Oct. 30, 2021|Japan|97 Min.|Not Rated
Genre: Action;Animation;Fantasy;Science;Fiction
Description: **Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night (2021) – Download in English and Japanese (1080p, 720p)**
**Plot Summary:**
In 2022, Akihiko Kayaba develops a groundbreaking virtual reality massively multiplayer online role-playing game (VRMMORPG) called *Sword Art Online (SAO)*. The game utilizes the NerveGear, a second-generation FullDive device created by Argus, a company led by Kayaba. The NerveGear completely immerses players by redirecting brain signals, allowing them to control their in-game characters solely through their thoughts. The device is equipped with its own power source and a high-frequency electromagnetic microwave transmitter.
On November 6, 2022, 10,000 players log into *SAO* for the first time, only to discover they are unable to leave the game. Kayaba reveals that players must conquer all 100 floors of Aincrad, the game’s massive steel castle, to regain their freedom. If players die in the game or attempt to remove the NerveGear, their brains will be destroyed, resulting in real-life death.
The story follows Asuna, who enters the game alongside her school friend Misumi Tozawa, known as Mito in the game. Initially struggling to adapt to her new reality, Asuna receives help from Mito, a former beta tester. Mito uses her prior knowledge to guide Asuna, helping her level up quickly by defeating monsters in areas unknown to new players. Their bond strengthens as they form a party and continue their journey through the game.
Weeks later, Asuna and Mito set out to battle nepenthes, a plant-based monster in a mountainous region. Mito warns Asuna to avoid attacking nepenthes with a ball on its head, as it will trigger a dangerous smoke attack and provoke an onslaught from nearby plants.
**Note:** This summary is based on the 2021 movie *Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night*, which explores the early events of the *SAO* universe.
Cast director: Masakazu Obara
Cast actor: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Haruka Tomatsu, Inori Minase, Koichi Yamadera, Hiroki Yasumoto, Nobuyuki Hiyama, Rina Hidaka, Ryusei Nakao, Tomokazu Seki
Original name: 劇場版 ソードアート・オンライン-プログレッシブ- 星なき夜のアリア