sword art online movie reviews

Filed under:

The third Sword Art Online movie sells out one of the best characters

Sword Art Online Progressive: Scherzo of Deep Night tells a familiar story, but warps the cast

Share this story

• Share this on Facebook
• Share this on Reddit
• Share All sharing options

Share All sharing options for: The third Sword Art Online movie sells out one of the best characters

The 2021 anime film Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night is a master class in the art of crafting an original story out of familiar material while making it simultaneously worthwhile for die-hard fans and accessible to newbies. In the movie, director Ayako Kono and screenwriter Yukito Kizawa retell the first two episodes of the 2012 Sword Art Online anime from a different point of view, revealing some hidden depths about familiar characters for longtime fans without requiring new viewers to know much about the series. But in the film’s direct follow-up — Sword Art Online Progressive: Scherzo of Deep Night , which premiered in the U.S. on Feb. 3 — all that craft seems to have been abandoned.

Set in a virtual reality MMORPG where 10,000 players get trapped and will die if they lose all their hit points or if they try to remove their headsets, Sword Art Online the anime series was adapted from Reki Kawahara’s light novels. In the first season, players in the game are challenged to beat all 100 levels of a medieval-fantasy-esque world if they want to escape the game. Beta tester Kazuto “Kirito” Kirigaya has a clear advantage, but his progress is complicated by other players, including his eventual partner, Asuna Yuuki.

In the anime series, fans know Asuna as a capable, mysterious fencer who aids Kirito on their journey back to the real world. Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night retells the first two episodes of the anime series from her perspective instead of Kirito’s, introducing her as a studious, cheerful middle schooler who enters the Sword Art Online game on a whim to meet with a friend: Misumi Tozawa, an original character first introduced in Aria .

Through their adventures, the writers add significant depth to Asuna, particularly when she parts ways with Misumi under heartbreaking circumstances. So when Aria gets to Asuna and Kirito’s first meeting, it looks much like it did in the TV series. But for those who’ve seen the movie, it feels completely different, given the new context around a character who, early on in the 2012 anime, was basically just “the girl.”

With Scherzo of Deep Night, the audiences get an original though predictable story that does little more than occupy 101 minutes. Although it’s set between episode 2 and 3 of the anime, right after Aria of a Starless Night, the characters in Scherzo of Deep Night feel completely unfamiliar, and not because Kono and Kizawa reveal new things about them. Asuna suffers the worst downgrade. Originally a child lost in an unfamiliar world, dealing with betrayal and digging deep to find the strength to go on, she’s now relegated back to cliche girl status.

Maybe that could have been forgivable if the plot was doing something new and exciting. Instead, it’s literally a repeat from Aria : Players fight through a basic fantasy world to get to the next boss, who’s a little different from what Kirito experienced during the beta. Eventually, they beat him through the power of teamwork.

That’s just not good enough to justify making Asuna loud and obnoxious in Scherzo , especially when she’s obviously crushing on Kirito. She’s also, for some reason, a bit clumsy and easily flustered now, instead of being a graceful athlete. Weirdest of all, the warrior who fought giant monsters and decided in Aria of a Starless Night that dying isn’t the worst thing in the world, as long as it’s on her terms, is suddenly deathly afraid of ghosts . Her new timidity isn’t a cute little character detail thrown in for characterization’s sake — it’s a huge, integral story element that drives a lot of the plot forward.

The plot itself doesn’t contribute much to the overall Sword Art Online story. It doesn’t explore the joys of gaming or the horror the Sword Art Online players are trapped in, like Aria does. Nor does it expand on the franchise’s key characters by forcing them to use their gaming skills in the real world, like the first movie, Sword Art Online The Movie: Ordinal Scale . Scherzo does briefly toy with the idea of Player Killers who, instead of getting out of the game, want to embrace the chaos of their situation and use it as an excuse to literally kill other players, all to feed some sort of psychopathic need. The anime series briefly touched on that idea, and expanding on the concept could have given the film its own fascinating identity by asking the important questions about ethics in ultra-realistic gaming.

But the PK storyline doesn’t really go anywhere. Nor does the welcome return of Misumi Tozawa, which only repeats the lessons learned at the end of Aria of a Starless Night : Misumi isn’t a bad person, but she did a bad thing, and now she’s fighting to help others in order to make up for it. There’s nothing inherently bad about the film’s plot, but it lacks any of the subversion, deconstruction, or expansion of the SAO mythos that made Aria so much fun.

The story does get more exciting during the final boss battle, which is phenomenal because of its breakneck pace and the opponent’s massive size. The boss mechanics feel like they could exist in a real-world game. But with so few surprises along the way, Scherzo of Deep Night feels like an inconsequential pit stop that’s simply designed to set up a possible next SAO movie, without putting in the creative choices that would get fans excited about that possibility.

If Sword Art Online gets a fourth movie, it would be better if it shifted back to Aria ’s approach , and revealed more about the world by focusing on things we haven’t seen before. Another approach might be to follow season 2 of the anime and change the setting from the SAO fantasy game to the VR battle royale shooter Gun Gale Online , expanding that world instead. Either way, these theatrical adventures for SAO are only worth it if they offer something new. Scherzo is just too safe and familiar.

Sword Art Online Progressive: Scherzo of Deep Night is currently playing in limited release in American theaters. Check the movie’s website for details. The first two movies and the Sword Art Online anime are streaming on Crunchyroll.

Spy x Family Code: White fails the mission by serving every fan

Kaiju no. 8 goes from zero-to-100 with a great first episode cliffhanger, yuri on ice movie canceled after 7 years in production.

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Sword Art Online Progressive: Scherzo of Deep Night review – dungeon-crawler drama

The latest outing from the multimedia franchise finds its heroes still trapped inside an RPG, where they learn lessons about cooperation

O nline trolls, squabblers and that scourge of MMORPG, player-killers, come in for a severe ticking-off in the snappily titled second film spin-off of the light novel, manga and TV anime Sword Art Online franchise. This aims to school teen gamers in online etiquette, but goes about it so sententiously it’s enough to send anyone scurrying for the dark web.

Scherzo of Deep Night’s lead pair of avatars, long-tressed fencer Asuna (voiced by Haruka Tomatsu) and big-fringed warrior Kirito (Yoshitsugu Matsuoka), are still trapped inside Sword Art Online, a D&D-style online role-playing game. They are solo adventurers, but find themselves caught up in the rivalry between two guilds that players can sign up to. When Asuna and Kirito get wind that one is planning to lay hands on an artefact that would allow them to wipe the other guild out, upsetting the cooperative spirit of the game, they decide to make a chancy, pre-emptive attack on the boss guarding it.

Other than the overarching moral about online mores, there is precious little ambition here beyond what feels like a clunky and redundant transposition of the videogaming experience. The dungeon-crawling Asuna and Kirito chase special weapons and discuss in-game status effects as if they were the Corleone succession in The Godfather. The battle animation has a fluid, pulse-spurring tempo but, with everything taking place inside the virtual realm, it feels like nothing of consequence is at stake. There are just a few fleeting glimpses of Asuna’s real life, and certainly nothing like the enlightening whirlpool of fantasy and reality in the recent Belle .

Perhaps this works for gamers, or within the context of the larger Sword Art Online mythos, but it seems a painfully rote instalment – a bit like being stuck watching a particularly garrulous and boring YouTube gamer.

• Comics and graphic novels
• Asia Pacific

Most viewed

SAO Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night Is a Beautiful Franchise Addition

Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night, the film reboot of the anime's famous Aincrad arc, breathes new life into the original story.

WARNING: The following contains minor spoilers for Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night, coming to theaters on Dec. 3, as well as brief discussion of suicide and thoughts of self-harm.

Sword Art Online sets out to tell a different version of a familiar story with its new Progressive film series. Fans eagerly await the first movie's release, Aria of a Starless Night , in less than a week. The anticipation is both palpable and well-deserved.

Sword Art Online: Progressive functions as a retelling of the anime's Aincrad arc , the first and one of the most highly praised arcs in the series. This time, the entrapment in a VR death game is told from Asuna's point of view instead of Kirito's. From here, there are all kinds of changes and additions to the story that turn Aria of a Starless Night into a unique and worthwhile watch for any SAO fan.

RELATED: Sword Art Online: Akihiko Kayaba's Bizarre Role in War of Underworld

For the reboot to work , superficial changes wouldn't be enough. A-1 Pictures can't simply recap the original anime's, which was already done through Sword Art Online: Extra Edition . Reanimating scenes from the ground up or updating the computer graphics wouldn't suffice, either. In order to make Sword Art Online: Progressive truly worth the price of admission, the studio had to take the changes much further. Thankfully, it succeeds.

One of the biggest changes in Aria of a Starless Night is making Asuna the main character. When introduced in the virtual reality game world of Aincrad, she's kind, amicable and outgoing. Everything about her runs in contrast to the loner Kirito from the start of the anime. However, Asuna here has no real sense of direction in life. She aims for academic excellence at her mother's behest, but has no idea what to do with it. She's not even that into video games, only entering Sword Art Online on a whim. All of this new information surrounding the now-main-character Asuna informs her decisions and contextualizes her actions. Her unique perspective and personality reframe the Aincrad arc into a whole new story.

RELATED: Who Is the Strongest Character in Sword Art Online – and What Are Their Abilities?

Asuna's inexperience with gaming is especially central to her story in Aria of a Starless Night . When the death game begins, she immediately finds herself in mortal danger because she has no idea how to defend herself. It's only through the help of others that she's given a chance to improve her abilities and stay alive.

The general sense of danger is also enhanced with Asuna as the lead. With a pro gamer like Kirito as the protagonist in the original series, death didn't feel far away, but it didn't feel close, either. For Asuna, an amateur, it's much harder to tell what she can and can't survive because even she isn't sure what she's capable of. The unknowable nature of Asuna's potential adds greater tension whenever she's put in a dangerous situation.

Asuna's need for help from the beginning creates a catalyst to introduce a completely new character to the franchise : Mito. As a hardcore gamer, Mito becomes integral to aiding Asuna when she's starting off and learning new skills. She serves as both a close friend and an instructor to Asuna for most of the movie's runtime.

RELATED: Sword Art Online Progressive Movie Lands a Theatrical Run in the U.S. and Canada

Watching Asuna steadily improve is a fun part of Aria of a Starless Night . When she defeats her first enemy on her own, not only is it a cool-looking scene but her excitement is easy to understand and relate to. It also lets the audience breathe a sigh of relief to see their main character finally improve to a point where the danger isn't immediate against whatever low-level enemy she encounters. Seeing this glimmer of hope in a relatively bleak scenario is a welcome form of reassurance.

Unfortunately, feelings of hope can seem few and far between in this movie. It becomes readily apparent that Asuna does not have what it takes to survive on her own in the harsh, unforgiving world of Sword Art Online . It doesn't help when she overhears people talking about how they've all been trapped in the game for weeks, nearly 2,000 have already died and nobody has even cleared the death game's first floor -- and there are 100 in total that must be cleared to survive and exit the game. All these negative thoughts -- combined with her own lack of direction in life -- lead Asuna to the borderline-suicidal tendencies and thoughts alluded to in the early anime.

RELATED: Sword Art Online Progressive Movie Gets New Trailer, Theme Song

These despairing moments, however, are what make the positive ones more of an enjoyable relief. Sometimes, it's little pleasures like eating cream-covered rye bread or taking a warm bath. Then there are bigger triumphs like defeating a powerful enemy or, as mentioned earlier, learning how to fight from a close friend. Aria of a Starless Night does a good job of making the overarching situation seem hopeless so these moments can shine more brightly through the darkness.

Naturally, some of Asuna's happiest moments come from her interactions with Kirito, who assists her on multiple occasions and provides important moral support when she desperately needs it. He also happens to be responsible for the cream-covered bread and the bath. Having Kirito in this incredibly dangerous virtual world fills Asuna with hope and lets her believe that clearing the game is possible again, and gradually lays the initial points for a potential romance to bloom.

With the new-story requirements fulfilled for the reboot, the nostalgic appeal of Aria of a Starless Night becomes welcome and gratifying. Seeing certain scenes from the anime recreated faithfully from the ground up is an impressive feat, especially by anime standards. Some of these are even shown with different camerawork, or just generally improved upon. There are some shots, for instance, that are still frames in the anime but get fully animated for the movie. Little touches like these will make any diehard SAO fan giddy while also thrilling newcomers.

It's also fun for longtime fans to seek out cameos in the movie. There are obvious, not-really-hidden cameos like Asuna's parents and Silica, but there are some slightly trickier characters to find as well.

RELATED: The Sword Art Online: Progressive Films May Be Contradicting the Light Novels

Generally speaking, Aria of a Starless Night is visually spectacular. The action scenes are beautifully animated, the colors are vibrant, the linework is smooth and the camerawork makes everything clear and cinematic. The updates to the computer graphics also make those from the anime seem almost dated by comparison. It's truly a viewing experience worthy of the big screen.

Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night is a good movie to see in theaters for any fan of the franchise. Since it's a reboot , even those who haven't seen Sword Art Online before can enjoy this film as a standalone work. The characters are well-developed, the story is engaging and the presentation is stunning. If the rest of the Progressive film series is anything like Aria of a Starless Night , the future of Sword Art Online remains bright.

Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night

Original title: Gekijôban Sword Art Online Progressive Hoshi naki yoru no Aria. High school student Asuna struggles to survive with a young swordsman after its revealed that she is trapped inside the game of Sword Art Online, where if your HP drops to zero, your brain will be destroyed in real life.

For more information on the warning signs and prevention of suicide, click here . If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). If you live outside the U.S., click here for a list of international hotlines.

KEEP READING: Is Sword Art Online: Progressive Now a Full-Fledged Movie Franchise?

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

• Upcoming Movies and TV shows
• Trivia & Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
• Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

Movies / TV

No results found.

• What's the Tomatometer®?
• Login/signup

Movies in theaters

• Opening this week
• Top box office
• Coming soon to theaters
• Certified fresh movies

Movies at home

• Fandango at Home
• Netflix streaming
• Prime Video
• Most popular streaming movies
• What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

• Abigail Link to Abigail
• Civil War Link to Civil War
• Arcadian Link to Arcadian

New TV Tonight

• The Sympathizer: Season 1
• Conan O'Brien Must Go: Season 1
• Under the Bridge: Season 1
• The Spiderwick Chronicles: Season 1
• Our Living World: Season 1
• Orlando Bloom: To the Edge: Season 1
• The Circle: Season 6
• Dinner with the Parents: Season 1
• Jane: Season 2

Most Popular TV on RT

• Fallout: Season 1
• Baby Reindeer: Season 1
• Shōgun: Season 1
• Ripley: Season 1
• 3 Body Problem: Season 1
• We Were the Lucky Ones: Season 1
• Sugar: Season 1
• Parasyte: The Grey: Season 1
• Best TV Shows
• Most Popular TV
• TV & Streaming News

Certified fresh pick

• Under the Bridge Link to Under the Bridge
• All-Time Lists
• Binge Guide
• Comics on TV
• Five Favorite Films
• Video Interviews
• Weekend Box Office
• Weekly Ketchup
• What to Watch

All Guy Ritchie Movies Ranked by Tomatometer

All A24 Movies Ranked by Tomatometer

What to Watch: In Theaters and On Streaming

Awards Tour

Renewed and Cancelled TV Shows 2024

Best Moments From The Migration Movie

• Trending on RT
• Rebel Moon: Part Two - The Scargiver
• The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
• Play Movie Trivia

Sword Art Online the Movie: Progressive - Scherzo of Deep Night Reviews

Once you have a grasp of the basic tenets that its world rests on, the awkwardness of the narrative structure is bound to exhaust even the most patient viewers.

Full Review | Jul 24, 2023

This is truly a film for the fans, and if you are up to date with Asuna and Kirito’s story, you won’t just be satisfied with this new entry, Scherzo of Deep Night will also make you incredibly excited for whatever will be coming next.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 23, 2023

The film's uneven narration doesn't build a rapport with the spectator. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Mar 30, 2023

Given that it’s made seemingly exclusively for those of us who are invested in this story, its strange character alterations and sometimes rote story may leave some devoted followers feeling a bit disillusioned.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/10 | Mar 1, 2023

The film is actually quite interesting, and I liked it better than the series.

Full Review | Feb 15, 2023

Audiences get an original though predictable story that does little more than occupy 101 minutes.

Full Review | Feb 9, 2023

Humorless and clunky, for much of Scherzo you'll be desperately hoping for a full-on Leeroy Jenkins moment, just to alleviate the tedium.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Feb 3, 2023

Scherzo of Deep Night is not a bad movie by any means but it probably isn't a movie for anyone other than Sword Art Online fans. Excellent animation and music are bogged down by predictable and wrought-out story beats.

Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | Feb 3, 2023

Visually stunning, but often bland with a weak narrative and lackluster action.

Full Review | Feb 2, 2023

Sword Art Online -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night is a pleasant sequel that fixes some of the issues with the original series while providing enjoyable action scenes and lighter character moments

Full Review | Original Score: 7.5/10 | Feb 2, 2023

With warring guilds and agents of chaos, it's basically all shades of human interaction on the internet, but a lot more fun to watch.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 1, 2023

Perhaps this works for gamers, or within the context of the larger Sword Art Online mythos, but it seems a painfully rote instalment – a bit like being stuck watching a particularly garrulous and boring YouTube gamer.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jan 30, 2023

Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale (2017)

• User Reviews

Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews

• User Ratings
• External Reviews
• Metacritic Reviews
• Full Cast and Crew
• Release Dates
• Official Sites
• Company Credits
• Filming & Production
• Technical Specs
• Plot Summary
• Plot Keywords
• Parents Guide

Did You Know?

• Crazy Credits
• Alternate Versions
• Connections
• Soundtracks

Photo & Video

• Photo Gallery
• Trailers and Videos

Related Items

• External Sites

Related lists from IMDb users

Recently Viewed

Common Sense Media

Movie & TV reviews for parents

• For Parents
• For Educators
• Our Work and Impact

Or browse by category:

• Get the app
• Movie Reviews
• Best Movie Lists
• Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More

Common Sense Selections for Movies

50 Modern Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12

• Best TV Lists
• Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More
• Common Sense Selections for TV
• Video Reviews of TV Shows

Best Kids' Shows on Disney+

Best Kids' TV Shows on Netflix

• Book Reviews
• Best Book Lists
• Common Sense Selections for Books

8 Tips for Getting Kids Hooked on Books

50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12

• Game Reviews
• Best Game Lists

Common Sense Selections for Games

• Video Reviews of Games

Nintendo Switch Games for Family Fun

• Podcast Reviews
• Best Podcast Lists

Common Sense Selections for Podcasts

Parents' Guide to Podcasts

• App Reviews
• Best App Lists

Social Networking for Teens

Gun-Free Action Game Apps

Reviews for AI Apps and Tools

• YouTube Channel Reviews
• YouTube Kids Channels by Topic

Parents' Ultimate Guide to YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids Channels for Gamers

• Preschoolers (2-4)
• Little Kids (5-7)
• Big Kids (8-9)
• Pre-Teens (10-12)
• Teens (13+)
• Screen Time
• Social Media
• Online Safety
• Identity and Community

Explaining the News to Our Kids

• Family Tech Planners
• Digital Skills
• All Articles
• Latino Culture
• Black Voices
• Asian Stories
• Native Narratives
• LGBTQ+ Pride
• Best of Diverse Representation List

Celebrating Black History Month

Movies and TV Shows with Arab Leads

Celebrate Hip-Hop's 50th Anniversary

Sword art online: progressive - aria of a starless night, common sense media reviewers.

Anime spin-off has violence, strong female role models.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

The lead characters display good communication, co

Asuna is a high-achieving teenage girl. She joins

The main characters are all school-age girls and c

Fast-paced fantasy violence takes place in a virtu

A couple of shots feature characters wearing short

English language dubbed version features "ass," "s

The movie is part of a wider franchise that includ

Brief scene with characters drinking in a tavern.

Parents need to know that Sword Art Online: Progressive - Aria of a Starless Night is a big-screen spin-off of the Japanese Sword Art Online anime series with fantasy violence and some language. It is available in English, both dubbed and subtitled, with this review referring to the dubbed version…

Positive Messages

The lead characters display good communication, compassion, courage, curiosity, empathy, integrity, perseverance, and teamwork.

Positive Role Models

Asuna is a high-achieving teenage girl. She joins her friend Misumi in the virtual reality multiplayer game Sword Art Online and gets stuck there. She commits to learning the ways of the game, finds a way to cope with her new reality, and grows to become a leader. Misumi (who goes by Mito in the game) is supportive, friendly, and encouraging. She is a good friend and feels guilty when she fails to protect Asuna. In real life she is a fighting video game champion. Kirito is a teenage boy who saves Asuna from a lethal encounter in the game. He offers to help her with resources and training. He displays empathy and compassion. Video game developer Kayaba creates a game in which users are trapped -- any attempt to leave results in death, and dying in the game results in dying in real life. His motivations are not explained in the movie.

Diverse Representations

The main characters are all school-age girls and could be described as positive role models. Their conversations don't involve romance or crushes, thus avoiding cliche stereotypes -- while one of them is a video game tournament champion. However, some of their posing and clothing could be described as deliberately provocative.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

Fast-paced fantasy violence takes place in a virtual world and follows the video game template. Lots of visual flair but no gore, instead slashes cause digital red wounds. Injuries include monsters being cut on the face and body.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

A couple of shots feature characters wearing short skirts.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

English language dubbed version features "ass," "screwed over," "crap," "bastard," "hell," "BS," "jackass," and "goddamn."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

The movie is part of a wider franchise that includes video games, books, a TV series, and other branded merchandise. Character plays real-life Tekken 7 video game in a tournament and actual footage is shown.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Sword Art Online: Progressive - Aria of a Starless Night is a big-screen spin-off of the Japanese Sword Art Online anime series with fantasy violence and some language. It is available in English, both dubbed and subtitled, with this review referring to the dubbed version. The movie tells the story of teenage girl Asuna (voiced by Cherami Leigh ), one of 10,000 players trapped in a virtual reality game in which if they die in the game, they die in real life. Asuna is a character in the anime TV series and the movie expands her story from the first two episodes. She is a positive female role model and has a good friendship with her school friend and later game mentor, Misumi ( Anairis Quinones ). The movie has lots of fantasy violence, which takes place in the video game and is presented in a way familiar to gamers. Characters and monsters die but there is no blood, just red, digital wounds. The English dub features infrequent language including "ass," "bastard," and "crap." To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Community Reviews

• Parents say
• Kids say (1)

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

In SWORD ART ONLINE: PROGRESSIVE - ARIA OF A STARLESS NIGHT, players of a new virtual reality online game must learn its secrets to survive, for if they die in the game, they die in real life. Non-gamer Asuna (voiced by Cherami Leigh ) relies on her experienced friend Misumi ( Anairis Quinones ) to show her the new virtual world.

Is It Any Good?

A reimagining of the first two episodes of a beloved anime series, this animated adventure will feel familiar to fans of the original TV show but might take flack for its additions and adjustments. But as a thrilling, visually stunning, and breathlessly exciting anime movie on its own terms, Sword Art Online: Progressive - Aria of a Starless Night is a winner. Cinema's video game spin-offs are notoriously bad, missing the point of what made the game so compelling. Anyone who's played an RPG or action adventure game will instantly understand the visual language of Sword Art Online and its most impressive feat is capturing the feeling of being immersed in a great game.

Here Asuna gets her backstory filled in and a friend, Misumi, is invented for the movie. Their friendship is moving without being overly sentimental. Their time together is warm and realistic, with conversations about anything but crushes on boys -- a typical trap writers fall into when putting teen girls together on-screen. Their character growth feels realistic too, and when Asuna meets up with the series' male main character, Kirito (voiced by Bryce Papenbrook ), her previously mysterious demeanor fades as she blossoms. With its soaring music, sizzling visuals, huge stakes, and inspiring lead characters, Sword Art Online: Progressive - Aria of a Starless Night is a recommended anime for series fans and newcomers alike.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the violence in Sword Art Online: Progressive - Aria of a Starless Night . Did the fantasy element and the fact that it was largely bloodless make it less intense? What's the impact of media violence on kids?

What's the difference between watching violence on a screen and experiencing it more directly via a video game? Does exposure to violent movies or video games make kids more aggressive?

Would you describe Asuna as a positive role model ? If so, why? What character strengths and life skills did she demonstrate?

How did the movie compare to the TV or video game series? What's the appeal of movies based on video games?

In the movie, a mirror item strips players of their created character skin and shows their real selves. Thinking about this, how has social media changed how we relate to other people? Should you believe everything people write about themselves online? How can social media be used as a tool to hurt someone?

Movie Details

• In theaters : December 3, 2021
• Cast : Cherami Leigh , Anairis Quinones , Bryce Papenbrook
• Director : Ayako Kawano
• Inclusion Information : Female actors, Queer actors, Black actors
• Studio : Aniplex America
• Genre : Anime
• Topics : Magic and Fantasy , Adventures , Book Characters , Friendship , Great Girl Role Models
• Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
• Run time : 97 minutes
• MPAA rating : NR
• Last updated : August 2, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

Our editors recommend.

Sword Art Online

Summer Wars

Best anime movies, anime tv for teens and tweens, related topics.

• Perseverance
• Magic and Fantasy
• Book Characters
• Great Girl Role Models

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

• What is VPN
• How VPN works
• VPN Protocols
• Pros & Cons of VPN
• Is Using a VPN safe
• Where Are VPNs Illegal
• Who Uses VPNs
• What a VPN Does Not Do
• Can a VPN Be Hacked
• VPN History
• Troubleshooting Guide
• Surfshark VPN
• CyberGhost VPN
• iPhone & iPad
• Disney Plus
• Amazon Prime Video
• Fire TV & Fire TV Stick
• BBC iPlayer
• Black Friday VPN Deals
• NordVPN vs ExpressVPN
• Surfshark vs NordVPN
• NordVPN vs PIA

How to Watch Sword Art Online in Order (With Movies)

The Sci-Fi anime, Sword Art Online, based on the Japanese light novel series written by Reki Kawahara and illustrated by Abec, has become quite popular in the past decade. SAO's story is set in the future and focuses on the protagonist "Kirito" Kirigaya Kazuto and Asuna Yuuki as they play through various virtual reality MMORPG worlds.

The two players are eventually trapped in the virtual world of "Sword Art Online," where they are tasked with clearing all 100 Floors and defeating the final boss to be freed from the game. Sword Art Online's futuristic story is remarkably unique for the anime genre, especially with the twists and turns we witness throughout the series.

Fans looking to watch Sword Art Online can check it out on Crunchyroll , Funimation , Hulu , and Netflix . All four platforms feature the series in the English subbed and dubbed versions. The two Sword Art Online films (Extra Edition and Ordinal Scale) are also available on Crunchyroll and Hulu. Funimation only features the Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale film on its platform.

The Sword Art Online anime series has three seasons and 86 episodes, none of which are fillers. The recommended order of Sword Art Online is its chronological order. 

Check out the full list of Sword Art Online episodes, movies, ONAs, specials, and the chronological order to watch them below:

Release Order

• Season 1: Sword Art Online (2012)
• Season 2: Sword Art Online II (2014)
• Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online (2018)
• Season 3, Part 1: Sword Art Online: Alicization (2018–19)
• Season 3, Part 2: Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld (2019–20)
• Season 3, Part 3: Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld Part 2 (2020)
• Sword Art Online: Extra Edition (2013)
• Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale (2017)
• Sword Art Online Fatal Bullet: The Third Episode – Pilot-ban (2018)
• Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline (2013)
• Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline – Extra Edition (2014)
• Sword Art Online II: Debriefing (2014)
• Sword Art Online II: Sword Art Offline II (2014)
• Sword Art Online Movie: Ordinal Scale – Sword Art Offline (2017)
• Sword Art Online Fatal Bullet: The Third Episode (2018)
• Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online – Refrain (2018)
• Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld Reflection (2018)
• Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld Recap (2020)
• Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night (30th October 2021) ( Movie )

Chronological Order

• Season 1: Sword Art Online
• MOVIE - Sword Art Online: Extra Edition
• Season 2: Sword Art Online II
• Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online
• MOVIE - Sword Art Online Movie: Ordinal Scale
• Season 3, Part 1: Sword Art Online: Alicization
• Season 3, Part 2: Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld
• Season 3, Part 3: Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld 2nd Season

Fans can also watch the anime specials; however, the episodes are either recaps or one-shots that do not fit into the main plotline.

Read Next: How to Watch the Bleach Series in Order (With Movies)

How to Watch One Piece in Order (With Movies)

How to watch free in order (with movies), how to watch overlord in order (with movies), how to watch grisaia in order (with movies), how to watch berserk in order (with movies), how to watch fairy tail in order (with movies).

• Send us a tip!
• Terms and Conditions 
• Privacy and Cookie Policy
• Affiliate Disclosure

© TechNadu 2024. All Rights Reserved.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.

What Sword Art Online Does Better Than Other Isekai

Sword Art Online is an anime series that takes place in various virtual reality video games, with its main characters Kirito and Asuna working together to beat the titular game they find themselves trapped in to earn their freedom. The series is the perfect mix of science fiction and adventure, wonderfully exploring the psychological effects of virtual reality and how video games shape the real world.

While some fans criticize Sword Art Online for its pacing and writing issues throughout the series, there are plenty of things the franchise does better than other similar isekai anime. The series brings its wonderful characters to life in an amazing and fully realized world, which are just a few of the reasons why Sword Art Online is one of the most popular anime of all time .

The 15 Deadliest Death Games In Anime

Sword art online has had a significant cultural impact.

Sword Art Online has enjoyed a long-lasting cultural impact throughout its decade-long run, with even those who aren't big fans of anime being able to recognize the characters and the story's premise. The light novels that the anime series are based on have sold over 30 million copies worldwide, and Sword Art Online 's anime franchise has also enjoyed widespread success.

The franchise has also received theatrical film titles, video game adaptations, and a live-action series has been reportedly sold to Netflix for further development. Sword Art Online 's hero, Kirito, is also one of the most influential shōnen protagonists of all time, making him one of the reasons the isekai subgenre of anime boomed in popularity.

Sword Art Online Offers Thought-Provoking Exploration of VR Technology

10 anime arcs that went on too long & overstayed their welcome.

There are plenty of amazing anime series set in virtual worlds , but few of them offer thought-provoking commentary on virtual reality quite like Sword Art Online . Throughout the series, characters often use the VR technology for multiple reasons, including escapism from their real-world struggles, and some are even able to explore who they are and find their true identity in the virtual settings.

Sword Art Online also manages to blur the lines between reality and its virtual world, using this as a plot device to have players question what is truly real and what will have consequences. It also explores the ethical uses of virtual reality from its very first episode when the creator of Sword Art Online traps its 10,000 players and starts the deadly game Kirito and Asuna must carefully navigate.

Sword Art Online Explores Many Games and Worlds

Sword Art Online made the anime gaming isekai trope skyrocket in popularity, with other video game isekai anime following in its footsteps. Throughout Sword Art Online 's story, Kirito finds himself in a variety of different games and worlds, something that is not often seen in other isekai anime.

These games are also wildly different from each other, with settings varying from medieval fantasy worlds to futuristic sci-fi landscapes, creating a series that never feels like it is rehashing the same plot over again. The series is also not afraid to explore its characters outside their video game lives, with their in-game relationships carrying over into reality, too.

Sword Art Online Has an Exceptional Soundtrack

The musical score of Sword Art Online has received critical acclaim, with even detractors of the series praising its soundtrack . The anime's musical accompaniment is expertly crafted, offering a wide variety and range of musical styles along with high production quality that other isekai anime just aren't typically able to provide.

Sword Art Online 's music is also used at the perfect times during the series, elevating truly emotional moments throughout each episode, whether they're thrilling and intense battles or heartfelt moments between the protagonists. The soundtrack always does a phenomenal job of complementing the storytelling and keeping fans fully immersed in Sword Art Online 's vast world.

Top Tier Animation Quality Elevates Sword Art Online's Story

The animation quality of Sword Art Online often feels like it is on its own level when compared to other isekai anime with similar stories. The visuals are always beautifully executed, whether it's simple character movements or dynamic fight scenes.

Sword Art Online also has some of the best isekai anime character designs , and the attention to detail of each character is well-thought-out and meticulously animated. Best of all, the series remains consistent in its visual quality, with the stunning animation never faltering as the series goes on.

Sword Art Online Offers Real Emotional Impact

While much of Sword Art Online features Kirito's wild adventures in virtual reality, the show often manages to make emotional connections with the viewers amid the action and chaos. Some of Sword Art Online 's most underrated characters enrich the show and its story by providing unparalleled emotional impact.

For example, Konno Yuuki is one of Sword Art Online 's characters in the Sleeping Knights guild, a group of players who spend their time playing virtual reality games to cope with terminal illnesses. Throughout the show, Yuuki is depicted as a lovable and endearing character, and her inevitable death scene is a truly heartbreaking moment in the otherwise action-packed series.

Sword Art Online Has Excellent Worldbuilding

There are plenty of isekai anime with great worldbuilding , and Sword Art Online is definitely one of them. Where Sword Art Online takes its worldbuilding even further is with the meticulous level of detail that goes into its variety of virtual worlds.

Each of Sword Art Online 's different games has realistic game mechanics that make the virtual setting feel realistic and believable, even when the game Kirito and Asuna are playing changes over time. The different worlds also have their own expansive and rich lore that adds to both the story and the series' worldbuilding, an impressive feat for an anime that juggles as many different MMORPG settings as Sword Art Online .

Sword Art Online's Fight Scenes are Epic

10 best sword art online characters, ranked.

The action scenes in Sword Art Online are well-animated, with the fight choreography feeling believable as well as visually stunning. Other isekai anime tend to have less detailed fight scenes — if any — making Sword Art Online the best in class when it comes to epic isekai battles.

The animation is fluid no matter which video game setting the fight takes place in, and Sword Art Online 's battles often come with high emotional stakes and character development, whether the combatants are fighting for revenge or simply to protect the ones they love. This makes the battles in the series feel important and necessary rather than simply added as an afterthought to add some action to an episode.

Sword Art Online's Romantic Plot is Highly Developed

10 best isekai anime villains, ranked.

One of the best parts of Sword Art Online is Kirito and Asuna's relationship , and the series devotes time to showing their budding romance and making it central to the story, something that other isekai anime tend not to do. Kirito and Asuna even find time to get away from the never-ending battles and action to get married and go on a honeymoon in virtual reality, showing the strength of their bond.

Sword Art Online is so dedicated to its romantic plot that it even makes sure to continue it outside of virtual reality. Kirito and Asuna later find each other in reality and find their blossoming romance continuing on as they plan a new life together.

Sword Art Online's Characters Develop with the Series

The cast of Sword Art Online is as large and diverse as its roster of virtual reality games, and the best Sword Art Online characters are shown to experience wonderful growth throughout the series. The backstories and motivations of the characters often demonstrate their growth while also allowing the cast to experience redemption and transformation. Asuna, for example, is often depressed at the beginning of the series, but an encounter with Kirito changes her perspective.

After meeting Kirito, Asuna no longer sees herself as doomed and trapped in a death game. This allows her to become the fierce and valiant fighter Kirito needs by his side. Even Kirito, who starts as a cookie-cutter protagonist, experiences growth in the series as he sees himself changing from a lone wolf to a player who's happy to have others by his side. Forging strong bonds encourages Kirito to break down his walls and allow others like Asuna to see his vulnerability.

Sword Art Online

In the year 2022, thousands of people get trapped in a new virtual MMORPG and the lone wolf player, Kirito, works to escape.

Release Date July 8, 2012

Creator(s) Reki Kawahara

Cast Ai Kayano, Miyuki Sawashiro, Ayana Taketatsu, Haruka Tomatsu, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka

Main Genre Animation

Genres Animation, Action, Adventure

Rating TV-14

Production Company A-1 Pictures, ASCII Mediaworks, Aniplex, Bandai Namco Games, Genco

Number of Episodes 100

• Anime Search
• Seasonal Anime
• Recommendations
• 2024 Challenge
• Fantasy Anime League
• Manga Search
• Manga Store
• Interest Stacks
• Featured Articles
• Episode Videos
• Anime Trailers
• Advertising
• MAL Supporter

Sword Art Online

Alternative titles, information, available at.

Streaming Platforms

• Characters & Staff
• Recommended
• Mixed Feelings
• Not Recommended
• Informative
• Well-written

More Top Anime

• 1 Sousou no Frieren
• 2 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
• 3 Steins;Gate
• 5 Shingeki no Kyojin Season 3 Part 2

More Top Airing Anime

• 1 One Piece
• 2 Hibike! Euphonium 3
• 3 Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! 3
• 4 Yuru Camp△ Season 3
• 5 Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken 3rd Season

More Most Popular Characters

• 1 Lamperouge, Lelouch
• 3 Monkey D., Luffy
• 4 Lawliet, L
• 5 Roronoa, Zoro