Accel World

Kawahara Reki

Prepare for a full dive! Even in the future, all the advances and innovation in the world can't change the dynamics of the school playground. And for Haruyuki Arita, a fat kid in junior high, that means he's destined to always be at the bottom of the food chain, prime pickings for the school bullies. But when he is approached by Kuroyukihime, a beautiful and aloof upperclassman, Haruyuki's life is turned on its head as he dives into Brain Burst, a mysterious computer program, and the Accelerated World with her help. It's in the Accel World that Haruyuki casts off his depressing reality and takes hold of the chance to become a Burst Linker, a knight to protect his princess!

action
adventure
comedy
drama
romance
sci-fi
anime tie-in
video game related

Volumes

Volume 1

Kuroyukihime's Return

Volume 1

Kuroyukihime's Return

Volume 2

The Red Storm Princess

Since meeting Kuroyukihime, Haruyuki has managed to grow up a bit. But suddenly this mature Haruyuki is confronted by Tomoko, an elementary school girl he's never met before--who calls him "big brother"?! When Kuroyukihime sees the two of them flirting, the look she gives Haruyuki is like a cold knife stabbing him in the gut! Meanwhile, in the Accelerated World, something very mysterious is taking place... A cursed piece of Enhanced Armament called the Armor of Catastrophe is making the rounds, polluting the minds of the duel avatars that don it and causing those avatars to attack at random with no regard for friend or foe. Only Silver Crow, the sole duel avatar with the power of flight, can apprehend the relic. Is Haruyuki up to the challenge on this mission to subjugate the Armor?!

Volume 2

The Red Storm Princess

Volume 3

The Twilight Marauder

"That's game over, Arita--I mean, Silver Crow." His life completely transformed since meeting Kuroyukihime, the most beautiful girl in school, Haruyuki has grown up into a magnificent knight, fat and bullied though he might be. As the season turns to spring, a strange new student appears before Haruyuki and his friends, now in eighth grade. This mysterious seventh grader has mastered the art of using Brain Burst in everyday life, despite being curiously absent from the Duel matching list. With Kuroyukihime away on a field trip for the ninth grade class, this new member of the student body, in the guise of a warped duel avatar called Dusk Taker, steals "something precious" from Haruyuki with overwhelming force. Cast once again to the bottom rungs of the school hierarchy ladder, Haruyuki is driven into a corner, and his only course of action is--?!

Volume 3

The Twilight Marauder

Volume 4

Flight Toward a Blue Sky

Prepare for a full dive! Seiji Nomi is a mysterious new student whose skillful use of Brain Burst abilities in the real world has boosted him to astonishing heights of achievement (not to mention astonishing heights of jerkitude). When Haruyuki's wings are stolen by Seiji's cunning and ability, Haruyuki suffers a crushing defeat. Stripped of his greatest ability, will Haruyuki ever be able to rise again...?

Volume 4

Flight Toward a Blue Sky

Volume 5

The Floating Starlight Bridge

Prepare for a full dive! Seiji Nomi's scheming from his position atop the school social hierarchy has ceased. Sky Raker has returned to the Accelerated World, and upon joining Nega Nebulus, she and Kuroyukihime have become a force to be reckoned with. But one day, Haruyuki hears the news that the social camera network has been expanded to include the Hermes' Cord space elevator, and he realizes what the next stage of the game will be: space. Upon arriving, he is aided by a mysterious operator in taking on the biggest mission in the history of Brain Burst! Plus, Kuroyukihime and Haruyuki have a chance to experience their first overnight event--except they have gatecrashers!

Volume 5

The Floating Starlight Bridge

Volume 6

Shrine Maiden of the Sacred Fire

The silver wings responsible for the rise of Nega Nebulus, the legion led by Kuroyukihime, are weakening! During the battle with the mysterious Acceleration Research Society, Haruyuki sustained corrosion damage from the revived Chrome Disaster, and he has still been unable to escape its effects. The Seven Kings of Pure Color take this very seriously, and soon they hand down their judgement: purification. Now Haruyuki is faced with a choice--undergo the grueling purification process, or have a bounty on his head and risk being cast out of the Accelerated World altogether!

Volume 6

Shrine Maiden of the Sacred Fire

Volume 7

Armor of Catastrophe

In order to cleanse Silver Crow (aka Haruyuki), Kuroyukihime and the rest of Nega Nebulus launch an operation to rescue Ardor Maiden. In the midst of this dangerous mission, Silver Crow manages to make contact with Ardor Maiden, but in doing so, he invades the forbidden territory of the Imperial Palace. There he has a vision of Chrome Falcon and Saffron Blossom--but what do they have to do with Haruyuki?!

Volume 7

Armor of Catastrophe

Volume 8

The Binary Stars of Destiny

Haruyuki's desperate battle with his friend Takumu has taken him to the brink, and he finally activates the Destiny, a purified version of the notorious Armor of Catastrophe. It's light versus dark as their fierce fight continues, and the stakes couldn't be higher. If Haruyuki can't rid his friend of the sinister ISS kit that's infected him, Takumu could be lost to the darkness forever. And he just might take Haruyuki with him...

Volume 8

The Binary Stars of Destiny

Volume 9

The Seven-Thousand-Year Prayer

"I will never forgive you. I will kill you. I will continue to kill you until all your Burst Points are gone and you vanish from the accelerated world." Having turned into Chrome Disaster once more, Haruyuki slaughters with the force of a vengeful god the avatars who made Ash Roller suffer. And then he fuses completely with the Armor of Catastrophe, down to his deepest depths. Silver Crow soars above the accelerated world, seeking out enemies to destroy. For his next target, he turns the spearhead of his hatred toward the creators of the ISS kit, the Acceleration Research Society. A berserker no one can control. Before this raging figure, a long avatar stands to block his way. His name: Green Grandé. The absolute defense of the Green King, bearer of the most powerful shield, the Strife, collides fiercely with the madness of the cursed avatar! The conclusion to the Armor of Catastrophe arc!

Volume 9

The Seven-Thousand-Year Prayer

Volume 10

Elements

2046--Haruyuki, member of the reborn Nega Nebulus, is a new Burst Linker. Through hard work, he finally reaches level two--only to find himself with just eight burst points left!! With one wrong move, Haruyuki could lose access to Brain Burst forever...Refusing to take his friend's points, Haruyuki turns to the Accelerated World "bouncer," a mysterious person with the duel avatar Aqua Current. One year later, the Black King, Kuroyukihime, is on a school trip in Okinawa! With nearly all Burst Linkers located in Tokyo, Kuroyukihime assumes she'll have a relaxing vacation...until she's suddenly challenged to a duel! Later, on a seemingly normal day, Haruyuki is issued a challenge...from a player in black, wielding two swords! Dive into Accel World's past in this thrilling short story collection!

Volume 10

Elements

Volume 11

The Carbide Wolf

The Acceleration Research Society, a mysterious organization maneuvering in secret, makes their headquarters at the top of Tokyo Midtown Tower, where the Archangel Metatron is enshrined. This completely invincible Legend-class Enemy guards the Society from all would-be attackers, and so the Seven Kings meet in order to devise some means to defeat the Enemy and the Acceleration Research Society along with it. The secret plan they come up with necessitates that Silver Crow gain a new ability, Theoretical Mirror. Although he's been ordered to obtain this ability--which can withstand even the instant death of Metatron's ultimate laser--abilities require action to trigger their manifestation, in contrast with the way Incarnate techniques are generated through the imagination. Thus, Haruyuki's powerful imagination won't help him this time! While Haruyuki is stumped at how to even begin this difficult task, Ardor Maiden (a.k.a. Utai Shinomiya) begins relating a sad past...

Volume 11

The Carbide Wolf

Volume 12

The Red Crest

A new hotshot Burst Linker appears, taking down Silver Crow. Haruyuki, still struggling to obtain the Theoretical Mirror ability, sees Wolfram Cerberus as a roadblock in his larger quest to become stronger and defeat the Archangel Metatron. He soon meets Chocolat Puppeteer, a duel avatar made out of...chocolate?! With her help, will Silver Crow finally grow into the fighter all seven Legions need to successfully carry out their mission against Metatron?

Volume 12

The Red Crest

Volume 13

Signal Fire at the Water's Edge

Prepare for a full dive! Umesato Junior High's culture festival is just around the corner, and Haruyuki is busy helping his classmates prepare for their exhibit. While everything may appear calm in the real world, however, the Accelerated World is steadily falling into chaos. Magenta Scissors is zeroing in on Silver Crow from an unexpected direction, and even his newfound Optical Conduction ability may not be enough to avert a tragedy!

Volume 13

Signal Fire at the Water's Edge

Volume 14

Archangel of Savage Light

Prepare for a full dive!Sparks have been flying on the Umesato campus ever since Kuroyukihime discovered that Haruyuki invited not one but multiple girls to the exciting school festival. However, when Rin collapses in the real world after Magenta Scissor infects her with an ISS kit, Haruyuki and the others put aside their issues to save their friend! The first step of their plan is to pull off a daring rescue to free Aqua Current, but lying in wait at the Castle's gate is Seiryu, one of the Four Gods...Even if they have Aqua Current on their side, how will they overcome Seiryu's horrifying ability Level Drain?!

Volume 14

Archangel of Savage Light

Volume 15

The End and the Beginning

In the wake of the culture festival, a new challenge awaits Haruyuki in the fifteenth volume of the light novel series from acclaimed author Reki Kawahara!

Volume 15

The End and the Beginning

Volume 16

Snow White's Slumber

After receiving the archangel Metron's blessing, Haruyuki sets off with Takumu, Chiyuri, and Blood Leopard still determined to fulfill his vow to save Nico from imprisonment. When they charge into the Acceleration Research Society's main base, they overcome several obstacles and eventually face off against Black Vise and Argon Array! But the moment they think the true fight is beginning, a mysterious red light descends, heralding the birth of Disaster Armor Mk. 2!!

Volume 16

Snow White's Slumber

Volume 17

Cradle of Stars

Prepare for a full dive! After their battle with the Acceleration Research Society, Kuroyukihime and the other members of Nega Nebulus have finally resolved to face the White Legion, Oscillatory Universe! To have a fighting chance against White Cosmos, Nega Nebulus knows that forming an alliance with the Green Legion is paramount. So after scheduling peace talks with the Green Legion's Master, Green Grandé, Haruyuki travels to their home base, located in the Shibuya Ward. But when he arrives, he discovers that the one awaiting him is none other than...Kuroyukihime in a swimsuit?!

Volume 17

Cradle of Stars

Volume 18

The Black Dual Swordsman

In order to bolster their forces against the White Legion, Nega Nebulus seeks the aid of the Green Legion and travels to their territory to treat with their king, "Green Grande." But just as negotiations were about to begin, they received an unexpected visitor...

Volume 18

The Black Dual Swordsman

Volume 19

Pull of the Dark Nebula

For as long as anyone can remember, Kuroyukihime’s one true goal has always been the same: clear Brain Burst and uncover the truth of the Accelerated World. Hoping to help her realize this goal before her graduation, Haruyuki breaks into the Castle where he is reunited with Graphite Edge and Trilead Tetroxide. It is they who ultimately reveal the truth of The Fluctuating Light—Brain Burst’s best kept secret—to Haruyuki. And with this newfound knowledge, the last piece falls into place for the combined forced of the Black and Red Legions to confront Oscillatory Universe. The final battle draws ever closer!

Volume 19

Pull of the Dark Nebula

Volume 20

The Rivalry of White and Black

The crimes of the Acceleration Research Society are numerous and unforgivable. The White Legion, Oscillatory Universe—suspected to be connected to the Society—will answer for their atrocities. After intense negotiation, Nega Nebulus and Prominence take the final plunge and become one unified Legion to confront White Cosmos and her enigmatic entourage. But Haruyuki can hardly wrap his mind around the increased might of his Legion that has now tripled in size! He’ll need to keep his wits about him, though, because the biggest surprise is yet to come…

Volume 20

The Rivalry of White and Black

Volume 21

The Snow Sprite

The frigid face-off with Oscillatory Universe heats up when a mysterious adversary launches a surprise attack against Nega Nebulus! Silver Crow retreats to the Highest Level with Metatron to try to get ahold of the situation but fails to realize he and Metatron have been followed by Snow Fairy: an F-type avatar of the White Legion who unleashes a strange ability and attempts to sever the link between the two of them! Meanwhile, the other Black Legion members fall victim to a devious trap laid by the White Legion and are put at risk of Unlimited PK! Just how much can Nega Nebulus endure before the ice finally cracks beneath their feet?!

Volume 21

The Snow Sprite

Volume 22

Sun God of Absolute Flame

Despite their grueling battle and narrow victory over Oscillatory Universe, Nega Nebulus was unable to get any hard evidence of the connection between the White Legion and the Acceleration Research Society...or so they thought. Thanks to a key exchange captured by Chocolat Puppeter’s replay card, they’ve got all the proof they need! It’s time to expose the White Legion’s crimes before the entire Accelerated World! Let the fourth meeting of the Seven Kings begin!

Volume 22

Sun God of Absolute Flame

Volume 23

Kuroyukihime's Confession

Prepare for a full dive! At long last, Haruyuki and the others have exposed the White Legion as the villains they are! Sadly, the celebration is short-lived. In a harrowing turn of events, Kuroyukihime and the other kings fall victim to a deadly trap laid by White Cosmos herself! Now at the mercy of every Burst Linker’s worst fear, Unlimited EK, the Legion leaders’ hopes rest with Haruyuki once again-but to save them, he’ll have to triumph against his toughest opponent yet: the Sun God Inti...

Volume 23

Kuroyukihime's Confession

Volume 24

Sword Sage of the Blue Flower

Physical attacks and special abilities mean next to nothing against the overwhelming might of the Sun God Inti. However, its defeat is the key to reaching Snow White, which means the hopes of the six Legions once again rest with Haruyuki and his Lucid Blade. In order to succeed in this death-defying endeavor, he’ll have to hone his skill with the Incarnate weapon. And so, he sets out to master the mysterious Omega style of swordsmanship. His instructor? The third Chrome Disaster: Centaurea Sentry...

Volume 24

Sword Sage of the Blue Flower

Volume 25

Deity of Demise

Following a narrow triumph against the Sun God Inti, Haruyuki and company are immediately faced with a new adversary: The Deity of Demise, Tezcatlipoca, whose appearance heralds the ends of the Accelerated World as they know it. To stand a chance, Haruyuki will once again have to dig deep and discover new reserves of untapped power. At the same time, the battle against White Cosmos and her Legion enters the endgame. As the Burst Linkers fall one by one to these mighty foes, Haruyuki makes his most difficult decision yet...

Volume 25

Deity of Demise

Volume 26

Conqueror of the Sundered Heavens

The Deity of Demise, Tezcatlipoca, has visited pandemonium upon the Accelerated World and driven Haruyuki to withdraw from Nega Nebulus! Parting ways with Kuroyukihime proves difficult, and harder still is surrendering himself to none other than the White King! Now finding himself among the ranks of Oscillatory Universe, Haruyuki pays a visit to Eternal Girls’ Academy, the White Legion headquarters. There, he’ll come face-to-face with the true identities of the Seven Dwarves and undergo a special trial of his own. But given that Haruyuki and Kuroyukihime are no longer connected by the Black Legion, what will become of their bond...?

Volume 26

Conqueror of the Sundered Heavens

Volume 27

New warriors have suddenly appeared on the "Brain Burst 2039" battlefield — the "Drive Linkers.” This marks the beginning of an invasion by the fourth Accelerated World, "Dread Drive 2047." The invaders' vanguard, Eurochion, bested Burst Linkers with overwhelming strength. And amidst the battle, Silver Crow gains new powers! The outcome of this "Inter-World War” may determine the very fate of Brain Burst!