The Best Episodes of Sword Art Online Season 3

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   7.9/10(728 votes)

   #1 - Underworld

   S3:E110/7/2018

   Kirito, along with his childhood friend, Eugeo, has been tasked with cutting down a colossal tree called the Gigas Cedar. They’re swinging their ax when their friend Alice arrives with lunch. As they eat, the three friends decide to go to a fabled cave.

   Directors:Tsuyoshi Tobita, Manabu Ono

   Writer:Yukito Kizawa

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   Directors:Tsuyoshi Tobita, Manabu Ono

   Writer:Yukito Kizawa
2. 

   7.7/10(544 votes)

   #2 - The Demon Tree

   S3:E210/14/2018

   Kirito wakes up to find himself inside a mysterious world evoking a fantasy game. His memory fuzzy, he tries to log out, but is unable to return to the real world. After wandering aimlessly, he finds himself underneath a colossal tree.

   Director:Takashi Sakuma

   Writer:Yukito Kizawa

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   Director:Takashi Sakuma

   Writer:Yukito Kizawa
3. 

   7.7/10(527 votes)

   #3 - The End Mountains

   S3:E310/21/2018

   Kirito makes up his mind to journey to Centoria. Since he'll need Eugeo's help, he also decides to fell the Gigas Cedar. Meanwhile, Alice's little sister, Selka is worried about Eugeo, and opens up to Kirito about her concerns.

   Director:Shunsuke Ishikawa

   Writer:Ko Nekota

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   Director:Shunsuke Ishikawa

   Writer:Ko Nekota
4. 

   8.2/10(542 votes)

   #4 - Departure

   S3:E410/28/2018

   Kirito and Eugeo realize Selka has taken off to the End Mountains alone, and decide to chase after her. As they enter the cave, they encounter goblins, presumably from the Dark Territory, and must engage in a battle.

   Director:Michiru Itabisashi

   Writer:Ko Nekota

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   Director:Michiru Itabisashi

   Writer:Ko Nekota
5. 

   7.4/10(504 votes)

   #5 - Ocean Turtle

   S3:E511/4/2018

   In the real world, Kazuto Kirigaya lies unconscious. At Kikuoka’s request, Kazuto is moved to a well-equipped hospital, but when Asuna and Suguha try to visit, they’re turned away. Suspicious, Asuna and the others split up to find out more about Rath.

   Director:Koji Kobayashi

   Writer:Yukito Kizawa

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   Director:Koji Kobayashi

   Writer:Yukito Kizawa
6. 

   7.4/10(555 votes)

   #6 - Project Alicization

   S3:E611/11/2018

   Asuna infiltrates Rath, the research lab in the Ocean Turtle, where she relentlessly grills Kikuoka about Kazuto's whereabouts. Kikuoka reveals that behind the development of the Soul Translator is a mind-blowing objective of epic scale.

   Director:Hiroki Hirano

   Writer:Yukito Kizawa

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   Director:Hiroki Hirano

   Writer:Yukito Kizawa
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7. 

   7.7/10(490 votes)

   #7 - Swordcraft Academy

   S3:E711/18/2018

   Two years have gone by since Kirito and Eugeo left Rulid Village. In the capital city, Centoria, both boys have attained their goal of being admitted to the North Centoria Imperial Swordcraft Academy.

   Director:Shunsuke Ishikawa

   Writer:Ko Nekota

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   Director:Shunsuke Ishikawa

   Writer:Ko Nekota
8. 

   7.8/10(495 votes)

   #8 - Swordsman's Pride

   S3:E811/25/2018

   Kirito finds himself in a duel against the Elite Disciple Volo Levantein, using real swords. As the curious crowd looks on, Kirito is encouraged by Sortiliena, and the duel begins.

   Director:Shigeki Kawai

   Writer:Yukito Kizawa

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   Director:Shigeki Kawai

   Writer:Yukito Kizawa
9. 

   7.5/10(485 votes)

   #9 - Nobleman's Responsibilities

   S3:E912/2/2018

   Now an Elite Disciple along with Kirito, Eugeo struggles with the question of what he should infuse in his sword so he can become stronger. When he's taunted by First-Seat Elite Disciple Raios and Second-Seat Humbert, Eugeo decides to accept Humbert's request for a duel.

   Director:Michiru Itabisashi

   Writers:Muneo Nakamoto, Yukito Kizawa

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   Director:Michiru Itabisashi

   Writers:Muneo Nakamoto, Yukito Kizawa
10. 

    8.8/10(748 votes)

    #10 - Taboo Index

    S3:E1012/9/2018

    Ronie and Tiese are late getting to the dorm. Kirito rushes out in search of them, but no sooner has he gone than Frenica appears. She tells Eugeo about how she's suffered at Humbert's hands, and that Tiese and Ronie went to confront him about it.

    Director:Shunsuke Nakashige

    Writer:Muneo Nakamoto

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    Director:Shunsuke Nakashige

    Writer:Muneo Nakamoto
11. 

    7.5/10(481 votes)

    #11 - Central Cathedral

    S3:E1112/16/2018

    Kirito and Eugeo are now considered criminals for having violated the Taboo Index and are thrown into the underground prison in the Central Cathedral. Meanwhile, on the Ocean Turtle in the real world, Asuna is watching over Kazuto as he's being treated.

    Director:Satoshi Saga

    Writer:Muneo Nakamoto

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    Director:Satoshi Saga

    Writer:Muneo Nakamoto
12. 

    8.0/10(486 votes)

    #12 - The Sage of the Library

    S3:E1212/23/2018

    Kirito and Eugeo escape from their cell, only to find their way blocked by Eldrie Synthesis Thirty-One, under orders from Alice to lie in wait for them. Kirito and Eugeo struggle against him until Eugeo realizes that he's seen Eldrie somewhere before.

    Director:Tsuyoshi Tobita

    Writers:Muneo Nakamoto, Yukito Kizawa

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    Director:Tsuyoshi Tobita

    Writers:Muneo Nakamoto, Yukito Kizawa
13. 

    7.4/10(481 votes)

    #13 - Ruler and Mediator

    S3:E131/6/2019

    Kirito and Eugeo have been rescued by the young girl, Cardinal, who has secluded herself inside the Central Cathedral’s Great Library. Cardinal explains to Kirito how the Axiom Church and the Taboo Index came to be, starting with Administrator’s past.

    Director:Hiroshi Kimura

    Writers:Muneo Nakamoto, Yukito Kizawa

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    Director:Hiroshi Kimura

    Writers:Muneo Nakamoto, Yukito Kizawa
14. 

    7.9/10(486 votes)

    #14 - The Crimson Knight

    S3:E141/13/2019

    After being entrusted with the fate of the world by the Cardinal, Kirito and Eugeo head to the top floor of the Central Cathedral. On the way, they find their confiscated swords among a vast pile of weapons in an arsenal, only to be greeted with a hail of arrows by the Integrity Knight, Deusolbert Synthesis Seven.

    Director:Shunsuke Ishikawa

    Writer:Muneo Nakamoto

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    Director:Shunsuke Ishikawa

    Writer:Muneo Nakamoto
15. 

    8.2/10(499 votes)

    #15 - The Relentless Knight

    S3:E151/20/2019

    Kirito and Eugeo are on their way up the stairs of the Central Cathedral when they encounter two girls named Linel and Fizel. As they stand, wondering what two children are doing there, they let their guard down and...

    Director:Hirotaka Tokuda

    Writer:Muneo Nakamoto

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    Director:Hirotaka Tokuda

    Writer:Muneo Nakamoto
16. 

    8.2/10(493 votes)

    #16 - The Osmanthus Knight

    S3:E161/27/2019

    Though riddled with wounds, Kirito manages to activate his Perfect Weapon Control art. Continuing on their way to the top floor of the Central Cathedral, Kirito and Eugeo find themselves standing before a strange-looking floating platform.

    Director:Saori Den

    Writer:Muneo Nakamoto

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    Director:Saori Den

    Writer:Muneo Nakamoto
17. 

    7.9/10(478 votes)

    #17 - Truce

    S3:E172/3/2019

    When Kirito and Alice both unleash the Perfect Weapon Control art in the Cloudtop Garden, the impact rips a hole into the seemingly impregnable Central Cathedral wall, which sends them both flying outside.

    Director:Michiru Itabisashi

    Writer:Yukito Kizawa

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    Director:Michiru Itabisashi

    Writer:Yukito Kizawa
18. 

    8.2/10(497 votes)

    #18 - The Legendary Hero

    S3:E182/10/2019

    Eugeo reaches the ninetieth floor of the Central Cathedral, which turns out to be a vast bathing area. The perplexed Eugeo encounters Bercouli Synthesis One soaking in the bath. Meanwhile, Kirito and Alice are still climbing the Central Cathedral wall.

    Director:Ken Takahashi

    Writer:Yukito Kizawa

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    Director:Ken Takahashi

    Writer:Yukito Kizawa
19. 

    6.2/10(383 votes)

    #19 - The Seal of the Right Eye

    S3:E192/24/2019

    Seeing Alice’s reaction when he mentioned the name Selka, Kirito decides to tell her the truth about the Integrity Knights. Meanwhile, after being knocked unconscious during his battle with Bercouli, Eugeo awakes on the top floor of the cathedral.

    Director:Shunsuke Ishikawa

    Writer:Yukito Kizawa

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    Director:Shunsuke Ishikawa

    Writer:Yukito Kizawa
20. 

    8.0/10(486 votes)

    #20 - Synthesis

    S3:E203/3/2019

    Kirito and Alice reach the communal bath on the nintieth floor. There, they find the Integrity Knight Commander, Bercouli, who's been turned to stone by Chudelkin. Alice breaks down in tears upon seeing her mentor's tragic plight, but then...

    Directors:Takuma Suzuki, Satoshi Saga

    Writer:Yukito Kizawa

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    Directors:Takuma Suzuki, Satoshi Saga

    Writer:Yukito Kizawa
21. 

    7.5/10(467 votes)

    #21 - The 32nd Knight

    S3:E213/10/2019

    Standing in Kirito and Alice's way is Eugeo, who's undergone the Synthesis Ritual and become an Integrity Knight. Kirito is rattled, until Alice admonishes him into resolving to fight Eugeo with everything he's got.

    Director:Shunsuke Nakashige

    Writer:Yukito Kizawa

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    Director:Shunsuke Nakashige

    Writer:Yukito Kizawa
22. 

    8.0/10(485 votes)

    #22 - Titan of the Sword

    S3:E223/17/2019

    On the top floor of the Central Cathedral, Kirito, Eugeo, and Alice finally face Administrator. But Chudelkin uses the sacred arts to transform himself into a giant clown and attacks.

    Director:Hiroshi Kimura

    Writer:Muneo Nakamoto

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    Director:Hiroshi Kimura

    Writer:Muneo Nakamoto
23. 

    7.8/10(486 votes)

    #23 - Administrator

    S3:E233/24/2019

    Cardinal appears on the top floor of Central Cathedral for a showdown with her bitter foe of the last two hundred years. She moves to achieve her objective of deleting Administrator, only to see the fallen sword golem rise up again.

    Directors:Michiru Itabisashi, Hirotaka Tokuda, Yusuke Maruyama

    Writer:Yukito Kizawa

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    Directors:Michiru Itabisashi, Hirotaka Tokuda, Yusuke Maruyama

    Writer:Yukito Kizawa
24. 

    7.8/10(494 votes)

    #24 - My Hero

    S3:E243/31/2019

    Carrying the hopes of Cardinal, Eugeo, and Alice in his heart, Kirito stands yet again and visualizes the Black Swordsman, the top player who cleared SAO. For the sake of everyone he’s encountered in this world, Kirito, faces off with Administrator.

    Directors:Takashi Sakuma, Manabu Ono

    Writer:Yukito Kizawa

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    Directors:Takashi Sakuma, Manabu Ono

    Writer:Yukito Kizawa