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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!

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...

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  1. 8.3/10(37 votes)

    #1 - The World of Swords

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    S1:E1

    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.

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  2. 8.2/10(14 votes)

    #2 - The End of the World

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    S1:E14

    Game over.

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  3. 8.1/10(14 votes)

    #3 - The Blue-Eyed Demon

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    S1:E9

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

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  4. 8.0/10(19 votes)

    #4 - Beater

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    S1:E2

    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.

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    Director:N/A
  5. 8.0/10(15 votes)

    #5 - The Black Swordsman

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    S1:E4

    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.

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    Director:N/A
  6. 8.0/10(14 votes)

    #6 - Yui's Heart

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    S1:E12

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

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  8. 7.9/10(14 votes)

    #7 - Edge of Hell's Abyss

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    S1:E13

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

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    Director:N/A
  9. 7.8/10(15 votes)

    #8 - The Temperature of the Heart

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    S1:E7

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

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  10. 7.8/10(13 votes)

    #9 - The World Seed

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    S1:E25

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

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  11. 7.7/10(17 votes)

    #10 - The Red-Nosed Reindeer

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    S1:E3

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

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    Director:N/A
  12. 7.7/10(15 votes)

    #11 - Murder in the Safe Zone

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    S1:E5

    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.

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  13. 7.7/10(15 votes)

    #12 - Illusionary Avenger

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    S1:E6

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

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    Director:N/A
  14. 7.7/10(16 votes)

    #13 - Crimson Killing Intent

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    S1:E10

    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…

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  15. 7.7/10(14 votes)

    #14 - The Girl of Morning Dew

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    S1:E11

    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.

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  16. 7.6/10(14 votes)

    #15 - Return

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    S1:E15

    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.

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    Director:N/A
  17. 7.6/10(13 votes)

    #16 - Gilded Hero

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    S1:E24

    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.

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  18. 7.5/10(13 votes)

    #17 - Bonds

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    S1:E23

    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.

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    Director:N/A
  19. 7.4/10(15 votes)

    #18 - The Sword Dance of Black and White

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    S1:E8

    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.

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  20. 7.4/10(14 votes)

    #19 - Land of the Fairies

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    S1:E16

    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.

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  21. 7.4/10(13 votes)

    #20 - Captive Queen

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    S1:E17

    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.

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    Director:N/A
  22. 7.3/10(13 votes)

    #21 - The Lugru Corridor

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    S1:E19

    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?

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  23. 7.3/10(13 votes)

    #22 - General of the Blazing Flame

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    S1:E20

    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.

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  24. 7.3/10(13 votes)

    #23 - The Truth about Alfheim

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    S1:E21

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

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  25. 7.2/10(13 votes)

    #24 - To the World Tree

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    S1:E18

    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.

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    Director:N/A
  26. 7.2/10(13 votes)

    #25 - Grand Quest

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    S1:E22

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

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    Director:N/A

Season 1 Ratings Summary

"The World of Swords" is the best rated episode of "Sword Art Online" season 1. It scored 8.3/10 based on 37 votes. Directed by Tomohiko Ito and written by Yukie Sugawara, Yukito Kizawa, it aired on 7/8/2012. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "The End of the World".