Accel World: Infinite Burst

Plot

The film begins with a 40-minute recap of the anime television series, narrated by Kuroyukihime. It then introduces a new character who suffers an accident and is hospitalized.

A territory battle between Nega Nebulus and Great Wall ensues, featuring Sky Raker, Ardor Maiden, Scarlet Rain, and Blood Leopard. Silver Crow and Ash Roller also fight, and Black Lotus and Green Grandee appear as legion leaders. A huge storm destroys the Battle Field and disconnects all Linkers.

Production

Dengeki Bunko announced at their Autumn Festival 2015 event on October 4, 2015, that the light novel series would receive a new anime adaptation with an original story by Kawahara, titled Accel World: Infinite Burst. The staff and cast from the television series returned. Dengeki Bunko Magazine announced in February 2016 that the film would be released in Japanese theaters on July 23, 2016. The theme song, "Plasmic Fire", was performed by KOTOKO × ALTIMA.

Reception

The film placed ninth at the Japanese box office on its opening weekend. Richard Eisenbeis of Biggest In Japan praised it as "a lot of mindless fun" for loyalists up to date on the light novels, but noted its spoiler-heavy narrative shifts and reliance on fan service left him "often lost" as a fan of only the television anime. Andrew Girdwood of Geek Native gave a mixed-to-positive review, calling it a "switch your brain off and watch the pretty pictures" anime that succeeded in summarizing the franchise for newcomers, though he criticized it for adding little new content to the mythos.