TV series
Blurring the line between the virtual and the real.
In the near future, a Virtual Reality Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (VRMMORPG) called Sword Art Online has been released where players control their avatars with their bodies using a piece of technology called Nerve Gear. One day, players discover they cannot log out, as the game creator is holding them captive unless they reach the 100th floor of the game's tower and defeat the final boss. However, if they die in the game, they die in real life. Their struggle for survival starts now...
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Checked Sep 3, 2026
Sword Art Online is available to stream on Crunchyroll Premium, Crunchyroll Premium (Via Amazon Prime), and Hulu in United States. You can also buy it from Apple TV. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
In the near future, a Virtual Reality Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (VRMMORPG) called Sword Art Online has been released where players control their avatars with their bodies using a piece of technology called Nerve Gear. One day, players discover they cannot log out, as the game creator is holding them captive unless they reach the 100th floor of the game's tower and defeat the final boss. However, if they die in the game, they die in real life. Their struggle for survival starts now...
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
It's launch day for one of the most highly-anticipated video games of all time. Join the character "Kirito" as he begins his journey in the virtual world of Sword Art Online.
Directed by Tomohiko ItoWritten by Yukie Sugawara, Yukito KizawaGuest stars Ayana Taketatsu, Satomi Akesaka, Arisa Nishiguchi, Yukitoshi Kikuchi, Shiori Izawa, Hiroomi Tamaru, Hiroki Goto, Takahiro Shimada
Episode 2
It’s been one month since the players have been locked in the game. 2000 people have died; the first floor hasn’t been cleared yet.
Directed by Yoshiyuki FujiwaraWritten by Muneo NakamotoGuest stars Nobuyuki Hiyama, Tomokazu Seki, Hironori Kondoh, Hiroyuki Honda, Kosuke Okamoto, Kouta Ooshita, Atsushi Tamaru, Sho Karino
Episode 3
Kirito has finally joined a guild made up of close friends in reality. Everything is going well until a tragic accident changes Kirito completely.
Directed by Yuki ItoWritten by Yukie SugawaraGuest stars Saori Hayami, Shiori Izawa, Hiroomi Tamaru, Masatoshi Kī, Kouji Takahashi, Toshiyuki Toyonaga, Kenji Akabane, Tsubasa Yonaga
Episode 4
Silca is known as Dragon Tamer Silca, but after leaving her group she is caught and her pet, Pina paid the ultimate price. Before she is killed, Kirito saves her and offers her a choice.
Directed by Shinya WatadaWritten by Yoshikazu MukaiGuest stars Megumi Toyoguchi, Shinya Takahashi, Sho Karino, Takatsugu Awazu, Mitsutoshi Shundo, Kouta Ooshita, Hiroki Goto, Takahiro Shimada
Episode 5
A player has been killed inside a safe zone and not by the known means. Asuna and Krito take it upon themselves to find out how and why this is happening.
Directed by Yasuyuki FuseWritten by Yukito KizawaGuest stars Hiroomi Tamaru, Kouji Takahashi, Naoto Kobayashi, Shizuka Tsuji, Nozomi Yamamoto, Tokuyoshi Kawashima, Masayuki Katou
Episode 6
Kirito has figured out the how and now he has to figure out the why.
Directed by Kazuma SatouWritten by Yukito KizawaGuest stars Ken Narita, Tsuyoshi Koyama, Ryota Osaka, Nozomi Yamamoto, Tokuyoshi Kawashima, Masayuki Katou
Episode 7
A trip to get a new sword leaves Kirito battling a dragon and his fears.
Directed by Makoto HoshinoWritten by Yoshikazu Mukai
Episode 8
After 2 years, people have got used to living in SAO, with a dwindling front line it might just be up to Kirito and Asuna to continue the charge.
Directed by Tatsumi FujiiWritten by Shuji IriyamaGuest stars Kouta Ooshita, Kouji Takahashi, Tatsuya Takagi, Shiori Izawa, Koji Yusa
Episode 9
To save a group of players and Asuna from a Boss character, Kirito is forced to play his trump card.
Directed by Koichi KikutaWritten by Muneo Nakamoto, Naoki ShoujiGuest stars Tetsu Inada, Hiroomi Tamaru, Masatoshi Kī, Kouji Takahashi, Hironori Kondoh, Toru Okawa
Episode 10
Kirito has agreed to a duel with the head of the Blood Alliance Knights. If Kirito wins, Asuna is free to leave the Knights and if he loses…
Directed by Hideya TakahashiWritten by Yukito KizawaGuest stars Masashi Ebara, Toru Okawa, Koji Yusa
Episode 11
The newly married couple is enjoying their time away from the front lines. But a new guest will take them all the way back to the beginning.
Directed by Heo Pyoung-kangWritten by Yukie SugawaraGuest stars Eiichiro Tokumoto, Daisuke Matsumoto, Kouji Takahashi, Hironori Kondoh, Shiori Mikami, Tomo Muranaka, Yuko Mori, Toru Okawa
Episode 12
Yulier, second in command, of the Liberation Army has approached Kirito and Asuna for help saving her friend and her guild.
Directed by Tamaki NakatsuWritten by Yukie SugawaraGuest stars Shiori Mikami, Tomo Muranaka, Yuko Mori, Kyōko Fujī, Ryoko Shiraishi, Takahiro Mizushima
Episode 13
While enjoying a fishing tournment Kirito receieves an urgent e-mail from the leader of the guild requesting their return.
Directed by Takahiro ShikamaWritten by Yoshikazu MukaiGuest stars Shirou Saitou, Kouji Takahashi, Hiroomi Tamaru, Mitsutoshi Shundo, Naoto Kobayashi, Toru Okawa, Shinya Takahashi
Episode 14
Game over.
Directed by Tomohiko ItoWritten by Yukito KizawaGuest stars Toru Okawa, Kouji Takahashi, Hironori Kondoh, Naoto Kobayashi, Sohta Arai, Mayumi Kaneko, Atsushi Tamaru
Episode 15
Kirigaya is adjusting to his life outside of the game, but he hasn't forgotten about Asuna. A recent visit to her in the hospital, he meets Sugou Nobuyuki.
Directed by Shigetaka IkedaWritten by Muneo NakamotoGuest stars Kazuhiro Yamaji, Aya Endo
Episode 16
A new MMO allows users to fly and encourages player killing. Kirito has joined this new game in search of Asuna and is pleasantly surprised with what he finds.
Directed by Yasuyuki FuseWritten by Yukie SugawaraGuest stars Narumi Beppu, Kouji Takahashi, Ayumu Murase, Naoto Kobayashi, Shinya Takahashi, Mitsuaki Madono
Episode 17
As Kirito learns about the game from Leafa and the hatred between the races, Asuna learns the truth of her role from the Fairy King.
Directed by Yoshiyuki FujiwaraWritten by Yoshikazu MukaiGuest stars Ayumu Murase, Shinya Takahashi, Mitsuaki Madono, Takehito Koyasu
Episode 18
Leafa is making enemies leaving her area and group to team up with Kirito. On their way to neutral Territory, they speak more of the rules and areas of the ALO.
Directed by Takayoshi MorimiyaWritten by Yukito KizawaGuest stars Ayumu Murase, Takuya Kirimoto, Shinya Takahashi, Takehito Koyasu
Episode 19
Something isn’t right; Recon has sent Leafa a message “I was right. Be careful. S." What does he mean and will Leafa and Kirito have the time to figure it out?
Directed by Heo Pyoung-kangWritten by Shuji IriyamaGuest stars Ayumu Murase, Kazunari Tanaka, Kunihiro Maeda, Hironobu Hatakeyama, Tadanori Date, Naoto Kobayashi, Daisuke Motohashi, Shinya Takahashi
Episode 20
Kirito and Leafa have made it to the meeting and Kirito’s bluff as an ambassador has been called out. If he can survive in a fight against the Salamanders General Eugene, his plan to prevent a war might work.
Directed by Makoto Hoshino, Takahiro ShikamaWritten by Naoki ShoujiGuest stars Mitsuaki Madono, Takuya Kirimoto, Kouji Takahashi, Kenta Miyake, Sayuri Yahagi, Chiwa Saito
Episode 21
While Asuna continues her attempt to escape, another woman in Kirito’s life tries to make sense of her emotions.
Directed by Heo Pyoung-kangWritten by Muneo NakamotoGuest stars Nozomi Yamamoto, Nobuaki Kanemitsu, Yusuke Numata, Takehito Koyasu
Episode 22
Kirito’s determination to save Asuna borders on the insane. His reckless is stopped when Leafa suddenly logs out.
Directed by Kazuhisa OnoWritten by Yukito KizawaGuest stars Masaya Takatsuka, Daichi Endo, Ruriko Aoki, Hiroyuki Honda
Episode 23
Even though a wall has been built between Kirito and Sugu, he must save Asuna. The next time he challenges the final dungeon he won’t be alone.
Directed by Shigetaka IkedaWritten by Yoshikazu MukaiGuest stars Kosuke Okamoto, Takatsugu Awazu, Katsufumi Yachi, Junya Enoki, Ryota Iwasaki, Kazuya Yamaguchi, Yū Satomi, Makoto Takahashi
Episode 24
Kirito, Asuna, and Yui are finally together again, but the locks placed on Asuna are unbreakable. Before they have a chance to come up with a plan, the fairy king makes his grand entrance.
Directed by Tomohiko ItoWritten by Yukie SugawaraGuest stars Takehito Koyasu
Episode 25
Kirigaya Kazuto has beaten death twice but there is one more thing he must do.
Directed by Tomohiko ItoWritten by Muneo NakamotoGuest stars Ayahi Takagaki, Nozomi Yamamoto, Tokuyoshi Kawashima, Kyōko Fujī, Ryoko Shiraishi, Takahiro Mizushima, Rina Hidaka
Episode information updated Sep 19, 2026
Haruka TomatsuAsuna (voice)
Hiroki YasumotoAgil (voice)
Isshin ChibaCritter (voice
Kaori MaedaSelka (voice)
Taku YashiroIskahn (voice)
Yuhko KaidaDee Eye Ell (voice)
Yoshitsugu MatsuokaKirito (voice)
Kanae ItouYui (voice)
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