#tl;dr avoid everything after ep14

[king-minyard]

For anyone who wants to watch SAO but has heard about how awful it is after [x] point, I made a point to rewatch it and mark the points where there was unnecessary fan service (if it can be called that), fondling, groping, or partial nudity.

Without all that, SAO is actually a pretty okay anime with an interesting concept and a well-done main character arc (however, it does deal with heavy topics like suicide and depression at several points throughout, so watch out for that). Episode descriptions/avoid areas ahead!

Episode 1 and 2 are fantastic exposition and do a good job of introducing the world and the characters and generally setting the scene for how Kirito is going to be treated throughout the anime.

Episode 3 gives Kirito his Traumatic Backstory™, and deals with themes of guilt, depression, and suicide. Kirito blames himself for people's deaths henceforth and carries that weight with him for a Very Long Time.

I personally dislike episode 4, but it's important (at least, I think so) from a character-forming perspective. Kirito meets Silica, a childlike character who he compares to his sister. I assumed from the look in his eyes at the beginning of the episode that he was still recovering from the events of the previous episode, and hadn't smiled in quite a long time. Upon meeting Silica, however, he sees his sister in her and finds a reason to smile again. Unfortunately, from 9:40-10:00, she is shown wearing underwear in bed and, later in the episode, is practically fondled by various monsters (12:30-12:50 and 14:40-15:00). Other than these three scenes, the rest of the episode shows Kirito telling Silica about his family, fighting monsters with her, and treating her like a little sister. I would personally skip this particular episode because it squicks me out, which is why I included a description for anyone else who feels the same. This is also the episode where we're introduced to the concept of killer-players.

Episode 5 is actually a pretty cool episode! It reminded me that "real" is a subjective term, which is always interesting to me. I did count two unnecessary butt shots in this episode, but they're very quick. Oh, this is also Murder Mystery Episode Pt.1!

Episode 6 is Murder Mystery Episode Pt.2, and it is very fun because ghosts! This is also the episode where we are introduced to the main assassination guild. I counted one unnecessary butt shot in this one! Also, Grimlock is a nasty piece of shit.

Episode 7 is the Dragon Episode! I really like this one because of how it deals with Lisbet's feelings in the end, and how she decides to be happy for her friend instead of jealous like so many other awful "love triangle" situations.

Episode 8 has the Titty Squeeze Scene at 14:00-14:20, but is otherwise Very Domestic™ and cute! (Ugh, Kuradeel)

Episode 9 is important for plot reasons.

Episode 10 has a fun duel! Kuradeel is a nasty piece of shit and Asuna beats his ass for it. There is stripping at 19:20 because she misunderstood what Kirito meant by "stay in the same room" lmao

Episode 11 is 10/10 very good excellent! They are Domestic™! Asuna is a great mom and Kirito is a great dad!

Episode 12 made me laugh and then sob loudly very late at night. Watch out for themes of depression and a minor suicide scene later in the episode (nothing bloody or graphic; a minor character walks off the edge of the world).

Episode 13 is mostly very peaceful! It's very interesting to me to think about all these people trapped on lower floors because they aren't physically strong enough to level high enough to advance, and especially at the way they simply settle down somewhere and do something like fishing. Watch out for Kirito's personal trauma making another appearance later in the episode and mentions of suicide.

Episode 14 is The End. There is some self-sacrifice and sad boi hours.

It is my personal recommendation that anyone who has read up until this point should skip everything beyond episode 14. There is some nasty, nasty shit beyond this point including but not limited to imprisonment, gross verbal harassment and unwelcome sexual comments, non-consensual touching that makes me want to do something violent to a certain man's important parts, and almost-incest.