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Animated film

Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night (2023): Cast & Ratings

Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night (2023) movie poster

Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night is a 2023 animated film directed by Ayako Kawano, starring Haruka Tomatsu as Asuna, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka and Inori Minase. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes and earned $9.1 million worldwide. Critics gave it 42% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Rotten Tomatoes
42%
worldwide gross
$9.1M
Echo Score
61
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Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 41m (101 min)
Director
Ayako Kawano
Genre
Animation
Original language
Japanese
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night About?

The premise of Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Asuna and Kirito find themselves embroiled in a fierce conflict between the powerful guilds ALS and DKB within the virtual world of Sword Art Online. A dangerous game of strategy and combat ensues as top players vie for control. However, a shadowy force orchestrates the escalating war, adding a layer of intrigue and danger. The pair must navigate the treacherous alliances and unexpected betrayals to survive the escalating conflict and uncover the truth behind the manipulations.

Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night Themes & Keywords

· 14 tags
  • anime animation
  • sword art online
  • sword
  • based on light novel
  • death in virtual reality kills for real
  • trapped in virtual reality
  • trapped in a game
  • death in a video game kills for real
  • vrmmorpg
  • vrmmo
  • swordsman
  • virtual reality
+2 more
  • vr headset
  • swordfighting
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Cast & crew

Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night Cast & Characters

Haruka Tomatsu leads the cast as Asuna, with Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Kirito and Inori Minase as Mito. Directed by Ayako Kawano; 8 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night

· 4 more
From the director

More from Ayako Kawano

One more film directed by Ayako Kawano: Sword Art Online: Progressive - Aria of a Starless Night.

Full filmography
Ratings

Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night 42% on Rotten Tomatoes. Our Echo Score gives it 61/100, strongest in art & craft (75) and weakest in story & flow (48).

61 /100

Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night Echo Score Breakdown

Sword Art Online the Movie – Progressive – Scherzo of Deep Night delivers a mixed experience that largely satisfies established fans while leaving broader audiences unconvinced. The visual presentation and animation are praised for their detail and dynamic fight choreography, yet the narrative is often described as predictable and uneven. Character moments receive modest approval, but the story’s pacing and originality are frequently critiqued. Consequently, the film offers limited rewatch appeal beyond the core fanbase, resulting in an overall moderate rating.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s animation and visual style are highlighted as strong points. Critics note excellent animation, vivid boss fight sequences, and a visually striking world, while a few mention occasional blandness. Fan reviews echo this sentiment, praising detailed environments and atmospheric variety. The consensus points to high production quality despite minor visual inconsistencies, resulting in a solid artistic impression.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When evaluating character and emotion, opinions are mixed. Some reviewers commend the appealing character designs and the emotional resonance for fans, describing the protagonists as beautiful and engaging. Conversely, others criticize odd character alterations and a lack of depth that hampers audience connection. Fan commentary leans positive, yet the broader critical view tempers enthusiasm, leading to a moderate character score.

  • Story & Flow 48

    The story and flow receive the lowest consensus, with numerous critiques of predictability and uneven pacing. Critics label the narrative as rote, weak, and lacking progression, while a few find it intriguingly enough for dedicated viewers. User feedback reflects similar concerns, noting a desire for more development time and limited narrative payoff. Overall, the plot is seen as under‑cooked, driving the lower score.

  • Sensory Experience 68

    Sensory experience, encompassing soundtrack and visual cohesion, is generally viewed positively. Reviewers praise the film’s music, sound design, and striking visual style, though some mention moments of blandness. Fan comments echo appreciation for dynamic fight choreography and atmospheric variety. The combination of strong audio‑visual elements outweighs minor criticisms, producing a favorable sensory rating.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    Rewatch factor is moderate, reflecting the film’s appeal primarily to existing SAO fans. Critics suggest limited replay value for newcomers, while fan reviewers express enthusiasm for repeated viewings, citing enjoyment of animation and franchise connection. The mixed sentiment results in a middling rewatch score, indicating the film is rewarding for dedicated audiences but less compelling for casual viewers.

Plot

Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night Plot Summary

What happens in Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 2022, the ingenious Akihiko Kayaba introduces a groundbreaking virtual reality massively multiplayer online role-playing game (VRMMORPG) aptly named Sword Art Online (SAO). This astonishing creation, unveiled in the first volume of the Sword Art Online: Progressive light novel series, utilizes the sophisticated NerveGear, a second-generation FullDive device devised by Argus under Kayaba’s brilliant guidance. The NerveGear envelops the player’s head with a singular interface and compellingly controls their consciousness by redirecting brain signals. This means players can captivate and command their in-game avatars solely through thought, crafting a deeply immersive experience devoid of any physical movement. Moreover, this device possesses its own power source and an advanced microwave transmitter, pushing the boundaries of technology.

Full summary

The whole story of Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night Box Office

Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night grossed $9.1 million worldwide.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$9.1M

International
$9.1M
Videos

Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 3 trailers.

Official Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer 2 | Tickets On Sale Now! [Subtitled]
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the virtual reality game created by Akihiko Kayaba?

Seen Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night?

FAQ

Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night?

Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).

When was Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night released?

Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night was released on February 3, 2023.

Who directed Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night?

Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night was directed by Ayako Kawano.

More films by Ayako Kawano

Who is in the cast of Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night?

Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night stars Haruka Tomatsu as Asuna, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Kirito and Inori Minase as Mito, among 8 credited actors.

How much did Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night make at the box office?

Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night grossed $9.1 million worldwide.

How is Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night rated?

Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night has 42% on Rotten Tomatoes, 77% on TMDB and 4.0/5 on Movie Insider.

Does Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night have a post-credit scene?

No. Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night in?

The original language of Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night is Japanese.

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