It has already been a year since Season 2 of the Japanese anime “Sword Art Online” was shown and fans have been agonizingly waiting for its third season.
Previous reports were saying that the third season of “Sword Art Online” could happen next year but those were already shot down with current information saying that a movie adaptation of the series shall come out in Japanese theaters in the second quarter of 2017.
The movie shall reportedly be titled “Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale” and its cast shall include Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, who shall play Kirito; Haruka Tomatsu, who shall play Azuna; Ayana Taketatsu who shall play Leafa; Kanae Itō, who shall play Yui; Rina Hidaka, who shall play Silica; Ayahi Takagaki, who shall play Lisbeth; Miyuki Sawashiro, who shall play Sinon; Hiroaki Hirata, who shall play Klein; and Kōichi Yamadera, who shall play Akihiko, details Jobs & Hire.
“Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale” will be based on a new story arc written by Reki Kawahara and will revolve around Ordinal Scale, which is said to be the new virtual reality that Kirito and Azuna will be involved in.
A live-action series on Netflix
In addition to the movie adaptation of the anime franchise, there is also the upcoming live-action series that shall come out in Netflix also next year.
The Netflix live-action TV series shall be entirely different from the Japanese anime but it certainly hypes the excitement for Season 3 of “Sword Art Online.”
Reports also have it that the live-action series on Netflix shall focus on American characters while dropping hints on what happened to the Japanese characters as well.
Apparently, Skydance Television, which will be producing the live-action TV series on Netflix, has also acquired the rights for the movie adaptation of “Sword Art Online.”
Skydance Television will bring the live-action TV series in partnership with Kadokawa Corp. “Avatar” script author Laeta Kalogridis will be creating the screenplay.
“Sword Art Online” author Reki Kawahara has given his blessing to the new live-action adaptation. In a recent interview, he said that he is excited with the thought that “Sword Art Online’ will be adapted into a live-action series by the highly respected Skydance Television.
He also took the opportunity to thank everyone involved as well as fans all over the world who have so generously and enthusiastically supported “Sword Art Online.”
Skydance Media is the same network which released “World War Z” and “Grace and Frankie.”
No more Season 3?
Because of the massive “Sword Art Online” projects happening next year, there are now speculations and insinuations saying that there could no longer be a Season 3 of the Japanese anime.
There are even reports saying that the movie “Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale” shall actually serve as the continuation of Season 2 of “Sword Art Online.”
But until the Japanese producers of both the anime and the upcoming movie confirm or deny the reports, everything remains as speculation at this time.
As for the live-action series, it is expected to start streaming on Netflix late next year. There are also speculations that the live-action TV series could also serve as the third season of “Sword Art Online” especially in light of the recent statements of Reki Kawahara expressing his gratitude already to the anime production team as if relinquishing the task already to Skydance Television.
However, some critics find it absurd because that would mean that “Sword Art Online” would move from being an anime to a live-action TV series, which has not happened in the past.
That’s in addition to the fact that the anime version is meant more for the Japanese market while the live-action version is basically for the American market.