Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale

Plot

In 2026, the Augma is released as an alternative to the AmuSphere, projecting a game layer onto reality while the player remains conscious. The combat game Ordinal Scale ranks players by ordinal numbers. Asuna, Lisbeth, and Silica encourage Kirito to play after hearing that Aincrad bosses have appeared. Kirito joins Asuna and Klein in a boss fight against Kagachi the Samurai Lord at Akihabara, where the AI idol Yuna appears and grants buffs.

Kirito struggles due to lack of real-world physical strength. Eiji, the second-ranked player, helps defeat the boss; before Asuna delivers the killing blow, Eiji whispers "Switch," a mechanic from SAO. The next night, Asuna joins Klein's group at Yoyogi Park for another boss fight. While she fights the Storm Griffin, Eiji physically attacks Klein and his guild in the real world with superhuman strength.

When Asuna returns, they are gone. The next morning, a girl in a white hood appears to Kirito, mouths something, and points into the distance before vanishing. Asuna theorizes Eiji was a former Knight of the Blood Oath named Nautilus. Yui deduces that boss spawn locations match SAO dungeon maps.

Production

At the Dengeki Bunko Autumn Festival 2015 on October 4, 2015, an animated film adaptation was announced, with the main staff returning from the anime series. The film takes place after Sword Art Online II. On March 13, 2016, the title was revealed as Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale.

The voice cast reprised their roles. The soundtrack, composed by Yuki Kajiura, features 50 tracks including five insert songs performed by Sayaka Kanda. LiSA performed the theme song "Catch the Moment."

Release

The film first hit theaters in Japan, Southeast Asia, and Germany on February 18, 2017. Its U.S. premiere followed on March 1, with a nationwide release on March 9, handled by Eleven Arts and Sony Pictures. Madman Entertainment brought it to Australia and New Zealand on March 9 as well. Aniplex of America screened it in Canada from March 17 to 19.

The English dub debuted at Anime Boston 2017, then got a national rollout on April 22. Anime Limited released it in the UK and Ireland on April 19. Shortly after the world premiere, a leak traced to Malaysia and Singapore appeared online. The Blu-ray and DVD hit Japan on September 27, 2017, and North America on December 19, 2017.

Reception

On its opening weekend, the film ranked No. 1 at the Japanese box office, grossing ¥425 million from 308,376 admissions across 151 theaters. It grossed $1,522,976 in the United States and Canada. In Italy, its first-day box office surpassed Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales and Wonder Woman.

Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% positive rating from 5 critics, with an average score of 7.62/10. Cine Premier's Julio Vélez gave it 4/5, noting the second act focuses on antagonist motives but recovers in an exciting climax. Crunchyroll's Isaac Akers wrote that the film captures the franchise's charms while avoiding its most aggravating faults.

IGN's Alex Osborn gave a mixed-to-positive review, praising the commentary on augmented reality and the musical score. Anime UK News called it a fun romp and a love letter to fans. Anime News Network's Theron Martin commended the pitched battles, cameos, and soundtrack, but noted the plot repeats past narrative beats.

Did You Know?

• Yuna appears as a DLC playable character in Accel World VS. Sword Art Online.
• Eiji makes his video game debut in Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet.
• The Japanese home video release includes a sequel novel titled Sword Art Online: Cordial Chords.