Sword Art Online is an anime about a bunch of people trapped in a virtual reality world. If they die in the game, they die in real life. Kirito, the main character, is one of these people, and their goal is to get out of the game.¹
Immodesty
Many of the women in the show wear skirts going either to mid-thigh, or higher. That is not modest. A woman is seen in bed with only her undergarments on. The main female, Asuna, is seen in only her undergarments. There are other things wrong with it:
"A man rips a girl's top off, her bare breasts are visible."
"Seasons 3 & 4 should probably be rated TV-MA for nudity and gore."¹
Additionally, one of the villains is naked. The OVA Sword Art Online: Extra Edition, has a lot of fan service, women are in bikinis and seen in their undergarments.² Do you think this is what God would have us to watch? Of course not!
"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;" (1 Timothy 2:9)
Immodesty is wicked and should not be watched.
Effeminate
In season two, Kirito is seen with an effeminate avatar in the virtual game Gun Gale Online. At worst, the avatar is a woman, at best it's simply effeminate. Whatever the case, it is contrary to the clear teaching of Scripture.
"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind," (1 Corinthians 6:9)
God is against men being feminine. Christians should not consume media like this.
"Pseudo"-Magic
While this show "doesn't have magic" in the typical sense, it does have something called "sword skills."³ They are essentially the same as magic, just under a different name. 1 Samuel 15:23 (and Galatians 5:20, etc.) label witchcraft as sin. Magic is sinful and ought to be avoided.
"In season 3...2 young girls are forced to murder each other so [the] administrator...can [practice] the arts of resurrection."¹
Necromancy is a form of witchcraft. Deuteronomy 18:11 explicitly mentions necromancy as sin. Additionally, actual magic is found later in the series as well.
Murder
While looking at the previous quote, we read the first part, "In season 3...2 young girls are forced to murder each other".¹ There are other murders throughout the series.
"Thou shalt not kill." (Exodus 20:13, Deuteronomy 5:17)
If we are not to murder, then why do we think it's alright to watch it? Is it not still sin? Yes, it is still sinful.
Language
There is profanity in this anime.¹ This is contrary to the Lord and how He would have us use our language.
"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." (1 Corinthians 15:33)
Our good manners will be corrupted by the evil communications (ways of living, which include speech) of whatever we fill our heads with. When you fill your mind with this filth, the manners of your life will become corrupted.
Blasphemy
Blasphemous phrases are used a lot in the series.¹ The Bible is clear that God holds the blasphemer guilty for it (Exodus 20:7, Deuteronomy 5:11). In Psalms, it says:"For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain." (Psalm 139:20)
If you want to be the enemy of God, take His name in vain. Otherwise, you ought to be against what God is against. God is against those who take His name in vain—He is against Sword Art Online for taking His name in vain. If God is against it, so am I.
Alcohol
"A few people drink at a bar" says IMDb.¹ This violates the clear statements of Scripture. For example, the priests were not to bring wine into the tabernacle because it was unholy (Leviticus 10:8-10). We see the results of alcohol throughout the Scriptures as well (e.g., Noah, Lot, etc.)
Conclusion
This anime contradicts the Bible in a number of places. Shouldn't we, as Christians, see this and realize, "This is not honoring to God"?
Sources:
1. "Sword Art Online: Parents guide." IMDb, imdb.com/title/tt2250192/parentalguide. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
2. "Sword Art Online Extra Edition: Parents guide." IMDb, imdb.com/title/tt3241196/parentalguide. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
3. "Sword Skills." Sword Art Online Wiki, swordartonline.fandom.com/wiki/Sword_Skills. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.