Table of Contents
Sword Art Online (SAO) has become a landmark franchise in the anime and gaming worlds since its debut. With its unique blend of virtual reality, action, and emotional storytelling, it has captivated audiences globally. This article serves as a comprehensive release order guide for the various series, movies, and spin-off adventures within the Sword Art Online universe.
Main Series
The main series of Sword Art Online follows the journey of Kirito and his friends as they navigate through different virtual worlds. Here’s the release order of the main series:
- Sword Art Online (2012)
- Sword Art Online II (2014)
- Sword Art Online: Alicization (2018)
- Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld (2019)
Movies
In addition to the main series, Sword Art Online has released several movies that expand on the story and characters. These films can be enjoyed independently or as part of the overall narrative:
- Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale (2017)
- Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night (2021)
- Sword Art Online Progressive: Scherzo of Deep Night (2022)
Spin-off Series
Several spin-off series delve into different aspects of the Sword Art Online universe, introducing new characters and stories. Here’s the order in which they were released:
- Sword Art Online: Gun Gale Online (2018)
- Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online (2018)
Sword Art Online Progressive
The Sword Art Online Progressive series retells the original story with more depth, exploring the characters’ thoughts and experiences. It is recommended to watch these after the main series:
- Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night (2021)
- Sword Art Online Progressive: Scherzo of Deep Night (2022)
Viewing Recommendations
For those new to Sword Art Online, it is recommended to start with the main series followed by the movies and then the spin-offs. Here’s a suggested viewing order:
- Sword Art Online
- Sword Art Online II
- Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale
- Sword Art Online: Alicization
- Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld
- Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night
- Sword Art Online Progressive: Scherzo of Deep Night
- Sword Art Online: Gun Gale Online
Conclusion
Sword Art Online has a rich narrative that spans multiple series, movies, and spin-offs. By following this release order guide, fans and newcomers alike can fully appreciate the depth and complexity of the Sword Art Online universe. Whether you are interested in the original storyline or the expanded adventures, there is plenty to explore in this iconic franchise.