Sword Art Online season 1 explained
Sword Art Online is a Japanese science fiction anime television series based on the light novel series of the same title written by Reki Kawahara and illustrated by abec. It was produced by A-1 Pictures and directed by Tomohiko Itō.[1] It is divided into the "Aincrad" and "Fairy Dance" arcs, adapted from volumes 1–4 from the light novels. The story of the first season follows the adventures of Kazuto "Kirito" Kirigaya and Asuna Yuuki, two players who are trapped in the virtual world of "Sword Art Online" (SAO). They are tasked to clear all 100 Floors and defeat the final boss in order to be freed from the game.[2] [3] Three months after the death game, Kazuto discovers that Asuna is being held captive in "Alfheim Online" (ALO), a spiritual successor to SAO, where the players assume the roles of fairies. Kazuto enters the game and allies himself with his sister Suguha "Leafa" Kirigaya to rescue Asuna from captivity.[4]
The season aired from July 8 to December 23, 2012, on Tokyo MX, spanning 25 episodes. It was later broadcast by 12 other stations. Aniplex of America announced that the English dubbed version would air on Adult Swim's Toonami programming block starting on July 28, 2013.[5] The first DVD and Blu-ray Disc volumes were released in Japan on October 24, 2012, and it concluded on June 26, 2013, with all nine volumes containing a bonus episode.[6] [7] [8] In North America, Aniplex of America released the series in four Blu-ray/DVD volumes on August 13, 2013.[9] In Australasia, Madman Entertainment distributed the four volumes in DVD and Blu-ray format.[10] In Europe, Manga Entertainment first released all four volumes on December 16, 2013.[11] [12] A special episode of the anime titled was globally released on December 31, 2013.[13] A second season, titled Sword Art Online II, began airing in July 2014.[14]
Five pieces of theme music were used for the series: two opening themes and three ending themes. For the first 14 episodes, the opening theme song is "Crossing Field" performed by Lisa,[15] and the ending theme is performed by Haruka Tomatsu.[16] The second opening theme, used from episode 15 onwards, is "Innocence" performed by Eir Aoi.[17] While its second ending theme, used from episodes 15 to 24, is "Overfly" performed by Luna Haruna.[18] The third ending theme, "Crossing Field" was used for the final episode. The extra edition's main theme is by Eir Aoi.[19] The original score for the series is composed by Yuki Kajiura. __TOC__
Episodes
Sword Art Online
Sword Art Online: Extra Edition
Sword Art Online: Extra Edition is a special anime episode which was simulcast worldwide on December 31, 2013.[13] In Japan, it was premiered on two broadcast channels: Tokyo MX and BS11. While in other countries, the special was streamed via the Internet on Daisuki and Crunchyroll.[20] The extra edition was directed by Tomohiko Itō and screenplayed by the creator, Reki Kawahara, and Munemasa Nakamoto.[21] It recounts the events of the original Sword Art Online anime, told in retrospect by the series characters and features new footage.[22] [23]
The main theme song is by Eir Aoi.[19] "Crossing Field" by LiSA, "Overfly" by Luna Haruna, and "Innocence" by Eir Aoi are all insert songs.
Home media release
Japanese
Aniplex, in partnership with Sony Music Entertainment Japan, distributed the episodes in nine volumes in DVD and Blu-ray format across Japan.[7] [24] Sword Art Online: Extra Edition was released on April 23, 2014, in DVD and Blu-ray limited editions, including a bonus Sword Art Offline: Extra Edition episode.[25]
Aniplex (Japan, Region 2)Volume | Episodes | DVD and Blu-ray release date |
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| Volume 1 | 1–2 | October 24, 2012 |
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Volume 2[26] | 3–5 | November 21, 2012 |
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Volume 3[27] | 6–8 | December 26, 2012 |
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Volume 4[28] | 9–11 | January 23, 2013 |
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Volume 5[29] | 12–14 | February 27, 2013 |
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Volume 6[30] | 15–16 | March 27, 2013 |
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Volume 7[31] | 17–19 | April 24, 2013 |
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Volume 8[32] | 20–22 | May 22, 2013 |
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Volume 9 | 23–25 | June 26, 2013 |
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English
In North America, Aniplex of America released the series in four DVD and Blu-ray volumes beginning on August 13, 2013. In Australasia, Madman Entertainment released volume one in DVD and Blu-ray on December 18, 2013, and concluded with volume four on March 19, 2014. In Europe, Manga Entertainment began to release the anime on December 16, 2013.[33] Sword Art Online: Extra Edition was licensed by Aniplex of America and released by Blu-ray and DVD in North America on December 23, 2014.[34]
Aniplex of America (North America, Region 1)Volume | Episodes | DVD and Blu-ray release date |
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| Part 1 | 1–7 | August 13, 2013[35] |
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Part 2 | 8–14 | September 17, 2013[36] [37] |
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Part 3 | 15–19 | October 15, 2013[38] [39] |
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Part 4 | 20–25 | November 19, 2013[40] [41] |
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|
Manga Entertainment (Europe, Region 2)Volume | Episodes | DVD and Blu-ray release date |
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| Part 1 | 1–7 | December 16, 2013 |
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Part 2 | 8–14 | January 27, 2014[42] [43] |
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Part 3 | 15–19 | February 24, 2014[44] [45] |
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Part 4 | 20–25 | March 31, 2014[46] [47] |
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|
Madman Entertainment (Australasia, Region 4)Volume | Episodes | DVD and Blu-ray release date |
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| Part 1 | 1–7 | December 18, 2013[48] [49] |
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Part 2 | 8–14 | January 15, 2014[50] [51] |
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Part 3 | 15–19 | February 19, 2014[52] [53] |
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Part 4 | 20–25 | March 19, 2014[54] [55] |
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|
Sword Art Offline
Sword Art Offline is a series of bonus episodes released in their own DVD and Blu-ray volumes in Japan. The show has 10 episodes, including the extra edition.[7] Aniplex of America announced that they will include those episodes in the English version of the volumes with English subtitles.[56]
See also
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Staff and Cast of Sword Art Online. https://web.archive.org/web/20140327172426/http://www.swordart-onlineusa.com/staff/index.html. March 27, 2014. Sword Art Online. Aniplex of America. May 8, 2014. mdy-all.
- Web site: Sword Art Online: Episodes 1–7. https://web.archive.org/web/20140404113110/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/sword-art-online/episodes-1. April 4, 2014. Anime News Network. May 8, 2014. live.
- Web site: Sword Art Online: Episodes 8–14. https://web.archive.org/web/20140405065632/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/sword-art-online/episodes-8. April 5, 2014. Anime News Network. May 8, 2014. live.
- Web site: Sword Art Online: Episodes 15–25. https://web.archive.org/web/20140408143400/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/sword-art-online/episodes-15. April 8, 2014. Anime News Network. May 8, 2014. live.
- Web site: Aniplex USA Confirms Sword Art Online English Dub. https://web.archive.org/web/20140404121010/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-02-22/aniplex-usa-confirms-sword-art-online-english-dub. April 4, 2014. Anime News Network. February 22, 2013. May 8, 2014. live.
- Web site: http://www.swordart-online.net/package/vol9.html. ja:「ソードアート・オンライン」第9巻. "Sword Art Online" Volume 9. Japanese. Sword Art Online. Aniplex. May 10, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140301025437/http://www.swordart-online.net/package/vol9.html. March 1, 2014. live. mdy-all.
- Web site: http://www.aniplex.co.jp/lineup/anime/swordartonline/blu_ray.html. ja:ホーム > 作品 / アニメ > ソードアート・オンライン. Home > Movies / Anime > Sword Art Online (Blu-ray and DVD). Japanese. https://web.archive.org/web/20140512231333/http://www.aniplex.co.jp/lineup/anime/swordartonline/blu_ray.html. May 12, 2014. Aniplex. May 10, 2014. live.
- Web site: http://www.swordart-online.net/package/vol1.html. ja:「ソードアート・オンライン」第1巻. "Sword Art Online" Volume 1. Japanese. Sword Art Online. Aniplex. May 9, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140512221557/http://www.swordart-online.net/package/vol1.html. May 12, 2014. live. mdy-all.
- Web site: Sword Art Online DVD Volume 1: Aincrad Part 1. https://web.archive.org/web/20140512222217/http://www.swordart-onlineusa.com/package/index.html. May 12, 2014. Sword Art Online. Aniplex of America. May 9, 2014. live.
- Web site: Volumes of Sword Art Online. https://web.archive.org/web/20140513010759/http://www.madman.com.au/series/view/17410/sword-art-online. May 13, 2014. Madman Entertainment. May 9, 2014. live.
- Web site: Sword Art Online Part 1 (Episodes 1–7) [DVD]]. Amazon UK . 9 May 2014.
- Web site: Sword Art Online Part 1 (Episodes 1–7) Blu-ray/DVD Double Play. Amazon UK . 9 May 2014.
- Web site: Crunchyroll to Simulcast "Sword Art Online: Extra Edition" on Dec/31. https://web.archive.org/web/20131227234520/http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2013/12/27-1/crunchyroll-to-simulcast-sword-art-online-extra-edition-on-dec31. December 27, 2013. Crunchyroll. November 13, 2013. December 27, 2013. live.
- Web site: "Sword Art Online II" Anime Coming in July?. https://web.archive.org/web/20140527024559/http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/03/14/sword-art-online-ii-anime-coming-in-july. May 27, 2014. Green, Scott. Crunchyroll. March 14, 2014. May 8, 2014. live.
- Web site: LiSA to Sing Sword Art Online Anime's Opening. https://web.archive.org/web/20131004131627/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-06-07/lisa-to-sing-sword-art-online-anime-opening. October 4, 2013. Anime News Network. June 7, 2011. June 19, 2012. live.
- Web site: Haruka Tomatsu to Perform Sword Art Online Ending Theme Song. https://web.archive.org/web/20131004124502/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-05-27/haruka-tomatsu-to-perform-sword-art-online-ending-theme-song. October 4, 2013. Anime News Network. May 27, 2011. June 16, 2012. live.
- Web site: "Sword Art Online" and "Fate/zero" Singer Eir Aoi's First Album Offered Digitally. https://web.archive.org/web/20140512215911/http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2013/01/30/sword-art-online-and-fatezero-singer-eir-aois-first-album-offered-digitally. May 12, 2014. Green, Scott. Crunchyroll. January 31, 2013. May 8, 2014. live.
- Web site: Sword Art Onlines 2nd Season Ending Sung by Luna Haruna. https://web.archive.org/web/20131112055740/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-08-25/sword-art-online-2nd-season-ending-sung-by-luna-haruna. November 12, 2013. Anime News Network. August 25, 2011. October 8, 2012. live.
- Web site: Eir Aoi Sings Sword Art Online: Extra Editions Theme Song. https://web.archive.org/web/20140407222414/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-11-12/eir-aoi-sings-sword-art-online/extra-edition-theme-song. April 7, 2014. Anime News Network. November 12, 2013. November 13, 2013. live.
- Web site: Sword Art Online: Extra Edition Set to Stream Worldwide. Anime News Network. November 11, 2013. May 12, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140208160132/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2013-11-11/sword-art-online-extra-edition-set-to-stream-worldwide. February 8, 2014. live. mdy-all.
- Web site: Staff and Cast of Sword Art Online: Extra Edition. Japanese. Sword Art Online. Aniplex. May 13, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140513141159/http://www.swordart-online.net/extra/staff/. May 13, 2014. live. mdy-all.
- Web site: Sword Art Online Extra Edition to Air With New Footage. Anime News Network. August 12, 2013. December 31, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131004085421/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-08-12/sword-art-online-extra-edition-to-air-with-new-footage. October 4, 2013. live. mdy-all.
- Web site: Sword Art Online: Extra Edition Special Key Visual, Story Revealed. Anime News Network. October 6, 2013. May 22, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140412232414/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-10-06/sword-art-online/extra-edition-special-key-visual-story-revealed. April 12, 2014. live. mdy-all.
- Web site: ソードアート・オンライン 9 (Blu-ray)【完全生産限定版】. Sword Art Online 9 (Blu-ray) [Limited Edition]. Japanese. https://web.archive.org/web/20140512230758/http://www.sonymusicshop.jp/m/item/itemShw.php?cd=ANZX-6617&lay=ANX. May 12, 2014. Sony Music Entertainment Japan. May 10, 2014. live.
- Web site: 「ソードアート・オンライン Extra Edition」. Japanese. Sword Art Online Extra Edition. https://web.archive.org/web/20140512221139/http://www.swordart-online.net/package/index.html. May 12, 2014. Sword Art Online. Aniplex. May 10, 2014. live.
- Web site: http://www.swordart-online.net/package/vol2.html. ja:「ソードアート・オンライン」第2巻. "Sword Art Online" Volume 2. Japanese. Sword Art Online. Aniplex. May 9, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140512221140/http://www.swordart-online.net/package/vol2.html. May 12, 2014. live. mdy-all.
- Web site: http://www.swordart-online.net/package/vol3.html. ja:「ソードアート・オンライン」第3巻. "Sword Art Online" Volume 3. Japanese. Sword Art Online. Aniplex. May 9, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140512224859/http://www.swordart-online.net/package/vol3.html. May 12, 2014. live. mdy-all.
- Web site: http://www.swordart-online.net/package/vol4.html. ja:「ソードアート・オンライン」第4巻. "Sword Art Online" Volume 4. Japanese. Sword Art Online. Aniplex. May 9, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140512222257/http://www.swordart-online.net/package/vol4.html. May 12, 2014. live. mdy-all.
- Web site: http://www.swordart-online.net/package/vol5.html. ja:「ソードアート・オンライン」第5巻. "Sword Art Online", Volume 5. Japanese. Sword Art Online. Aniplex. May 9, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140512224310/http://www.swordart-online.net/package/vol5.html. May 12, 2014. live. mdy-all.
- Web site: http://www.swordart-online.net/package/vol6.html. ja:「ソードアート・オンライン」第6巻. "Sword Art Online", Volume 6. Japanese. Sword Art Online. Aniplex. May 9, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140512224629/http://www.swordart-online.net/package/vol6.html. May 12, 2014. live. mdy-all.
- Web site: http://www.swordart-online.net/package/vol7.html. ja:「ソードアート・オンライン」第7巻. "Sword Art Online" Volume 7. Japanese. Sword Art Online. Aniplex. May 10, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140512221943/http://www.swordart-online.net/package/vol7.html. May 12, 2014. live. mdy-all.
- Web site: http://www.swordart-online.net/package/vol8.html. ja:「ソードアート・オンライン」第8巻. "Sword Art Online" Volume 8. Japanese. Sword Art Online. Aniplex. May 10, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140512222640/http://www.swordart-online.net/package/vol8.html. May 12, 2014. live. mdy-all.
- Web site: Manga To Release Sword Art Online Blu-ray and DVD in December. Anime News Network. May 9, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20131004140341/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-08-03/manga-to-release-sword-art-online-blu-ray-and-dvd-in-december. October 4, 2013. live. mdy-all.
- Web site: Aniplex USA Adds Sword Art Online: Extra Edition, Silver Spoon 2 on Home Video. Anime News Network. September 27, 2014. January 25, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150120204012/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-09-27/aniplex-usa-adds-sword-art-online-extra-edition-silver-spoon-2-on-home-video/.79276. January 20, 2015. live. mdy-all.
- Web site: Sword Art Online Blu-ray Box Set I: Aincrad Part 1. https://web.archive.org/web/20140512231012/http://www.swordart-onlineusa.com/package/bluray01.html. May 12, 2014. Sword Art Online. Aniplex of America. May 9, 2014. live.
- Web site: Sword Art Online DVD Volume 2: Aincrad Part 2. https://web.archive.org/web/20140512215700/http://www.swordart-onlineusa.com/package/index02.html. May 12, 2014. Sword Art Online. Aniplex of America. May 9, 2014. live.
- Web site: Sword Art Online Blu-ray Box Set II: Aincrad Part 2. https://web.archive.org/web/20140512231011/http://www.swordart-onlineusa.com/package/bluray02.html. May 12, 2014. Sword Art Online. Aniplex of America. May 9, 2014. live.
- Web site: Sword Art Online DVD Volume 3: Fairy Dance Part 1. https://web.archive.org/web/20140512222933/http://www.swordart-onlineusa.com/package/index03.html. May 12, 2014. Sword Art Online. Aniplex of America. May 9, 2014. live.
- Web site: Sword Art Online Blu-ray Box III: Fairy Dance Part 1. https://web.archive.org/web/20140512221033/http://www.swordart-onlineusa.com/package/bluray03.html. May 12, 2014. Sword Art Online. Aniplex of America. May 9, 2014. live.
- Web site: Sword Art Online DVD Volume 4: Fairy Dance 2. https://web.archive.org/web/20140512214824/http://www.swordart-onlineusa.com/package/index04.html. May 12, 2014. Sword Art Online. Aniplex of America. May 9, 2014. live.
- Web site: Sword Art Online Blu-ray Set IV: Fairy Dance 2. https://web.archive.org/web/20140512231315/http://www.swordart-onlineusa.com/package/bluray04.html. May 12, 2014. Sword Art Online. Aniplex of America. May 9, 2014. live.
- Web site: Sword Art Online Part 2 (Episodes 8–14) [DVD]]. Amazon UK . January 27, 2014. 9 May 2014.
- Web site: Sword Art Online Part 2 (Episodes 8–14) Blu-ray/DVD Double Play. Amazon UK . January 27, 2014. 9 May 2014.
- Web site: Sword Art Online Part 3 (Episodes 15–19) [DVD]]. Amazon UK . February 24, 2014. 9 May 2014.
- Web site: Sword Art Online Part 3 (Episodes 15–19) Blu-ray/DVD Double Play. Amazon UK . February 24, 2014. 9 May 2014.
- Web site: Sword Art Online Part 4 (Episodes 20–25) [DVD]]. Amazon UK . March 31, 2014. 9 May 2014.
- Web site: Sword Art Online Part 4 (Episodes 20–25) Blu-ray/DVD Double Play. Amazon UK . 9 May 2014.
- Web site: Sword Art Online Vol. 1 Aincrad Part 1 (Eps. 1–7). https://web.archive.org/web/20140512221920/http://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/19467/sword-art-online-vol-1-aincrad-part-1-eps-17. May 12, 2014. Madman Entertainment. May 9, 2014. live.
- Web site: Sword Art Online Vol. 1 Aincrad Part 1 (Eps. 1–7) (Blu-ray). https://web.archive.org/web/20140512220552/http://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/20968/sword-art-online-vol-1-aincrad-part-1-eps-17-bluray. May 12, 2014. Madman Entertainment. May 9, 2014. live.
- Web site: Sword Art Online Vol. 2 Aincrad Part 2 (Eps. 8–14). https://web.archive.org/web/20140512222950/http://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/20973/sword-art-online-vol-2-aincrad-part-2-eps-814. May 12, 2014. Madman Entertainment. May 9, 2014. live.
- Web site: Sword Art Online Vol. 2 Aincrad Part 2 (Eps. 8–14) (Blu-ray). https://web.archive.org/web/20140512222622/http://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/20974/sword-art-online-vol-2-aincrad-part-2-eps-814-bluray. May 12, 2014. Madman Entertainment. May 9, 2014. live.
- Web site: Sword Art Online Vol. 3 Fairy Dance Part 1 (Eps. 15–19). https://web.archive.org/web/20140331152751/http://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/21636/sword-art-online-vol-3-fairy-dance-part-1-eps-1519. March 31, 2014. Madman Entertainment. May 9, 2014. live.
- Web site: Sword Art Online Vol. 3 Fairy Dance Part 1 (Eps. 15–19) (Blu-ray). https://web.archive.org/web/20140512214028/http://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/21635/sword-art-online-vol-3-fairy-dance-part-1-eps-1519-bluray. May 12, 2014. Madman Entertainment. May 9, 2014. live.
- Web site: Sword Art Online Vol. 4 Fairy Dance Part 2 (Eps. 20–25). https://web.archive.org/web/20140513011041/http://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/21637/sword-art-online-vol-4-fairy-dance-part-2-eps-2025. May 13, 2014. Madman Entertainment. May 9, 2014. live.
- Web site: Sword Art Online Vol. 4 Fairy Dance Part 2 (Eps. 20–25) (Blu-ray). https://web.archive.org/web/20140512222235/http://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/21638/sword-art-online-vol-4-fairy-dance-part-2-eps-2025-bluray. May 12, 2014. Madman Entertainment. May 9, 2014. live.
- Web site: Aniplex to Release the Hit Anime Series Sword Art Online in a Limited Edition Blu-ray and DVD Sets. Aniplex of America. PDF. May 24, 2013. May 8, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140703130010/http://www.aniplexusa.com/pdf/PRSwordArtReleaseAnnouncementFinal.pdf. July 3, 2014. live. mdy-all.