Aniplex announced theSword Art Online Progressivelight novel is getting an anime adaptation. The news was revealed after the final episode of theSAO Alicizationanime aired on September 19, with a first key visual featuring Asuna and the floating castle of Aincrad. The key visual was drawn by original character designer and illustrator Abec (also known as Bunbun). Anofficial sitewas opened but no further info was published for now. We don’t know yet if it’ll be a TV anime series or a movie project.TheSword Art Online Progressiveanime reveal trailer is right below.
Sword Art Online Progressiveis an ongoing light novel by Reki Kawahara, started in October 2012. As you already know, the originalSAOstarts with the beginning of Aincrad and how the death game started. However, right from the first volume, a two years timeskip happens, with the action switching to Kirito and how he manages to unexpectedly clear the death game. This is what happens in the firstSAOanime as well. InSAO Progressivehowever, this timeskip doesn’t happen, and you get to see in detail the adventures of Asuna and Kirito as they first meet, decide to become a party and explore the first floors of Aincrad.
SAO Progressiveis extremely slowly paced when it comes to floor progression to the point the story will probably never cover up to Floor 25, let alone Floor 74-75, when the firstSAOvolume takes place. However, it covers both brand new story elements added by Reki Kawahara, and events mentioned inSAObut that we never got to see.
It’s also important to note thatSAOup toAlicizationarc included was originally a web novel, written in the early 2000s by a young and inexperienced Kawahara. While many elements were changed or improved in the Light Novel version, you can still clearly feel that even when watching the anime adaptations. You can easily tell how Kawahara improved over the years by readingAccel World.SAO Progressivealso proves that, and is an awesome story you shouldn’t miss.
Sword Art Online Progressiveis especially good for Kirito x Asuna fans who prefer seeing the story focus on the couple. I personally always found it disappointing howSAOjust keeps adding more girls to the Kirito harem, and then don’t do much with each one of them past their respective arcs.SAO Progressiveis also perfect for those who preferred Aincrad and Sword Art Online itself among all the VR games and worlds featured in theSAOnovel. An anime adaptation ofSAO Progressiveis definitely promising.
Six light novel volumes ofSword Art Online Progressivehave been released so far. Volume 6 released in May 2018, meaning we might get a new one soon too to ride the anime announcement hype. The series is published in the land of freedom and justice byYen Press.
TheSAOAnime official twitter also shared a new key visual celebrating the end of theAlicizationanime adaptation:
SAOEditor Kazuma Miki also announced the launch of a Reki Kawahara Niconico channel:
