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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!

Binge this in 9h 37m•Peaking at 8.9/10

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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 1 - The World of Swords
    8.1/10(1523 votes)

    #1 - The World of Swords

    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.

    Director:Tomohiko Ito
    Writers:Yukie Sugawara, Yukito Kizawa

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  2. Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 2 - Beater
    7.7/10(1271 votes)

    #2 - Beater

    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.

    Director:Yoshiyuki Fujiwara
    Writer:Muneo Nakamoto

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  3. Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 3 - The Red-Nosed Reindeer
    7.9/10(1263 votes)

    #3 - The Red-Nosed Reindeer

    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.

    Director:Yuki Ito
    Writer:Yukie Sugawara

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  4. Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 4 - The Black Swordsman
    7.7/10(1156 votes)

    #4 - The Black Swordsman

    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.

    Director:Shinya Watada
    Writer:Yoshikazu Mukai

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  5. Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 5 - Murder in the Safe Zone
    7.4/10(1106 votes)

    #5 - Murder in the Safe Zone

    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.

    Director:Yasuyuki Fuse
    Writer:Yukito Kizawa

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  6. Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 6 - Illusionary Avenger
    7.4/10(1069 votes)

    #6 - Illusionary Avenger

    S1:E6

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

    Director:Kazuma Satou
    Writer:Yukito Kizawa

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  7. Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 7 - The Temperature of the Heart
    7.6/10(1077 votes)

    #7 - The Temperature of the Heart

    S1:E7

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

    Director:Makoto Hoshino
    Writer:Yoshikazu Mukai

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  8. Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 8 - The Sword Dance of Black and White
    7.6/10(1053 votes)

    #8 - The Sword Dance of Black and White

    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.

    Director:Tatsumi Fujii
    Writer:Shuji Iriyama

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  9. Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 9 - The Blue-Eyed Demon
    8.5/10(1222 votes)

    #9 - The Blue-Eyed Demon

    S1:E9

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

    Director:Koichi Kikuta
    Writers:Muneo Nakamoto, Naoki Shouji

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  10. Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 10 - Crimson Killing Intent
    8.2/10(1150 votes)

    #10 - Crimson Killing Intent

    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…

    Director:Hideya Takahashi
    Writer:Yukito Kizawa

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  11. Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 11 - The Girl of Morning Dew
    7.2/10(1052 votes)

    #11 - The Girl of Morning Dew

    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.

    Director:Heo Pyoung-kang
    Writer:Yukie Sugawara

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  12. Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 12 - Yui's Heart
    7.7/10(1051 votes)

    #12 - Yui's Heart

    S1:E12

    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

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  13. Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 13 - Edge of Hell's Abyss
    7.9/10(998 votes)

    #13 - Edge of Hell's Abyss

    S1:E13

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

    Director:Takahiro Shikama
    Writer:Yoshikazu Mukai

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  14. Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 14 - The End of the World
    8.9/10(1547 votes)

    #14 - The End of the World

    S1:E14

    Game over.

    Director:Tomohiko Ito
    Writer:Yukito Kizawa

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  15. Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 15 - Return
    7.2/10(953 votes)

    #15 - Return

    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.

    Director:Shigetaka Ikeda
    Writer:Muneo Nakamoto

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  16. Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 16 - Land of the Fairies
    7.1/10(905 votes)

    #16 - Land of the Fairies

    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.

    Director:Yasuyuki Fuse
    Writer:Yukie Sugawara

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  17. Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 17 - Captive Queen
    7.0/10(870 votes)

    #17 - Captive Queen

    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.

    Director:Yoshiyuki Fujiwara
    Writer:Yoshikazu Mukai

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  18. Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 18 - To the World Tree
    6.8/10(872 votes)

    #18 - To the World Tree

    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.

    Director:Takayoshi Morimiya
    Writer:Yukito Kizawa

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  19. Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 19 - The Lugru Corridor
    7.0/10(853 votes)

    #19 - The Lugru Corridor

    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?

    Director:Heo Pyoung-kang
    Writer:Shuji Iriyama

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  20. Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 20 - General of the Blazing Flame
    7.4/10(866 votes)

    #20 - General of the Blazing Flame

    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.

    Directors:Makoto Hoshino, Takahiro Shikama
    Writer:Naoki Shouji

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  21. Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 21 - The Truth about Alfheim
    6.7/10(865 votes)

    #21 - The Truth about Alfheim

    S1:E21

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

    Director:Heo Pyoung-kang
    Writer:Muneo Nakamoto

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  22. Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 22 - Grand Quest
    7.5/10(867 votes)

    #22 - Grand Quest

    S1:E22

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

    Director:Kazuhisa Ono
    Writer:Yukito Kizawa

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  23. Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 23 - Bonds
    7.6/10(859 votes)

    #23 - Bonds

    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.

    Director:Shigetaka Ikeda
    Writer:Yoshikazu Mukai

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  24. Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 24 - Gilded Hero
    7.6/10(915 votes)

    #24 - Gilded Hero

    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.

    Director:Tomohiko Ito
    Writer:Yukie Sugawara

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  25. Sword Art Online Season 1 Episode 25 - The World Seed
    7.6/10(939 votes)

    #25 - The World Seed

    S1:E25

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

    Director:Tomohiko Ito
    Writer:Muneo Nakamoto

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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 1523 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".