Sword Art Online

[Madoka Titus]

In the year 2022, the Virtual reality Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (VRMMORPG) Sword Art Online (SAO) is released. With the Nerve Gear, a VR Helmet that stimulates the user's five senses via their brain, players can experience and control their in-game characters with their minds. But an unexpected event occurs on November 6, 2022 when Akihiko Kayaba, the creator of SAO, prevents the players from logging out. Akihiko issues them a challenge; if they wish to be free and log out of the game, they must reached the 100th floor of the game's tower and defeat the final boss. However, should their in-game characters die in the game, so will their bodies in the real world. As the game's 10,000 players try to accept their new deadly predicament, Kirito, a skilled player who tested the beta version of the game, is determined to reach the 100th floor and be free. Along with Asuna, his partner and love interest, and their friends, Kirito and his allies will face many obstacles and discovers the true purpose of SAO. As their adventure continues, they will also participate in other VRMMO games as well.

Genre: fantasy, action, adventure, drama, romance
Themes: game

Sword Art Online (or SAO for short) is a light novel series by Reki Kawahara of Accel World fame. It will be given the anime treatment--directed by Tomohiko Ito (Occult Academy)--and will be brought to us by A-1 Pictures on July 7th. It will be a 24-episode anime, and from what I've read of people talking about it, this is probably the summer anime to beat. We shall see. The fact that Yuki Kajiura (Fate/Zero, Puella Magi Madoka Magica, So Ra No Wo To, etc) is on the helm to give us some earsex once again couldn't hurt.

Anyway, as you can see, unlike Accel World, it has a much more serious and darker premise, and more morbid take on the MMORPG anime trend. Fear of death isn't something one usually feels when playing MMOs, but that is exactly what SAO is going to be about. All emotions suddenly become real as the real world implications is forced upon everyone. I smell a battle royale scenario brewing. However, as I haven't read the LN or the manga, I can't say how this will turn out, but seeing Accel World's developments, looks like we will be in for quite a ride this time.

Here's the PV, featuring the OP song "crossing field" by LiSA (of Angel Beats fame):

Spoiler:

ED song "Yume Sekai" by Haruka Tomatsu (also the VA of the female lead in this show):

Spoiler:

As usual, feel free to discuss the show, manga, and LN here. I'll be making weekly random blurbs and insights about it myself. ^_^ Alrighty, then~

[Cyber Gamer 白血雷電]

Wooow that was interesting just to read. Will be awesome with the Anime!.. I'm kinda into this with virtual immersion now since i'm in 1500 Rome =p (Assassin's Creed)

[Saiyokuro]

Well that looks AWESOME!
definitely going in my plan to watch list on MyAnimeList!
and god i don't think i can wait to watch it.

*clears throat* thank you for posting about this i shall enjoy watching it when i get the chance

[BRKNglassIncarnate]

Just saw the first two minutes of the anime and I fell in love with it already. Sadly, I never read the light novel so I'm pretty much stuck with watching the anime.

[Xernuht]

Baka Tsuki is your friend, Glass.

Anyways, when I first heard of this show, it seemed like a bit of a .hack ripoff, but I thought, "Ah, what the hey, let's try it anyways."

Now, well... is it Friday yet?

[BRKNglassIncarnate]

Needs moar Asuna

[ChaosMuramasa]

Okay, let me get the obvious question out of the way since I'm curious: is it inspired by or similar to the .hack series?

[Nexus_Nocturnal]

Okay, let me get the obvious question out of the way since I'm curious: is it inspired by or similar to the .hack series?

You have it backwards. .hack was inspired by Sword Art Online. It was a novel first and the .hack writer got the idea for an online game that can kill you from this. EDIT: Or I think. I'm trying to find the source I heard this from

But the main character of Sword Art Online is a total Gary Stu.

[Xernuht]

^^^ This is horribly true. I read spoilers, and it is very true.

Still, it'll be a long, hard while before it becomes very apparent, as Ep. 3 has gone out of its way to prove.

Man, the writer really likes to make his heroes hurt, doesn't he?

[Cherub]

Episode three was really depressing and sad. But it was good o.O