Sword Art Online

[Terumi]

Sword Art Online
ソードアート・オンライン

Escape was impossible until it was cleared; a game over would mean an actual "death".
Without knowing the "truth" of the mysterious next generation MMO, 'Sword Art Online(SAO)', approximately ten thousand users logged in together, opening the curtains to this cruel death battle.
Participating alone in SAO, protagonist Kirito had promptly accepted the "truth" of this MMO.
And in the game world, a gigantic floating castle named 'Aincrad', he distinguished himself as a solo player.
Aiming to clear the game by reaching the highest floor, Kirito riskily continued alone.
Because of a pushy invitation from a female warrior and rapier expert, Asuna, he teamed up with her.
That encounter brought about an opportunity to call out to the fated Kirito.

Cast: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Haruka Tomatsu, Ayana Taketatsu, Kanae Ito

Project: 2 cours
Period: July 2012 - Dec 2012

Original Creator: Reki Kawahara
Original Illustrations: abec
Animation: A-1 Pictures
Director: Tomohiko Ito
Character Design: Shingo Idachi

Credits to Baka-Tsuki, ANN, MAL.

[Terumi]

I thought I reserve this post first before the anime actually airs next year, because chances are I will not be at home often.

My favorite Light Novel, first one that I bought the original copies too. I love the story and characters, I love the fights, I love how the creator tells his story. SAO is quite the embodiment of what I was looking for in Light Novels, a unique world setting with a set of rules, a main protaganist in Kirito, and interaction with the other characters in which the grand plot eventually played out. No doubt, I was in estacy when the anime was announced, and I really cant wait for its arrival next year July for 2 cours.

SAO honors: Kono Raito Noberu ga Sugoi!
#4 - 2011
#1 - 2012

This thread will be used to keep track of new confirmed information such as PVs, interviews, videos etc in the upcoming future. Stay tuned. SAO FTW~

[FL-God]

"AWESOME!" thats the first word come out from my mouth when i see the manga and see it will be airing next year , and there will be a game too, hope they make a good game for this one, since they have good battle system

[Terumi]

Some preview scans, looks pretty nice. Hope Abec works with the animators in this.

[Terumi]

*Not liking animu chara design*
So obvious that the working! drawer is behind the scenes, although it was confirmed long ago.

Kirito looks cool like this:


Not a Takanashi-kun please.

Asuna:


Bring back abec-san please~

[FL-God]

*Not liking animu chara design*
So obvious that the working! drawer is behind the scenes, although it was confirmed long ago.

Kirito looks cool like this:


Not a Takanashi-kun please.

Asuna:


Bring back abec-san please~

wow totally different drawing , its kinda sad when they change the drawer for anime , well hope they not screwed up the story

[orisa]

I don't mind the new art, but I hope Asuna's overly big hand is just a mistake, not a setting. Lul.

[Azuryu]

I must say the anime char designs are too childish and mehhh compare to the LN illustration

Where is my beautiful Asuna ...

However A-1 is a decent studio, so hopefully they could adapt it well

[friedyams]

Well.. this was bound to happen. When a LN gets turned into a anime the quality drops. Its too expensive to animate/hire the artist who drew I'm guessing. Less hope they don't butcher the storyline to hell and the animation stays solid. Since its usually two volumes per 12 episodes. In the case of Sword Art the first volume could equate to the whole series. But Asuna... is suppose to be the most beautiful character in the story so...yeah...

[Terumi]

New scans :







Really, I aint liking the design for Kirito, he's more cool in the LN in terms of his appearance and outer-personality.
Asuna's design is passable, its all up to Tomatsu Haruka and her flawless acting.