Source: Electro 89 press release Official Site: sao-movie.net (Japan), sao-movie.net/us (US) Official Twitter: twitter.com/sao_anime The animated TV series SWORD ART ONLINE (????????????, Soodo Aato Onrain) is based on author Reki Kawahara’s light novel (winner of the 15th Dengeki Novel Award Grand Prize) in which the protagonist Kirito fights to survive in the mysterious next-gen VRMMORPG called “Sword Art Online.” Since the first volume of the novel was published in April 2009, the series has proved extremely popular, with cumulative sales exceeding 12.5 million units in Japan and 19 million worldwide, spawning two TV anime adaptations, video games, comic books, and merchandise. In spring 2017, SWORD ART ONLINE THE MOVIE – ORDINAL SCALE – (??? ???????????? -???????????-, Gekijooban Soodo Aato Onrain -Oodinaru Sukeeru-), a brand-new, original story written by Reki Kawahara, is set for theatrical release, much to the anticipation of SAO fans around the world. Recently, at the "Dengeki Bunko Autumn Festival 2016,” an event presented by KADOKAWA Co. Ltd. and ASCII-MediaWorks at Akihabara UDX, an exclusive talk event featuring special guests was held on the main stage. This talk event featured Haruka Tomatsu, who plays the heroine of the series Asuna, as well as Ayana Taketatsu who plays the role of Leafa, Kanae Ito who plays the role of Yui, Rina Hidaka who plays the role of Silica, and Ayahi Takagaki who plays the role of Lisbeth. The star-studded cast lit up the stage, as the venue was brimming with passionate fans, greeting the guests with a very loud cheer. At the event, announcements were made about SWORD ART ONLINE and the upcoming movie which were all well received by the fans. Furthermore, during the quiz segment where guests were tested on their love for SWORD ART ONLINE, they gave quite a few strange answers. Haruka Tomatsu, in her efforts to entertain the audience, purposely answered all of her questions incorrectly resulting in the crowd erupting with laughter to the very end. "DENGEKI BUNKO AUTUMN FESTIVAL 2016" (Presented by: KADOKAWA Co.Ltd. / ASCII-MediaWorks) · Date: Sunday, October 2, 2016 at 15:30 (approximately 40 min.) · Location: Akihabara UDX (4-14-1 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) · Guests: Haruka Tomatsu (Asuna), Ayana Taketatsu (Leafa), Kanae Ito (Yui), Rina Hidaka (Silica), Ayahi Takagaki (Lisbeth) · MC: Kazuma Miki (Dengeki Bunko Editor), Rina Hidaka (Silica / co-MC) Guest Comments Rina Hidaka (Silica): Thank you very much for so many of you to be coming by today. I was honored to be the host this time as well as last, and it was a lot of fun. We gave you a mountain of information, and I would be happy if you look forward to SWORD ART ONLINE THE MOVIE – ORDINAL SCALE –. Ayahi Takagaki (Lisbeth): Thank you very much for today. We showed you the newest visuals from the SWORD ART ONLINE THE MOVIE – ORDINAL SCALE – trailer, but unlike everything in the past, the movie takes place in the real world using Augmented Reality, so it`s fascinating that the locations associated with the movie exist in real life. Please look forward to the world of "SWORD ART ONLINE THE MOVIE. Kanae Ito (Yui): I answered the quiz questions seriously, so I`m happy that I was able to win. The upcoming SWORD ART ONLINE THE MOVIE – ORDINAL SCALE – is based in real life, so I am looking forward to receiving the scripts for the upcoming recording sessions to see how my character Yui will take part. Thank you very much for today. Ayana Taketatsu (Leafa): Thank you very much for stopping by today. I am very happy that we got to give you the newest information about SWORD ART ONLINE THE MOVIE – ORDINAL SCALE –. I am also happy that I seriously did my best to answer the quiz questions, and won wonderful advance-sales tickets as the prize. I would like to go see this move together with everyone. Please look forward to the release of the movie. Haruka Tomatsu (Asuna): Thank you very much for today. We had you watch our newest information, and I think we were able to show you at least a small bit of both the serious and the fun casual scenes. It was also my first time to see the second special informational video today, and it made me look forward to the recording sessions - I can`t wait for them to start. In order to portray the excitement to everyone in the theaters, I will make sure to do my best. I would be grateful if you continued to cheer for SWORD ART ONLINE THE MOVIE – ORDINAL SCALE –. SWORD ART ONLINE THE MOVIE – ORDINAL SCALE – Title Outline The NerveGear, the world’s first dedicated full-dive device developed by the genius programmer, Akihiko Kayaba in 2022... a revolutionary machine that opened up infinite possibilities for the world of VR (Virtual Reality.) 4 years later... A next-generation, wearable multi-device called the Augma has been released to compete with the NerveGear’s successor, the Amusphere. A cutting-edge machine boasting the ability to enhance AR (Augmented Reality) to the maximum, the Augma offers a safe, user-friendly experience, as it can be used while the player is awake, making it an instant hit. Its killer title is an ARMMORPG developed exclusively for the Augma, “Ordinal Scale (a.k.a. OS).” Kirito is about to join Asuna and the others as an Ordinal Scale player, but they’re about to find out that it isn’t all fun and games... New Character Introductions • Yuna: Yuna is an idol in the AR world of Ordinal Scale. If a player encounters her in the game, they can acquire special upgrades. • Eiji: Eiji is a mysterious young swordsman, who is the top ranked player in Ordinal Scale. Kirito and his friends encounter him during gameplay. • Dr. Shigemura: Dr. Shigemura is a developer and an authority on non-invasive BMI (Brain Machine Interface) research. He is also a professor in the Electrical and?Electronic Engineering Department at Toho Technological University. Due to his radical theories on electrical physiology, his peers regard him as a crackpot. About ARMMO-RPG “Ordinal Scale” “Ordinal Scale,” an ARMMO-RPG that was designed exclusively for “Augma.” Following its release, it has become the most discussed game due to its advanced technology. In this game, players can raise their rank by collecting items that appear in various places in the real world and by defeating monsters. This “Ranking System” is the main feature of the game, and in this system, each player’s status is determined by their rank which is indicated by an ordinal number instead of a cardinal number. As the result, high ranking players are given overwhelming power and often rank has become a major factor in deciding the outcome of a PvP battle. About AR (Augmented Reality) Type Information Terminal “Augma” A next-generation, wearable multi-device that looks like a pair of small headphones. In terms of size and portability, it is far superior to the existing VR machine “Amusphere.” Augma doesn’t have a full-dive function, however, its AR function is greatly enhanced to compensate for it. It can transmit visual, audio and tactual sensation data to players while they are awake, thus enabling the users to enjoy fitness and health management like a game. CREDITS Title: SWORD ART ONLINE THE MOVIE – ORDINAL SCALE – Theatrical Release Date: Saturday, February 18, 2017 Nationwide Distributed by Aniplex Inc. STAFF Original story: Reki Kawahara (published by Dengeki Bunko) Original character designs: abec Director: Tomohiko Ito Character design/Chief animation director: Shingo Adachi Monster design: Ryuta Yanagi Prop design: Tomoya Nishiguchi UI design: Satoshi Watsuji Art director: Takayuki Nagashima Art supervision: Yusuke Takeda Art settings: Yoshinori Shiozawa Color Design: Satoshi Hashimoto Concept art: Sotaro Hori Director of Photography: Kentaro Waki CGI director: Ryuta Undo Editing: Shigeru Nishiyama Sound Director: Yoshikazu Iwanami Music: Yuki Kajiura Production: A-1 Pictures Distribution: Aniplex Inc. Produced by: SAO MOVIE Project CAST Kirito (Kazuto Kirigaya): Yoshitsugu Matsuoka Asuna (Asuna Yuuki): Haruka Tomatsu Yui: Kanae Ito Leafa (Suguha Kirigaya): Ayana Taketatsu Silica (Keiko Ayano): Rina Hidaka Lisbeth (Rika Shinozaki): Ayahi Takagaki Sinon (Shino Asada): Miyuki Sawashiro Klein (Ryotaro Tsuboi): Hiroaki Hirata Agil (Andrew Gilbert Mills): Hiroki Yasumoto Akihiko Kayaba: Koichi Yamadera © 2016 Reki Kawahara/Published by KADOKAWA ASCII-MediaWorks/SAO MOVIE Project Advance Tickets for Theaters Nationwide with Special Gift Phase 1 On sale now at all theaters where the movie will be shown Special Price: 1,500 yen per ticket (incl. tax) Special Gift: B2-sized poster of the second key visuals * Regular Walk-up admission: 1,800 yen per ticket * Special gifts are available while supplies last. Once the special gifts are gone, advance tickets will be sold without it. * Phase 2 will be implemented. Phase 2 On Sale: From October 15 Price: 1,500 yen (incl. tax) Special Gift A: A4-sized clear file Special Gift B: B2-sized poster * Regular Walk-up admission: 1,800 yen * You may choose A or B. The gifts will be available while supplies last. Once the special gifts are gone, advance tickets will be sold without it. * Phase 3 will be implemented. Business Participation Information • Lawson (Lawson and its mini-store chain “Loppi”) 1) An advance ticket of an exclusively drawn art with A3-size tapestry Price: 3,660 yen (incl.tax) - pre-order now 2) An advance ticket of an exclusively drawn art with a set of three A4-size clear files Price: 2,580 yen (incl.tax) - pre-order now *Gifts will be available after Saturday, February 11, 2017. • Amazon Regular advance ticket with a B2-sized fabric poster Price: 3,120 yen (incl.tax) - on sale now • Aniplex+ Regular advance ticket with an SD acrylic charm price/sale date TBD Tie-up information • SWORD ART ONLINE THE MOVIE x H.I.S. Promotion date: 5 days in Tokyo, 2/18/2017 ~ 2/22/2017 Contents: *Watch the movie in Japan before its overseas release! Movie viewing with stage greetings *Studio visit to A-1 Pictures, where SAO was created *Invitation to a secret talk event with a special guest, limited to H.I.S. patrons *Original tour pass as a present *Raffle to win an original shikishi sketch of your caricature drawn in SAO style A tour is also being planned for domestic tours in Japan as well!! • SWORD ART ONLINE THE MOVIE x Karaoke-kan Promotion date: part 1 - 11/1/2016 ~ 12/15/2016 *Promotion may end early if all entry forms are used. Promotion at: All Karaoke-kan locations Summary: Winners for wonderful prizes will be chosen from those that order SAO collaboration drinks from their rooms with DAM karaoke machines! Details at: karaokekan-damcp.com SWORD ART ONLINE Blu-ray Disc BOX Release Information Contains the Aincrad arc (all 14 episodes), the Fairy Dance arc (all 11 episodes), and the Extra Edition. Release Date: January 25, 2017 * Limited Edition Bonus: * Package: Newly drawn image by Shingo Adachi, Character Designer and Chief Animation Director * A special visual book * Audio commentary Price: 28,000 yen plus tax SWORD ART ONLINE Song Collection II Information Tracks: Theme songs and character songs from "Phantom Bullet" and "Mother`s Rosario" arcs, and two new songs will be included. Release Date: February 15, 2017 * First Press Bonus: a box with newly drawn art Price: 3,000 yen plus tax

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For more information on SWORD ART ONLINE THE MOVIE – ORDINAL SCALE –, please see the previous coverage here on SciFi Japan:

• SWORD ART ONLINE THE MOVIE – ORDINAL SCALE – Coming Spring 2017