The Sword Art Online anime adaptation began airing in 2012, but the light novel source began years earlier in 2002 as a web novel. The lengthy ongoing series might feel a bit daunting, but here are all of the Sword Art Online story arcs in chronological order to help you parse what’s going on.
Sword Art Online Arcs in Order: Aincrad
It all starts with the Aincrad arc, also known as the actual Sword Art Online arc, in which the main characters Kirito, Asuna, Klein, and the others play the titular MMORPG in which they are trapped there and can die. It lasts for the first two light novels of the series and 14 episodes of the anime.
Alfheim Online
The second story arc in the series takes place from volumes 3-4 and episodes 15-25. This one showcases the new fantasy MMORPG Alfheim Online Kirito and the others check out.
Phantom Bullet
Volumes 5, 6, and 8 of the light novel series and episodes 26-42 of the anime tells the story of Phantom Bullet in which Kirito enters his next MMORPG known as Gun Gale Online. It has a heavier focus on an FPS-like and sci-fi game.
Mother’s Rosario
Episodes 43-49 of the anime and volume 7 of the light novel series takes fans back to Alfheim Online for a brief but emotional arc centered around Asuna and her new friend Yuuki.
Ordinal Scale
This brief story arc comes from the SAO movie in which it tells an anime-original tale set after the events of the second season. It details Kirito and Asuna’s latest adventure as they deal with a pop idol who happens to have some surprising history with them.
Project Alicization
By far the longest arc of the series comes in Seasons 3 and 4 of the anime and light novel volumes 9-18. It tells the riveting story of Kirito finding himself in the monumental fantasy world as part of a project to create actual artificial intelligence.
Unital Ring
The ongoing current story arc of the light novel encompasses the Moon Cradle and Unital Ring books, which are volumes 19-27. This is the only story arc to not have an anime or game adaptation at this time. However, it appears to be the final arc of the series and will conclude Kirito and Asuna’s story in the near future.
The Sword Art Online anime is available to stream through Crunchyroll.
Published: Jan 4, 2024 11:15 am