8.1/101,241 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
7.7/101,038 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
7.9/101,015 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
7.7/10938 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
7.3/10894 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
7.4/10859 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
7.6/10871 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
7.5/10842 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
8.4/10975 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
8.2/10917 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
7.1/10845 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
7.6/10848 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
7.9/10803 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
8.8/101,222 votes#14 - The End of the World
Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 10/7/2012
Game over.
Director: Tomohiko Ito
Writer: Yukito Kizawa
7.2/10757 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
7.1/10711 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
7.0/10687 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
6.7/10688 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
7.0/10673 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
7.4/10688 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
6.7/10685 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
7.5/10688 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
7.6/10682 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
7.5/10723 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
7.6/10753 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
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 1241 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".