Sword Art Online Light Novel, Anime and Manga Comparison Review

Hey guys!
I'm reviewing and comparing the Sword Art Online light novel, manga and anime adaptation. Hope you guys find it helpful!
For closer shots of each book, come on over to pinterest:
/ sword-art-online
Follow me at:
littlecloudcuriosity.com
/ littlecloudcuriosity
/ curiouscloudy
/ curiouscloudy
Shoutout to Yenpress for licensing the Sword Art Online manga and light novel over here to North America.

[@bedbug7207]

Lol i love how the one page you turn to for drawings is asuna half naked.

[@Carolina-co9sn]

Thank you so much for the review! It helps me a lot for preparing my presentation about SAO in school :)

[@CatDuckChu]

wow i started watching this and then looked at the date holy crap 2014

[@psigale8243]

Am i the only one who didn't hate the fairy dance arc

[@fabiancabrera1004]

Chad Ramirez I loved it

[@amanij6985]

Chad Ramirez i loved it

[@adampotters392]

Chad Ramirez The thing is the Fairy Arc wasn't that bad, but the villain did really suck. Also the damsel in distress aspect was cliche. Asuna was really disrespected in that arc "cough" tentacles "cough" I may pick up the light novels though. At the moment I'm reading the Accel World manga and I can say its better than the SAO anime for sure.

[@psigale8243]

SAO really isn't that good of a series idk y i like it but i do i just bought them bc i want phantom bullet vol 5 and 6 and my ocd wouldn't allow me to just buy 5 and 6. the art is really good but the writing isn't all that great but 1000000000000000000 times better then the anime i only REALLY like the phantom bullet arc

[@OxyWorgon]

PSI Gale i thought it was good

[@Amber_xo_133]

The light novels are so much better they have more details that the Anime doesn’t The Anime butchered the Light Novels

[@milknwaffles9669]

Which is why people end upvhating the anime Cause our shitty studio A-1 pictures ruins everything

[@Goldfire345]

@@milknwaffles9669 honestly they're not shitty I mean their animation is top notch and for the most part all the major story beats make it into each arc they adapted of sao Honestly there's loads of anime that aren't even close to that lucky and have whole chunks missing from it. Promised never land comes to mind

[@Goldfire345]

@@milknwaffles9669 although i admit i wish that alot of the internal stuff made it in it made the cast so much more interesting

[@milknwaffles9669]

@@Goldfire345 promised neverland wasnt shitty It was a failure

[@milknwaffles9669]

@@Goldfire345 but i do agree with you

[@loki_l_1380]

I get every complaint for the series, but I still love it. Its a huge guilty pleasure of mine. But the light novels are so much better, I read them after I watched the anime. The story is actually darker and grittier which fits the world very well. I genuinely think the light novels are good books.

[@danield8528]

Really helped a lot and cleared things up about the differences between all of them. Awesome job. ^^

[@Kahoneki]

This video really helped me decide to get into the light novel series. I watched the anime (and even though it happens to be one of my favourite of all time next to fmab) I felt it was missing something. So thank you!

[@KoriAnime]

dat Asuna fighurine tho

[@topaz8481]

Kori that thing is fucking expenisve

[@TheLankieMidget]

Thank you for this review its helped me figure out how best to approach this franchise outside of the anime... I'm brand new to it and within a week of watching the first season of the anime, I've fallen in love with it, so had to see about the source material, I'll probably get the physical light novels as they seem to include some illustrations and formatting the ebooks have missed out and it seems everyone agrees that they go way more in depth than the manga (I found out that they are all adapted separately which is why some arcs are finished and some aren't)

[@Oliver-fp4ry]

I just got the first volumes of the manga and novel. Thanks for this quick review to show me what they may be like! :)

[@kedarwaychal3854]

Thanks a lot! I was kinda confused on whether to get the light novel or manga, but after watching your comparision review, I get which is better(the light novel, of course). Thanks again!

[@ace_leshko]

Thanks! This was super helpful!

[@XBloodAngelX10]

Awesome review I wanted to get it but I wanted to see some reviews thanks to you I'm so planning to collect thanks to you ^^

[@idku6554]

6:34 that scene also happens on the anime...

[@psigale8243]

Great Review btw!

[@ZionHurt]

Thank a lot, I wanted to know which to get the manga or light novel but I didn't know the difference so thank for clarifying that, looks like I'm getting the light novels for Xmas :3

[@SuperShrooms]

Thank you. I wasn't sure which to buy. I'm a fan of comic books so I figured the Manga would be the right way to go for me but I wanted a more in depth look at the mmo world so after some research and watching this review I see that the light novel is definitely the way to go :) thanks again

[@Pix_PT]

This review video is just on point!! I wish I could pull off a presentation like this!

[@curiouscloudy]

Tysm >

[@CristianSanchez-tq5dw]

Nice review, thanks a lot! :)

[@thesamuraispirit7686]

Wow im glad to hear the actual light novel is more in depth than the anime, i really enjoyed the aincrad arc of the anime and ive jeard so many people complain about SAO after that arc was over which made me interested in seeing how the light novels were in comparison. Also, im hearing that season 3 of SAO is pretty good so thats good

[@tokyorice2665]

Amazing review :)

[@maxholborn5111]

Thanks for your review! I just finished watching SAO anime and wanted to get into the manga but when I amazon'd it I noticed there was a light novel version and was undecided of which one to get....until now :) THANKS!

[@DaOrangeCreeper]

Good review. Subscribed.

[@graycube]

At about 6:30 you talked about the question of their relationship status outside of the game. And that is in the anime, I don't know if it is more in depth in the novel but it shows everything as you describe it, I think it was during the fishing episode.

[@jordanha1956]

Nice review :) liked it

[@oddishu]

Thanks, I think I'll buy the novel over the manga version, was kind of on the fence of which to buy and i never bought a light novel before so I'm excited. Very helpful video.

[@098anime]

i love this light novel series im waiting for volume 14 to finish being translated im definitely still buying this

[@pineapple2814]

It's funny, you look almost identical to my locker neighbor, who also was an otaku all through junior high... Any how great channel you have going, and keep making these types of videos, it was highly informative, and surprisingly well done. Maybe you could review the Vanguard manga that just came out and bag some more views...

[@Anilord000]

You know I love SAO and i was thinking about reading the Light Novel but wasnt sure....until now. Im totally gonna start thanks and awesome indepth vid lol

[@KillerTacos54]

Nice review

[@amanij6985]

I really love the anime compared to the manga only because I am more of the visual type of person and I like color popping out everywhere! Have you seen the second season yet? It's awesome!

[@TheRealKirito]

Nice Review :)

[@curiouscloudy]

thanks kirito-kun ;)

[@bananabottles]

in the anime, kirito does ask asuna if their relationship is real and asuna tells him that her feelings are real and all that good stuff. it sounded like you were saying that that scene wasnt in the anime.

[@MarcosReyesJojojunior1234]

Great job doing your video

[@curiouscloudy]

+Marcos Reyes Thank you!!

[@ViewtifulDarnell]

Is the Fairy Dance stuff any better in the light novels or is it about the same as the anime? I REALLY hated Fairy Dance in the anime and I'm wondering if I should just skip them if I like the light novels for Aincrad.

[@samiisage9491]

Darnell5000 the GGO in the SAO ll is good also, but I agree with your opinion on the fairy dance

[@FlyingHawlucha]

What do you prefer the manga or the light novels? I’m thinking of getting the platinum light novel 1-20 vols as I’ve already got the entire blu ray collectors edition of all released seasons (except for war of Underworld)

[@kiritorinkagamine2086]

I'm a year late BUTT the light novels definitely! I hope you can update me telling me what you eventually got. Progressive in the LN were absolutely amazing, it's like that feeling when you play a brand new mmorpg that you've waited for, for so long. That's how good it is.

[@Harutjun]

good review , I watched the anime & did not like some parts of it so I want to read the novels & see if they are better or not

[@hexasept]

I liked your review, and I mostly agree. The manga wasn't super amazing, but the light novel was awesome, with abec's (just adding this as a side note, it's pronounced abeshi.) illustrations (apparently she did them when she was still in high school OAO) and the depth of the story. Great review, keep it up :D

[@martjedricvolkswagen4878]

Hey goodjob in your video. Where are you from?? Can u suggest any manga or anime to me? Thanks 🙂

[@swordartonlinefreak2090]

Thanks for the rewiev. ^^

[@MavisSenpaiLovesOreos]

Oo! Would you do a comparison video like this about No Game No Life Light Novel and Manga as well? I'm not sure which one to buy though I'm more interested on the light novel cuz 1) I don't wanna see ecchi scenes ; w ; 2)Its more detailed. But if manga is better, I'll buy it instead OR! If I like it so much I'd buy both o.o. Hope you do that > w < !! Great video as always c: -Mavis Senpai

[@positiveproductions6699]

Do the light novels come in two parts or is the manga part one and the light novel part two? I'm asking because I recently got into SAO light novels. Thanks

[@bubbythebrow153]

Couple of years to late but I just bought the first 2 volumes based off of this cant wait to read!

[@sofiajaco9776]

You explained everything I want to own the books so Ill go with the light novel thanks

[@akatsuki_kowari5228]

I really want the book

[@SDGundamFan]

Hi, I cant read Japanese but I really want to read the light novels w/ the most accuracy. I know that when they're translated, they might not always be exact. I can read both Chinese and English (native to both), which version do you think is the best, with the most accurate translations?

[@traviscorgiking1997]

How many manga are the for sword art online are there and dvds

[@PhilippeTuinman]

Imma get it now!! Loved the SAO anime :D

[@drummondallannah9807]

Ok i need to know something Is alicization the last season or theres more? Cuz idk i watched one vid and it said it was the last one but i found that in the light novel theres more:unital ring and moon cradle Are those the continuation or just extra,non canon to the series?

[@subhan6563]

Moon cradle is an Alicization spinoff which takes place before the end of the Alicization arc. On the other hand SAO Unital Ring is a new season which takes place after the Alicization arc.

[@drummondallannah9807]

Muhammad Subhan thank you for the information

[@PoruSensei]

Do you have volume 18? Where can i buy the translated version?

[@slyndaryt]

Would you recommend both to buy?

[@cjandrkdagreat1889]

I'm looking for a sao manga, on Amazon there's a novel and a manga, The novel has nothing but words right? The manga looks different, does the novel have manga too?

[@Peppedispeppe]

Where I can buy the big Manga you have? I have the box that contains only 2 Mangas

[@Digitalvitaboy]

im confused so was there a manga and light novel because i just got the light novel and it is words and then i saw another but it was like a manga but if there is two different versions of this which is better

[@iamthemarshmallow7695]

Thank you ^^

[@kithalie]

I accidentally bought the whole collection of the light novel thinking it was the manga. This made me not regret it. Thank you!

[@yunessh4071]

Did you read the progressive version and which do u recommend?

[@kiritorinkagamine2086]

@@yunessh4071 progressive is way better written but volume 1 and 2 of that main series is AWESOME (still not as good as progressive tho)I recommend reading the first two from the main series and read the rest of progressive then move on to volume 3 in the main series and onward I've read up to volume 6 of the main series so I haven't quite finished the whole series yet mostly because I'm not much of a reader but I'll probably finish volume 6 over Christmas and another thing I didn't really enjoy the gun gale arc I actually think the anime did better in that arc but it's still decent

[@MagnitudeReviews]

I ordered both volumes 1 and 2 of the light novels of SAO (and the first Attack on Titan Light Novel that started selling near the end of September), about a week ago. And I am still anxiously, waiting for them to arrive.

[@PenguinsBurnRed]

Can I ask where you ordered them? :) please and thank you

[@MagnitudeReviews]

Amazon...

[@PenguinsBurnRed]

BoyScouts1 haha I knew that but, I thought you'd be more specific. Like the company or whatever it's called because I know there's different places that sell them.

[@MagnitudeReviews]

I got my copy from Amazon... www.amazon.com/Sword-Art-Online-1-Aincrad/dp/0316371246/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421118413&sr=8-1&keywords=sword+art+online+light+novel

[@PenguinsBurnRed]

BoyScouts1 thanks! Very much appreciated :)

[@mid9sun]

I am not sure if I should get the individual books or the platinum collector's which is way to big and bulky to read properly and portable.

[@TheRokkie26]

Where do you buy that i want one how much?

[@MegaJayGreen]

So is there only those 2 out right now? any fairy dance or ggo novels out?

[@Verkili]

Fairy Dance releases next month (Volume 3) Yen Press releases volumes every 4 months.

[@samuraiscyther7984]

Does the 1 Manga cover all of the aincrad story? Or will I have to read multiple volumes?

[@kiritorinkagamine2086]

It covers a section, the other sections are split into different novels. Volume 2 is based on aincrad side stories, and there is another section called progressive, that's based on unseen and unheard content in aincrad. AND ITS AWESOME, so if you want to read all of aincrad get volumes 1 & 2 and all 7 progressive mangas. I'm a year late but I hope you got what you were looking for!

[@kristenbautista1290]

I'm planning to read the manga first and then the light novel. Is that a good idea?

[@chairr7336]

Sorry if this is late. No because the manga is way behind the Light Novels. They are barely on the first Alicization light novel. You should read the Light Novels if you want more of the story. Secondly, it doesn't capture the full essence of the Light Novels. The LNs show what Kirito is thinking, what he will do in a bad situation, and showing that he's not just a rad dual-wielding swordsman. The manga just portrays Kirito as a badass swordsman with not much development in his character. Lastly, the light novels are the original. They are the source material for the anime. If it weren't for the LNs, Sword Art Online wouldn't be popular today.

[@missyjayjay1]

Hi I'm trying to get back to reading more than watching anime. Could you please tell me what's the difference between light novel, novel, manga, and anime lol. Me and my brother have been discussing this for the past 30 minutes lol.

[@davidchuong714]

+Jamie Martin Light novels are shorter than novels, usually 100 pages. They include artwork but not as much as manga. The manga focuses on the artwork and might not take you as deep as the light novels. Anime is just an animated version of manga/ln (depending on which one it is based on).

[@missyjayjay1]

Thanks so much

[@darrentran4497]

Hold up I’m confused, it there’s 17 volumes in the light novel and the first on take up the entire sao part and second is short stories, then are there volumes where it goes on with the story past where the anime went

[@aegis5986]

Well of course

[@ricekrispies1917]

So to someone who really hated most of the anime, would you still recommend the light novels to them? I would be willing to read them if the stories really aren't as insufferable as the adaptions'

[@Thecartoondude213]

#16.5

[@robbycharters1]

Best chapter

[@cartercaperton4591]

Yup

[@batman-man6916]

"Intense Scenes"

[@sennoka6300]

Do you think they have it in the US, maybe at Barnes and nobles?

[@samus8163]

They do

[@shakir6309]

I have a question is it english subtitles.

[@shintaro797]

Sword Art Online 2 comes out in July this year. Just so you know

[@iCutWaffles]

theres like 3 different versions of each light novel, can anyone help me? Is there like 1 book per "season"?

[@crimzon16]

check amazon and the volumes arent written chronologically

[@yungweeniehutjr.2725]

on amazon they have all four English novels is that true idk

[@lazymusician10]

I'm thinking about buying the light novels of this series, for I love this series a lot! An I would like more information on SAO then what the manga may tell me.

[@curiouscloudy]

+lazymusician10 There are SO MANY spin-off manga series now. There's one on Asuna's pov too!

[@lazymusician10]

curiouscloudy Oh cool! I'll eventually buy al the good light novels or manga that I like :)

[@DEMONIKMANIAC]

How many novels are there

[@zxnch217]

I have the light novel

[@edvill82]

finally! lol. I found a vid that helped alot

[@EternityMonsta]

is the Sword Art Online 1: Aincrad Manga only part 2 of Aincrad or can I find a manga for the first part aswell?

[@ali1093]

it's only 1 book (the reason it's thick) they start from the beginning of the anime where they heard being trapped in the game till kirito wakes up after beating the game and that was the whole airncard arc then you have also 1 volume of fairy dance (which is alfheim online) ^_^ hope I informed you enough

[@EternityMonsta]

Lol well im dumb lol i opened it up wont through a few pages and see it starts later by saying 2 years earlier xD Thanks

[@ali1093]

No problem ^_^

[@Afrobacon]

Do they have a second volume for manga for alfheim? Cuz bought first and wanna see if I can keep going with it or switch to light novel plz reply

[@ali1093]

Afrobacon2002​ there are 2 light novels released in english And yes they have a second volume for alfheim ^_^

[@itzrelaxedgamer]

Sorry guys I'm stupid lol, but could anyone give me a link of all the books in order or a link because I really want to check them out I just don't know what order they are in plz and thank you.

[@itzrelaxedgamer]

Haha thanks I figured that out after I posted this comment lol. But thanks anyways.

[@Nolan56782]

nice vid

[@shintaro797]

Sword art online volume 2 comes out this summer. On the 26th of august. I think its the 26th but it is august

[@curiouscloudy]

awesome! thanks for the tip :)

[@shintaro797]

Ni problem

[@shintaro797]

I mean no problem

[@elafahmed5699]

Is it ok to read the light novel instead of the manga

[@elafahmed5699]

+Rynoh Kk tysm btw

[@syykes]

Nah b I’m gonna read the manga adoption progressive and hope they reboot sao even tho I watched every season etc but yeah

[@kiritorinkagamine2086]

The book is way better imo, make sure to get your money's worth! I also bought all of the audiobooks. Which has the actual voice actors reading it. So you get to hear Kirito scream haha...and btw they probably won't continue the SAO anime till like 2025...but I heard there is a new movie coming out (not progressive) kind of like ordinal scale. They released ordinal scale before season 3 came out (alicization) so I guess Kawahara is doing the same thing soon. BTW I thought ordinal scale was a great movie.

[@DrSlump-fz9ki]

Does it have 16.5?

[@115zombieguy]

I wish

[@MrDonut-dq9hm]

LOL

[@115zombieguy]

***** Oh my friend, Kirito and Asuna sex scene

[@CutItOff]

Personally I didn't mind that

[@nickbakaj322]

Are we just going to ignore the fact that kirito basically raped asuna she said no like 50 times lol

[@annastazie7406]

where I can find this manga i want it

[@andantemusic02]

Amazon, or some bookstores

[@juraskwiatekk3884]

Hello boys and girls :-). I completed all anime of sao day ago, it was awesome. Today i completed first season once more, and once more cried like kid. I dont know when season 3 starts so can someone type me? I have quick question, because i heard in anime we have not seen alot from original SAO. Could you tell me, what are differences in anime, manga and light novel? I would like to know everything about SAO so i should start to read this but i dont know where and what to buy. If there is a light novel, is there dark novel too? Are these ''books''' in parts or something? Im from Poland and i think someone can help me. Answer as fast as it is posibble please :> What will I lose exactly if I will not read anything of them? Have a good day !!

[@angelw1563]

+Juras Kwiatekk The light novel(s) is more detailed.

[@Nb2969ftw]

Can i buy these SAO light novels online? Im looking for all the books, someone pls help me :'

[@melissaogston5400]

I found them on Amazon :)

[@CARTOONMAKERKARL]

The book depository

[@ozziebrah]

Only 2 of the light novels are out in english the 3rd is comming out in december... there 15 of them btw

[@Nb2969ftw]

yeah i got them both now, thank you guys, waiting for the third one too C:

[@otomecow6050]

im buying the first sao LN now yay

[@indirasegovia6975]

Where did you buy the light novel

[@youtubehat5780]

Well my mom is not letting me have this book

[@kiritorinkagamine2086]

@@youtubehat5780 that's dumb I hope you got it now!

[@cobb6984]

March 5th is my birthday!!!

[@boringlazynoob2861]

i want to know where can i buy this in canada D:

[@curiouscloudy]

i got mine at a convention from a comic book store called Conspiracy but you can also grab it at Chapters or Indigos I believe =)

[@MrProteeus]

So it a light novel pretty much a chapter book with a few pictures but manga is comic...nothing but comics....hell if anything why not get both?

[@libraxm9790]

I am The King of Duels!

[@rabbit02330]

亞絲娜的PVC好讚>///< 我也想買一隻

[@curiouscloudy]

我在日本買 ^_^/

[@rabbit02330]

curiouscloudy 已羨慕 T__T（哭哭）

[@davidsimpson8888]

I just wish they'd translate fast. Must go faster!!! ;-) I have Vol. 1 from Yen Press, and pre-ordered 2 and 3. I've read all English fan translation, too.

[@rabbit02330]

I got this book too but is japanese version .....

[@PuipinM]

i think i may start writing a light novel, any tips xD

[@Ethan-zb6ot]

+PuipinM - Official DONT go to far with your topic in the beginning, i write fan- fiction and writing too much at the start is a BAD idea, just keep it simple and have one major twist, but make it happen fast and don't just throw that it there make it upsetting or happy.

[@PuipinM]

Ethan Metzger Thanks, So far the only issue is finding a publisher. That's the only step in which I will have a lot of trouble in the future.

[@Ethan-zb6ot]

PuipinM - Official No problem, and finding a publisher can be easy and hard, honestly start small use wattpad maybe even present the idea to a company that isn't too big and can get your idea to a layer of success. Honestly, in my experience, Have 3 ideas, present them, and then show your best one with a basic plot. I can tell that i will be buying one of your books in the future! Have a Great Day

[@PuipinM]

Ethan Metzger xD, thanks again. And wicked fast response. If anymore questions arise, may I please ask? And have a nice day to you too!

[@Ethan-zb6ot]

Yea, can't say i will always be on. like last time (although i love youtube) School, tv, and dance is controlling. Feel free to ask me any more questions most likely i will have answers!

[@m3ducraft]

i love all light novels of SAO, and i realy like GGO, but after they make this arc in the anime i realy don't like at all, but i prefer SAO light novels than the manga or anime

[@yezki8]

you should read the Progressive manga, much better than the anime. The anime is good btw

[@thatmotivatedchris6749]

Yehezkiel Siahaan 👍

[@fabiancabrera1004]

i nned to buy the books i feel bas by reading them on the computer :/

[@muoji5128]

Is the Chinese one easy to read I am like normal in Chinese I can speak better then I can read Is it hard to read

[@curiouscloudy]

+ΛηιmuŌji It's not SUPER easy to read cause it's still fantasy and you have to get used to the way the Japanese names are translated. But if you have a good grasp of grammer you should be fine ^^