Sword Art Online (2012)

Action · Adventure · Animation

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 Gear. One day, players discover they cannot log out, as the game creator is holding them captive unless they reach the 100th floor of the game's tower and defeat the final boss. However, if they die in the game, they die in real life. Their struggle for survival starts now...

IMDb rating: 7.5 (62,765 votes)
Seasons: 4
Streaming (US): Hulu · Crunchyroll
Language: JA
Type: TV series

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Seasons

Season 1 (2012)

7.56 avg 25 episodes 8.1 → 7.6 23 min avg

Rollercoaster
Mid-peak

Season 1 episodes — IMDb ratings
#	Title	Rating	Votes
1	The World of Swords	8.1	1,588
2	Beater	7.7	1,342
3	The Red-Nosed Reindeer	7.9	1,345
4	The Black Swordsman	7.7	1,221
5	A Crime Within the Walls	7.3	1,168
6	Illusionary Avenger	7.4	1,133
7	The Warmth of the Heart	7.6	1,137
8	Black and White Sword Dance	7.6	1,111
9	The Blue-Eyed Demon	8.5	1,303
10	Crimson Killing Intent	8.2	1,219
11	The Morning Dew Girl	7.2	1,115
12	Yui's Heart	7.7	1,115
13	The Depths of Hell	7.9	1,062
14	The End of the World	8.9	1,659
15	Return	7.2	1,013
16	The Land of Fairies	7.1	957
17	The Captive Queen	7.0	924
18	To the World Tree	6.7	926
19	The Lugru Corridor	7.0	904
20	General of the Blazing Flames	7.4	918
21	The Truth About ALfheim	6.7	917
22	Grand Quest	7.5	917
23	Bonds	7.6	911
24	Gilded Hero	7.6	968
25	The World Seed	7.6	999

Season 2 (2014)

7.36 avg 25 episodes 7.2 → 8.5 23 min avg

Big finale
Rebound

Season 2 episodes — IMDb ratings
#	Title	Rating	Votes
0	Debriefing	7.2	291
1	Gun World	7.1	809
2	Ice Sniper	7.5	720
3	Memories of Blood	7.1	695
4	GGO	7.6	727
5	Gun and Sword	7.8	691
6	Showdown in the Wilderness	7.8	682
7	Crimson Memories	6.9	672
8	Bullet of Bullets	7.7	670
9	Death Gun	8.0	696
10	Pursuer of Death	7.6	680
11	The Meaning of Strength	7.2	656
12	Bullet of a Phantom	7.6	664
13	Phantom Bullet	7.9	725
14	A Small Step	7.3	667
15	The Queen of the Lake	6.2	663
16	King of the Giants	6.5	647
17	Excalibur	6.7	637
18	The Forest House	6.8	628
19	Absolute Sword	7.2	624
20	Sleeping Knights	7.2	622
21	Swordsman's Memorial	7.5	628
22	Journey's End	7.7	665
23	Beginning of a Dream	7.5	643
24	Mother's Rosario	8.5	920

Season 3 (2018)

7.81 avg 25 episodes 7.9 → 8.6 34 min avg

Rebound
Rollercoaster

Season 3 episodes — IMDb ratings
#	Title	Rating	Votes
1	Underworld	7.9	759
2	The Demon Tree	7.7	578
3	The End Mountains	7.7	562
4	Departure	8.2	580
5	Ocean Turtle	7.4	539
6	Project Alicization	7.4	591
7	Swordcraft Academy	7.7	525
8	Swordsman's Pride	7.8	530
9	Nobleman's Responsibilities	7.5	518
10	Taboo Index	8.8	802
11	Central Cathedral	7.5	516
12	The Sage of the Library	8.0	520
13	Ruler and Mediator	7.4	514
14	The Crimson Knight	7.9	520
15	The Relentless Knight	8.2	534
16	The Osmanthus Knight	8.1	530
17	Truce	7.9	516
18	The Legendary Hero	8.2	534
19	Alicization 18.5: Recollection	6.2	412
20	The Seal of the Right Eye	8.0	522
21	Synthesis	7.5	501
22	The 32nd Knight	8.0	518
23	Titan of the Sword	7.8	518
24	Administrator	7.8	530
25	My Hero	8.6	723

Season 4 (2019)

8.02 avg 25 episodes 7.5 → 8.2 24 min avg

Rollercoaster
saved-best-for-last

Season 4 episodes — IMDb ratings
#	Title	Rating	Votes
0	Reflection	7.5	216
1	In the Far North	8.0	585
2	Raids	7.8	521
3	The Final Load Test	7.6	502
4	Dark Territory	7.8	510
5	The Night Before Battle	7.8	504
6	Battle of the Knights	8.5	585
7	Stigma of the Disqualified	8.1	498
8	Blood & Life	8.3	505
9	Sword and Fist	8.7	606
10	Stacia, Goddess of Creation	8.0	517
11	Heartless Choice	8.1	511
12	Ray of Light	8.4	563
13	The Great War of the Underworld	7.8	505
14	End to Eternity	8.8	678
15	Instigation	7.8	460
16	Code 871	7.5	454
17	Prince of Hell	7.9	481
18	Memories	8.6	599
19	Awakening	8.3	529
20	The Night-Sky Blade	8.4	547
21	Beyond Time	7.4	443
22	Alice	7.6	441
23	New World	7.7	477
24	Reminiscence	8.2	299