- Updated on: July 23, 2022
- by Ernie
Gaming is one of the fastest-growing industries today. In fact, it is arguably one of the most popular forms of media out there. The show aired in 2012 and the creators of Sword Art Online anticipated this. However, their expectation for the year 2022 may have been a little too high.
In the year 2022, virtual reality has reached such a level that gamers can control their own virtual bodies. Our Protagonist, Kazuto Kirigaya, also known as “Kirito” is a run-of-the-mill gamer who is one of the few people who comes across this wonderful and totally not addictive technology.
Table of Contents
The Game is set in the world of Aincrad which basically rips off every fantasy genre world with mythical beasts and outdated weapons. The twist in the tale comes when the gamers are unable to get out of this virtual paradise. They are essentially locked in until they reach level 100 (And much like the Metaverse, if you die in this game, you also die in real life).
Kazuto Kirigaya, along with his companions must find a way to escape this world by defeating whatever manner of monster crosses their path, along with rival player factions.
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Table of Content
Quick Filler List
Manga Canon Episodes
1-49
Anime Canon Episodes
50
Sword Art Online Filler List
| Episode No. | Epiosde Title. | Type. |
| 1 | The World of Swords | MANGA CANON |
| 2 | Beater | MANGA CANON |
| 3 | Red Nosed Reindeer | MANGA CANON |
| 4 | The Black Swordsman | MANGA CANON |
| 5 | Murder in the Safe Zone | MANGA CANON |
| 6 | Illusionary Avenger | MANGA CANON |
| 7 | The Temperature of the Heart | MANGA CANON |
| 8 | The Sword Dance of Black and White | MANGA CANON |
| 9 | The Blue-Eyed Demon | MANGA CANON |
| 10 | Crimson Killing Intent | MANGA CANON |
| 11 | The Girl of the Morning Dew | MANGA CANON |
| 12 | Yui's Heart | MANGA CANON |
| 13 | Edge of Hell's Abyss | MANGA CANON |
| 14 | The End of the World | MANGA CANON |
| 15 | Return | MANGA CANON |
| 16 | Land of the Fairies | MANGA CANON |
| 17 | Captive Queen | MANGA CANON |
| 18 | To the World Tree | MANGA CANON |
| 19 | The Lugru Corridor | MANGA CANON |
| 20 | General of the Blazing Flame | MANGA CANON |
| 21 | The Truth of Alfheim | MANGA CANON |
| 22 | Grand Quest | MANGA CANON |
| 23 | Bonds | MANGA CANON |
| 24 | Gilded Hero | MANGA CANON |
| 25 | The World Seed | MANGA CANON |
| 26 | The World of Guns | MANGA CANON |
| 27 | Cold-Hearted Sniper | MANGA CANON |
| 28 | Memories of Fresh Blood | MANGA CANON |
| 29 | GGO | MANGA CANON |
| 30 | Swords and Guns | MANGA CANON |
| 31 | Showdown in the Wilderness | MANGA CANON |
| 32 | Crimson Memories | MANGA CANON |
| 33 | Bullet of Bullets | MANGA CANON |
| 34 | Death Gun | MANGA CANON |
| 35 | Death Chaser | MANGA CANON |
| 36 | What It Means To Be Strong | MANGA CANON |
| 37 | Bullet of a Phantom | MANGA CANON |
| 38 | Phantom Bullet | MANGA CANON |
| 39 | One Small Step | MANGA CANON |
| 40 | Queen of the Lake | MANGA CANON |
| 41 | King of the Giants | MANGA CANON |
| 42 | Excalibur | MANGA CANON |
| 43 | House in the Forest | MANGA CANON |
| 44 | Zekken | MANGA CANON |
| 45 | Sleeping Knights | MANGA CANON |
| 46 | The Monument of the Swordsmen | MANGA CANON |
| 47 | The End of the Journey | MANGA CANON |
| 48 | The Dream Begins | MANGA CANON |
| 49 | Mother's Rosario | MANGA CANON |
| 50 | Ordinal Scale (Movie) | ANIME CANON |
Sword Art Online 1
1. Aincrad Arc
A bunch of gamers essentially finds themselves locked inside of their game world, the only key to get out is reaching level 100.
Kazuto Kirigaya, also known as “Kirito”, is one of the first people who’s been exposed to the game since he was one of the initial testers. Since Kirito is a gamer, he’s always been a loner. However, the harsh environment of the game is not so forgiving for a lone warrior, so he must make a compromise and team up with an extremely attractive warrior by the name of Asuna (The Struggle is real). As the story progresses, their friendship blossoms into a romantic relationship.
Eventually, Kirito is recruited by an elite group of warriors known as the “The Knights of the Blood Oath”. Founded by “Heathcliff”, this guild was formed with the intention of uniting strong and determined players/warriors.
In a surprising turn of events, it is revealed that the final 100th level boss, also known as Kayaba, is actually Heathcliff (the leader of the Knights of The Blood Oath). Kirito bests Kayaba in battle which grants him freedom from the Game.
2. Fairy Dance Arc
After Defeating Kayaba, Kirito is released from the game. However, his love interest Asuna, and his friends are still locked inside the game.
Asuna now finds herself in a different game altogether. The name of the new game is Alfheim Online. Alfheim Online is primarily themed around Fairies and mostly ripped off from Sword Art Online.
Kazuto’s new character is called Spriggan. He travels the new world along with Leafa (Who is also his Suguha) and therefore things get really weird when Leafa starts having feelings for Kazuto.
In order to rescue Asuna, Kazuto must fight Oberon, the Fairy King. An epic battle between Kazuto and Oberon at the Top of the World Tree emerges. Kazuto manages to defeat Oberon and Asuna is freed.
3. Extra Edition
Extra Edition basically summarises the entire first season. An important character by the name of Seijiro Kikuoka, who may or may not be relevant to the plot is introduced.
Sword Art Online 2
Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online
1. Phantom Bullet Arc
A bunch of gamers essentially finds themselves locked inside of their game world, the only key to get out is reaching level 100.
Kazuto Kirigaya, also known as “Kirito”, is one of the first people who’s been exposed to the game since he was one of the initial testers. Since Kirito is a gamer, he’s always been a loner. However, the harsh environment of the game is not so forgiving for a lone warrior, so he must make a compromise and team up with an extremely attractive warrior by the name of Asuna (The Struggle is real). As the story progresses, their friendship blossoms into a romantic relationship.
Eventually, Kirito is recruited by an elite group of warriors known as the “The Knights of the Blood Oath”. Founded by “Heathcliff”, this guild was formed with the intention of uniting strong and determined players/warriors.
In a surprising turn of events, it is revealed that the final 100th level boss, also known as Kayaba, is actually Heathcliff (the leader of the Knights of The Blood Oath). Kirito bests Kayaba in battle which grants him freedom from the Game.
2. Calibur
Kirito, along with his friends, must travel across Alfheim Online to find the legendary sword “Excalibur”.
3. Mother’s Rosario
Along with personal problems, our Asuna must deal with the challenges that she’s faced with on floors 21 to 30.
Yuuki, also known as the Absolute Sword challenges Asuna to a duel. However, appearances can be deceiving, and Yuuki is no exception. The Plot intertwines real life and the events taking place in the Game.
The story mostly follows the mystery behind Yuuki and her guild; The Sleeping Knights.
Sword Art Online: Alicization
This arc expands upon the world of Gun Gale Online. This time the story follows a student by the name of Karen Kohirumaki.
1. Alicization
A Secret Organisation called the “Rath” comes up with an advanced AI technology known as “Project Alicization”.
Rath has somehow managed to come up with a technology that is basically a digital soul. This technology is called the Flutlight, which can only be accessed with the help of The Soul Translator.
In order to grasp a better understanding of this technology and test it, Rath hires the famous Kazuto Kirigaya. However, in order to test this technology, he must enter the virtual realm of the Underworld.
What seems like a straightforward job turns into a nightmare when Kazuto is trapped in the Underworld with no sign of escape.
2. Alicization: War of the Underworld Arc
As the Dark Territory and the Human Empire are poised for danger, the Dark Emperor Vector readies for war. His search for Alice and defeat of Asuna still remains his primary goal.
The real perpetrators behind the violence in the Underworld caused by American Players are revealed. In light of this, the Japanese Players rally to defend themselves.
However, the only way to defeat the forces of evil is by waking up Kirito, who’s still in a coma. What will it take to wake Kirito up? And what will happen when he finally wakes up?
While there is a lot to say about Sword Art Online, I think I’ll cover the fillers before we get into it. Fortunately, there are almost no real fillers in Sword Art Online. Every episode you’ll watch has been meticulously adapted from the source material which is the light novels and portrayed without any meaningless addition.
There are some episodes that basically recap the previous episodes. And of course, there’s the Extra Edition. While the Extra Edition is technically filler since it wasn’t based on the light novels, in my opinion, it felt canon. I would suggest you not skip it.
One of the first things that obviously catch your eye while watching Sword Art Online is obviously the artwork. Honestly, the characters are drawn beautifully and the colors are wonderful. While the battle scenes aren’t as good as one would expect from an anime that heavily focuses on combat, the sceneries are beautiful and varied. The music is by far the best part of the series, all thanks to Yuki Kajira.
One of the things that really bugs me is that the characters, especially Kirito, are quite one-dimensional. There’s nothing unique about them and they can be described as cliches at best. There’s your no-fault protagonist Kirito who can’t seem to have any flaws and of course, there’s your waifu character,
Asuna, who’s cute and good at everything. If you’re anything like me, you want your protagonist to have flaws. You want him/her to make a few blunders. However, wanting characters that are easily likable is not a bad thing. If you’re in the mood for a good-looking cast that you know you can like and won’t give you a mental breakdown, then I think you’re in luck.
This brings me to the plot. There is a lot of criticism online, and most of it is quite honestly justified. While the show has a solid concept, it fails to bring out a uniqueness that viewers generally expect.
I’ve always wondered what this show would be like if it were more realistic. Not realistic in the sense of plausibility of course. But more so about the gray morals, realistic violence, and improved battle strategies. The side stories are honestly sloppy at best and make you question why they exist in the first place. The story overall feels a bit rushed.
Conclusion
The story of Sword Art Online is essentially a love story. While the couple goes through a lot throughout the course of their journey, I think what the creators want to convey is that they go through it all together. And honestly, the viewer base for a simple love story is still quite large. This is serving fans at its best. You mostly get what you expect when it comes to Sword Art Online. No matter how bad the plot gets, once you get invested, it’s really hard to stop.
