No matter how much the times change, bullied kids aren't going anywhere. And fat junior high school student Haruyuki is one of them. But one day, Haruyuki encounters Kuroyukihime, the most beautiful and elegant girl at school, who gives him a mysterious program: "Brain Burst"...and the secret of the "Accelerated World." He may be at the bottom of the food chain at school, but Haruyuki and his destiny begin to "accelerate" with incredible speed in the virtual realm as he aims for the top!! The manga adaptation of Reki Kawahara's wildly popular Accel World light novel series follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, bringing you a futuristic coming-of-age tale about the potential that lies within all of us!

In the year 2026, a young man by the name of Kazuto Kirigaya beat Sword Art Online, a VRMMORPG that had become a death trap for its players. He would go on to participate in experimental tests of an entirely new full-dive machine. Meanwhile in 2047, a boy named Haruyuki accelerates himself in order to finish his homework just before class. But in the Accelerated World, he detects a strange tremor. Checking the matching list, he notices a most un-Burst-Linker-like name: "Kirito." It's Kirito vs. Silver Crow as two of author Reki Kawahara's protagonists clash across time and space--and that's just the beginning!

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!

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!

Finally, the Red Storm Princess arc reaches its dramatic climax as Haruyuki is faced with the treacherous illusions of Yellow Radio as well as the overwhelming power of the Chrome Disaster armor! Will Silver Crow, Scarlet Rain, and Cyan Pile be able to overcome this deadly onslaught of cunning and strength?

Having won his clash against Cyan Pile--aka Takumu--Haruyuki, along with Kuroyukihime and the reformed Takumu, begins to fight as a member of the newly formed Black Legion, Nega Nebulus. As Kuroyukihime's injuries gradually heal, Haruyuki and Takumu train hard in tag battles so they can support her when she gets out of the hospital. But when Haruyuki gets enough points to go up to Level 2, he makes a grave error and finds himself on the verge of losing all his points forever?! Will he be able to stay in the game? And what about the baptism by Red Storm Princess that awaits him on the other side?! Haruyuki's new fight begins now!!

After meeting Sky Raker and learning about the Incarnate System, Haruyuki manages to defeat the merciless Dusk Taker, Seiji Noumi in real life. After ending Seiji's time in Brain Burst, Haru and friends look toward their next challenge: the Hermes Cord Race!