Sword Art Online (series)


 * This article is about the series. You may be looking for the VRMMORPG.

Sword Art Online (ソードアート・オンライン) is a Japanese light novel series written by Kawahara Reki and illustrated by abec. The series is published by ASCII Media Works under the Dengeki Bunko label. It has been adapted into an anime series by A-1 Pictures which aired from July to December of 2012. The series has also been adapted into a 5 manga series, with illustrations by Nakamura Tamako, Minami Juusei, Hazuki Tsubasa, Kiseki Himura and Nekobyō Neko respectively. A game adaptation of the series, known as Sword Art Online: Infinity Moment, has been released for PlayStation Portable and another upcoming game, Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment, has been announced to be released in 2014 for the PlayStation Vita.

Aincrad (First Arc, SAO)
In the year 2022, Kirito (the main protagonist), a solo player who had the luck-of-the-draw to play the beta version, and the many other players of Sword Art Online (SAO) are trapped inside of a game, unable to logout; the only way to live is to win. Death in-game means death in the real world; tampering with or prolonged power outages to the Nerve Gear, the gear that simulates in-game character control by redirecting brain signals, also means death. To win means to defeat the final boss on the top floor; out of the original 10,000 players at the start, two years later, over 6,000 remain with 26 floors left to clear.

This Arc also contains four side stories that happened within two years of the SAO incident, as well as other side stories touched upon further below.


 * Black Swordsman (Aincrad 35th Floor, February 2024)
 * Pina, a «Feathery Dragon», dies protecting her tamer Silica, one of the rare Beast Tamers in SAO. In order to revive her, Silica must obtain «The Flower of Pneuma» in four days. Will she and Kirito succeed or fail?


 * Warmth of the Heart (Aincrad 48th Floor, June 2024)
 * Lisbeth, a Blacksmith, is visited by Kirito and requested to make a high level sword. But to do so they need a special ore. Will the two succeed in this quest or die trying?


 * Morning Dew Girl (Aincrad 22nd Floor, October 2024)
 * Kirito and Asuna are now married in SAO and living together. One day they stumble upon a girl with no memories, who is younger than any player they have seen so far. Who is this girl and what secrets does she hold?


 * Red-nosed Reindeer (Aincrad 46th Floor, December 19th - 23rd, 2023)
 * Kirito has been leveling up without any regards to his life in preparation for a game event. Just what happened that caused Kirito to go so far?

Fairy Dance (Second Arc, ALO)
"The Hero" Kirito (Kazuto) has completed and exited the game along with the majority of the living players. However, 300 players, including Kazuto's sweetheart Yuuki Asuna, are still trapped by the NerveGear and have failed to awaken. Kazuto finds a picture of what looks like Asuna in one of the other VRMMO games known as ALfheim Online (ALO). And so he must now embark on another quest for the sake of his love, who is held captive in ALfheim Online.

Phantom Bullet (Third Arc, GGO)
Thanks to the "World Seed", entrusted to Kirito who uploaded it onto the internet, the development of VRMMOs has progressed extensively. However, Gun Gale Online, a VRMMO game that focuses on guns and shooting rather than sword and sorcery, has had some of their players killed by a certain individual while in the game world, but the mystery is that they also died at the same time in the real world. Kirito must once again embark for a new world in search of the man supposedly behind the deaths, "Death Gun".

Mother's Rosario (Side Story Arc, ALO)
A new player titled Zekken (Absolute Sword) appears in ALfheim Online and needs help. Will Asuna have what it takes? And what are the secrets that Zekken and her guild, the Sleeping Knights, hold?

Early and Late (Side Story Arc, ALO & SAO)
Contains 3 side stories that take place in Sword Art Online and ALfhiem Online.


 * A Murder Case in the Area (Aincrad 57th floor, April 2024) (SAO Side Story)
 * A murder takes place within a town's safe «area». Now Kirito and Asuna must unravel the mystery of this supposedly impossible death. Otherwise nowhere in Aincrad will be safe any more.


 * Caliber (Alfheim, December 2025) (ALO Side Story)
 * In the Fairy Dance Arc, while traveling to the World Tree, Kirito and Leafa had discovered the location of the Legendary Sword, Excaliber. Now a few weeks after the events of Phantom Bullet, Kirito, Asuna, Leafa, Silica, Lisbeth, Klein and Sinon embark on the quest to claim the strongest weapon in ALO. However things are not as they seem, and the quest for the Legendary Sword turns out to be one that may decide the very future of ALfhiem itself.


 * First Day (Aincrad 1st floor, November 2022) (SAO Side Story)
 * The Logout button is gone and Sword Art Online has become a "Death game". This chapter tells the story of what Kirito did in his first day trapped in Aincrad after leaving Starting City.

Alicization (Fourth Arc, Project Alicization [PA])
Kirito awakens to find himself lost in a new world. With the realistic world and his "lost" memories with this world, he questions his own identity and his existence in the world he used to know and the world he is currently in. He soon finds out that this is a virtual world with the name "Underworld", and pursues to find the truth about this world and the objective of Rath for making this realistic world.

Beginning
The first part of the arc begins with Kirito, Eugeo and Alice, setting out to explore a cave said to harbour a dragon and ice. After entering the cave the trio leave and pass close to the "Dark Territory", where a terrible mishap occurs, and Alice is taken away from her village by an Integrity Knight to be tried and executed for breaking the Taboo Index, the "absolute law" of the Axiom Church. However, Eugeo believes she is still alive. Six years later, Kirito reappears, and he helps Eugeo in his Sacred Task, by cutting down a demon tree known as the Gigas Cedar, so that they can go find Alice at the top of the Cathedral tower.

Running
After Kazuto was attacked by Johnny Black with a deadly dose of Succinylcholine, which puts him into a coma. After his condition was stabilized, he mysteriously disappeared while being transported to a hospital, and Asuna set out to find him. With the help of Yui and Koujiro Rinko, she found Kazuto in the custody of Kikuoka Seijirou in a secret government base in the Pacific Ocean, where Kazuto was being treated to have his neural network restored with the help of the Soul Translator, the fourth generation FullDive system that Kazuto had been testing. There she learns the truth about Project Alicization and why was the Soul Translator created.

Meanwhile, Kirito and Eugeo journeyed to the south of Rulid, to a large settlement in the norther area of the empire called Zakkaria to participate in the Zakkaria Sword Arts Tournament to continue on their journey to gain access to the Central Cathedral, where Alice was supposed to be held.

Turning
Now in the second year of the North Centoria's Imperial Sword Mastery Academy, Kirito and Eugeo were working their way up to the top of the Academy's ranks to be given the right to participate in the Norlangarth North Empire Empire Swordsmanship Tournament and, later, the Four Empires Unity Tournament. However, after a certain incident midterm, they both ended up breaking the Taboo Index and were arrested by an Integrity Knight, who turned out to be Alice, with no memory of her life in Rulid. After escaping the Axiom Church's jail and an encounter with another Integrity Knight, they were saved by the world's Cardinal, which had taken the form of a human avatar and no longer in control of Underworld. From her, Kirito learned the secret of the Axiom Church and its immortal ruler, Quinella.

Rising
The story of Cardinal continues from the previous book. Quinella, the ruler of the Axiom Church was a Fluctlight whom became the "Administrator" of Underworld after merging the world's Cardinal System into herself, and obtaining eternal youth. However, after a conflict within herself, and an attempt to rectify errors which this change caused, the being calling herself "Cardinal" was separated from Quinella. After a brutal battle, Cardinal retreated into a Library that had no physical entrance.

After learning the truth behind the Axiom Church's existence, Kirito learned of Rath's plans with the residents of Underworld, and the terrible war that was sure to come. He became intent on stopping it, but must first put an end to Quinella's actions. He and Eugeo are then sent to retrieve their swords, and must then climb the 100 floors of the Central Cathedral, fighting the Integrity Knights within the tower, while simultaneously honing their skills and becoming stronger.

Dividing
Kirito and Alice were sent flying from the 80th floor after the pair's swords had clashed with great power and created a hole in the side of the tower. The two hung on for dear life and agreed to a truce until they could return into the tower. As they climbed up the side of the tower, they noticed creatures from the Dark Territory, the gargoyles.

Meanwhile, Eugeo forged onward without his partner. As he went up the floors, he encountered Integrity Knight Bercouli Synthesis One in the bathing area and defeated him by using the Armament Full Control Art of his Blue Rose Sword. As Bercouli fainted, a small clown-like person came out and jumped to Eugeo. Eugeo then blacked out due to the effects of his Blue Rose Sword's freezing and «Life» draining ability.

Outside the Cathedral, Kirito and Alice managed to eat the meat buns Kirito got from Cardinal. While chatting, Kirito mentioned Selka, Alice's sister, and managed to get a reaction. As Alice decided to walk out of her duties as an Integrity Knight, her Seal of the Right Eye activated, the same phenomenon that happened to Eugeo. Alice suffered immense pain in her right eye with the warning sign titled "System Alert" being displayed on it. Kirito then promised her that he would lead her to Selka one day after they defeat the Administrator.

Other Side Stories
Other Side stories from different Arcs.


 * Aria in the Starless Night (Aincrad 1st Floor, December 2022)
 * A month has passed since 10,000 players were trapped in Sword Art Online, 2000 have already died and yet the first floor boss hasn't been defeated. Tensions between the Beta Testers and Normal Players are building. In the depths of a labyrinth, the fated first meeting between Kirito and Asuna unfolds. The players, tired of the stalemate prepare to challenge the first floor boss, Illfang The Kobold Lord. And in the end Kirito will have to make a choice. A choice that will redefine the relationship between players and Beta Testers. A choice that may cost a piece of himself.


 * Rondo of the Transient Sword (Aincrad 2nd Floor, 8 December 2022)


 * The Fourteenth Autumn (Aincrad 35th Floor, 4 October 2024)
 * Like she had done a few times before, Silica invites Kirito for a meal as a celebration for defeating a floor boss - this time, being Floor 73. This celebration, however, has another reason secret only to her. She is therefore surprised when Kirito seemed to have understood the reason beforehand.


 * The Day Before (Aincrad 22nd Floor, 24 October 2024)
 * After proposing to Asuna, Kirito leads her to the house they will be living in, only to find out that it's gone. During the investigation of its disappearance, a short adventure starts that would include the information broker Argo, a long-coated dog, a «Scarecrow», a suit of armor named «Tin», and a «Werelion» without a mane.


 * Sound of Water, Sound of Hammer (Aincrad 48th Floor August 2024)
 * Kirito goes to «Lisbeth's Smith Shop» to reinforce his weapons.


 * Celeste Fairy (Real World, April 2025)
 * To celebrate Kazuto's one-year-late enrollment to high school, Suguha and their parents decided to buy Kazuto a Bianchi bicycle. However, while cycling 2 days later, Kazuto discovers that the previous owner of the bike had left something valuable stuck inside it...


 * The Day After (New Aincrad, June 2025)
 * 1 month after the release of New Aincrad, Kirito, Asuna and their friends battle against the Floor Boss of the 8th Floor, while Asuna keeps experiencing a strange «separation» phenomenon...


 * Caliber SS (Failure Side)
 * An alternate ending, based on what would have happened if Klein hadn't saved Freyja during the quest for Excaliber.


 * A Spot of Sunshine in the Winter (New Aincrad 22nd Floor, 31 December 2025)
 * After an argument with her parents, Silica escapes from the real world, ending up in front of the wooden house near the lake in the 22nd floor of «New Aincrad». Inside, she finds one of the owners of the house and they talk about their memories about «Old Aincrad».


 * Versus (Accel World crossover)
 * Roppongi, 2026. Kazuto/Kirito has been called in to test the newly developed «4th-Generation FullDive Experimental Unit». But what he finds in the virtual world is a battle with Silver Crow/Haruyuki Arita of the year 2047.


 * Cradle of the Moon (Alicization Side Story)


 * There is but one Ultimate Way
 * Taking place after the Underworld Arc (after/around Volume 15). The third year students' summer holidays are about to end. It seems that the girls have something planned for Kirito. Something that involves being Married-in-game, with a twist. Confirmed to be not canon.

Sword Art Online: Material Editions

 * The Material Edition (ME) series is a series of doujinshis created by Kawahara Reki himself using the pen name "Kunori Fumio" (the same that pen name he used when he wrote the web novel of SAO).


 * ME1 : The Progressers
 * Published in COMITIA82, An argument over the method of defeating a floor boss turns into a duel between Kirito and Asuna.


 * ME2 : Early Characters
 * Published in COMITIA83, Early character designs and descriptions as well as status parameters.


 * ME3 : Ceramic Heart
 * Published in COMITIA84, The story of Yui learning what love is as well as loss.


 * ME4 : Cold Hands, Warm Heart
 * Published in COMITIA86, Kirito is afflicted by an unidentified negative status. Unable to handle it he messages Klein for help, but the one who appears to take care of him is...


 * ME5 : Salvia (Real World before the events of Fairy Dance, January 2025)
 * Published in COMITIA88, Kazuto and Suguha remember a treasured memory from their childhood.


 * ME6 : Algade Showdown (Aincrad 22nd floor, October 2024)
 * Published in COMITIA90, Is that an NPC or a Player? Asuna and Kirito attempt to find out the identity of a certain cook.


 * ME7 : Continuation : Aria in the Starless Night (December 2022)
 * Published in COMITIA97, Continuation of Aria in the Starless Night side story immediately after the defeat of the first floor boss.


 * ME8 : Rondo of the Transient Sword - first chapter
 * Published in COMITIA98, Sequel to Aria in the Starless Night. The Black Swordsman Kirito is now in hiding because of the choice he made. However, Asuna doesn't plan on abandoning him. Together, they seek to upgrade their weapons, in anticipation for the battle against the Second Floor Boss.


 * ME9 : Monochrome Concerto - first chapter
 * Published in COMITIA99, The second floor has been cleared. Kirito and Asuna head towards the third floor. Kirito aims at beginning an NPC Quest he learned about during the Beta Test and Asuna decides to tag along. But will everything work out as it is supposed to?


 * ME10 : 16.6
 * Published in COMITIA106, a sequel of The Day Before that describes the marriage of Kirito and Asuna and what happened afterwards.


 * ME11 : 16.7
 * Published in COMITIA107, a sequel of ME10 16.6

Light Novels

 * Sword Art Online Volume 1 - Aincrad
 * Sword Art Online Volume 2 - Aincrad SS
 * Sword Art Online Volume 3 - Fairy Dance
 * Sword Art Online Volume 4 - Fairy Dance
 * Sword Art Online Volume 5 - Phantom Bullet
 * Sword Art Online Volume 6 - Phantom Bullet
 * Sword Art Online Volume 7 - Mother's Rosario
 * Sword Art Online Volume 8 - Early Late
 * Sword Art Online Volume 9 - Alicization Beginning
 * Sword Art Online Volume 10 - Alicization Running
 * Sword Art Online Volume 11 - Alicization Turning
 * Sword Art Online Volume 12 - Alicization Rising
 * Sword Art Online Volume 13 - Alicization Dividing
 * Sword Art Online Volume 14 - Alicization Uniting

Progressive series

 * Sword Art Online Progressive Volume 01
 * Sword Art Online Progressive Volume 02

Multilingual release
So far, other than the original Japanese language, "Sword Art Online" has also been released in Korean, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Thai, with an English version to be released on 22nd April, 2014 and a French release planned within 2014.

Material Editions
Each of the following are sold in COMITIA doujin-selling panel. The six Meterial Edition above had once being recompiled into Sword Art Online: Material Editions Assemblage and published on 13th February, 2011.
 * Sword Art Online Material Edition 01 - The Progressers
 * Sword Art Online Material Edition 02 - Early Character
 * Sword Art Online Material Edition 03 - Ceramic Heart
 * Sword Art Online Material Edition 04 - Cold Hand, Warm Heart
 * Sword Art Online Material Edition 05 - Salvia
 * Sword Art Online Material Edition 06 - Algade Showdown
 * Sword Art Online Material Edition 07 - Continuation: Aria in the Starless Night
 * Sword Art Online Material Edition 08 - Rondo of the Transient Sword (first chapter)
 * Sword Art Online Material Edition 09 - Monochrome Concerto (first chapter)
 * Sword Art Online Material Edition 10 - 16.6
 * Sword Art Online Material Edition 11 - 16.7

In other series

 * Accel World Volume 10 Chapter 3 - Versus: Accel World & Sword Art Online cross-over

In magazines

 * Sword Art Online Side Story - Caliber SS
 * Sword Art Online Side Story - Celeste Fairy

On webpages

 * Sword Art Online Side Story - Cradle of the Moon
 * Sword Art Online Side Story - There is But One Ultimate Way

Official Doujin

 * Sword Art Online Side Story - Sound of Water, Sound of Hammer
 * Sword Art Online Side Story - The Day Before
 * Sword Art Online Side Story - A Spot of Sunshine in the Winter
 * Sword Art Online Side Story - The Day After
 * Sword Art Online Side Story - The Fourteenth Autumn

Manga
The Sword Art Online series currently has 5 manga adaptations. An Aincrad Arc adaptation by Nakamura Tamako, a Fairy Dance Arc adaptation by Hazuki Tsubasa as well as a Progressive Arc adaptation by Kiseki Himura. There is also a 4-koma comedy manga related to some parts of the light novels as well as a spin-off manga by Nekobyō Neko.

Video Game
A video game adaptation, Sword Art Online: Infinity Moment (ソードアート・オンライン -インフィニティ・モーメント), is developed by Namco Bandai Games for the PlayStation Portable (PSP). The game follows an alternate story line, in which a glitch causes Kirito and the other players to remain in Sword Art Online despite defeating Heathcliff on 75th floor, whilst players from other VMMORPGs such as Leafa and Sinon get sucked into the game. The game was released in both regular and limited edition box sets on March 14, 2013.

Details about its sequel, Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment is being gradually announced, and the game will be releases on PlayStation Vita on April 24, 2014.

A mobile social game, called Sword Art Online: End World, is also operating, but is restricted to Japanese users.

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