The BEST episodes of Sword Art Online season 3

Every episode of Sword Art Online season 3, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Sword Art Online season 3!

In the near future, a Virtual Reality Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (VRMMORPG) called Sword Art Online has been released where players control their avatars with their bodies using a piece of technology called Nerve Gear. One day, players discover they cannot log out, as the game creator is holding them captive unless they reach the 100th floor of the game's tower and defeat the final boss. However, if they die in the game, they die in real life. Their struggle for survival starts now...

Last Updated: 6/17/2025Network: Tokyo MXStatus: Ended
Taboo Index
star
8.28
256 votes

#1 - Taboo Index

Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/9/2018

Ronie and Tiese are late getting to the dorm. Kirito rushes out in search of them, but no sooner has he gone than Frenica appears. She tells Eugeo about how she's suffered at Humbert's hands, and that Tiese and Ronie went to confront him about it.

Watch Now:Amazon
My Hero
star
8.05
253 votes

#2 - My Hero

Season 3 - Episode 24 - Aired 3/31/2019

Carrying the hopes of Cardinal, Eugeo, and Alice in his heart, Kirito stands yet again and visualizes the Black Swordsman, the top player who cleared SAO. For the sake of everyone he’s encountered in this world, Kirito, faces off with Administrator.

Watch Now:Amazon
The Relentless Knight
star
7.93
233 votes

#3 - The Relentless Knight

Season 3 - Episode 15 - Aired 1/20/2019

Kirito and Eugeo are on their way up the stairs of the Central Cathedral when they encounter two girls named Linel and Fizel. As they stand, wondering what two children are doing there, they let their guard down and...

Watch Now:Apple TV
Departure
star
7.92
249 votes

#4 - Departure

Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/28/2018

Kirito and Eugeo realize Selka has taken off to the End Mountains alone, and decide to chase after her. As they enter the cave, they encounter goblins, presumably from the Dark Territory, and must engage in a battle.

The Legendary Hero
star
7.88
225 votes

#5 - The Legendary Hero

Season 3 - Episode 18 - Aired 2/10/2019

Eugeo reaches the ninetieth floor of the Central Cathedral, which turns out to be a vast bathing area. The perplexed Eugeo encounters Bercouli Synthesis One soaking in the bath. Meanwhile, Kirito and Alice are still climbing the Central Cathedral wall.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Underworld
star
7.83
351 votes

#6 - Underworld

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/7/2018

Kirito, along with his childhood friend, Eugeo, has been tasked with cutting down a colossal tree called the Gigas Cedar. They’re swinging their ax when their friend Alice arrives with lunch. As they eat, the three friends decide to go to a fabled cave.

Administrator
star
7.81
227 votes

#7 - Administrator

Season 3 - Episode 23 - Aired 3/24/2019

Cardinal appears on the top floor of Central Cathedral for a showdown with her bitter foe of the last two hundred years. She moves to achieve her objective of deleting Administrator, only to see the fallen sword golem rise up again.

The Sage of the Library
star
7.80
225 votes

#8 - The Sage of the Library

Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/23/2018

Kirito and Eugeo escape from their cell, only to find their way blocked by Eldrie Synthesis Thirty-One, under orders from Alice to lie in wait for them. Kirito and Eugeo struggle against him until Eugeo realizes that he’s seen Eldrie somewhere before.

The Seal of the Right Eye
star
7.77
230 votes

#9 - The Seal of the Right Eye

Season 3 - Episode 19 - Aired 2/24/2019

Seeing Alice’s reaction when he mentioned the name Selka, Kirito decides to tell her the truth about the Integrity Knights. Meanwhile, after being knocked unconscious during his battle with Bercouli, Eugeo awakes on the top floor of the cathedral.

Watch Now:Apple TV
The Osmanthus Knight
star
7.76
230 votes

#10 - The Osmanthus Knight

Season 3 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/27/2019

Though riddled with wounds, Kirito manages to activate his Perfect Weapon Control art. Continuing on their way to the top floor of the Central Cathedral, Kirito and Eugeo find themselves standing before a strange-looking floating platform.

Directors: Gō Suzuki, Saori Den
Watch Now:Apple TV
Swordsman's Pride
star
7.73
236 votes

#11 - Swordsman's Pride

Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/25/2018

Kirito finds himself in a duel against the Elite Disciple Volo Levantein, using real swords. As the curious crowd looks on, Kirito is encouraged by Sortiliena, and the duel begins.

The 32nd Knight
star
7.71
212 votes

#12 - The 32nd Knight

Season 3 - Episode 21 - Aired 3/10/2019

Standing in Kirito and Alice's way is Eugeo, who's undergone the Synthesis Ritual and become an Integrity Knight. Kirito is rattled, until Alice admonishes him into resolving to fight Eugeo with everything he's got.

Titan of the Sword
star
7.71
222 votes

#13 - Titan of the Sword

Season 3 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/17/2019

On the top floor of the Central Cathedral, Kirito, Eugeo, and Alice finally face Administrator. But Chudelkin uses the sacred arts to transform himself into a giant clown and attacks.

Synthesis
star
7.70
220 votes

#14 - Synthesis

Season 3 - Episode 20 - Aired 3/3/2019

Kirito and Alice reach the communal bath on the nintieth floor. There, they find the Integrity Knight Commander, Bercouli, who's been turned to stone by Chudelkin. Alice breaks down in tears upon seeing her mentor's tragic plight, but then...

Truce
star
7.68
227 votes

#15 - Truce

Season 3 - Episode 17 - Aired 2/3/2019

When Kirito and Alice both unleash the Perfect Weapon Control art in the Cloudtop Garden, the impact rips a hole into the seemingly impregnable Central Cathedral wall, which sends them both flying outside.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Swordcraft Academy
star
7.66
240 votes

#16 - Swordcraft Academy

Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/18/2018

Two years have gone by since Kirito and Eugeo left Rulid Village. In the capital city, Centoria, both boys have attained their goal of being admitted to the North Centoria Imperial Swordcraft Academy.

Nobleman's Responsibilities
star
7.61
235 votes

#17 - Nobleman's Responsibilities

Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/2/2018

Now an Elite Disciple along with Kirito, Eugeo struggles with the question of what he should infuse in his sword so he can become stronger. When he’s taunted by First-Seat Elite Disciple Raios and Second-Seat Humbert, Eugeo decides to accept Humbert’s request for a duel.

The Demon Tree
star
7.57
267 votes

#18 - The Demon Tree

Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/14/2018

Kirito wakes up to find himself inside a mysterious world evoking a fantasy game. His memory fuzzy, he tries to log out, but is unable to return to the real world. After wandering aimlessly, he finds himself underneath a colossal tree.

The Crimson Knight
star
7.56
232 votes

#19 - The Crimson Knight

Season 3 - Episode 14 - Aired 1/13/2019

After being entrusted with the fate of the world by Cardinal, Kirito and Eugeo head to the top floor of the Central Cathedral. They find their confiscated swords, only to be attacked by the bow-wielding Integrity Knight Deusolbert Synthesis Seven.

Central Cathedral
star
7.53
239 votes

#20 - Central Cathedral

Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/16/2018

Kirito and Eugeo are now considered criminals for having violated the Taboo Index and are thrown into the underground prison in the Central Cathedral. Meanwhile, on the Ocean Turtle in the real world, Asuna is watching over Kazuto as he's being treated.

The End Mountains
star
7.52
261 votes

#21 - The End Mountains

Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/21/2018

Kirito makes up his mind to journey to Centoria. Since he'll need Eugeo's help, he also decides to fell the Gigas Cedar. Meanwhile, Alice's little sister, Selka is worried about Eugeo, and opens up to Kirito about her concerns.

Ruler and Mediator
star
7.51
235 votes

#22 - Ruler and Mediator

Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/6/2019

Kirito and Eugeo have been rescued by the young girl, Cardinal, who has secluded herself inside the Central Cathedral’s Great Library. Cardinal explains to Kirito how the Axiom Church and the Taboo Index came to be, starting with Administrator’s past.

Ocean Turtle
star
7.50
249 votes

#23 - Ocean Turtle

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/4/2018

In the real world, Kazuto Kirigaya lies unconscious. At Kikuoka’s request, Kazuto is moved to a well-equipped hospital, but when Asuna and Suguha try to visit, they’re turned away. Suspicious, Asuna and the others split up to find out more about Rath.

Project Alicization
star
7.50
246 votes

#24 - Project Alicization

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/11/2018

Asuna infiltrates Rath, the research lab in the Ocean Turtle, where she relentlessly grills Kikuoka about Kazuto’s whereabouts. Kikuoka reveals that behind the development of the Soul Translator is a mind-blowing objective of epic scale.