The appeal and reviews of "Sword Art Online -Progressive- Aria of a Starless Night"

Sword Art Online: Progressive - Aria of a Starless Night: The Beginning of a New Adventure

Sword Art Online: Progressive - Aria of a Starless Night (hereafter referred to as SAO Progressive) is an anime film that was released in theaters on October 30, 2021. It is based on a light novel by Reki Kawahara, directed by Ayako Kono, and produced by A-1 Pictures. It is distributed by Aniplex and is a 97-minute long, one-episode film. The film is based on the Sword Art Online: Progressive series of novels and depicts the adventures of Kirito and Asuna from a new perspective.

story

"SAO Progressive" begins with Kirito and Asuna's first encounter against the floor boss. The two fight together and deepen their bond as they acknowledge each other's strengths. The story depicts the process leading up to their challenge on the second floor, and complements parts that were not detailed in the original novel. In particular, Asuna's relationship with Kirito and her own growth are carefully depicted from her perspective.

The climax of the movie is the boss battle on the second floor. Kirito and Asuna are depicted movingly as they take on the boss together with their friends. This battle is an important scene that further strengthens the bond between the two and paves the way for their later adventures.

character

Kirito (Black Swordsman)

• Voice actor: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka
• Character introduction: Kirito is a player of the VRMMORPG "Sword Art Online" and is known as the Black Swordsman. He has a calm and strategic mind and demonstrates outstanding skills in battle. In "SAO Progressive," he grows through his encounter with Asuna and his adventures.

Asuna (Flash)

• Voice actor: Haruka Tomatsu
• Character introduction: Asuna is a player of the VRMMORPG "Sword Art Online" and a female swordsman nicknamed "Flash". She is brave and has a caring heart for her comrades. In "SAO Progressive", her own growth and change are depicted through her encounter and adventure with Kirito.

Other major characters

• Argo: A girl who acts as an informant. She provides important information to Kirito and Asuna.
• Mito: Asuna's friend who continues her adventures with her. She has a bright and positive personality.
• Kibaou: The leader of the guild "Edge", he displays forceful leadership.

Animation and Music

The animation of "SAO Progressive" is a work that shows off the high technical skills of A-1 Pictures. The battle scenes are dynamic, and the characters' expressions and movements are carefully drawn in detail. In particular, the battle scenes between Kirito and Asuna give a sense of the bond and growth between the two characters.

The music is by Yuki Kajiura, whose beautiful melodies liven up the story. In particular, the background music that heightens the tension in the battle scenes and the gentle melody that conveys the bond between the two characters are impressive. The theme song "Yuke" is sung by ReoNa, whose powerful voice enhances the emotional impact of the story.

Evaluation and Impressions

"SAO Progressive" is recommended not only for fans of the original work, but also for those who want to enjoy the world of "Sword Art Online" from a new perspective. The story of Kirito and Asuna's encounter and adventure offers a fresh perspective for fans of the original novel, and has a unique appeal to the film. In addition, the careful depiction of the character growth and bonds is also commendable.

The animation and music are of high quality, making this a visually and aurally satisfying work. In particular, the power of the battle scenes and the detailed expressions of the characters show the technical skill of A-1 Pictures. Yuki Kajiura's music and ReoNa's theme song add excitement to the story and further enhance the moving scenes.

However, some viewers have commented that the film is too faithful to the original novel. While it offers a new perspective, many of the contents are already familiar to fans of the original novel, so some have said that it did not feel as fresh as they had hoped. However, overall, it is a work that enhances the appeal of the original novel while allowing viewers to enjoy the story from a new perspective.

Recommendations and related works

If you enjoyed "SAO Progressive," we also recommend the following titles:

• Sword Art Online series: The original anime series that follows the adventures of Kirito and Asuna. SAO Progressive is its prequel.
• "Sword Art Online Alicization": The story of Kirito's challenge to the new VR world "Underworld". You can enjoy the world of "Sword Art Online" from a different perspective than "SAO Progressive".
• "Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online": A spin-off of "Sword Art Online." Enjoy new characters and a new worldview.

We also recommend the original novel series "Sword Art Online Progressive." You can enjoy the detailed episodes not depicted in the movie and the content that delves deeply into the inner thoughts of the characters.

Conclusion

"Sword Art Online -Progressive- Aria of a Starless Night" is a moving work that depicts the encounter and adventure of Kirito and Asuna from a new perspective. It offers a fresh perspective for fans of the original novel, and allows new viewers to experience the charm of "Sword Art Online". The animation and music are of high quality, making it a work that is both visually and aurally satisfying. Be sure to experience the excitement at the theater.