Source: AniplexUSA Official Site: swordart-online.net (Japan), SwordArt-OnlineUSA.com (US)
Recently at their panel at Anime Boston, Aniplex of America Inc. announced their release plans for the hit anime series SWORD ART ONLINE (????????????, Soodo Aato Onrain, 2012) in North America: 4 volumes per format, Limited Edition Blu-ray Box Set and Standard Edition DVD. Release dates are as follows: Volume 1 – Aincrad Part 1 - August 13th Volume 2 – Aincrad Part 2 - September 17th Volume 3 – Fairy Dance Part 1 - October 15th Volume 4 – Fairy Dance Part 2 - November 19th All SKUs are available for pre-order and purchase through Right Stuf and Aniplex’s official retailers. Each of the Limited Edition Blu-ray Box Sets will come with tons of bonus materials including Original Soundtrack CD (Vol.1 & 3) or Bonus DVD of English cast interviews (Vol.2 & 4), a deluxe 16 page booklet, illustration pin-ups as well as exclusive collectible card from Bushiroad. In addition, bonus contents on each Blu-ray discs will include audio commentary by creators and Japanese cast, Special Animation “Sword Art OFFline”, and more. The Box Set will also feature an exclusive rigid box illustrated by abec (Original Character Design), and clear BD Cases with double-sided Japanese cover design. Both Blu-ray and DVD will have Japanese and English dialog, English subtitles as well as Spanish subtitles. Limited Edition Box Sets will be available while supplies last. SWORD ART ONLINE Limited Edition Blu-ray Box Set I features: • Video: 16:9 widescreen • Audio: Japanese & English dialogue • Subtitles: English and Spanish (*OP/ED themes and Bonus features have English subtitles only) • Episodes 1-7 (175 min.) • Trailer • 1st Season Textless Opening Exclusive Bonus Materials and Special Packaging • Original Soundtrack CD 1 • Deluxe 16-page booklet • Illustration Pin-ups • Exclusive Collectible Card • Rigid Box illustrated by abec (Original Character Design) • Clear BD cases with double-sided wraps of Japanese Cover Designs SWORD ART ONLINE Standard Edition DVD Vol.1 features: • Video: 16:9 widescreen • Audio: Japanese & English dialogue • Subtitles: English and Spanish (*OP/ED themes and Bonus features have English subtitles only) • Episodes 1-7 (175 min.) • Trailer • 1st Season Textless Opening Exclusive Bonus Materials and Special Packaging • Mini pin-up poster • O-sleeve case • Clear DVD case with double-sided wrap of Japanese Cover Designs SWORD ART ONLINE Limited Edition Blu-ray Box Set 1 Street Date: August 13 SKU #: AOA-2901B UPC: 850527003325 SRP: $112.98 SWORD ART ONLINE Limited Edition Blu-ray Box Set 2 Street Date: September 17 SKU #: AOA-2902B UPC: 850527003349 SRP: $112.98 SWORD ART ONLINE Limited Edition Blu-ray Box Set 3 Street Date: October 15 SKU #: AOA-2903B UPC: 850527003363 SRP: $112.98 SWORD ART ONLINE Limited Edition Blu-ray Box Set 4 Street Date: November 11 SKU #: AOA-2904B UPC: 850527003387 SRP: $112.98 SWORD ART ONLINE DVD Vol. 1 Street Date: August 13 SKU #: AOA-2901D UPC: 850527003332 SRP: $49.98 SWORD ART ONLINE DVD Vol. 2 Street Date: September 17 SKU #: AOA-2902D UPC: 850527003356 SRP: $49.98 SWORD ART ONLINE DVD Vol. 3 Street Date: October 15 SKU #: AOA-2903D UPC: 850527003370 SRP: $49.98 SWORD ART ONLINE DVD Vol. 4 Street Date: November 11 SKU #: AOA-2904D UPC: 850527003387 SRP: $49.98
About SWORD ART ONLINE
"This is a game, but it isn`t something you play." 
--SWORD ART ONLINE Programmer Akihiko Kayaba SWORD ART ONLINE is an anime adaptation of one of the most popular light-novel series (Dengeki Bunko / ASCII MDIA WORKS) written by author Reki Kawahara. The story is set in a not-so-distant future where people are able to play video games more realistically with the emergence of the NerveGear, a virtual reality generating device, which the players wear to stimulate their senses to control their avatars in the world of the game. Kirito is an experienced player who was excited for the release of the new Virtual Reality Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (VRMMORPG), Sword Art Online, a.k.a. SAO. But, when Kirito and all the other players logged on to SAO for the first time, they quickly realized that something was not right. The creator of the game, Akihiko Kayaba, reveals to them that they will not be able to leave the game world unless they defeat the final boss atop a tower that is 100 floors high! To make things worse, Kayaba informs them that if a player dies in the game, he or she will also die in the real world. Now Kirito must fight along with players to defeat the boss and free everyone from Kayaba’s dreadful ploy. Kirito and his friends will soon learn that SWORD ART ONLINE is more than just a game.
About Aniplex of America Inc.
Aniplex of America Inc. (Santa Monica, California) is a subsidiary of Aniplex Inc. (headquartered in Tokyo, Japan), a group of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. and leading provider of anime content and music production and distribution in Japan. Aniplex of America has launched fan-favorite DVD and Blu-Ray releases such as BAKEMONOGATARI, DURARARA!!, PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA, THE GARDEN OF SINNERS and BLUE EXORCIST. The company`s ever-growing line-up of shows includes our most recent titles, SWORD ART ONLINE, MAGI, BLAST OF TEMPEST, OREHURA and VIVIDRED OPERATION.
About Right Stuf
Currently celebrating its 23rd year in business, Right Stuf, Inc. was one of the first players in the U.S. Japanese Animation ("anime") industry, as both an anime producer/distributor and a retailer. Right Stuf works to promote knowledge of its own products, as well as the anime and manga industry, through its online storefront at RightStuf.com and a variety of media including podcasts and special publications.