Since its launch in 2012, “Sword Art Online” has captured the attention of millions of fans by exploring the psychological effects of being trapped in virtual worlds and the relationships that form within them. The story of Kazuto “Kirito” Kirigaya, who struggles to overcome the challenges of various video games, has become a benchmark of the isekai genre (although it is not really one). Although the anime’s final season concluded in 2020, Kirito’s narrative continues in the light novels and manga, and the most recent arc, “Unital Ring,” has been met with great anticipation.
The Unital Ring Arc: A New Challenge for Kirito
“Unital Ring” is the fifth main arc of “Sword Art Online” and began in Volume 21 of the light novels in December 2018. In this new story, Kirito, Asuna and Alice find themselves immersed in a survival MMO created by The Seed, the same program behind the virtual worlds of the previous series. This new game fuses all the VRMMOs known so far, allowing players to interact with different game worlds and their mechanics.
The arc picks up the story after the attack on the Ocean Turtle and Kirito's recovery from his coma after spending 200 years in the Underworld at the end of “Alicization.” In “Unital Ring,” the protagonists face new challenges in an environment reminiscent of the first adventures in “Sword Art Online,” but with a twist that combines the best elements of the previous arcs.
When will the anime adaptation arrive?
Although fans are eager to see the anime adaptation of “Unital Ring,” there is still no official confirmation of its production. Since the arc is ongoing and the publication of the light novels continues, it is likely that the anime will not premiere until the story in the source material is further along or even concluded. This follows the trend of the previous arc, “Alicization,” which was only adapted into an anime once the novels had finished.
With Volume 28 of the “Unital Ring” light novels set to be released in June 2024, and the expectation of one or two volumes being released per year, it’s possible that the arc may still be several years away from reaching its conclusion. Additionally, a manga adaptation of “Unital Ring” was announced in March 2023, which is also keeping fans busy while they wait for the anime adaptation.
A unique arc that could close the story
One of the most intriguing aspects of “Unital Ring” is the possibility that this arc will be the closing of the “Sword Art Online” saga. Although author Reki Kawahara has not confirmed whether this will be the final ending, the story of “Unital Ring” offers an epic approach that combines all previous VRMMOs into one game. This suggests a possible ending that could bring a satisfying conclusion to Kirito and Asuna's narrative, but for now, only Kawahara knows if this will be the end of the series.
For fans who don’t want to wait, both the “Unital Ring” light novels and manga offer a chance to continue enjoying the story. While there's no anime adaptation in the works yet, releasing these formats ensures that the plot continues to develop, and those who are up to date with the source material will be better prepared when the anime eventually arrives.
Meanwhile, “Sword Art Online” fans can look forward to an epic continuation of the “Unital Ring” story, featuring new characters, mysteries to solve, and the blend of fantasy, action, and drama that has made the franchise so successful. Although an anime adaptation seems to be still a ways off, the expansion of Kirito's universe continues apace in his novels and manga, and the future of the series remains bright.
