Sword Art Online (SAO) has captivated audiences worldwide with its immersive virtual reality world, compelling characters, and thrilling storylines. One of the most common questions among fans, newcomers, and those looking to dive back into the series is: just how many episodes are there? Let’s break down the complete episode count across all seasons and specials, providing you with a comprehensive guide to this beloved anime.
Breaking Down Sword Art Online: Seasons and Episodes
The Sword Art Online anime adaptation covers a significant portion of Reki Kawahara’s light novel series. Understanding the structure of the anime, including its various seasons and OVAs, is crucial for accurately calculating the total episode count.
Sword Art Online Season 1 (Aincrad & Fairy Dance)
Season 1 is perhaps the most iconic and well-known segment of the series. It’s divided into two distinct arcs: Aincrad and Fairy Dance.
The Aincrad arc, encompassing episodes 1-14, introduces us to the world of Sword Art Online, a virtual reality MMORPG where players are trapped and must fight to survive. This arc sets the stage for the entire series, establishing the core themes of virtual reality, escapism, and the blurred lines between the digital and real worlds.
Following Aincrad, the Fairy Dance arc takes place in a new VRMMORPG called ALfheim Online (ALO). Episodes 15-25 explore Kirito’s quest to rescue Asuna from the clutches of Sugou Nobuyuki. This arc delves into themes of family, identity, and the dangers of unchecked technological power. Season 1 contains a total of 25 episodes.
Sword Art Online Season 2 (Phantom Bullet, Calibur, Mother’s Rosario)
Season 2 continues Kirito’s adventures, exploring new virtual worlds and facing new challenges. This season is divided into three arcs: Phantom Bullet, Calibur, and Mother’s Rosario.
The Phantom Bullet arc, spanning episodes 1-14, introduces a new VR game called Gun Gale Online (GGO). Kirito is tasked with investigating a series of mysterious deaths within the game, leading him to team up with a skilled sniper named Sinon. This arc explores themes of trauma, guilt, and the psychological impact of violence.
The Calibur arc is a shorter, lighthearted interlude consisting of a single episode (episode 15). It focuses on Kirito and his friends undertaking a quest in ALO to obtain the legendary sword Excalibur.
The Mother’s Rosario arc, episodes 18-24, centers on Asuna and her relationship with a terminally ill player named Yuuki. This arc is often considered one of the most emotionally resonant of the entire series, exploring themes of friendship, acceptance, and the fleeting nature of life. Season 2 has a total of 24 episodes. There is a recap episode (episode 17).
Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale
Ordinal Scale is a feature-length film that bridges the gap between seasons 2 and 3. While not a traditional episode, it’s considered canon and adds significant context to the overall storyline. The movie features a new augmented reality game called Ordinal Scale, which poses a new threat to Kirito and his friends.
The movie introduces new characters and expands upon existing lore, setting the stage for the Alicization arc. Ordinal Scale is a single, feature-length movie, not an episodic series.
Sword Art Online: Alicization
Alicization is the longest and most ambitious arc in the Sword Art Online anime. It’s divided into two parts: Alicization and Alicization: War of Underworld.
Sword Art Online: Alicization (Episodes 1-24)
The first part of Alicization introduces the Underworld, a highly advanced virtual world created by Rath. Kirito takes on a job testing a new FullDive system and finds himself trapped in the Underworld with no memory of his real life. He befriends a young boy named Eugeo and together they embark on a quest to reach the Central Cathedral. This part consists of 24 episodes.
Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld (Episodes 1-12 & 13-23)
War of Underworld continues the Alicization storyline, escalating the conflict between the human empire and the Dark Territory. Kirito remains in a comatose state, while Asuna and the other characters from the real world struggle to protect the Underworld from invasion. The arc is split into two parts, each consisting of 12 and 11 episodes respectively. War of Underworld comprises a total of 23 episodes.
Sword Art Online: Progressive – Aria of a Starless Night & Scherzo of Deep Night
Sword Art Online: Progressive is a reboot of the Aincrad arc, providing a more detailed and nuanced exploration of the early levels of the game. The anime adaptation currently consists of two movies: Aria of a Starless Night and Scherzo of Deep Night. These are movies, not episodes. They are considered part of the SAO canon.
Total Episode Count: Summing It All Up
Now that we’ve broken down each season and movie, let’s calculate the total number of episodes in the Sword Art Online anime series.
Season 1: 25 episodes
Season 2: 24 episodes
Alicization: 24 episodes
Alicization – War of Underworld: 23 episodes
Adding these together, we arrive at a total of 96 episodes of Sword Art Online. This figure includes all episodes across the first two seasons, Alicization and War of Underworld. It does not include the movies Ordinal Scale, Aria of a Starless Night or Scherzo of Deep Night.
Special Episodes and OVAs
In addition to the main series episodes, there are also several special episodes and OVAs (Original Video Animations) that fans may be interested in. These specials often provide additional content, such as side stories, recaps, or comedic shorts. The “Sword Art Online Extra Edition” is a special episode that recaps the first season with new content included. It is considered part of the overall SAO experience.
Sword Art Online: Extra Edition
This special episode serves as a recap of the first season, with additional scenes and a new underwater quest. It bridges the gap between the first and second seasons and provides a refresher for viewers. The Extra Edition is one single episode.
Why the Episode Count Matters
Knowing the total number of episodes allows you to plan your viewing experience effectively. Whether you’re a binge-watcher or prefer to savor each episode, understanding the scope of the series helps you allocate your time accordingly.
For newcomers, the episode count provides a sense of commitment required to fully immerse themselves in the world of Sword Art Online. It can also help them decide where to start and which arcs to prioritize.
For returning fans, knowing the total episode count can be useful for rewatching the series or catching up on any episodes they may have missed. It can also help them track their progress and ensure they haven’t overlooked any important content.
The Future of Sword Art Online Anime
The Sword Art Online anime continues to be popular, and fans are eagerly awaiting news about future adaptations. The Progressive series is ongoing, and there is ample source material in the light novels for further seasons. The future of the SAO anime looks bright, with the potential for new stories, characters, and virtual worlds to explore.
The series’ enduring appeal lies in its blend of action, romance, and exploration of complex themes. The characters are relatable and well-developed, and the virtual worlds are imaginative and immersive.
As technology advances, the themes explored in Sword Art Online become increasingly relevant. The series raises questions about the nature of reality, the impact of technology on human connection, and the ethical considerations of virtual reality.
While we’ve covered the existing episodes, stay tuned for more news regarding potential future installments.
In Conclusion
Sword Art Online offers a vast and engaging world for anime fans to explore. With a current total of 96 episodes across its various seasons and arcs, there’s plenty of content to keep you entertained. Adding in the Extra Edition gives us 97 episodes. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer to the series, understanding the episode breakdown is essential for navigating the world of SAO. Enjoy your journey through Aincrad, ALfheim Online, Gun Gale Online, and the Underworld!
How many episodes are there in the main Sword Art Online anime series?
The main Sword Art Online anime series comprises 97 episodes, spanning across four seasons and multiple story arcs. These episodes cover the Aincrad, Fairy Dance, Phantom Bullet, Mother’s Rosario, Alicization, and War of Underworld arcs, providing a comprehensive adaptation of the light novel series.
It’s important to note that this number only refers to the core anime series. It does not include any specials, movies, or alternative adaptations. To experience the complete story, viewers would need to consider these additional content offerings.
Does the episode count include Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld?
Yes, the total episode count of 97 does include Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld. This arc constitutes the latter half of the Alicization season and is considered integral to the main series narrative. Specifically, War of Underworld comprises the final 23 episodes of the 97 total.
Alicization itself is divided into two parts, with the first part focusing on Kirito and Eugeo’s journey through the Underworld, and War of Underworld depicting the escalating conflict within that virtual world. Therefore, both sections are essential and included in the 97-episode count of the primary Sword Art Online anime.
Are there any Sword Art Online movies and are they considered part of the episode count?
Yes, there are Sword Art Online movies, but they are not included in the main series episode count. Specifically, there are two main movies: Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale and Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night followed by Sword Art Online Progressive: Scherzo of Deep Night. These films offer standalone stories or retellings within the Sword Art Online universe.
While the movies enhance the overall experience and provide additional context, they are not considered part of the core 97 episodes that comprise the main anime series. They function more as side stories or expanded versions of existing arcs, offering a different perspective on the characters and world.
Does Sword Art Online Progressive have its own episode count separate from the main series?
Currently, Sword Art Online Progressive does not have its own dedicated anime series with an episode count. There are movies based on the Progressive storyline, but they are released as theatrical films rather than a serialized television anime. These movies retell the Aincrad arc from Asuna’s perspective.
The original Aincrad arc, covered in the main series, is condensed. Sword Art Online Progressive aims to provide a more detailed exploration of each floor of Aincrad. As of now, the Progressive adaptation exists primarily as movies, separate from the 97 episodes of the main Sword Art Online anime.
Are there any special episodes or OVAs (Original Video Animations) and how do they affect the total episode count?
Yes, there are special episodes or OVAs associated with Sword Art Online, but they aren’t always consistently included in overall episode counts. One notable example is Sword Art Online: Extra Edition, a recap special with some original content added. There may be other shorter specials included with Blu-ray releases.
These specials are typically considered supplementary material rather than part of the core narrative. The common figure of 97 episodes refers specifically to the episodes that advance the main storyline across the Aincrad, Fairy Dance, Phantom Bullet, Mother’s Rosario, and Alicization arcs, without considering these additional features.
Is the Sword Art Online series finished, or are more episodes expected?
Whether the Sword Art Online anime series is definitively finished is a subject of some ambiguity. While the main storyline covering the adapted light novel content has concluded with the Alicization arc, there are still further light novels available to adapt, including Sword Art Online: Unital Ring.
Therefore, the possibility of future seasons or adaptations remains open, depending on the popularity of the franchise and the decision of the production studio. Currently, no new seasons have been officially announced beyond the existing 97 episodes; however, fans remain hopeful for adaptations of the newer source material.
What order should I watch the Sword Art Online episodes and movies to get the full story?
To experience the complete Sword Art Online storyline, the recommended viewing order is as follows: Sword Art Online Season 1 (episodes 1-14: Aincrad arc, episodes 15-25: Fairy Dance arc), Sword Art Online II (Phantom Bullet and Mother’s Rosario arcs), Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale, Sword Art Online: Alicization, Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld (Part 1 & 2). The “Extra Edition” is best viewed after season 1.
The Sword Art Online Progressive movies are best viewed separately or after the original Aincrad arc, as they offer an alternative retelling of that initial story. Consider that each movie covers specific floors from Aincrad. This viewing order ensures chronological consistency and minimizes potential spoilers, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the characters and events within the Sword Art Online universe.