Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale (2017) Plot Summary & Timeline

In 2026, the groundbreaking Augma technology emerges, providing gamers with an unparalleled experience that transforms gameplay into a reality-bending adventure. Unlike its immersive counterpart, FullDive, Ordinal Scale introduces a combat-centric realm that blends seamlessly with the real world, where players’ skills are ranked through ordinal numbers. A dynamic trio comprising Asuna, Lisbeth, and Silica fervently urges Kirito to join them in this new arena, fueled by tantalizing rumors about Aincrad bosses appearing in the virtual landscape.

Accompanied by Asuna and Klein, Kirito dives into a thrilling boss fight against Kagachi, the Samurai Lord, at the bustling district of Akihabara. This encounter takes a mesmerizing turn with the introduction of Yuna, an AI idol and the mascot of Ordinary Scale, whose enchanting singing boosts the players’ capabilities. However, Kirito struggles due to his inadequate real-world physicality, prompting Eiji, the second-ranked player, to come to their aid. As Eiji softly whispers “Switch” — a nostalgic phrase reminiscent of SAO — just before Asuna lands the finishing blow, it becomes evident that this battle transcends mere entertainment.

Later that night, Asuna teams up with Klein’s group at Yoyogi Park, oblivious to Eiji’s prior attack on one of their members. Their clash with the Storm Griffin is once again overseen by the charmer Yuna. Yet, the team is stunned when Zanghi, the Flame Caller, appears, ultimately aided—and defeated—by Eiji in real life, showcasing his remarkable reflexes and extraordinary strength that leaves Klein’s squad in shock.

After Asuna returns to look for her friends, she discovers they have vanished. The following morning, while practicing her skills at Yoyogi Park, Kirito encounters a mysterious figure in white hooded attire, who speaks in riddles before fading away. Concerned and puzzled, Kirito meets Asuna for lunch, during which she speculates that Eiji might be Nautilus, a former member of the Knights of the Blood Oath. Meanwhile, Yui uncovers that the locations of the Aincrad bosses align with the maps from SAO’s dungeons.

As they part, Kirito shifts his focus to Klein’s unexpected disappearance, igniting a quest to uncover the truth behind Eiji’s cryptic behaviors. The group, consisting of Asuna, Lisbeth, Silica, and allies, faces a powerful foe, Strict Hermit, at Yebisu Garden Place, as unexpected allies, including Yuna and Eiji, appear to assist them. However, Agil’s urgent message indicates that Klein has fallen prey to a strange malady, leaving him seriously injured. As Kirito anxiously strives to protect Asuna and their comrades, a fierce battle rages on with not one, but two formidable adversaries, including Dorz’l, the Chaos Drake. In the heat of the struggle, Eiji inadvertently endangers Silica, prompting Asuna to selflessly defend her, leading to her own brutal defeat. An uncanny orange orb emerges from her fading figure, caught by one of the OS drones.

As Asuna’s health declines, she seeks medical attention, where doctors reveal that the Augma device had scanned her brain for specific SAO memories, potentially worsening her memory loss. Kirito becomes increasingly determined to unravel this mystery, especially after discovering that Klein’s memories from SAO are also missing. His pursuit of answers takes him to Tokyo Dome City, where he partners with Sinon to confront the Dire Tusk boss. This challenging battle results in the tragic demise of an anonymous SAO survivor, as Kirito witnesses the swift collection of a radiant memory orb by an OS drone. Despite Yui’s brave attempts to retrieve it, the formidable defenses of the OS system thwart her efforts.

In a moment of frustration regarding Eiji’s conspicuous absence, Kirito stumbles upon the mysterious hooded girl once more, whose actions repeat their past encounters. Kirito and Yui deduce that she is guiding them toward Touto Technical University, indicating that further investigation of this puzzling occurrence is imperative. Upon entering the university grounds, Kirito finally meets the brilliant inventor behind Augma, Professor Tetsuhiro Shigemura, but he remains evasive with information. His curiosity peaks upon discovering a photograph on Shigemura’s desk featuring a woman who strikingly resembles Yuna. Seijirō Kikuoka later informs Kirito that Yuna, Shigemura’s daughter, tragically perished within the confines of the SAO virtual world. With this grim revelation, Kirito warns Kikuoka of the dire implications that memory loss may have on other SAO survivors now exploring the realms of OS. His visit to Asuna’s home is filled with resolutions as he pledges to recover her lost memories.

As Kirito pries deeper into the mystery, he crosses paths with the hooded figure yet again, ultimately uncovering her identity as Yuna. She shares vital wisdom, emphasizing that his current skills are woefully insufficient, initiating Kirito on an intense training journey with his sister Leafa to enhance his augmented-resistance swordsmanship and boss-fighting skills.

Days pass until the eager OS players converge at the Tokyo National Stadium for Yuna’s highly anticipated live concert. Amid the excitement, a fierce rivalry ignites between Kirito and Eiji, who claims to know the secret to restoring Asuna’s memories. After Kirito claims victory, Eiji discloses that Shigemura has been secretly extracting the memories of SAO players, aiming to reconstruct his lost daughter’s digital soul and revive her as an AI, hoping to reunite her with her physical form. This shocking revelation reverberates through the stadium, making Kirito acutely aware that their gathering signifies the critical phase of Shigemura’s sinister agenda.

In a frantic effort to thwart this malevolent plan, Kirito rushes back to alert his fellow players, while simultaneously warning Kikuoka of the impending catastrophe. Authorities caution Kirito about the potential mayhem that the memory-harvesting drones could unleash if they scan everyone at once, posing a threat of catastrophic consequences akin to the NerveGear tragedy from SAO.

As the storm of chaos unfolds with a herd of Aincrad bosses storming the stadium, Kirito and Yuna unite to confront the onslaught. During the fierce fray, Yuna enlightens Kirito about an undisclosed full-dive feature present in the Augma, which, if harnessed properly, could ultimately help him conquer the 100th-floor boss of SAO and terminate the scanning, thus ensuring countless lives are spared.

Before embarking on this treacherous task, Kirito presents Asuna with a promise ring, sealing their commitment. Within the grand Ruby Palace on the 100th floor, Kirito is bolstered by Lisbeth, Silica, Agil, and Sinon, as they square off against the formidable boss. Their attempts initially falter, but with the timely arrival of Asuna, Leafa, Klein, and several cherished players from ALO and GGO, the game’s dynamics shift in their favor. Yui’s timely intervention restores their SAO abilities, empowering them to achieve victory. An echoing voice belonging to Akihiko Kayaba congratulates Kirito on his monumental achievement and gifts him with an extraordinary sword as a token of recognition.

Emerging from the depths of Aincrad, Kirito, now celebrated as the ultimate champion among online warriors, wields his newly acquired blade to effortlessly defeat powerful adversaries. Meanwhile, in the physical realm, Kikuoka apprehends Shigemura in a derelict server room belonging to Argus, the now-defunct company responsible for the inception of Sword Art Online. As Kirito’s legend continues to flourish within the digital battlegrounds, Yuna, the enigmatic being entwined in the narrative, restores the memories of the survivors before gradually fading away, her existence forever linked to the formidable Floor 100 boss.

In a tender conclusion, Kirito and Asuna fulfill their promise to one another, made during their trials within Aincrad, by reveling under a stunning meteor shower. Asuna returns the cherished promise ring to Kirito, allowing him to reverently place it upon her finger.

In a tantalizing post-credits scene, Kikuoka is stirred by Shigemura’s bold endeavors in artificial intelligence and the reconstruction of souls, leading to his recruitment into his own clandestine organization, Rath.