The release of NerveGear, an advanced virtual reality system, allows gamers worldwide to experience fully immersive gameplay. One of the most popular titles on the console, Sword Art Online (SAO), transports players to the vast, medieval world of Aincrad, where they can live out their wildest fantasies. However, the dream turns into a nightmare when SAO’s creator traps thousands of players inside the game, removing the “log-out” option. To escape, players must clear all 100 levels of Aincrad, with the added risk that dying in the game results in real-world death.

Kazuto “Kirito” Kirigaya, a beta-tester for the game, soon realizes that even with his prior experience, the challenges of SAO are insurmountable alone. As he joins forces with Asuna Yuuki and other skilled players, Kirito battles formidable bosses and faces dangerous dark cults, all while striving to survive the deadly game and free everyone trapped within.