Sword Art Online II (2014)

About Sword Art Online II

Sword Art Online II is a Japanese anime series produced by A-1 Pictures and directed by Tomohiko Itō. It's the second season of the "Sword Art Online" anime series, exploring the fictional worlds of online MMORPG games. The plot follows a year after the events of the first season, where the protagonist Kirito is hired to investigate incidents within the latest gaming sensation, Gun Gale Online.

Making / Production

The series was a collaboration between A-1 Pictures, Aniplex, and the SAO Project. The team worked under director Tomohiko Itō, with Shingo Adachi designing the characters and Yuki Kajiura providing the music.

Actors

• Yoshitsugu Matsuoka: Provided the voice for "Kirito". His portrayal captured the character's growth and development in the sequel series.
• Haruka Tomatsu: Voiced "Asuna", bringing life to her gentle and caring persona, as well as her unwavering courage.
• Miyuki Sawashiro: Voiced "Sinon", skillfully portraying her strength and vulnerability.
• Nobunaga Shimazaki: Played "Eugeo", adding depth to the character's earnest devotion to his friends and duty.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The series was adapted from a light novel of the same name written by Reki Kawahara.
• The show became internationally popular and was dubbed in multiple languages, including English, German, and Spanish.
• The main character, Kirito, is considered a 'beater', a combination of a beta tester and a cheater, in the game world.

Awards

Sword Art Online II was awarded Best Fight Scene at the 2014 Crunchyroll Anime Awards for the fight sequence between Kirito and Death Gun.

Quotes

• "I'd rather trust and regret, than doubt and regret." - Kirito
• "Real power is carved with your own hands and your own efforts." - Asuna
• "Just consider hardships as another part of training and keep working hard." - Silica

Music, Soundtrack

• OP1: "IGNITE" by Eir Aoi: Sets a vibrant tone for the series.
• ED1: "Startear" by Luna Haruna: A gentle, melancholic track that reflects the series' emotional depth.
• OP2: "Courage" by Haruka Tomatsu: Upbeat and catchy, reflecting the strong determination of the characters.
• ED2: "No More Time Machine" by LiSA: An beautifully composed track that compliments the series ending.