It used to be that Sword Art Online had an easy watch order. You had season one and then season two. Even when Gun Gale Online came out, you could still guess how to watch it. However, now with Alicization and all the specials, it has gotten to the point where Sword Art Online needs a watch order guide for those new anime fans made every day that are looking to try the series out.
Sword Art Online Watch Order
How to Watch Sword Art Online in Order
If you are just looking for your marching orders, the short and dirty watch order without any explanation is as follows:
- Sword Art Online
- Sword Art Online: Progressive – Aria of a Starless Night (Movie)
- Sword Art Online: Progressive – Scherzo of Deep Night (Movie)
- Sword Art Offline I (Optional)
- Sword Art Online: Extra Edition Movie (Optional)
- Sword Art Offline: Extra Edition (Optional)
- Sword Art Online II
- Sword Art Online II: Debriefing (Optional Recap Special)
- Sword Art Offline II (Optional)
- Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online (Optional, but Recommended!)
- Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale Movie
- Sword Art Online: Alicization
- Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld
What is Sword Art Offline?
Even long time fans are like “The even is Sword Art Offline?” Really, they are just super short specials about chibi versions of the characters being dorks. They are good for a laugh, but by no means something you absolutely need to hunt down.
Why is Extra Edition Optional, But Ordinal Scale Not?
At present, Sword Art Online has two movies outside of Progressive, which is a different thing. The movies are Extra Edition and Ordinal Scale. I marked one as optional, but didn’t mark the other as such. Why?
Extra Edition is a weird thing. It is mostly a recap movie, which is something to skip. Yet, there are some new scenes with the characters, but they don’t add anything to the overall lore of the story.
Alternatively, Ordinal Scale is a wholly new and decidedly canon story that sort of retcons some things from the light novels and serves as an overall bridge into Alicization. It is not necessary to watch to understand Alicization, but it can help add a touch of clarity to a few things.
Plus its new content made by the creator so, you know, that’s worth the watch.
What Are the Sword Art Online Progressive?
The Progressive movies essentially tell the story of events from the first few episodes of Sword Art Online’s first season. However, they are telling the events from Asuka’s perspective instead of Kirito.
This means it feels very much like a whole new story with a main character that is almost universally adored, unlike the divisive Kirito.
They are very good and worth watching.
To Watch Gun Gale Online During Sword Art Online II or After?
Some fans recommend watching Sword Art Online II to the halfway point (around episode 14) and then starting Gun Gale Online. Personally, I see the reasoning, but it doesn’t make much sense to do.
The idea is that Gun Gale Online, although focusing on new characters, takes place concurrently with the second half of Sword Art Online II.
Watching it at the half way point, though, really spoils the world of Gun Gale Online for main story line watchers. Just finish Sword Art Online II and enjoy Gun Gale Online if you want to.
It’s an optional watch, but a pretty good show!
