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The Best Episodes of Sword Art Online Season 1

Every episode of Sword Art Online Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Sword Art Online Season 1!

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...
Genres:AnimationSci-Fi & FantasyAction & Adventure

Season 1 Ratings Summary

"The World of Swords" is the best rated episode of "Sword Art Online" season 1. It scored 8.1/10 based on 1224 votes. Directed by Tomohiko Ito and written by Yukie Sugawara, Yukito Kizawa, it aired on 7/8/2012. This episode is rated 0.4 points higher than the second-best, "Beater".

  • The World of Swords
    8.1/101,224 votes

    #1 - The World of Swords

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 7/8/2012

    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

    Writer: Yukie Sugawara, Yukito Kizawa

  • Beater
    7.7/101,025 votes

    #2 - Beater

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 7/15/2012

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Muneo Nakamoto

  • The Red-Nosed Reindeer
    7.9/10999 votes

    #3 - The Red-Nosed Reindeer

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 7/22/2012

    Kirito has finally joined a guild made up of close friends in reality. Everything is going well until a tragic accident changes Kirito completely.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Yukie Sugawara

  • The Black Swordsman
    7.7/10925 votes

    #4 - The Black Swordsman

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 7/29/2012

    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: N/A

    Writer: Yoshikazu Mukai

  • Murder in the Safe Zone
    7.3/10881 votes

    #5 - Murder in the Safe Zone

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 8/5/2012

    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.

    Director: Yasuyuki Fuse

    Writer: Yukito Kizawa

  • Illusionary Avenger
    7.4/10848 votes

    #6 - Illusionary Avenger

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 8/12/2012

    Kirito has figured out the how and now he has to figure out the why.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Yukito Kizawa

  • The Temperature of the Heart
    7.6/10860 votes

    #7 - The Temperature of the Heart

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 8/19/2012

    A trip to get a new sword leaves Kirito battling a dragon and his fears.

    Director: Makoto Hoshino

    Writer: Yoshikazu Mukai

  • The Sword Dance of Black and White
    7.5/10830 votes

    #8 - The Sword Dance of Black and White

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 8/26/2012

    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.

    Director: Tatsumi Fujii

    Writer: Shuji Iriyama

  • The Blue-Eyed Demon
    8.4/10956 votes

    #9 - The Blue-Eyed Demon

    Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 9/2/2012

    To save a group of players and Asuna from a Boss character, Kirito is forced to play his trump card.

    Director: Koichi Kikuta

    Writer: Muneo Nakamoto, Naoki Shouji

  • Crimson Killing Intent
    8.2/10902 votes

    #10 - Crimson Killing Intent

    Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 9/9/2012

    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…

    Director: Hideya Takahashi

    Writer: Yukito Kizawa

  • The Girl of Morning Dew
    7.1/10831 votes

    #11 - The Girl of Morning Dew

    Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 9/16/2012

    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.

    Director: Ho Pyeon-gang

    Writer: Yukie Sugawara

  • Yui's Heart
    7.7/10836 votes

    #12 - Yui's Heart

    Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 9/23/2012

    Yulier, second in command, of the Liberation Army has approached Kirito and Asuna for help saving her friend and her guild.

    Director: Tamaki Nakatsu

    Writer: Yukie Sugawara

  • Edge of Hell's Abyss
    7.9/10791 votes

    #13 - Edge of Hell's Abyss

    Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 9/30/2012

    While enjoying a fishing tournment Kirito receieves an urgent e-mail from the leader of the guild requesting their return.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Yoshikazu Mukai

  • The End of the World
    8.8/101,193 votes

    #14 - The End of the World

    Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 10/7/2012

    Game over.

    Director: Tomohiko Ito

    Writer: Yukito Kizawa

  • Return
    7.2/10745 votes

    #15 - Return

    Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 10/14/2012

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Muneo Nakamoto

  • Land of the Fairies
    7.1/10699 votes

    #16 - Land of the Fairies

    Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 10/21/2012

    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.

    Director: Yasuyuki Fuse

    Writer: Yukie Sugawara

  • Captive Queen
    7.0/10674 votes

    #17 - Captive Queen

    Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 10/28/2012

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Yoshikazu Mukai

  • To the World Tree
    6.7/10678 votes

    #18 - To the World Tree

    Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 11/4/2012

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Yukito Kizawa

  • The Lugru Corridor
    7.0/10662 votes

    #19 - The Lugru Corridor

    Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 11/11/2012

    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?

    Director: Ho Pyeon-gang

    Writer: Shuji Iriyama

  • General of the Blazing Flame
    7.4/10677 votes

    #20 - General of the Blazing Flame

    Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 11/18/2012

    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.

    Director: Makoto Hoshino

    Writer: Naoki Shouji

  • The Truth about Alfheim
    6.7/10673 votes

    #21 - The Truth about Alfheim

    Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 11/25/2012

    While Asuna continues her attempt to escape, another woman in Kirito’s life tries to make sense of her emotions.

    Director: Ho Pyeon-gang

    Writer: Muneo Nakamoto

  • Grand Quest
    7.5/10675 votes

    #22 - Grand Quest

    Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 12/2/2012

    Kirito’s determination to save Asuna borders on the insane. His reckless is stopped when Leafa suddenly logs out.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Yukito Kizawa

  • Bonds
    7.6/10672 votes

    #23 - Bonds

    Season 1 Episode 23 - Aired 12/9/2012

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Yoshikazu Mukai

  • Gilded Hero
    7.5/10711 votes

    #24 - Gilded Hero

    Season 1 Episode 24 - Aired 12/16/2012

    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

  • The World Seed
    7.6/10741 votes

    #25 - The World Seed

    Season 1 Episode 25 - Aired 12/23/2012

    Kirigaya Kazuto has beaten death twice but there is one more thing he must do.

    Director: Tomohiko Ito

    Writer: Muneo Nakamoto