Sword Art Online Abridged

Last updated
Sword Art Online Abridged
Also known as
  • SAOA
  • SAO Abridged
  • Sword Art Online: Abridged
Genre
  • Adventure
  • Science fiction
  • Action comedy
Based on Sword Art Online
Voices of
  • YamatoSFX
  • xbubblemunkyx
  • Hayabusa449
Country of originCanada
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes18
Production
Editors
  • YamatoSFX
  • xbubblemunkyx
Production companySomething Witty Entertainment
Original release
Network YouTube
ReleaseMarch 30, 2013 (2013-03-30) 
present

Sword Art Online Abridged is a Canadian abridged fantasy web-series parodying the 2012 anime series Sword Art Online . The series was created by Something Witty Entertainment and first aired on March 30, 2013, predating the official English dub of the anime. [a]

Contents

The second season premiered on December 14, 2017, with its final episode in its development stages.

The success of the series led to Something Witty Entertainment posting similarly abridged versions of My Hero Academia and Fruits Basket on its YouTube channel.

Premise

The story of Sword Art Online Abridged is similar to the original. The players of the MMORPG Sword Art Online are trapped in the game and must beat all 100 floors of Aincrad to escape. If they die in-game or their headset is removed, they die in real life. [1] However, SAO Abridged changes the character's personalities significantly and creates new storylines. [1] [2]

Characters

Main cast

Recurring cast

Guest cast

Episodes

Season 1 (2013–2017)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
11"Episode 1"CheesemanjoeYamatoSFX, Hayabusa449, CheesemanjoeMarch 29, 2013 (2013-03-29)
SAO's launch doesn't go to plan, when the game's creator pulls a "Tron" and traps his player-base in the game until they can beat every level.
22"Episode 2"? [b] YamatoSFX, Hayabusa449, CheesemanjoeAugust 19, 2013 (2013-08-19)
Kirito meets a mysterious player who cannot open her menu, and they join a hastily made plan to beat the first Boss.
33"Episode 3"?YamatoSFX, Hayabusa449, CheesemanjoeDecember 21, 2013 (2013-12-21)
On a very special Christmas episode, Kirito gets taken in by a Guild, half of which consists of NPCs.
44"Episode 4"?YamatoSFX, Hayabusa449, CheesemanjoeApril 9, 2014 (2014-04-09)
Kirito begrudgingly helps a young girl save her dead pet, but someone has other ideas.
55"Episode 5"?YamatoSFX, Hayabusa449December 11, 2014 (2014-12-11)
After getting into an argument, Kirito and Asuna witness an impossible death and the two team up to solve it.
66"Episode 6"?YamatoSFX, Hayabusa449April 22, 2015 (2015-04-22)
The truth behind the deaths within the Safe Zone is revealed.
77"Episode 7"?YamatoSFX, Hayabusa449July 31, 2015 (2015-07-31)
While trying to get a new sword, Kirito meets a shut-in Blacksmith.
88"Episode 8"?YamatoSFX, Hayabusa449November 1, 2015 (2015-11-01)
Kirito finds himself unexpectedly on a date with Asuna and soon finds himself fighting a creepy bodyguard and a dangerous Boss.
99"Episode 9"?YamatoSFX, Hayabusa449March 11, 2016 (2016-03-11)
Heathcliff, the leader of the Knights of the Blood Oath, invites Kirito to join his Guild.
1010"Episode 10"?YamatoSFX, Hayabusa449August 28, 2016 (2016-08-28)
Kirito and Asuna adopt a child. What could go wrong?
1111"Episode 11"?YamatoSFX, Hayabusa449March 28, 2017 (2017-03-28)
During the Floor 75 Boss fight, Kirito realizes something about his Guild's leader.

Season 2 (2017–)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
121"Episode 12"?YamatoSFX, xbubblemunkyx, Hayabusa449December 14, 2017 (2017-12-14)
Kazuto returns to his normal daily life, only to find Asuna still hasn't woken up and her life has been entrusted to a disturbing individual.
132"Episode 13"?YamatoSFX, xbubblemunkyx, Hayabusa449October 5, 2018 (2018-10-05)
Tiffany shares information about a fairy-themed RPG, where images of Asuna's avatar have been leaked.
143"Episode 14"?YamatoSFX, xbubblemunkyx, Hayabusa449October 4, 2019 (2019-10-04)
Kirito makes a new ally, the role-player Leafa, who offers to help him travel to the World Tree, but she has a secret.
154"Episode 15"?YamatoSFX, xbubblemunkyx, Hayabusa449September 25, 2020 (2020-09-25)
Kirito, Leafa and Yui set out on their journey. Meanwhile, Oberon tells Asuna that Kirito entered the game.
165"Episode 16"?YamatoSFX, xbubblemunkyx, Hayabusa449January 14, 2022 (2022-01-14)
In order to earn the favor of some of the fairy leaders, Kirito must reluctantly join them in some role-playing.
176"Episode 17"?YamatoSFX, xbubblemunkyx, Hayabusa449May 5, 2023 (2023-05-05)
While Asuna tries to escape again, Suguha decides to give her brother a chance.
187"Episode 18"?YamatoSFX, xbubblemunkyx, Hayabusa449December 13, 2024 (2024-12-13)
With the truth revealed, Kirito and Leafa must learn to understand one another and unite, to face the odds and conquer the World Tree.

Reception

The series received a positive critical reception, [5] [6] [7] receiving praise for its improvements to the original's pacing and storylines. [7] Some critics considered Kirito and Asuna's romance to be greatly improved from the original series. [4]

References

  1. 1 2 Davis, Angela (2022-11-13). "Sword Art Online's Best Storyline Isn't Even Official, It's a Parody". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
  2. Donohoo, Timothy Blake (2023-02-13). "Sword Art Online Abridged Is Hilarious - And Better Than the Main Series". CBR. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
  3. 1 2 3 "Sword Art Online Abridged Is A Masterpiece". The Fandomentals. 2020-04-09. Archived from the original on 2024-08-19. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
  4. 1 2 Ceates, Charlie (2018-10-03). "Sword Art Online Abridged: Fixing The Original". CulturedVultures. Archived from the original on 2024-08-19. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
  5. Trinos, Angelo Delos (2021-03-30). "10 Abridged Series More Popular Than The Actual Anime". CBR. Archived from the original on 2021-05-25. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
  6. Ed (2021-10-24). "Weekly Review: SAO Abridged". Green Coffee Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 2024-08-06. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  7. 1 2 Parbhu, Sanjay (2013-09-12). "You Should Watch Sword Art Online Abridged". CapsuleComputers. Retrieved 2013-09-12.

Notes

  1. The official English dub premiered on July 27, 2013, on Adult Swim.
  2. Director is no longer credited in description from Episode 2 onwards.