Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld

The final load test... The war between the Human Empire and the Dark Territory has engulfed Underworld entirely. The battle has shifted course with the Dark Territory army led by Gabriel, who seeks to capture Alice, the Priestess of Light, against Asuna and the Human Empire forces fighting to save Underworld. As Kirito's consciousness remains buried in a deep sleep, Gabriel, standing in as the Dark God Vecta, has recruited thousands of American players to log in to Underworld to annihilate the Human Empire forces. Meanwhile, Asuna, Sinon, and Leafa have joined the battle utilizing three super-accounts of the deities of the Underworld. As the Goddess of Creation Stacia Asuna fights alongside the Human Empire forces to take on the American players in a vicious combat. Sinon, who has gained the super-account for the Sun Goddess Solus, is in pursuit of Gabriel, who has abducted Alice, while Leafa arrives to Underworld with the super-account Earth Goddess Terraria. But that is not all... The impassioned speech by Lisbeth has convinced many ALO players to join the fight with the Human Empire despite the risks. With this great war, not only Underworld's continued existence, but the bottom-up artificial intelligence, the ultimate AI, and even the future of mankind is at stake. Though he has yet to awaken, only one man holds the fate of this world: the Black Swordsman.

Kirito awakens in a vast, fantastical forest filled with towering trees. In his search for clues to the truth of his surroundings, he encounters a young boy who seems to know him. He ought to be a simple NPC, but the depth of his emotions seem no different than a human. As they search for the boy's parents, Kirito finds a peculiar memory returning to him. A memory from his own childhood, of this boy and a girl, too, with golden hair, and a name he should have never forgotten - Alice. Note: The first episode aired with a runtime of ~48 minutes as opposed to the standard 24 minute long episode.

In the near future, a Virtual Reality Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (VRMMORPG) called Sword Art Online has been released where players control their avatars with their bodies using a piece of technology called Nerve Gear. One day, players discover they cannot log out, as the game creator is holding them captive unless they reach the 100th floor of the game's tower and defeat the final boss. However, if they die in the game, they die in real life. Their struggle for survival starts now...

The world’s first full-dive VRMMO, Sword Art Online—known as SAO. What was meant to be a dream come true has instead transformed into a deadly game where dying in the virtual world means dying in reality. Emirun and Rex, who once knew each other in the real world, reunite by chance within SAO. They join a scouting party to learn how to survive in this unforgiving world. One day, however, they encounter a mysterious PK (Player Killer) known only as the Black Swordsman. When Emirun rushes to the scene, she finds Rex collapsed in despair, and the Black Swordsman standing over him. The one who wiped out their entire scouting party—was the Black Swordsman. Determined to avenge their fallen comrades, Emirun and Rex seek out the legendary prodigy swordswoman Asuna, and begin intense training under her guidance. In a death game where even players turn against one another, what new beginning will these two reach at the end of their struggle…? Note: Released as part of the Echoes of Aincrad: Sword Art Online's game limited edition.