Sword Art Online the Movie: Progressive - Scherzo of Deep Night
Virtual world anime has fantasy violence; teamwork themes.
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Sword Art Online the Movie: Progressive - Scherzo of Deep Night
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Sword Art Online the Movie: Progressive - Scherzo of Deep Night is a movie spin-off of the Japanese Sword Art Online anime series. It is the sequel to the 2021 movie Sword Art Online: Progressive - Aria of a Starless Night. The story is about characters trapped in an online world and how they must fight for their lives in an attempt to beat the game or face death in real life. The heroes -- most notably Asuna (voiced by Haruka Tomatsu) and Kirito (Yoshitsugu Matsuoka) -- show good teamwork and perseverance, while others try to create chaos or even kill. The movie has a video game feel with fantasy violence and a few epic boss battles, but with no blood or gore. Some scenes are tense but not scary. A character is implied to be naked when bathing in a hot spring. The English-language subtitled version has two uses of mild language ("what the hell?" and "crap"). An English dubbed version is also available.
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What's the Story?
In SWORD ART ONLINE THE MOVIE: PROGRESSIVE - SCHERZO OF DEEP NIGHT, the people trapped in a video game continue to fight for their lives. As time goes on, partnerships are forged and teamwork proves more important than ever as Asuna (voiced by Haruka Tomatsu) and Kirito (Yoshitsugu Matsuoka) race to defeat an epic boss in order to save their community.
Is It Any Good?
The first movie spin-off of the beloved Sword Art Online anime series retold the thrilling start of the story in an epic way. With the stakes set and the characters immersed in their dangerous world, its sequel, Sword Art Online the Movie: Progressive - Scherzo of Deep Night, feels less exciting and more like a mid-season episode of a show. Here the focus is on character development and exploring the way people have reacted to being trapped in the game. Some have formed allegiances, sharing knowledge and helping each other to make it through the dangerous world. While others have set off to find their own personal path. With warring guilds and agents of chaos, it's basically all shades of human interaction on the internet, but a lot more fun to watch. Gamers' thumbs will be twitching during the familiar-feeling battles, while the complex and emotional relationships provide the necessary heart to make it a solid entry in the series.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Sword Art Online the Movie: Progressive - Scherzo of Deep Night. Did the fantasy element and the fact that it was largely bloodless make it less intense? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
How do various characters display courage, perseverance, and teamwork? Why are these such important character strengths to have? Can you give any examples when you've shown these traits?
Talk about internet safety. What kinds of personal information do you typically share online? How could sharing details such as your whereabouts or your birthday put you at risk? When is it appropriate to share photos, and what limits do you put on those?
Do you play any online multiplayer games? Why do you think games that let people get together in a virtual space are so popular?
How did this movie compare to the TV or video game series? What's the appeal of movies based on video games?
Movie Details
- In theaters: February 3, 2023
- Cast: Haruka Tomatsu, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Inori Minase
- Director: Ayako Kawano
- Studio: Aniplex
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Topics: Adventures, Friendship
- Character Strengths: Courage, Perseverance, Teamwork
- Run time: 101 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: January 30, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
-
Sword Art Online: Progressive - Aria of a Starless Night
Anime spin-off has violence, strong female role models.
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Sword Art Online
Highbrow anime series has dark themes, many deaths.
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Summer Wars
Excellent, gorgeous anime has some violence, profanity.
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