24 Best TV Shows Like Sword Art Online That You Should Watching Update 07/2024

TV Shows Like Sword Art Online

Sword Art Online is a Japanese anime that combines action and fantasy elements.

Sword Art Online, a Japanese light novel series that was adapted into an anime, piqued the interest of anime fans who also enjoy MMORPGs. While many people have expressed displeasure with Sword Art Online’s overall quality, it is undeniably popular among anime fans.

a brief synopsis of the story

In the year 2022, the VRMMORPG Sword Art Online (SAO) will be released for the PlayStation VR. Players can use a virtual reality helmet called Nerve Gear to control their in-game characters with their minds. When the players discover they can’t log out of the game, their excitement turns to horror. The creator of SAO, Kayaba Akihiko, informs them that they must reach the 100th floor and defeat the final boss in order to return to the real world.

What’s the problem? Real-life consequences follow the deaths of their virtual characters.

If you liked Sword Art Online, you’ll probably enjoy these anime and manga listed below!

1. Overlord

Overlord

It’s safe to say that Overlord is now among the most well-known anime series ever, and for good reason. No, this isn’t just another show about a “player trapped in an online game.” To keep things interesting, Overlord tells the tale of a villain who gets trapped in the game. The show’s unpredictable nature is a result of the diverse cast of characters.

2. Accel World

If you’re a die-hard SAO or Accel World fan, you’ve probably heard a lot of theories about how the two are connected. Both shows appear to take place in the same universe, albeit in different eras. It’s widely accepted that the technology used in Accel World dates back to NerveGear.

Teaser for the Story

Haruyuki Arita suffers from low self-esteem as a result of being bullied frequently at school. When Haruyuki meets the most popular girl in school, Kuroyukihime, he turns to squash to distract himself from his bleak situation. However, everything changes when he meets her. Haruyuki learns about a new program called Brain Burst from her.

Soon, Haruyuki discovers that Brain Burst is a Virtual Reality Massively Multiplayer Online (VRMMO) Fighting Game, in which players compete for Burst Points, which can be exchanged for real-world acceleration abilities.

Haruyuki and Kuroyukihime team up to complete Brain Burst’s Level 10, meet the program’s creator, and learn the truth about the program’s true purpose.

3. Log Horizon

Log Horizon

This anime is frequently compared to Sailor Moon: First Flight. Many people have drawn comparisons between Sword Art Online and Log Horizon, and this can be found all over the Internet. The most striking similarity between the two stories is that they both take place within an online massively multiplayer game. Even though both series have the same setting and characters fighting in-game to get back to their normal lives, the stories are vastly different, as you’ve probably noticed by now.

Teaser for the Story

Following the release of its eleventh expansion pack, the MMORPG Elder Tale has seen phenomenal success. There are now millions of people playing the game. The next expansion pack, on the other hand, shocks 35,000 players by revealing their in-game avatars to be real people. They quickly come to grips with the fact that they have entered their favorite game. Socially challenged gamer Shiroe joins forces with other players to overcome obstacles in their path.

4. Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash

One of the main complaints about Sword Art Online is how powerful Kirito is. In addition, many viewers were put off by the show’s heavy emphasis on harem scenes. However, Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash is devoid of these two problems. For those who prefer team battles to one in which a single character is the sole victor, check out this show.

5. Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?

You probably waited eagerly for Kirito to grow stronger and make his way to the top of the tower in SAO’s early stages. Instead, he’s on the highest floors, where we can see him right away. Is It Wrong to Approach Girls in a Dungeon? The good news is that veers away from this style of narrative. A special ability grants the main character the ability to progress further into the dungeon as he improves his fighting skills.

6. Death March kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyousoukyoku

Death March kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyousoukyoku

It’s impossible not to compare Death March kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyousoukyoku to SAO after watching the first few episodes. Both shows have gameplay mechanics where you can’t log out, the need to keep your HP up to avoid dying in real life, and the desire to find a way to escape virtual reality. Like Kirito, the protagonist is overpowered and has a thing for girls who fantasize about him.

7. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

Rimuru Tempest’s OP-ness is immediately apparent, and he continues to grow in strength throughout the episode. Rimuru, like Kirito, creates his own army from scratch. It also has strong harem elements, and the story darkens toward the end, which many SAO fans are likely to appreciate.

8. In Another World with My Smartphone

Mochizuki Touya resembles Kirito in a lot of ways. In another world, after being struck by lightning, he finds himself with superpowers and a smartphone. Touya, despite being overmatched, enjoys lending a hand to those in need. He fights alongside female characters quite a bit in the game.

9. Btooom!

Btooom

Because of this, it’s not surprising that Btooom! is frequently compared to SAO. It’s clear that the game’s two male protagonists share a similar level of devotion. Ryota Sakamoto finds himself trapped in the game and must work with other players to find a way out.

Teaser for the Story

At the age of 22, Ryota Sakamoto, a single man, is living with his mother and is unemployed. He’s particularly good at one thing: a video game called Btooom!.

He suddenly finds himself on a tropical island, with no memory of how he got there or why he’s there in the first place. He approaches a stranger for assistance and is met with a bomb that the assailant throws at him. Then he comes to grips with the fact that he’s actually in Btooom! in the real world. Btooom! player Ryota meets Himiko, who becomes his virtual wife.

Can Ryota put his gaming skills to good use now that his life is on the line?

10. .hack//SIGN

Many people believe that SAO is inspired by the.hack video game series. If you’re a fan of virtual reality MMOs, this should be enough to pique your interest; however,.hack/SIGN does not feature many action sequences. As the game’s secrets are slowly revealed, the main character comes to realize why he is unable to log out.

Teaser for the Story

Tsukasa awakens inside of a video game called The World, which he has never played before. He has no memory of what happened before he awoke. After being identified as a hacker, he discovers that he is unable to exit the game due to his suspicious behavior. Tsukasa is lost, but he discovers a “guardian”—a magical object—that shields him from harm. Subaru, the leader of the Crimson Knights, and the rest of the group learn about his predicament. They race against time to find a solution to Tsuakasa’s dilemma.

11. How Not to Summon a Demon Lord

The main character of this Isekai series is a man named Diablo, who is summoned as the Demon Lord. You’ll notice similarities to SAO in the first few minutes of the show, especially when Diablo begins to form a harem. Although Diablo is far too powerful in comparison to the rest of the cast, the show features several action scenes that keep things interesting to watch.

12. And You Thought There Is Never a Girl Online?

And You Thought There Is Never a Girl Online

Just one of the reasons Why Is It So Hard to Find A Woman On The Internet It’s fascinating to see the characters try to be true to themselves while playing the game. You’ll find a lot of female characters in this game, just like in Sword Art Online. Even though there are fewer dark and dramatic scenes, it bears some resemblance to SAO in other ways.

13. KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World!

Anime fans seeking something similar to SAO but lighter in tone should check out KonoSuba. The story takes place in a video game-like fantasy world. But KonoSuba manages to do all of this while injecting a slew of hysterical moments into the story. This is a great show, even if it’s more of a comedy than a virtual reality show.

14. Re:ZERO – Starting Life in Another World

This is yet another show in which the protagonist wakes up in a fantastical world. In contrast to SAO, the protagonist is weaker at the beginning of the game. As time goes on, he gains new abilities and finds himself surrounded by attractive women, but he has his sights set on just one of them. Re:Zero is the next show you should watch if you’re looking for something with less romance and more dark and psychological moments.

15. The King’s Avatar (Quan Zhi Gao Shou)

The King's Avatar (Quan Zhi Gao Shou)

It’s interesting to note that SAO and The King’s Avatar both focus on MMORPG players who have achieved success. While the focus of The King’s Avatar is on eSports rather than being trapped in a video game, the show shares many similarities with SAO, particularly in terms of the main characters. The stories diverge in their plotlines. This is a good choice if you’re looking for a movie with a lot of action. The main character is also more likable because he starts out with nothing and works his way back up.

16. Problem Children are Coming from Another World, Aren’t They?

This show follows three characters as they venture into Little Garden, a fantasy world reminiscent of a video game. [*] Male protagonist, like Kirito, has an unfair advantage because of his superior strength. And if you enjoyed SAO’s second half, you’ll enjoy Mondaiji-tachi just as much. Sword Art Online-style graphics and animation can be found throughout.

17. The Rising of the Shield Hero

Shield Ascends: The SAO and Its Impact Heroes begin with a male protagonist who has been traumatized by being thrust into an unfamiliar world, only to find solace in a female character they meet later on in the novel. Even though Naofumi Iwatani begins the game as a weakling compared to Kirito, he soon gathers a group of mostly female characters to aid him in achieving his goals.

18. Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online

Sword Art Online Alternative Gun Gale Online

You’re probably aware of its impending arrival. Due to the fact that Gun Gale Online is a spin-off, comparisons to SAO are almost certain to occur. While some fans believe that GGO is an improvement over the original, others disagree. However, if you enjoyed SAO, you will enjoy this show tremendously.

19. No Game No Life

The first episode of No Game No Life, an anime that debuted on April 9, 2014, can be found below. Discussions about SAO vs. No Game No Life abound in anime fandoms online, once again due to the shared setting. This anime, on the other hand, is less action-oriented because it is a supernatural adventure series. It has a lot of funny scenes and entertaining games, so it’s a lot of fun to watch.

Teaser for the Story

Game on follows the adventures of gamers Sora and Shiro, who are reclusive and antisocial in real life despite their fame as great gamers. They’re a part of the enigmatic gaming collective known only as “Blank,” who never lose. After a while, they’re transported to a world where everything is decided by playing video games, and where the human race has been reduced to a single city. In order to defeat the leader and save the human race, it’s up to Sora and Shiro to do it now.

20. Mirai Nikki (Future Diary)

Mirai Nikki (Future Diary)

When it comes to comparisons with SAO, this psychological thriller looks nothing like the latter. However, there are several striking similarities, including a protagonist who isn’t very good with people but finds himself in a dire situation all of the sudden. A friend of his makes friends in the game, only for him to lose those friends due to the game.

Teaser for the Story

A socially awkward young man named Yuki Amano prefers to write in his diary or converse with his imaginary friend Deus Ex Machina, the story’s central character. He’ll learn the hard way that Deus Ex Machina isn’t just a fantasy of his. He receives a diary from Deus, in which the events of the next 90 days are detailed. To avoid the end of the world on the ninetieth day, Yuki must defeat all twelve of his opponents and use his diary to stop the future from coming true.

21. Tower of Druaga: The Aegis of Uruk

Because both anime take place in a tower-like setting with a set number of floors to reach before continuing, this one is similar to Sword Art Online. It’s obvious that the end goal is to make it to the top floor, where you’ll face the final boss and win. RPG elements in Tower of Druaga include questing for rare items, creating parties, and increasing your level.

Teaser for the Story

The story begins in the Tower of Anu during the Third Summer of Anu, when the monsters’ abilities are waning. As a result, people take advantage of the situation and establish a base inside the Tower in order to climb to the top. The Uruk Kingdom’s armies lead the way, but “climbers,” adventurers lured by rumors of a Blue Crystal Rod on the very last floor, have joined the race. Jill is one of the Tower’s newest climbers, on a mission to defeat the evil Druaga at the summit.

22. Guilty Crown

Guilty Crown may not be set in a virtual reality, but watching Shu Ouma in action makes me think of Kirito. Both are dragged into a conflict and emerge victorious. Adding the two shows’ strong female leads makes things even more interesting. Despite the fact that both women are capable of standing on their own, the male protagonists are forced to step in and save them.

Teaser for the Story

The Apocalypse Virus, a biological threat, descended on Japan on December 24, 2029. It’s called the 2029 Christmas that never was because of this. Given the severity of the outbreak, the Japanese government requests international assistance, to which the UN obliges by dispatching the Global Headquarters Unit (GHQ). After the outbreak is contained, the GHQ takes control of Japan.

Storyline: The Right Hand of the Kings centers on Shu Ouma, an ordinary high school student who gains an extraordinary power by accident. With this power, he can take other people’s voids and turn them into weapons that are the physical manifestations of their hearts. He meets Yuzuriha Inori, a member of the Undertakers, a rebel group dedicated to regaining Japan’s independence.

With his newfound power, he is thrust into the middle of the conflict and must fight to restore peace to his country.

23. Kaze no Stigma

Kaze no Stigma

As a self-admitted SAO fan, Kaze no Stigma is a far cry from the same. The film is still worth seeing despite this. If at all possible, read the companion light novel series. Despite the fact that the anime version is far less gory, the fantastic storyline remains intact.

Teaser for the Story

Yagami Kazuma is a member of the illustrious Kannagi family, who are revered for their mastery of the Fire arts. When Ayano, a distant relative, beat Kazuma in a duel for control of Enraiha, Blaze Lightning Supremacy, Ayano banished Kazuma from his family.

Four years later, Kazuma has become an expert in the Wind technique known as Fujutsu. Reunited with his older brother Ayano and Ren’s younger sister. When members of the Kannagi family begin to disappear, the killer is found to be using a form of Fujutsu.

With Ayano by his side, Kazuma must now demonstrate that he is not the perpetrator of the murders.

24. Hunter x Hunter

Hunter x Hunter has some RPG elements, which is a stretch as well. The two can be compared when Gon and Killua play Greed Island and discover that it’s based on reality afterward.

Teaser for the Story

Hunter x Hunter centers on a young boy named Gon, who learns that his presumed-dead father, Ging, is actually alive and well. For this reason, Ging is a well-known hunter and a well-respected member of society. As he sets out to find his father, Gon comes to the realization that he wants to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a hunter himself.

Despite the fact that many applicants to the Hunter exam die before their 12th birthday, he decides to take the test anyway. On his journey he meets a number of interesting characters including Kurapika, a silent assassin with a reputation for leaving no witnesses in his wake. Many trials and threats come their way, and their friendship is put to the test.