Aniplex of America licenses Sword Art Online

[WTK]

via Aniplex of America Industry Panel @ NYCC (http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/26091142)

http://www.crunchyroll.com/sword-art-online | http://www.hulu.com/sword-art-online

Sword Art Online Blu-ray Box Set I: Aincrad Part 1 (http://www.swordart-onlineusa.com/package/bluray01.html)

Release Date: 08/13/13

SRP $112.98
Retail Price $89.98
Spoken Languages: Japanese & English
Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen
Subtitles: English and Spanish (* OP/ED themes and Bonus English subtitles only)

Episodes: Episodes 1-7
Number of Disc: 3 Discs (2 BD discs + 1 CD)
Total Run Time: approx. 175 min.
Rating: 13 UP

Bonus Content
★ Audio Commentary by Creators and Japanese Cast
★ Special Animation "Sword Art Offline" (English subtitles)
★ Original Web Previews
★ Trailer
★ 1st Season Textless Opening

Bonus Materials & Special Package
★ Original Soundtrack CD1
★ 16-page Deluxe Booklet
★ Illustration Pin-ups
★ Exclusive Collectible Card
★ Rigid Box illustrated by abec (Original Character Design)
★ Clear BD Cases with 2-sided Japanese Cover Design

*Bonus Contents & Materials Subject to Change

Sword Art Online Blu-ray Box Set II: Aincrad Part 2 (http://www.swordart-onlineusa.com/package/bluray02.html)

Release Date: 09/17/13

SRP $112.98
Retail Price $89.98
Spoken Languages: Japanese & English
Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen
Subtitles: English and Spanish (* OP/ED themes and Bonus English subtitles only)

Episodes: Episodes 8-14
Number of Disc: 3 Discs (2 BD discs + 1 CD)
Total Run Time: approx. 175 min.
Rating: 13 UP

Bonus Content
★ Audio Commentary by Creators and Japanese Cast
★ Special Animation "Sword Art Offline" (English subtitled)
★ Original Web Previews
★ 1st Season Textless Ending

Bonus Materials & Special Package
★ Bonus DVD: Staff Interview
★ 16-page Deluxe Booklet
★ Illustration Pin-ups
★ Exclusive Collectible Card
★ Rigid Box illustrated by abec (Original Character Design)
★ Clear BD Cases with 2-sided Japanese Cover Design

*Bonus Contents & Materials Subject to Change

Sword Art Online Blu-ray Box III: Fairy Dance Part 1 (http://www.swordart-onlineusa.com/package/bluray03.html)

Release Date: 10/15/13

SRP $112.98
Retail Price $89.98
Spoken Languages: Japanese & English
Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen
Subtitles: English and Spanish (* OP/ED themes and Bonus English subtitles only)

Episodes: Episodes 15-19
Number of Disc: 3 Discs (2 BD discs + 1 CD)
Total Run Time: approx. 125 min.
Rating: 13 UP

Bonus Content
★ Audio Commentary by Creators and Japanese Cast
★ Special Animation "Sword Art Offline" (English subtitled)
★ Original Web Previews
★ 2nd Season Textless Opening

Bonus Materials & Special Package
★ Original Soundtrack CD2
★ 16-page Deluxe Booklet
★ Illustration Pin-ups
★ Exclusive Collectible Card
★ Rigid Box illustrated by abec (Original Character Design)
★ Clear BD Cases with 2-sided Japanese Cover Design

*Bonus Contents & Materials Subject to Change

Sword Art Online Blu-ray Set IV: Fairy Dance 2 (http://www.swordart-onlineusa.com/package/bluray04.html)

Release Date: 11/19/13

SRP $112.98
Retail Price $89.98
Spoken Languages: Japanese & English
Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen
Subtitles: English and Spanish (* OP/ED themes and Bonus English subtitles only)

Episodes: Episodes 20-25
Number of Disc: 3 Discs (2 BD discs + 1 CD)
Total Run Time: approx. 150 min.
Rating: 13 UP

Bonus Content
★ Audio Commentary by Creators and Japanese Cast
★ Special Animation "Sword Art Offline" (English subtitled)
★ Original Web Previews
★ 2nd Season Textless Ending

Bonus Materials & Special Package
★ Bonus DVD: English Cast Interview
★ 16-page Deluxe Booklet
★ Illustration Pin-ups
★ Exclusive Collectible Card
★ Rigid Box illustrated by abec (Original Character Design)
★ Clear BD Cases with 2-sided Japanese Cover Design
★ Bonus Contents & Materials Subject to Change

*Bonus Contents & Materials Subject to Change

Sword Art Online DVD Volume 1: Aincrad Part 1 (http://www.swordart-onlineusa.com/package/index.html)

Release Date: 08/13/13

SRP $49.98
Retail Price $39.98
Spoken Languages: Japanese & English
Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen
Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0
Subtitles: English and Spanish (* OP/ED themes and Bonus English subtitles only)

Episodes: Episodes 1-7
Number of Disc: 2 DVD discs
Total Run Time: approx. 175 min.
Rating: 13 UP

Bonus Content
★ Trailer
★ 1st Season Textless Opening

Bonus Materials & Special Package
★ Mini Pin-up Poster
★ O-Sleeve
★ Clear 3-disc DVD Cases with 2-sided wrap

*Bonus Contents & Materials Subject to Change

Sword Art Online DVD Volume 2: Aincrad Part 2 (http://www.swordart-onlineusa.com/package/index02.html)

Release Date: 09/17/13

SRP $49.98
Retail Price $39.98
Spoken Languages: Japanese & English
Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen
Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0
Subtitles: English and Spanish (* OP/ED themes and Bonus English subtitles only)

Episodes: Episodes 8-14
Number of Disc: 2 DVD discs
Total Run Time: approx. 175 min.
Rating: 13 UP

Bonus Content
★ 1st Season Textless Ending

Bonus Materials & Special Package
★ Mini Pin-up Poster
★ O-Sleeve
★ Clear 3-disc DVD Cases with 2-sided wrap

*Bonus Contents & Materials Subject to Change

Sword Art Online DVD Volume 3: Fairy Dance Part 1 (http://www.swordart-onlineusa.com/package/index03.html)

Release Date: 10/15/13

SRP $49.98
Retail Price $39.98
Spoken Languages: Japanese & English
Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen
Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0
Subtitles: English and Spanish (* OP/ED themes and Bonus English subtitles only)

Episodes: Episodes 15-19
Number of Disc: 2 DVD discs
Total Run Time: approx. 125 min.
Rating: 13 UP

Bonus Content
★ 2nd Season Textless Opening

Bonus Materials & Special Package
★ Mini Pin-up Poster
★ O-Sleeve
★ Clear 3-disc DVD Cases with 2-sided wrap

*Bonus Contents & Materials Subject to Change

Sword Art Online DVD Volume 4: Fairy Dance 2 (http://www.swordart-onlineusa.com/package/index04.html)

Release Date: 11/19/13

SRP Retail Price Spoken Languages: Aspect ratio: Audio: Subtitles:

Episodes: Number of Disc: Total Run Time: Rating:

SRP $49.98
Retail Price $39.98
Spoken Languages: Japanese & English
Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen
Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0
Subtitles: English and Spanish (* OP/ED themes and Bonus English subtitles only)

Episodes: Episodes 20-25
Number of Disc: 2 DVD discs
Total Run Time: approx. 125 min.
Rating: 13 UP

Bonus Content
★ 2nd Season Textless Opening

Bonus Materials & Special Package
★ Mini Pin-up Poster
★ O-Sleeve
★ Clear 3-disc DVD Cases with 2-sided wrap

*Bonus Contents & Materials Subject to Change

[Buckeye]

Everybody knew this was coming, and I hope that they will treat it nicely given what I am expecting them to charge us for buying it.

[MelancholicMariya]

Well I'm definitely, definitely not importing it from Japan now. I figured Aniplex USA would get it anyway, way before the show even aired, but it's not really worth an import at all. Still enjoyable though.

[Rootsofjustice]

Wow... that was a total surprise, said no one ever. Still, I hope they make this worth the price we're going to end up paying for it.

[Damius]

Since they imported the CDs, this is not a surprise.

[FUNiOP]

I've been wondering when they'd get around to announcing this. Now to wait and see how they'll release it, and if I end up liking the series enough to buy it regardless of how they release it. I'd say the overlap should provide a pretty good probability of me buying the eventual product. Weird that they don't have a page for it on their site yet.

[blaizevincent]

I know people are complaining on price alot but as long as this isnt a Gos/FateStayZero type thing then i don't mind. I enjoy the Madoka Magica type LTDs. I don't mind buying the odd show for those prices with over priced packaging etc. Its nice to have something like that on the shelf. I won't be buying this or any of the others if they are $350 per half season

[chrisc1978]

Aniplex USA licensing Sword Art Online, this is the worst licensing news ever. Unless I can buy it for about $120 with an english dub.

I am not sure if I want to keep watching more episodes of Sword Art Online, This news totally ruined my weekend.

[touma]

Originally Posted by Rootsofjustice

Still, I hope they make this worth the price we're going to end up paying for it.

For your sake I sincerely hope that they do not make it worth what I will be paying for it, because I will be paying nothing. Aniplex has never gotten any of my money and it seems unlikely that they ever will.
It makes me sad that they decided to release this themselves instead of selling it to Sentai, or even Funimation.

But this is good news for people who like the type of release that Aniplex does. It is nice, seriously, that more people will get to watch the show.
I am confused about something though. Sword Art Online is not finished on television yet, is it?

[Damius]

Originally Posted by touma

Sword Art Online is not finished on television yet, is it?

Nope, it does have 25 episodes. (And may have more seasons later on - since the novels are still going)