Hello! If you ever find yourself needing anime related help, here are a few resources to save you a LOT of time.
* Have **any anime related question?** Try our [daily question/recommendation thread!](/r/anime/search?q=flair%3Adaily&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=week)
* **Need something new to watch?** [Check the Recommendation wiki.](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/recommendations)
* For **where to watch anime**, see [our list of streaming sites](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/legal_streams) or [search on Livechart.me](https://www.livechart.me/search) for specific shows.
* For **source of fanarts**, try [SauceNAO](https://saucenao.com/)
* For **source of anime screenshots**, try [trace.moe](https://trace.moe/) or [other image search tools](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/reverse_image_searching)
* For **watch orders**, try [our Watch Order wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/watch_order)
* For other questions, check if they are answered in the [FAAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/faaq)
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AutoModerator2026-01-03 12:58
Hi kees1572001, it seems like you might be looking for an anime's watch order!
On our [watch order wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/watch_order) you can find suggested orders for a ton of shows (hopefully including the one you're looking for), as well as information that will help you decide on what to watch for the more complicated series *<cough>* Fate *<cough>*.
[](#heartbot)
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Then Google then, why isn't it the default to Google something anymore.
VoidEmbracedWitch2026-01-03 13:39
Because they have their LLM garbage to actively make searching worse
Illya___2026-01-03 17:57
Google results are absolute garbage now, the AI and SEO over optimization made it unusable. Hope we get an google alternative
Grid10ck2026-01-03 17:58
Sounds like a skill issue to me, I don't have issues using Google.
Illya___2026-01-03 18:11
Might depend what you search, I search mainly technical stuff like how to fix/solve certain coding stuff or software issues. Some years back I usually got straight to github, some forum or stack overflow. Now I get suggestions for products and AI generated slop first, than somewhere at the bottom I might find stack overflow.
Grid10ck2026-01-03 18:19
Fair enough, I shouldn't dimish other peoples issues with Google but this post/question is really a Google question.
Your situation sounds annoying af though. I regularly search I.T. (server/desktop) and vehicle issues. I find changing my search terms/wording gets me what I need.
CyanideIE2026-01-03 13:01
S1, S2, Ordinal Scale, Alicization, War of the Underworld pt1, War of the Underworld pt2.
There's also the SAO Progressive films which are a remake of the first arc but I've only seen the first film so I don't know if they've fully adapted it or not.
Illya___2026-01-03 13:01
Chronologically how they released the series ig
BambooGentleman2026-01-03 14:13
When in doubt, go with the order it was released.
Samuawesome2026-01-03 15:01
SAO episode 1 > Aria of a Starless Night and/or episode 2 > Scherzo of Deep Night (if you picked Aria) > the rest of season 1 > Extra Edition > SAO II > SAO OS > SAO Alicization
Extra Edition is a non-mandatory OVA. It mainly recaps the first season and has an extra side story of an ALO quest.
Ordinal Scale is one of the movies. It is mandatory because the characters and technology introduced in it get integrated in Alicization.
Alicization is the third season that is 47 episodes long. Due to its length, it was split into 2 parts (Alicization and Alicization: War Of Underworld) with each part getting 2 cours each.
Alternative GGO seasons 1 and 2 is a spin off which canonically takes place alongside the Mother's Rosario and Alicization arcs. It features a small girl in a pink bunny hat. It isn’t mandatory as none of the characters or events that take place impact Kirito’s adventures. You also don't have to watch it before either the MR or Alicization arcs to understand them. However, it’s still a good watch regardless.
SAO Progressive in the LNs is meant to be a companion series that leaves what's already been told alone and only covers the timeskipped material. It isn't meant to be a reboot, rewrite, alternative universe, etc. The movies, however, change a lot from the source material which makes them being canon a bit iffy. If you're ok with the idea that some of the stuff in the movies might be a bit jarring due to them being movie-only changes, then I'd highly recommend watching them (especially Aria over the second episode). However, if you're not okay with that or don't want to sit through two movies, then you can just watch the first season normally and watch these movies whenever later.
Moshimoshi-Megumin2026-01-03 15:31
S1, S2, Ordinal scale movie, S3 (Alicization > war of the underworld).
The progressive movies are a sort of remake of the first episodes of season 1 from a different character’s point of view. They can be watched at any time. A lot of people skip them but they’re really good imo, S1 has very rushed pacing, the movies take their time.
“Extra edition” movie is a recap movie, not worth your time.
Commentaires
* Have **any anime related question?** Try our [daily question/recommendation thread!](/r/anime/search?q=flair%3Adaily&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=week)
* **Need something new to watch?** [Check the Recommendation wiki.](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/recommendations)
* For **where to watch anime**, see [our list of streaming sites](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/legal_streams) or [search on Livechart.me](https://www.livechart.me/search) for specific shows.
* For **source of fanarts**, try [SauceNAO](https://saucenao.com/)
* For **source of anime screenshots**, try [trace.moe](https://trace.moe/) or [other image search tools](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/reverse_image_searching)
* For **watch orders**, try [our Watch Order wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/watch_order)
* For other questions, check if they are answered in the [FAAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/faaq)
[](#bot-chan)
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/anime) if you have any questions or concerns.*
On our [watch order wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/watch_order) you can find suggested orders for a ton of shows (hopefully including the one you're looking for), as well as information that will help you decide on what to watch for the more complicated series *<cough>* Fate *<cough>*.
[](#heartbot)
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/anime) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[https://www.reddit.com/r/swordartonline/comments/llivvu/what\_is\_the\_correct\_way\_to\_watch\_sword\_art\_online/](https://www.reddit.com/r/swordartonline/comments/llivvu/what_is_the_correct_way_to_watch_sword_art_online/)
Your situation sounds annoying af though. I regularly search I.T. (server/desktop) and vehicle issues. I find changing my search terms/wording gets me what I need.
There's also the SAO Progressive films which are a remake of the first arc but I've only seen the first film so I don't know if they've fully adapted it or not.
Extra Edition is a non-mandatory OVA. It mainly recaps the first season and has an extra side story of an ALO quest.
Ordinal Scale is one of the movies. It is mandatory because the characters and technology introduced in it get integrated in Alicization.
Alicization is the third season that is 47 episodes long. Due to its length, it was split into 2 parts (Alicization and Alicization: War Of Underworld) with each part getting 2 cours each.
Alternative GGO seasons 1 and 2 is a spin off which canonically takes place alongside the Mother's Rosario and Alicization arcs. It features a small girl in a pink bunny hat. It isn’t mandatory as none of the characters or events that take place impact Kirito’s adventures. You also don't have to watch it before either the MR or Alicization arcs to understand them. However, it’s still a good watch regardless.
SAO Progressive in the LNs is meant to be a companion series that leaves what's already been told alone and only covers the timeskipped material. It isn't meant to be a reboot, rewrite, alternative universe, etc. The movies, however, change a lot from the source material which makes them being canon a bit iffy. If you're ok with the idea that some of the stuff in the movies might be a bit jarring due to them being movie-only changes, then I'd highly recommend watching them (especially Aria over the second episode). However, if you're not okay with that or don't want to sit through two movies, then you can just watch the first season normally and watch these movies whenever later.
The progressive movies are a sort of remake of the first episodes of season 1 from a different character’s point of view. They can be watched at any time. A lot of people skip them but they’re really good imo, S1 has very rushed pacing, the movies take their time.
“Extra edition” movie is a recap movie, not worth your time.