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

Play trailer

2:07

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

Released Dec 3, 2021

1h 37m

Action

Adventure

Anime

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

5 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

500+ Verified Ratings

Return to the death game where it all began--Sword Art Online. In this new Aincrad Arc by original creator Reki Kawahara, the story is seen through Asuna's eyes. What at first seems like a dream come true quickly becomes a nightmare when newbie gamer Asuna Yuuki learns the only way to escape the virtual world of Aincrad is to beat all 100 levels--but "Game Over" means you die in the real world.

Richard Whittaker

Austin Chronicle

Hardened SAO fans may be fascinated by the tweaks in this remaster, but Aria of a Starless Night just feels like a repackaging.

Dec 9, 2021

Full Review

Marcelo Stiletano

La Nación (Argentina)

... A phenomenon of extraordinary global reach. [Full review in Spanish]

May 18, 2022

Full Review

Tom Cassidy

Common Sense Media

With its soaring music, sizzling visuals, huge stakes, and inspiring lead characters, Sword Art Online: Progressive - Aria of a Starless Night is a recommended anime for series fans and newcomers alike.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 4, 2022

Full Review

Abhishek Srivastava

The Times of India

If you are an anime fan and have no time to watch the series on which this is based, the movie version is well worth the time.

Rated: 3.5/5

Mar 1, 2022

Full Review

Tyler Treese

ComingSoon.net

Aria of a Starless Night is a success at retelling the series' beginning in a way that is approachable while still being rewarding for longtime fans.

Rated: 8/10

Jan 12, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

LesK

i watched the English dub version in a local theater not even 10 miles from my house. it was awesome! stupendous! epic! i loved the hell outta this movie! :D my first ever butt in a theater seat anime movie experience and whew! it rocked! i've been a big fan of the SAO anime franchise for years now. i was very worried i wouldn't get to see Progressive Movie 1 till it got pirated online or ANIPLEX America released the DVD/BR disk. this movie was DEFINITELY worth the 11 something bucks i spent for the ticket.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/12/22

Full Review

Thiago

As an ever loving fan of this series, I found the movie to be amazing. The animation, the story, and the general feel of the movie is very enjoyable. Also cannot forget that unforgettable soundtrack, one of the best in an ocean of fantastic work.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/06/22

Full Review

B

The animation is beautiful! Loved the movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/21/21

Full Review

Nolan

Great retelling of the clearing of the first floor of Aincrad. Improves on what the 1st season lacked: Asuna's background and her and Kirito's relationship. The movie also introduces a new perspective on SAO how normal people would have felt, rather than an already prepared character like Kirito.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/17/21

Full Review

Alex P

Better then the anime

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/17/21

Full Review

Josh

Loved it. Asuna is the star in this, and there was actually a consistency with the show. Minor changes to make sense with the movie but not plot altering changes.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/17/21

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Ayako Kawano

Director

Yoshitsugu Matsuoka

Kirito

Haruka Tomatsu

Asuna

Inori Minase

Mito

Hiroaki Hirata

Kurain

Hiroki Yasumoto

Egiru

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

GREAT PRETENDER razbliuto

%

70%

GREAT PRETENDER razbliuto

Watchlist

TRAILER

for GREAT PRETENDER razbliuto

Baki Hanma vs Kengan Ashura

60%

35%

Baki Hanma vs Kengan Ashura

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Baki Hanma vs Kengan Ashura

Monsters: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation

%

%

Monsters: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation

Watchlist

My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising

92%

98%

My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising

Watchlist

TRAILER

for My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Weekend Box Office Results: Encanto Holds Top Spot and Eyes Pandemic Record

Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Aria of a Starless Night: Trailer 1

2:07

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Return to the death game where it all began--Sword Art Online. In this new Aincrad Arc by original creator Reki Kawahara, the story is seen through Asuna's eyes. What at first seems like a dream come true quickly becomes a nightmare when newbie gamer Asuna Yuuki learns the only way to escape the virtual world of Aincrad is to beat all 100 levels--but "Game Over" means you die in the real world.

Director: Ayako Kawano
Screenwriter: Reki Kawahara, Tomohiko Ito
Distributor: Aniplex / FUNimation Films
Production Co: A-1 Pictures
Genre: Action, Adventure, Anime
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 3, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 24, 2022
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)