Sword Art Online-The Movie-Ordinal Scale (First Press) [Blu-Ray] [Import]

I've said it before, but I'll say it again: 'Sword Art Online' is one of the best anime series I've personally ever seen. What started as a random buy on Amazon became the single most important addition to my DVD collection. I was so awestruck by its characters, action sequences and genuine heartfelt emotion that it inspired me to begin writing reviews. Since then, I've analysed the first two seasons across eight separate DVDs - sometimes spending months on each to get them just right. I would have reviewed the 'Extra Edition' as well, but the English Dub has never been released as a single DVD (to my knowledge). A lot of people think SAO is overrated, and I will admit it's had its low points over the years (*cough* 'Alfhiem' arc), but it's still a modern classic and is quite popular with blind reactors. While it did take some time for a third season to be produced, we got the next best thing in 2017: a feature-length movie. So now that SAO has transitioned to the big screen will it prove it's worthy of that honour? Or does the game get boring the more times you play? Let's start with the story.Taking place four years after the initial SAO incident, a new device has hit the Japanese market called the Augma; a tool which allows the wearer to access Augmented Reality (AR). Unlike the well-established NerveGear and AmuSphere rigs, the Augma is fully portable and enables the user to remain conscious while playing. As expected the device is an instant success, and many hardcore gamers have taken to using it. Including, Asuna Yuuki, Lisbeth, Silica and many of their other friends. One person who's late to this new trend, however, is Kirito, who's become so used to VR games that AR is a bit off-putting. After being convinced to try it by his friends, he joins them in playing 'Ordinal Scale' - the most popular game on the server. However, as is always the case, the game isn't what it appears. And when former SAO survivors begin losing their memories, it's up to Kirito and his friends to find out who's behind it and what the stolen memories are for.One thing that stood out to me in this movie was just how much the Augma has been implemented into everyday life. It's not just a gaming tool. People use it while exercising, to monitor their health, and as a form of communication. On top of that, the system offers real-world discounts and rewards based on how much you play and what your overall rank is. Because of this, people are literally playing 'Ordinal Scale' all the time, and in some cases, the authorities close off whole areas of the city just because there's an in-game event taking place there. You could say it's a social commentary on how technology and gaming are slowly dominating our lives, and how too much of it can be dangerous. The scary thing is, we actually have something like 'Ordinal Scale' in real-life already; a game where you have to go to certain areas at specific times of day and do things to be rewarded. Ever hear of 'Pokemon Go'? On that note, this movie also contains several hidden references to other well-known gaming and technology companies; like Sony, SEGA and VAIO. There are even some not-so-subtle references, which emphasise just how much gaming has advanced since the days of arcades. One of the very first scenes with our main characters actually has them playing a virtual game of Pac-Man.Outside the technology aspect, though, there's a heavy message on the importance of memories. Sword Art Online was a game where players were trapped in a virtual world for two years, and death in the game meant death in real life. The survivors made both good and bad memories there, but even the most horrific ones are what shaped them into the people they are today. If we choose to reject our past, or completely forget about it, then we lose an essential part of our being, and it can have dire consequences on our relationships - both with people and reality itself. This is what motivates many of the characters' actions - particularly the antagonists', which I'll get to in a moment. Additionally, there's an emphasis on why it's important to remember the people who died in tragic events, not just the survivors who seem more significant.But with all that said, let's get into the bulk of this review. Because 'Ordinal Scale' is without a doubt a character-driven movie. And at its core, are two players we've come to love since the very beginning; boy- and girlfriend, Kauzuto Kirigaya (Kirito) and Asuna Yuuki.Starting with Kirito, he plays one of his most intriguing roles in the franchise to date. A common complaint about his character is that he's too overpowered; no matter what virtual game he enters, he always finds a way to become the best player quickly and defeat all the experts who've been playing for much longer. In 'Ordinal Scale' that's not the case. Although he's been given an Augma to test, like the other SAO survivors, he doesn't use it very often because he prefers escaping into a different world, rather than actual reality being altered around him. He's even a bit cynical towards his friends for using the Augma all the time - even though he once devoted his entire life to gaming before the events of the first season. Also, boss raids work very differently in AR, given they take place in real-world environments, with real physics - if you run or get hit in 'Ordinal Scale', then it's your real body taking damage. As such, Kirito isn't as fast or skilled with a sword as he used to be. It doesn't bother him too much. But seeing him in this disadvantaged state, especially when all his friends are experts at AR, isn't something we're used to. It really shows how difficult change can be to a traditionalist, and how hard Kirto has to fight when it really matters to him. For example, there's this montage building towards the climax where he has to force himself to get better at the game by going through multiple boss raids in a row. His life isn't on the line or anything. But given he could lose his memories, and how much of an amateur he is, it's still pretty intense to watch. Plus, we get to see him work his way up to becoming the best player - rather than it just spontaneously happening. It's a much more rewarding experience for his character.Then there's Asuna. She's honestly the reason I love this franchise so much. I know Kirito is meant to be the main lead of the series, but I always find myself more attracted to the females in anime to see if they can support the story as well as their male counterparts. And Asuna certainly does. Not only is she Kirito's equal in terms of strength, but in many ways, she's superior to him. She's a powerful leader from her time in SAO, is capable of directing boss raids - even with people she's never met - and is just as skilled with a sword as her boyfriend. Also, she has a very selfless personality and isn't afraid to stand up for her beliefs. Knowing how great she can be, I always have high expectations for Asuna. Which is why I hated her portrayal in 'Alfhiem' but adored her role in 'Mother's Rosario'. Fortunately, this movie knows just how valuable Asuna is. For the most part, she shares the same amount of screentime as Kirito; displaying her sword skills and what she gets up to in her personal life. There is a part where she begins losing her memories of SAO, and it affects her health and mentality to some degree. But she's never made helpless because of it. She doesn't forget Kirito or how she feels about him; she maintains her love for him and is still willing to fight despite her condition. I was so afraid she was going to be left out of the final battle. But no. She decides she can't let her friends take all the risks and jumps right in to help them. If this franchise were solely about Asuna, it would still be a success.The only thing arguably better than Asuna herself is her relationship with Kirito. No matter what happens, the franchise never forgets to show us their progress as a couple. And 'Ordinal Scale' is no exception. For one thing, we regularly see them spending time alone together; discussing how they're going to move forward. Asuna's mother actually wants to meet Kirito in person sometime. Which is saying a lot, considering how disapproving she was of her daughter's relationship with him before ('Mother's Rosario'). Kirito also visits Asuna's house for the first time, and by the end of the movie, it seems like they've actually decided to get engaged. But the one thing that never changes is their undying love for one another. You'd think with Kirito detesting augmented reality, and Asuna spending so much time using it, there'd be some strain in their relationship. But, like a true boyfriend, Kirito understands it's something she's passionate about and doesn't let that affect how he feels about her. Plus, when she begins losing her memories, it's a true test of their love. It's scary to think Asuna could forget her past, particularly her life with Kirito. Kirito, himself, knows that if he loses his own memories, he could forget how much he loves her. That's why it's so touching when they promise never to forget their feelings, even if they can't recall their first two years together. A lot of people like SAO for its action sequences and gaming themes. But it's this relationship that breathes life into the franchise.However, if you think Kirito and Asuna are great, SAO also features a wide range of supporting characters. Some were inevitably going to get more screentime than others. But the movie gives us just enough of each to highlight what makes them all special.First, there are the players Kirito and Asuna have known since their time in SAO. Like Klien and Agil. Klien first started out as a generic, twenty-something guy, who lived alone, played virtual games and was eagerly looking for a girlfriend. But over time, he developed a very respectable personality; looking out for his friends in battle and taking pride in the way he chooses to play. Even if there's some significant risk to it, Kilen will never abandon someone in need. There are sometimes when he's a bit self-indulgent - but in a charming way. That's why it's disheartening to see him and his guild become victims of the antagonists. As for Agil, he's not featured as often as Klien, but whenever we do see him, it's clear he's a good-hearted man, who's always willing to lend a hand in battle or find information. Also, we learn quite a bit about his personal life. He runs a cafe in town, where the group usually meets up, and he even met his wife through online gaming. Their personalities may be different, but there's no denying Klien and Agil are valuable allies.There's also Yui; Kirito and Asuna's in-game daughter, who's an AI program. Not only is she featured throughout the movie, thanks to the Augma system, but she's incredibly adorable in her pixie form and is bursting with information. Whenever the group needs help finding a lead or making sense of what they know, Yui has the technical means to do so - which comes in very handy.However, while some characters are used to their full potential, others aren't used as well as they could be. For example, one person I was interested to see in this movie was Sinon. Introduced as a lead in 'Phantom Bullet', she made the arc all her own by having an intense backstory and the willpower to overcome her personal demons. Unfortunately, once she'd come to terms with her past, there was little else to her character besides her sniper skills, and newfound friendship with Kirito and the others. As a result, she's been used very sparingly in the franchise ever since. In the movie, she does make regular appearances. But she doesn't get involved with the plot properly until the second half - and even then it's a bit lacklustre until the climax. They do add some extra dimension to her character, by mentioning she has a job now and that she has the advantage of not being an SAO survivor, but it would've been great to see her in a few more action sequences.An even less frequently featured character is Leafa, aka Suguha (Kirito's sister/cousin). Like Sinon, she was introduced as the second lead in a previous arc alongside Kirito - and her reaffirmed bond with him was one of the few good things to come out 'Alfhiem'. Unfortunately, nobody really knew what to do with her after that. We see her once or twice in the first 15-20mins of the movie. And then she promptly leaves to go to a kendo tournament or something, and we never see her again until the climax. Well, okay, she appears once via video-chat to help Kirito train in using an AR sword, but that's about it.And then you have Liz and Silica. These two were once the most underdeveloped characters in the whole franchise. Don't get me wrong, they're both incredibly likeable. It's just we didn't know much about them personally. Back in the first series, they each only had one episode of focus between them. Then they were rarely seen for the rest of the season, and by the time they reappeared, we were expected to believe they were somehow main characters. Yeah, it doesn't work like that. If you want characters to become mainstays of your franchise, you have to build their popularity by regularly featuring them and expanding their backgrounds. Just introducing them and having them share one adventure with the main character doesn't do that. Fortunately, the movie seemed to realise this and did everything it could to rectify that. For instance, Liz and Silica both appear early in the story and have a lot more screentime. They take part in boss raids, socialise with the main leads, and even have moments to shine on their own without Kirito or Asuna overshadowing them. Plus, they each have the slightest bit more dimension added to their characters. Lisbeth, for example, says her parents won't let her stay out late unless she's with her friends - revealing something about her personal life for the first time - and Silica blames herself for Asuna's memory loss because the latter was protecting her when it happened. They're not quite as fleshed out as they could be. But at least these two feel like they belong in the group now, as opposed to being just two extra wheels.The movie also features cameos from other SAO characters in the first two seasons. Including the interviewer from 'Phantom Bullet'; Eugene, Sakuya and Rue from 'Alfheim'; the Sleeping Knights from 'Mother's Rosario'; the creator of SAO, Akihiko Kayaba and many more. Anyone going into this movie looking for nostalgia isn't going to be disappointed.But on top of featuring the characters we know and love, 'Ordinal Scale' also introduces new ones. Fortunately, the franchise has a solid reputation for making us care about them quickly.First, there's Yuna; the Augma's mascot, who appears human, but is actually a program designed to show up at certain boss raids and give players power-ups through her singing - thus making her the first ever AR pop star. It would take some time before we learnt anything significant about her, but it's later revealed how much sentiment went into her design and singing voice. Let's just say she's modelled after somebody very special to the creator.Then there's Eiji, a former member of SAO's top guild. He actually ranked very low in that game because he was always afraid of dying and wouldn't participate in boss raids. In 'Ordinal Scale', however, there is no real death. So his skills are unlimited, and he uses them to become the game's 2nd ranked player. Putting it simply: he's Kirito's opposite. Not surprisingly, he turns out to be one of the movie's main antagonists. However, what's good about him is he's not simply motivated by revenge. Like Kirito, he's driven by love. He lost somebody important to him in SAO and hated himself for not being able to protect them. Because of that, he rejects the weakling he used to be and quite literally fights for that person's memory. It's still unlawful what he does. But it's understandable, and even relatable at times, why he does it - which is always the sign of strong antagonist.Finally, there's Dr Shigermura; the creator of the Augma. He blames himself for the loss of his daughter, who died in SAO after he bought her a copy of the game. I can't reveal too much else, or I'll be going into spoiler territory. But he's the sort of man who forces his beliefs on other people and is willing to do anything to amend his mistake. Even if it means becoming a monster himself.The last thing I want to talk about is the movie's climax - again, without spoiling too much. This felt like the culmination of everything the franchise has been building towards. Namely due to its fan-appeal. You see, as much as I enjoyed SAO's first series, there was a part of it that felt unfinished to me. We never did find out what was on the 100th Floor and it's lingered on me for years what could've been. In here, however, we don't just see old SAO bosses return, we finally meet the horror that was awaiting players on Floor 100. Plus, there's the final battle itself. Like I said, I was afraid Asuna was going to be left out of the fight. But she's right there, showing us why she's as powerful as Kirito. And then Leafa shows up to help. And then Klien. And then every other major player we've seen in the franchise until that point: the Sylph, the Cait Sith, BoB competitors, the Sleeping Knights, you name it. And the callbacks just keep coming. Kirito uses his Duel Wielding skill, which hasn't been seen since the first series. And Asuna uses her 11-hit combo attack (Mother's Rosario), in tribute to her late friend: Yuuki Konno. Best of all, thanks to Yue's hacking, Kirito and his friends get to fight as their old avatars from SAO and Gun Gale Online - making the fandom go crazy with nostalgia.I'll even say the end credits in this are perfect. They acknowledge the main characters who aren't Kirito or Asuna - in keeping with the theme of remembrance. Kirito finally meets with Asuna's mother. And to top it off, there's a post-credits scene which supposedly sets up the events of the 3rd Season - "SAO will return" it says.In conclusion, 'Ordinal Scale' and its climax are everything fans could've hoped for and more. It knew exactly what we wanted to see in a movie like this and made sure to deliver on all of it. As for me, this took me back to the time when I first saw the original series. But this experience was arguably better given how much has developed since. The characters were great, the story was great, the references and continuity were brilliant, and even the pacing was well-handled. I won't lie and say it's a perfect movie; there were some raunchy jokes, like a reference to condoms, and Yui popping out of Leefa's breasts at one point, but these are just small nit-picks. Issac Akers' review on Crunchyroll says it all: "SAO being SAO, this was never going to be a perfectly crafted movie - but it captures so many of the charms of the franchise while also avoiding nearly all of its most aggravating faults."It goes without saying this is an absolute must-watch for any fan of 'Sword Art Online'. As for anyone else; you don't necessarily have to see the first two seasons to enjoy it, but it helps the experience if you know all the references.That's all I've got to say for 'Ordinal Scale'. So until the third season is released in English on DVD, stay tuned.

For anybody who has watched season 1 and season 2. The film takes place after season 2 and there a new program which allows the user to play in real life and Kirito uncovers a conspiracy within Ordinal Scale, a popular VR game developed for a new system called The Augma. ... The most popular game on the system is "Ordinal Scale" (aka: OS), an ARMMORPG developed exclusively for the Augma.I was sick of waiting for the English dub to be realised on netflix, there is 2 options 5.1 English dub and 5.1 English dub

Great film for any sword art fans, the music is great and story carries on from season 2.The events in the film also take place before season 3, as the new season shows references of what has happened in the film, making it a must watch for the story.I absolutely love the relationship between kirito and asuna, and felt it lacked in season 2So to see them go into more depth in the movie really made me happy.

I wasn’t sure whether or not to purchase this DVD as there was a review saying there was no english dub and no clear answer if it did or didn’t. However, like it says in the product description, this DVD does indeed contain an english dub.

Ordinal Scale brings the focus to AR gaming with our heroes doing battle in the streets against familiar bosses. Visually impressive animation here and the storyline is pretty good viewing.Say it with me... Link Start!

This movie is a great addition to the series of Sword Art Online and leaves you wanting more. The product itself is a beautiful package with a small illustrated book with all our favourites and a small collection to prints, when you get to the end of the movie, let the credit role there's a little something at the end that all SAO fans will want to see

Sword Art Online Ordinal Scale came excellently boxed you get both dvd and blu ray as well as a colourful book with lots of illustrations and colourful cards as well, very well impressed.The film is excellent (so long as you watch the anime first) so you can make sense of what is happening. If you do watch the seasons then this is a MUST GET!!! for your collection

Both DVD and Blu-ray in a nice box set. Nice compact collectors item with art cards and SAO info booklet ( which has a lot of info and artwork in it ).Story line is in keeping with the whole series, but perhaps missing a little "texture" in the story/plot. But is still a good one that SAO lovers can enjoy.