Sword Art Online: Season 1
2012 · 25 episodes · ★ 7.5
Sword Art Online
What Season 1 of Sword Art Online
In 2022, ten thousand players log into Sword Art Online, a virtual reality MMORPG that responds to their thoughts thanks to the NerveGear. Soon after, they discover they cannot log out, because the game's creator holds them until they clear all one hundred levels. Kazuto Kirigaya, known as Kirito, is a lone player who prefers to go his own way, but he will have to cooperate with others to survive. The danger is real: whoever dies in Aincrad also dies in the real world. Asuna, a warrior, proposes teaming up with him to try to escape. The season shows how alliances and rivalries among players shift.
Season 1 Episodes
1x01 The World of Swords
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.
Director: Tomohiko Ito · Writers: Yukie Sugawara, Yukito Kizawa · Starring: Ayana Taketatsu, Satomi Akesaka, Arisa Nishiguchi, Yukitoshi Kikuchi
1x02 Beater
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.
Directing: Yoshiyuki Fujiwara · Writing: Muneo Nakamoto · Starring: Nobuyuki Hiyama, Tomokazu Seki, Hironori Kondoh, Hiroyuki Honda
1x03 The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Kirito has finally joined a guild made up of close friends in reality. Everything is going well until a tragic accident changes Kirito completely.
Directing: Yuki Ito · Writing: Yukie Sugawara · Starring: Saori Hayami, Shiori Izawa, Hiroomi Tamaru, Masatoshi Kī
1x04 The Black Swordsman
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.
Director: Shinya Watada · Writer: Yoshikazu Mukai · Starring: Megumi Toyoguchi, Shinya Takahashi, Sho Karino, Takatsugu Awazu
1x05 Murder in the Safe Zone
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.
Directing: Yasuyuki Fuse · Writing: Yukito Kizawa · Starring: Hiroomi Tamaru, Kouji Takahashi, Naoto Kobayashi, Shizuka Tsuji
1x06 Illusionary Avenger
Kirito has figured out the how and now he has to figure out the why.
Directing: Kazuma Satou · Writing: Yukito Kizawa · Starring: Ken Narita, Tsuyoshi Koyama, Ryota Osaka, Nozomi Yamamoto
1x07 The Temperature of the Heart
A trip to get a new sword leaves Kirito battling a dragon and his fears.
Directing: Makoto Hoshino · Writing: Yoshikazu Mukai
1x08 The Sword Dance of Black and White
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.
Directing: Tatsumi Fujii · Writing: Shuji Iriyama · Starring: Kouta Ooshita, Kouji Takahashi, Tatsuya Takagi, Shiori Izawa
1x09 The Blue-Eyed Demon
To save a group of players and Asuna from a Boss character, Kirito is forced to play his trump card.
Directing: Koichi Kikuta · Writing: Muneo Nakamoto, Naoki Shouji · Starring: Tetsu Inada, Hiroomi Tamaru, Masatoshi Kī, Kouji Takahashi
1x10 Crimson Killing Intent
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…
Directing: Hideya Takahashi · Writing: Yukito Kizawa · Starring: Masashi Ebara, Toru Okawa, Koji Yusa
1x11 The Girl of Morning Dew
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.
Directing: Heo Pyoung-kang · Writing: Yukie Sugawara · Starring: Eiichiro Tokumoto, Daisuke Matsumoto, Kouji Takahashi, Hironori Kondoh
1x12 Yui's Heart
Yulier, second in command, of the Liberation Army has approached Kirito and Asuna for help saving her friend and her guild.
Directing: Tamaki Nakatsu · Writing: Yukie Sugawara · Starring: Shiori Mikami, Tomo Muranaka, Yuko Mori, Kyōko Fujī
1x13 Edge of Hell's Abyss
While enjoying a fishing tournment Kirito receieves an urgent e-mail from the leader of the guild requesting their return.
Directing: Takahiro Shikama · Writing: Yoshikazu Mukai · Starring: Shirou Saitou, Kouji Takahashi, Hiroomi Tamaru, Mitsutoshi Shundo
1x14 The End of the World
Game over.
Director: Tomohiko Ito · Writer: Yukito Kizawa · Starring: Toru Okawa, Kouji Takahashi, Hironori Kondoh, Naoto Kobayashi
1x15 Return
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.
Directing: Shigetaka Ikeda · Writers: Muneo Nakamoto · Cast: Kazuhiro Yamaji, Aya Endo
1x16 Land of the Fairies
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.
Directing: Yasuyuki Fuse · Writing: Yukie Sugawara · Starring: Narumi Beppu, Kouji Takahashi, Ayumu Murase, Naoto Kobayashi
1x17 Captive Queen
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.
Directing: Yoshiyuki Fujiwara · Writers: Yoshikazu Mukai · Cast: Ayumu Murase, Shinya Takahashi, Mitsuaki Madono, Takehito Koyasu
1x18 To the World Tree
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.
Directing: Takayoshi Morimiya · Writing: Yukito Kizawa · Starring: Ayumu Murase, Takuya Kirimoto, Shinya Takahashi, Takehito Koyasu
1x19 The Lugru Corridor
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?
Directing: Heo Pyoung-kang · Writing: Shuji Iriyama · Starring: Ayumu Murase, Kazunari Tanaka, Kunihiro Maeda, Hironobu Hatakeyama
1x20 General of the Blazing Flame
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.
Directing: Makoto Hoshino, Takahiro Shikama · Writing: Naoki Shouji · Starring: Mitsuaki Madono, Takuya Kirimoto, Kouji Takahashi, Kenta Miyake
1x21 The Truth about Alfheim
While Asuna continues her attempt to escape, another woman in Kirito’s life tries to make sense of her emotions.
Directing: Heo Pyoung-kang · Writing: Muneo Nakamoto · Starring: Nozomi Yamamoto, Nobuaki Kanemitsu, Yusuke Numata, Takehito Koyasu
1x22 Grand Quest
Kirito’s determination to save Asuna borders on the insane. His reckless is stopped when Leafa suddenly logs out.
Directing: Kazuhisa Ono · Writing: Yukito Kizawa · Starring: Masaya Takatsuka, Daichi Endo, Ruriko Aoki, Hiroyuki Honda
1x23 Bonds
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.
Directing: Shigetaka Ikeda · Writing: Yoshikazu Mukai · Starring: Kosuke Okamoto, Takatsugu Awazu, Katsufumi Yachi, Junya Enoki
1x24 Gilded Hero
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.
Director: Tomohiko Ito · Writer: Yukie Sugawara · Starring: Takehito Koyasu
1x25 The World Seed Season Finale
Kirigaya Kazuto has beaten death twice but there is one more thing he must do.
Directing: Tomohiko Ito · Writing: Muneo Nakamoto · Starring: Ayahi Takagaki, Nozomi Yamamoto, Tokuyoshi Kawashima, Kyōko Fujī
Season 1 Cast
Haruka TomatsuAsuna (voice)25 episodes
Ayahi TakagakiLisbeth (voice)25 episodes
Kouji TakahashiArmy Soldier (voice)9 episodes
Shinya TakahashiSalamander (voice)6 episodes
Naoto KobayashiSalamander (voice)5 episodes
Hiroomi TamaruArmy Soldier (voice)5 episodes
Ayumu MuraseRekon (voice)4 episodes
Hironori KondohKnight of the Blood (voice)4 episodes
Kouta OoshitaPlayer (voice)3 episodes
Tokuyoshi KawashimaCaynz (voice)3 episodes
Mitsutoshi ShundoSwordfighter (voice)2 episodesAll Seasons
Season 22014 · 24 ep. · 
Season 32018 · 24 ep. · 
Season 42019 · 23 ep. · Where to Watch Season 1 of Sword Art Online
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Season 1 of Sword Art Online have?
Season 1 of Sword Art Online has 25 episodes.
When did Season 1 of Sword Art Online premiere?
Premiered on July 8, 2012.
Where to Watch Sword Art Online Season 1
With a subscription on Amazon Prime Video, Crunchyroll, Crunchyroll Amazon Channel and Amazon Prime Video with Ads (availability may vary by country).
What is the best episode of Season 1?
According to the TMDB audience rating, episode 1x01, "The World of Swords," has a 8.4.