Sword Art Online fans celebrate passing of series' most iconic date

Modified Nov 25, 2024 19:45 GMT

Sword Art Online fans celebrate passing of series' most iconic date (Image via A-1 Pictures)

While the Sword Art Online franchise didn’t announce any major news today, November 7, 2024, it’s nevertheless a special day for the franchise, which was celebrated by its official accounts. Thursday marks the in-series date when the titular in-series game, which was the main setting for season 1, was officially cleared by main characters Kirigaya “Kirito” Kazuto and Yuuki Asuna.

Specifically, the Sword Art Online anime claims the game was cleared at 2:55 pm Japanese Standard Time (JST) on the 7, which is 12:55 am Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Both official accounts and fans alike are celebrating the date likewise, expressing their thanks for the series’ creation and the place it had in their lives.

Fans celebrate the passing of the Sword Art Online franchise’s most meaningful and significant date

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As mentioned above, several official X social media accounts for the Sword Art Online franchise are posting about Kirito’s fictional feat. These accounts officially announced Kirito’s feat as coming at 2:55 pm JST and also shared unique illustrations of Kirito and Asuna celebrating their victory together. However, the franchise’s social media accounts weren’t the only official ones to get involved.

The X account for the Dengeki Bunko publication imprint also shared a video with a staged “breaking news” segment complete with graphics and a ticker. This post also shared the lore-accurate number of six thousand people who were trapped in the virtual reality game in-series waking up once it was cleared by Kirito and Asuna. A follow-up tweet revealed that more videos would be coming soon to celebrate this date and time’s passing.

The official YouTube channel for Dengeki Bunko also uploaded a recap video of the series. The video features chibi-esque, super-deformed versions of Asuna and Kirito’s heads with text-to-speech voices. The pair explain what unfolds on a screen behind them, which features original footage from the first anime season.

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Finally, the imprint’s X account also revealed paper handouts styled as newspaper extra editions detailing the event, which were handed out at Animate Ikebukuro. The post noted distribution had ended by the time of its creation but added that additional copies may be redistributed at other bookstores later. A PDF version was also linked by the PR Times. Aniplex’s online shop is offering merchandise commemorating the day until Sunday, November 24, 2024.

Both English and Japanese fans alike are celebrating the series, sharing their love for it. Others are sharing their hopes for the franchise’s future plans, as well as admitting that the post even makes them want to watch or rewatch the series:

“Im watching Every SAO anime,” said one fan in response to the celebration.

“Peak anime,” plainly posted another.

“Sword art online could have the best open world mmo. Guild system, raids, dungeons, pvp, 100 floors.

I always said it. One Piece and SAO can have some of the greatest games of all time,” argued a third.

In any case, fans are taking the opportunity to share their love for the series, both in what’s been produced and what the future may hold. Hopefully, a new project comes sooner rather than later for this passionate and dedicated fanbase.