After 11 weeks straight as the #1 box office film in Japan, One Piece Film Red has been replaced by the 2nd Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of a Dark Dusk.
It is truly an impressive feat, as the film just opened last October 22, 2022. Yet it managed to earn 323 million yen (2.17 million US dollars) in two days, with over 209,000 tickets sold. It has amassed a total revenue of 344 million yen (2.30 million US days) as of now, and it will increase in the next days.
Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of a Dark Dusk is originally slated to premiere last September 10, 2022. It was delayed due to COVID-19 affecting the production staff.
This film is also the sequel to the 1st film in the Progressive series: Sword Art Online -Progressive- Aria of a Starless Night. It premiered last October 21, 2021. It also did well in the box office, landing at #8, earning a total of 1.32 billion yen (11.62 million US dollars).
You can watch the latest trailer here:
The trailer gave the viewers an idea on who the film will focus on, and it is going to be Asuna Yuuki. Yuuki struggles to cope with being stuck in a virtual game. She has to clear out the Aincrad castle floors in other to survive. But she encounters multiple obstacles along the way, but another player, Kirito, saved her. She joined forces with Kirito as they make their way forward.
Read More: Crunchyroll to Release One Piece Film Red in US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand in November
Scherzo of a Dark Dusk Synopsis
Asuna Yuuki is seemingly living a comfortable life with her financial standing, as well as her popularity in school. However, that is far from the truth as she has a very strict mother. Hence she decided to join a massive multiplayer virtual reality game, despite her initial hesitation.
She continues her journey in the virtual game, where she has to clear the Aincrad castle floors. She teams up with a swordsman named Kirito, and together they intend to grow stronger. But they got caught in the middle of a crossfire between other players. She and Kirito also discovered a suspicious person who may be plotting something. Will they be able to find out?

Scherzo of a Dark Dusk Cast & Staff
A-1 Pictures produced the film, as it is the very same studio that produced the Sword Art Online TV series. They are also the production studio for known anime such as Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, Seven Deadly Sins, Fairy Tail, and many more.
Ayaka Kohno is the director of the film, as is the prequel. The director for the series is different, as it was Tomohiko Ito. On the other hand, the main cast members remained the same.
Haruka Tomatsu returned to voice Asuna Yuuki, and she is known for playing Zero Two in Darling in the Franxx and many others. Yoshitsugu Masuotska reprised his role for being Kirito as well. He is known for playing Inosuke Hashibira in Demon Slayer, and many more.
Read More: Sword Art Online Director Tomohiko Ito Launches His First Manga