Sword Art Online the Movie: Progressive - Aria of a Starless Night

This movie is completely asuna's story. Main character in this movie is asuna and it extremly suits for me. asuna's point of view is so fresh. It is good points to describe the reason why asuna who don't want to play games decide to play "sword art online". I was moved by this passage "In this world, I can't decide how to live but can decide how to die". It is so cool passage, isn't it ?? I recommend this movie to not only boys but girls too. Because we can get courage by asuna's fighting. I haven't read "progressive series" but I have excited. I want anyone who likesasuna to see this movie. I'm sure you can enjoy it !

-- Disclaimer this is my first review -- ** This review contains no spoilers ** I feel as though Sword Art Online, otherwise known as SAO, has to be one of if not the most controversial anime series ever created. With many praising the anime as incredible, many also refer to it as horrendous, making this anime a topic of many conversations and arguments. Now for the big question, where does this movie sit when belonging to the infamous Sword Art Online series? STORY 8/10: To start things off, the story is taken from the perspective of Asuna Yuuki's experience with the Aincrad Arc (1st arc)who was the main heroine of the SAO series. The story is similar (some scenes and parts are changed) to the original Aincrad Arc so old SAO fans should compare and contrast this movie to the original series. The movie also provides a backstory of her life before SAO and how she got into the game which I found was really interesting. I feel like one thing the movie did right when compared to the original series was avoiding Kirito's useless harem and going straight to developing the plot that the original series should have been. Overall, the movie is good enough to be seen as a substitution for the original Sword Art Online series and would still make sense as an introduction for people who never watched SAO. The movie has also confirmed a sequel in 2022 which would explain the ending and continue the series from there. CHARACTERS 7/10: There are only three main characters so I will describe them each. Asuna - Asuna is the star of the show so we get to see her develop from what she was before SAO and how she matured because of the situations that were presented to her throughout the movie. I believe she took the role of a heroine in this movie well and it was interesting watching her develop as a character throughout the film. Kirito - Kirito played the role of Asuna's ally in this film. There isn't much to say about him besides the fact that he appeared as a cool and mysterious character when shown from Asuna's perspective. Mito - We never get to see characters that solely connect with Asuna in the Aincrad Arc besides Kirito so it's interesting to finally have one that serves as her companion. Mito takes on a mentor/companion role for Asuna and influences her characterization which I found essential for Asuna. Basically Mito served an important role in this film and it wouldn't have been the same without her. The characters felt more realistic and were able to connect with each other and actually share ideal goals and form bonds that served its purpose in this film. SOUND 10/10: The OST for this film was TOP NOTCH. Every scene was paired with an equally fitting background music that was perfect, nothing felt out of place and fit the mood every time. The ending song by LiSA/Ayase was amazing and served as a perfect collaboration between the two of them. The VA's were also amazing with Mito's VA (Inori Minase) being my personal favorite for the film. The soundtrack for the movie is memorable and is definitely worth listening to. ANIMATION 9/10: Another strong quality the film had was the visuals presented throughout the entire movie. Every scene was consistent and there were no noticeable flaws. The fight scenes were appealing and amazing to watch, the art style is pretty good as well. Enjoyment 9/10: Watching this was very enjoyable, probably one of my favorite films I've watched this year. Highly recommended for people who enjoyed the original series or people who want a better replacement for that. Overall 9/10: I believe this is what the Aincrad Arc should have been more like, not some useless arc that revolves around a dumb harem and unimportant side characters but more of a realistic story that actually makes sense. The film is amazing and I definitely recommend it!

MINOR SPOILERS Story - Just watched it earlier here in japan. Story was just not that good it's basically the same as the anime but the main character is Asuna, and there were scenes that we didn't see in the anime. The movie was about 1 hour and 50 mins, and all they could fit was when they defeated the boss located in the 1st floor of the tower. (at least they announced a new movie for next year which I hope will have better writing and more scenes which were not shown in the anime) Art - Amazing. It has a similar art styleto Alicization, the fight scenes were also smooth, and the monsters were also animated well. Sound - Background music is solid. I loved the ending song sang by Lisa. Characters - Character designs were very good and some notable characters in the anime appeared in the movie. Enjoyment - Even though the story is not that good the movie is still good because the art, sound, and characters made it more enjoyable for me.

[SPOILER AHEAD] Sword Art Online: Progressive was absolutely an amazing watch. The beginning of a grand narrative wherein newcomers into the franchise could experience first-hand watching Progressive. Heavily character-focused. From the source material adaptation to Mito's inclusion into the movie, it was phenomenally fulfilling as a fan of the long-running series. This was Asuna Yuuki's movie from start to finish. (INTRO) First of all, witnessing Progressive's events live with the cast in motion was quite the experience as an LN reader of the Progressive series. The voice acting definitely contributed a major part in Aincrad's and each character's suffering tales. A faithful adaptation that it hits marks along withthe newly added character Mito. To be honest, I was skeptical whether A-1 Pictures was able to pull off adapting the 1st SAO Progressive novel in a movie run-time, having a completely original character too added, in which I supposed Mito would be an ignored character. And yet, they impressed me and fully respected the source material. (CHARACTERS) Tozawa Misumi (aka Mito) - my favorite Inori Minase role by far An elite Tekken player, pro gamer moment, and the beginning factor of Asuna's immense character development. Mito's inclusion led SAO fans to wonder how will she serve and contribute in the Progressive series. But within the 1hr and 30min+ time frame, Mito was able to define herself as a key factor in the movie. Mito greatly grew on my in the little time that she had. She served as Asuna's strength and will, all throughout. Mito knowing Asuna's weaknesses, as a beta tester herself and talent in the gaming world, Mito strives to support and aid Asuna on her short-comings both in the real and game world. Their bond was too pure and wholesome, similarly as to Asuna and Yuuki's relationship. It was honestly refreshing seeing Asuna's journey as a character develop with all these people she encounters. Mito is very much respected and an important factor to the Progressive movie. Add to waifu. Love her. Kazuto Kirigaya (aka Kirito) - the Black Swordsman Beater Kirito played a relatively "side" character role, serving as Asuna's second reliable guide after her parting ways with Mito later in the movie. Kirito encounters an almost 1HP Asuna fighting a field boss. One scene from the novels that the TV series did not show, and was one of my most awaited scenes they pulled off in the movie, was Kirito and Asuna's meeting in the dungeon with a fatigued Asuna overkilling a kobold. A classic encounter LN readers are sure not to forget. Funny how almost at the end, the sudden shift of focus was at Kirito's confession as a beta-tester, knowing he played more of a mentor role in the movie. It was an event which greatly established Asuna's current determination and desire to achieve her set goal. (This is part of the "Beater" was where I hope they'd mention in the movie WHY Kirito did confess; tldr from Progressive Vol. 1, because Kirito wanted to shoulder the blame to beta testers and protect Argo, also a beta tester) Asuna Yuuki (aka Asuna) - the Lightning Flash Progressive Asuna is very very different from the Asuna we know of today. Half-hearted viewers of SAO would be confused as to why she is presented as weak and wimpy in Progressive. Note that SAOP served as Asuna's character's starting point and her introduction of the unknown world of games. Despite being uninformed, she does her very hardest, much as to meeting her family's expectations. Asuna is born into a well-off family where they, especially her mother, immediately anticipate Asuna to perform well academically, putting a big strain or collar on her, unable to grasp a sense of freedom. What even more inside a game, where she barely knows anything? Asuna popped off immensely hard in this movie. It was hers from start to finish. Sword Art Online Progressive did an amazing job adapting her real-life struggles interconnecting with her lacking game knowledge. A grand pay-off in the end, seeing her character develop through countless hardships and short-comings. (ADAPTATION) Sword Art Online Progressive finessed SAO's sceneries and framing. Visuals felt more alive and as a fan, seeing these details recreated with care mattered to me and has put a smile and nostalgia on my face. Fans of the Aincrad Arc certainly would rejoice revisiting Floor 1's beginning and end in an expansive manner; ending with Illfang's defeat and Kirito's last hit which has been such an iconic moment etched into fans. The ruthful despair of being unable to log out, a stroll in the Town of Beginnings, nostalgic and banger soundtracks, sound effects of sword skills, and the grand system of Sword Art Online. All of my favorite parts of the volume made it into the movie. Alongside the dorky and clumsy moments by the beloved cast (bread scene, bath scene, Kirito's quirks). I adored how much care A-1 Pictures had put in. And that Argo cameo . . . almost screamed my hats off in the theatre. I legit thought they wouldn't include the rat in the whole movie smh. (FINAL THOUGHTS) It is the best SAO anime adaptation. Even with added original content, it unironically felt more Progressive than ever. A big respect to the source material and cooperation between producers, directors and author Reki. If Progressive Scherzo of Deep Night and future movies of the franchise continue to receive this amount of care like Progressive Aria of a Starless Night had, we SAO fans are in for a real treat I guarantee. Love this film to utter bits