| 21 | The Truth of Alfheim11/25/2012 | 11/25/2012 | Canon |
| 22 | Grand Quest12/02/2012 | 12/02/2012 | Canon |
| 23 | Bonds12/09/2012 | 12/09/2012 | Canon |
| 24 | Gilded Hero12/16/2012 | 12/16/2012 | Canon |
| 25 | The World Seed12/23/2012 | 12/23/2012 | Canon |
Verified legal platforms
Where to watch Sword Art Online
All the platforms where you can watch Sword Art Online legally, with direct links to each service.
Liked it? Keep going
Anime similar to Sword Art Online
If you liked Sword Art Online, you'll love these 6 similar anime in the Aventura genre. Discover complete guides with canon vs filler episodes, chronological order and where to watch each series on streaming.
We've selected these series because they share characteristics with Sword Art Online: similar themes, comparable animation style and the same target audience. Each guide includes the complete list of seasons, filler episodes you can skip and the best platforms to watch each anime in your region.
- Sword Art Online II
- Zero no Tsukaima
- InuYasha
- Zero no Tsukaima: Futatsuki no Kishi
- Zero no Tsukaima: Princesses no Rondo
- Seirei Gensouki
Looking for more anime like Sword Art Online? Explore our complete anime guides catalog or filter by the Aventura genre to find more similar series.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How many seasons does Sword Art Online have?
Sword Art Online has a total of 5 seasons. The series is completed. Each season is divided into multiple episodes with stories that advance the main plot of the anime.
How many episodes does Sword Art Online have?
In total, Sword Art Online has 25 episodes distributed across its 5 seasons. You can consult the complete episodes table to see the breakdown by season.
What is the best order to watch Sword Art Online?
It is recommended to watch Sword Art Online in chronological broadcast order. This means starting from season 1 and continuing sequentially to the last season. Check our watch order guide which includes information about filler vs canon episodes for an optimal experience.
Where can I watch Sword Art Online online?
Sword Art Online is available on the following streaming platforms: Crunchyroll, Animation Digital Network. Check the platforms section at the top of this page to access where you can watch the anime. Please note that availability may vary depending on your geographic region.
Is Sword Art Online a complete anime?
Yes, Sword Art Online is a completed anime. All seasons have already aired and you can enjoy the series in its entirety without waiting for new episodes.
How much filler does Sword Art Online have?
No, Sword Art Online does not have filler episodes. All its episodes are canon and faithfully follow the original manga story, so you can watch all episodes without worrying about skipping anything.
Where can I see Sword Art Online's score and reviews on MyAnimeList?
You can check the score, reviews, characters and statistics for Sword Art Online directly on MyAnimeList, the world's largest anime database. There you'll find the community rating, global ranking and opinions from other fans.