2nd Sword Art Online: Progressive Film Earns US$607,000 in U.S.

On February 5, Deadline reported that the Sword Art Online The Movie – Progressive: Scherzo of Deep Night, the second film in the Sword Art Online anime film series, has earned 607,000 USD in the United States.

The movie premiered at 892 locations in the U.S. on February 3 and earned an average of 681 USD per theater. The worldwide earnings for the film so far have been about 8,695,854 USD.

The film was released in the United States and Canada in Japanese with English subtitles and with an English dub. The film is also running in the United Kingdom and Ireland since February 1 and in Australia and New Zealand since February 2. Theatrical release dates for Europe and Latin America are yet to be announced.

The film opened in Japan on October 22 and topped the box office chart on its first weekend. As of December 6, the film earned a total of 1,076,475,134 yen (about 7.97 million USD) in Japan.   

Ayako Kohno returns as the director at A-1 Pictures, with Kento Toya as the character designer. Yasuyuki Kaiserves as the action director, and Yuki Kajiurareturns to compose the music. Eir Aoi performed the theme song “Shinzо̄” (Heart).

The film adapts the novel’s Aincrad arc in more detail with extra footage and content. Scherzo of a Deep Night is set on Aincrad’s dangerous fifth floor that Kirito and his gang have to clear.

The plot of Scherzo of Deep Night as described by Yen Press is:

It’s been just two months since they were trapped in the game of death that is Sword Art Online, and Kirito and Asuna continue their struggle at the vanguard of progress through the game.

The fifth floor of Aincrad is a mazelike ruin, and the two dare to take pleasure in raiding it for the treasure it contains.

Upon returning to the fourth floor, it’s time to do some questing on behalf of the Elf Lord Yofilis–but here begins Asuna’s discontent, for in doing so they will have to face her least favorite monster ever…

Yen Press

About Sword Art Online

Sword Art Online is a Japanese light novel series written by Reki Kawahara and illustrated by Abec.

The series occurs in the near future and focuses on the protagonist “Kirito” Kirigaya Kazuto and Asuna Yuuki as they play through various virtual reality MMORPG worlds.

At the launch of the game, 10,000 people had connected themselves to the virtual reality of Sword Art Online. The plot takes a twist when people realize that they can’t quit the game.

Protagonist Kirito, a pro gamer and was present for the beta launch of SAO, starts planning to clear levels as soon as possible. Throughout his quest to finish the game, he meets many friends and also a love interest, Asuna.

The plot and the whole premise of the show are remarkably unique and quite believable in some futuristic sense.

Source: Deadline