Sword Art Online Episode 1: The World of Swords

Manga volume 1-2

Canon/HIGH

OSHIMETER

9.7

75 Fans

5

4

3

2

1

PacingVisualWritingEmo ImpactSoundtrack

← Prev: EPNext: EP 2 →

Sword Art Online Episode 1: The World of Swords

Manga volume 1-2

Canon/HIGH

← Prev: EPNext: EP 2 →

OSHIMETER

9.7

75 Fans

5

4

3

2

1

PacingVisualWritingEmo ImpactSoundtrack

READTHROUGH

Contains spoilers • 12 scenes • 4 min read

EPISODE REVIEWS

maitriesiriphant

A trip down memory lane, I dont even need to rewatch the anime to remember all the moments well, especially the first episode. SAO put all the power fantasy thats released nowadays to shame, how can this be released so long ago and still does everything better than your story? Japan really needs to do some clean up on some of their trash fantasy production.

I love concepts like this. Stories that immediately make you question how you would react in that situation. This first episode gives great coverage to the different reactions people have to the same situation: being trapped in a video game.

This is one of the strongest opening episodes in anime. It perfectly captures the excitement of exploring a brand-new virtual world before suddenly turning that excitement into fear and uncertainty. A memorable start that still holds up years later.

You really feel the weight of those thousands of players trapped in the plaza while that announcement happens and the soundtrack makes it feel so much bigger

kamaitachi_killer_60

rolo_lamperouge

Watching Kirito walk away from Klein felt pretty heavy, but I guess you have to do what it takes to survive when your life is on the line

gilbert_bougainvillea

That sky turning red and the giant cloak telling everyone they die for real if they lose is such a massive hook for a fantasy series

I died laughing when all those cute avatars turned into middle aged guys because of the mirror and it shows how real this game is getting

I just finished the first episode and my brain is kind of buzzing from that ending reveal about two thousand people dying already and the music during the big speech was so haunting and it makes the whole world feel way more dangerous than just a regular game and I really hope Klein and his friends make it through the next floor somehow

dark_beast_ganon

akkorokamui_angel

It is pretty wild how fast Kirito just decides to ditch the starting area to get ahead and he clearly knows way more than anyone else there

gendo_ikari_182

The moment Klein realizes the logout button is gone feels so chilling and it totally changes the whole mood of the show in a second

soul_society_slayer_471

EPISODE CONTEXT

As episode 1 of 25, this is pure foundation, it introduces Kirito, establishes the rules of Aincrad, and sets the emotional and narrative stakes that will drive the entire first season. Everything that unfolds across subsequent episodes, from character relationships to survival dynamics, traces directly back to the events and revelations planted here. The groundwork laid in this premiere transitions quickly into escalating action and deeper character exploration starting with episode 2.

©川原礫／アスキー・メディアワークス／SAO Project

AnimeOshi.com refers to anime titles, character names, logos, and other trademarked or copyrighted materials to identify and describe the works being reviewed, discussed, ranked or otherwise referenced on this site. This usage is believed to be nominative fair use or non-infringing and is not intended to imply any affiliation with the respective rights holders.

All trademarks and copyrights remain the property of their owners. If you are a rights holder and have concerns about any content on this site, please contact us at legal@animeoshi.com

EPISODE CONTEXT

As episode 1 of 25, this is pure foundation, it introduces Kirito, establishes the rules of Aincrad, and sets the emotional and narrative stakes that will drive the entire first season. Everything that unfolds across subsequent episodes, from character relationships to survival dynamics, traces directly back to the events and revelations planted here. The groundwork laid in this premiere transitions quickly into escalating action and deeper character exploration starting with episode 2.

READTHROUGH

Contains spoilers • 12 scenes • 4 min read

EPISODE REVIEWS

maitriesiriphant

A trip down memory lane, I dont even need to rewatch the anime to remember all the moments well, especially the first episode. SAO put all the power fantasy thats released nowadays to shame, how can this be released so long ago and still does everything better than your story? Japan really needs to do some clean up on some of their trash fantasy production.

I love concepts like this. Stories that immediately make you question how you would react in that situation. This first episode gives great coverage to the different reactions people have to the same situation: being trapped in a video game.

This is one of the strongest opening episodes in anime. It perfectly captures the excitement of exploring a brand-new virtual world before suddenly turning that excitement into fear and uncertainty. A memorable start that still holds up years later.

You really feel the weight of those thousands of players trapped in the plaza while that announcement happens and the soundtrack makes it feel so much bigger

kamaitachi_killer_60

rolo_lamperouge

Watching Kirito walk away from Klein felt pretty heavy, but I guess you have to do what it takes to survive when your life is on the line

gilbert_bougainvillea

That sky turning red and the giant cloak telling everyone they die for real if they lose is such a massive hook for a fantasy series

I died laughing when all those cute avatars turned into middle aged guys because of the mirror and it shows how real this game is getting

I just finished the first episode and my brain is kind of buzzing from that ending reveal about two thousand people dying already and the music during the big speech was so haunting and it makes the whole world feel way more dangerous than just a regular game and I really hope Klein and his friends make it through the next floor somehow

dark_beast_ganon

akkorokamui_angel

It is pretty wild how fast Kirito just decides to ditch the starting area to get ahead and he clearly knows way more than anyone else there

gendo_ikari_182

The moment Klein realizes the logout button is gone feels so chilling and it totally changes the whole mood of the show in a second

soul_society_slayer_471

©川原礫／アスキー・メディアワークス／SAO Project

AnimeOshi.com refers to anime titles, character names, logos, and other trademarked or copyrighted materials to identify and describe the works being reviewed, discussed, ranked or otherwise referenced on this site. This usage is believed to be nominative fair use or non-infringing and is not intended to imply any affiliation with the respective rights holders.

All trademarks and copyrights remain the property of their owners. If you are a rights holder and have concerns about any content on this site, please contact us at legal@animeoshi.com

©川原礫／アスキー・メディアワークス／SAO Project

AnimeOshi.com refers to anime titles, character names, logos, and other trademarked or copyrighted materials to identify and describe the works being reviewed, discussed, ranked or otherwise referenced on this site. This usage is believed to be nominative fair use or non-infringing and is not intended to imply any affiliation with the respective rights holders.

All trademarks and copyrights remain the property of their owners. If you are a rights holder and have concerns about any content on this site, please contact us at legal@animeoshi.com