Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld

Alternative Titles

Synonyms: Sword Art Online: Alicization 2nd Season, Sword Art Online III 2nd Season, SAO Alicization 2nd Season, Sword Art Online 3 2nd Season, SAO 3 2nd Season, SAO III 2nd Season

Japanese: ソードアート・オンラインアリシゼーション War of Underworld

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Information

Type: TV

Episodes: 12

Status: Finished Airing

Aired: Oct 13, 2019 to Dec 29, 2019

Premiered: Fall 2019

Broadcast: Sundays at 00:00 (JST)

Producers: Aniplex, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Egg Firm, Straight Edge, Kadokawa, Sonilude

Licensors: Aniplex of America

Studios: A-1 Pictures

Source: Light novel

Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Theme: Video Game

Duration: 23 min. per ep.

Rating: R - 17+ (violence & profanity)

Statistics

Score: 7.58¹ (scored by 424,687 users)

¹ indicates a weighted score.

Ranked: #1443²

² based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.

Popularity: #250

Members: 713,609

Favorites: 3,535

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Streaming Platforms

Crunchyroll

7.58

Ranked #1443Popularity #250Members 713,609

Fall 2019TVA-1 Pictures

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Synopsis

Despite the defeat of Quinella—the pontifex of the Axiom Church—things have not seemed to calm down yet. Upon contacting the real world, Kazuto "Kirito" Kirigaya finds out that the Ocean Turtle—a mega-float controlled by Rath—was raided. Due to a sudden short-circuit caused by the raiders, Kirito's fluctlight is damaged, leaving him comatose. Feeling insecure about the people at the Axiom Church, Alice brings the unconscious Kirito back to their hometown—Rulid Village, disregarding her banishment due to an unabsolved crime. Now, Alice is living an ordinary and peaceful life close by the village, wishing for Kirito to wake up.

However, tragedy strikes when Alice notices that the Dark Territory has already started to invade the Human Empire. Reassuming her previous alias, Alice Synthesis Thirty, she promises to defeat the Dark Territory in order to defend the world that Kirito and Eugeo worked so hard to protect.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

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Background

Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld is an adaptation of volumes 15 through 18 of Reki Kawahara's Sword Art Online light novel series.

Episode Videos

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Related Anime

Adaptation:	Sword Art Online
Prequel:	Sword Art Online: Alicization, Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld Reflection
Sequel:	Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld 2nd Season
Summary:	Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld Recap

More characters

Characters & Voice Actors

Kirigaya, Kazuto

Main

Matsuoka, Yoshitsugu
Japanese

Yuuki, Asuna

Main

Tomatsu, Haruka
Japanese

Zuberg, Alice

Main

Kayano, Ai
Japanese

Asada, Shino

Supporting

Sawashiro, Miyuki
Japanese

Eugeo

Supporting

Shimazaki, Nobunaga
Japanese

Yui

Supporting

Itou, Kanae
Japanese

Kirigaya, Suguha

Supporting

Taketatsu, Ayana
Japanese

Tsuboi, Ryoutarou

Supporting

Hirata, Hiroaki
Japanese

Ayano, Keiko

Supporting

Hidaka, Rina
Japanese

Shinozaki, Rika

Supporting

Takagaki, Ayahi
Japanese

More staff

Staff

Niwa, Masami

Producer

Ono, Manabu

Director

Iwanami, Yoshikazu

Sound Director

Setou, Kenji

Episode Director

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Opening Theme

"Resolution" by Haruka Tomatsu

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Ending Theme

"unlasting" by LiSA

More reviews

Reviews

Dec 28, 2019

Pipe

Recommended

The world of SAO's lit is already so jam-packed with Kirito and Asuna providing enjoyable moments that it's unimaginable we'd need any more of them. How many of the anime fans hate SAO and its story? The weird surprise of Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld it gives the possibility to a more creative story and to other characters to shine, leaving zombie Kirito as a secondary character. I know this already happened on the "Mother's Rosario" arc when other characters were allowed to take the lead. However, this time I think the author handled it better, and for that reason, Alice's growth ... is delightful, and the story is more enjoyable than the usual SAO's plot. Without any fear of mistake, SAO Alicization is the best arc of the series so far, and I hope to see the sequel in a few months because I am eager for more SAO.

The story is a prelude of the war that we will see in the sequel, and it has a nice pace. The plot introduce the characters and the reasons behind the fight. However, from my perspective, the villains are not appropriately developed, and some characters need a bit more details that I hope to see in the next sequel. We do not have the usual information about them, and that could be seen as a terrible outcome. Also, at the begging, following the events from Alacization, we have a Kirito that ended in a catatonic state. I thought that without him, the story would fail. Still, now I can say it is better. The other characters are now the protagonists, such as Alice. Her will to fight or all the conflicts surrounding her and the need to see all to possibilities and her reasons to wear the armor again. Furthermore, she proved that she could be the main lead of SAO's series. I liked the part when she decided to fight again in the first episodes. Also, if we notice, Kiriko is used as a motivational character, as we can see in some events. Even if he does not fight or talk, he stills as an essential character of the whole series. Additionally, the entrance of Asuna is excellent. Still, she looked vastly overpowered. The ending was interesting if you ask me.

I am not giving any further details about the plot; I want to avoid any spoiler that could destroy the readers' enjoyment. Even if you hate SAO or find it annoying, I am sure you can enjoy this arc. The bad part is that you need to know the characters or the previous arc to understand the whole plot.

The art and sound impressed me. It is excellent and gorgeous. I was not expecting that quality, and it helped the story to be entertaining. All the fights and the camera movements combined with a good score and sound mix made a great series that hope it continues with the same level in the sequel.

Finally, SAO is not a loved series. However, the LN is now the best LN of the decade in Japan; we need to give the series some credit and stop burying it because we cannot stand the plot in some parts. The fans loved it, and I love it. I know there are some silly parts that we want to avoid, but Alicization is the best arc from those novels. I am thrilled that they animated it.

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Dec 31, 2019

-Pharos-

Recommended

"THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER-FREE"

Isekai has always been one of the most iconic genres in terms of popularity among anime. However, and unsurprisingly, not many of its shows are actually held at the same regard as those from other genres.

The question for this truth ahead came into existence long ago, but still, yet to be answered. Is it because Isekai shows are always labelled with concepts of “trashy, childish and impractical series”, or are they too familiar to viewers in recent years and therefore are not capable of differenciating themselves from others?

Several shows are introduced every year, each portrays an aspect of the genre in its ...

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Dec 28, 2019

Stark700

Recommended

Remember when Kirito, the main protagonist of Sword Art Online jumped into the virtual world and made a name for himself as the ‘Black Swordsman’? Since 2012, his name would become iconic in the SAO anime series' franchise. Anyone who have heard of Sword Art Online would be able to name him as a character, even those has never seen the series before. Now, we are in a timeline, an arc detailing events that doesn’t have Kirito carrying the season. Instead, meet Alice Zuberg.

Anyone already familiar with SAO should know the franchise has no shortage of powerful female main characters. From Asuna to Yuki, they ... are able to hold their own against skilled opponents and often times coming out dominant in a fight. In the case of Alice, she is also in a league of her own in particular with her swordsmanship. With unique talents such as Sacred Arts and Incarnation, Alice is more than capable of taking care of herself. The real question remains of who would take care of Kirito? This season puts him in a role that audience may not be accustomed to. Seeing Kirito in a vegetable state creates a situation where another character has to carry the season. Alice would be the main protagonist to take this task and it doesn’t come without risks. In fact, she even faces troubles of her own when trying to discover her purpose in the world.

And to take on the world is no easy task. The antagonists this season introduces a new level of challenge such as Gabriel Miller, the chief tactical officer of the Glowgen Defense Systems. SAO has been a subject of controversy with its rogue gallery. The addition of Gabriel further adds context with the character being portrayed as an intellectual psychopath. Gabriel himself is somewhat of a complex character known for crimes involving genocide, experimentation, and abuse of power. Tyrant is a suitable word to describe such a character as he is a man filled with sins. As what he stands for, Gabriel is a testament of the worst side of humanity. On a lesser scale, we are also introduced to members of the Order of the Dark Knights. Some of its more prominent members such as Vixur and Lipia displays impressive abilities but are generally lackluster characters that makes little impact in the main story. War of the Underworld seems to be driven by not just survival but conquest in a virtual world for supremacy. On the technical front, episode 6 serves as a good old fashioned battle covered with the brutality of what humans are capable of. A main problem with that episode does make less of an impact revolving around the death of certain characters. Compared to the first season, War of the Underworld feels lacks emotional connection outside of Alice and Kirito. Even for Asuna, who is in the real world, still holds the same feelings we’ve seen so many towards to the black swordsman. Keeping things back, we do get a unique episode about a young Integrity Knight named Renly in episode 7. It’s strange that sometimes in the SAO world, we get a character that isn’t prominent to a story arc but plays a role to show the themes of the franchise. In Renly, we witness a character who is able to overcome some of his fear in a moment of desperation. It’s one of the more human moments I recall this season.

In respect of Alice being the major protagonist this season, I give a lot of credit for her character presence. She helps Kirito in whatever ways she can from the start and if it wasn’t for her, his circumstances would be much different. Fate would also designate her encounter with Asuna. When you have two incredibly powerful female characters meeting together for the first time (both associated with Kirito), there’s bound to be a conflict. And their meeting is nothing less than bickering and a clash of swords. Mind you, Asuna has the advantage of being in a relationship with Kirito for much longer. On the other hand, Alice is also an important person in Kirito’s life now and shouldn’t be undervalued, even compared to Asuna herself. Luckily, the two are able to form a truce despite their differences. Comparing both characters, it’s not hard to find a common ground about them. But if you’re thinking this season will have them fight over a vegetable, then think again.

Alicization is a complex arc. There’s no doubt about that as we learn the secrets, conspiracies, and dark motives of certain individuals. Kirito isn’t the main protagonist this time and Eugeo is noticeably absent. I’m sure some people wanted to see how him back since he was a breath of fresh air. But now, we have Alice Zuberg, the chivalrous Integrity Knight who is seeking her own purpose in the SAO world while trying to protect what she treasures. This season chose to run a span of 12 episodes because the fact is, there’s much more it needs to show. And when Spring 2020 comes, it’ll have to prove itself if it can carry the torch.

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Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld

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Characters & Voice Actors

Kirigaya, Kazuto

Yuuki, Asuna

Zuberg, Alice

Asada, Shino

Eugeo

Yui

Kirigaya, Suguha

Tsuboi, Ryoutarou

Ayano, Keiko

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Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld

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Information

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Available At

Resources

Streaming Platforms

Synopsis

Background

Episode Videos

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Characters & Voice Actors

Staff

Opening Theme

Ending Theme

Reviews

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Recommendations

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