Sword Art Online has now become one of the biggest brands in the anime industry. Its upcoming installment, Sword Art Online Season 4, is currently the talk of the town. However, we’re still halfway through SAO Season 3, with around 11 episodes left to hit the screens. Hence, here’s everything you need to know about all future episodes.
Reki Kawahara’s Sword Art Online originated as a novel competition entry. However, it ended up becoming a popular web novel before being imprinted as a light novel series. Over the years, the LN series gained much popularity all around the globe. Hence, back in 2012, A-1 Pictures decided to make an anime adaptation of the story, which eventually turned into one of its most successful productions ever. Fans keep on expecting more after every season finale. Will the studio renew SAO Season 4 as well?
Sword Art Online Season 3: Alicization
The third season of the anime series picks up the Alicization story arc beginning from Volume 14 of the light novel series. The installment actually consists of four-course, out of which the first two aired from October 2018 to March 2019. On the other hand, the third cour debuted at the screens in October 2019 with 12 episodes that ran until December 2019. As of now, its last cour is yet to premiere with the remaining 11 episodes.
The upcoming part of SAO Season 3 will adapt Volume 18 of the light novel series. The eighteenth volume completes the entire Alicization plotline form the LN series. Hence, the fourth cour of the anime season will wrap up the story arc when it premieres in April 2020. It is called Sword Art Online: Alicization – War Of The Underworld. Whereas, the name of the first episode is ‘The Great Underworld War.’
Will ‘Sword Art Online Season 4’ Ever Come Out?
Sword Art Online is one of the most popular anime series, with millions of viewers waiting for more episodes to watch. It is highly popular internationally as well. Whereas, the anime adaptation also helped to grow the sales of its LN and manga series. Hence, it’s highly likely that A-1 Pictures will continue to produce as many installments as possible.
However, the renewal of SAO Season 4 is highly dependant upon the performance of the Alicization series. If this season earns well for A-1 Pictures, the studio may order another run of the anime. As of the first three course, Season 3 is much of a success for the production. Well, the fourth cour, Sword Art Online: Alicization – War Of The Underworld, may turn out to be a game-changer.
Is There Enough Source Material For SAO Season 4?
Kawahara has been writing Sword Art Online content for years now. He began back in 2009 with the first volume of the light novel, and as of January 2020, it has a total of 23 volumes. The third season of the anime will be adapting the plot until Volume 18 of the LN series.
However, according to speculations, the studio intends to create a movie of the anime using Volume 19 and 20, that follow the Moon Cradle arc. Chances suggest that they may skip these volumes and use the Unital Ring story arc for ‘Sword Art Online Season 4.’ As of now, the author is still working on writing more content for this plotline and may extend it as long as the Alicization arc. This may take a while considering that Kawahara publishes only two LN volumes per year.
Despite that, the studio has enough source material to create another season of the popular anime. Aside from the 23 light novels, Kawahara has also written several other spin-offs and side stories that can be used for SAO Season 4.
When Will ‘Sword Art Online Season 4’ Premiere?
We are currently months away from the release of the remaining episodes of SAO Season 3. Hence, it’s way too long early to expect a premiere date of the fourth season. However, as per speculations, the installment may not arrive anytime soon. The author of the light novel series, Reki Kawahara, may take while to create enough content for a full season. Hence, fans may have to wait for a few to watch more of the classic anime. As of now, Sword Art Online Season 4 has little to no chances of return anytime sooner than 2022.
Did you like Sword Art Online: Alicization arc? What are your expectations from SwordARt Online Season4? Tell us in the comments below.