TV series · 2012 · Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure
Is Sword Art Online OK for kids?
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...
At a glance
Kids preset · gentle limits for younger children
Not a fit
Under the Kids preset it goes over the limits: nudity is mild, sexual content is moderate, sexualised imagery is severe and 7 more.
Teen-safe preset · room for action and drama, nothing explicit
Not a fit
Under the Teen-safe preset it goes over the limits: sexual content is moderate, sexualised imagery is severe.
Every family draws the line differently. Set your own rules and see whether Sword Art Online fits yours, topic by topic. Free.
Set your own rulesWhat's in it, topic by topic
Sexual & romantic
- NudityMild
Brief partial nudity appears in a few scenes.
- Sexual contentModerate
Villains attempt sexual assault on heroines in several arcs; a married couple's intimacy is implied.
- Sexualised imagerySevere
Fan service on female characters' outfits and bodies is recurring, which rates as frequent.
- Kissing & romanceModerate
The two leads share several romantic kisses, and their romance is a main storyline.
Language & behaviour
- ProfanityModerate
Villains swear recurrently in the subtitles.
- Vulgarity & crude humourMild
Only occasional crude comments are described.
- Verbal abuse & bullyingModerate
Villains repeatedly taunt, threaten and humiliate heroes and captives.
- Discrimination & hateMild
Beta-tester players are resented and ostracized by other players.
- Disrespectful behaviour & role modelsMild
Heroes occasionally break rules, generally for good ends.
- Dangerous imitable actsNo info
We couldn't find enough about this topic yet.
Violence & intensity
- Violence & goreModerate
Sword and gun combat, with murderous player-killers in a game where deaths are fatal.
- Frightening & intense scenesModerate
A death game with murderous players and a gun-violence trauma subplot.
- Self-harm & suicideMild
Trapped players are said to have jumped from the castle; this is a brief reference.
- Death & griefModerate
The hero's friends are killed, and a later arc centers on a terminally ill girl.
- Alcohol, drugs & smokingMild
Occasional drinking in taverns.
Topics some families want to know about
- LGBTQ+ representationNo info
We couldn't find enough about this topic yet.
- Religious contentSupporting
A later arc has an authoritarian church ruling a virtual world; it is framed critically.
- Occult & magicSupporting
Fantasy magic and non-human races exist in the game worlds; the premise is sci-fi, not occult.
- Political & ideological themesNo info
We couldn't find enough about this topic yet.
- Products & advertisingNo info
We couldn't find enough about this topic yet.
- Messages & valuesNo info
We couldn't find enough about this topic yet.
How we rate
We read parent guides, reviews and official ratings for every title and rate 21 topics, from kissing and profanity to violence, frightening scenes, substance use and the messages a story leaves behind, each with a reason and its sources. Our team verifies what the sources leave out. You set a limit per topic, and every title gets a clear verdict against your rules, not someone else's age label.