Unboxing [US]: Sword Art Online - Box Set 2: Aincrad Part 2: Limited Edition (Blu-ray)

The second half of the first half of the first season.

Here's an overview/unboxing for the reprint version of the first of four limited edition boxsets from Aniplex of America for Sword Art Online Season 1.

Like I said for the first set, Sword Art Online has some problems but I still enjoy the franchise. I do recommend you check out the light novels because it covers the whole story and also everything is from Kirito's perspective (SAO Progressive, another light novel from the same author covers the story from Asuna's perspective).

This very expensive and now soon to be out of print limited edition set from Aniplex of America contains the second half of Sword Art Online's Aincrad arc which covers episodes 8 to 14. Note that due to the early release (which is unusual for a lot of English releases) the sets had to be split into multiple parts and as such were given special treatment to make up for the price tag.

The set also provides a bonus DVD of exclusive staff interviews, chipboard artbox, postcards, booklet and on-disc extras including the Sword Art Offline specials and Audio Commentary. Like all Aniplex of America sets, the Blu-ray is region free and contains unlockable subtitles. The audio for this set contains the original Japanese language and an English dub.

Another thing to point out is the audio track for the English audio, like Fate/Zero the content was too big and given Aniplex likes to prioritise on the Japanese part of the discs the English audio had to be reduced to Dolby Digital 2.0. This may be disappointing for many but it's better than not having a dub if you think about it.

Blu-ray Specs (Main Feature):

Languages: Japanese, English

Audio: LPCM 2.0 [Japanese], Dolby Digital 2.0 [English]

Video: 1080p HD Native 16:9

Region: A, B, C

Subtitles: English & Spanish [Japanese language]

Subtitles Locked: No

Discs: 2

DVD Specs (Exclusive Staff Interviews):

Languages: Japanese

Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 [Japanese]

Video: SD NTSC 16:9

Region: 1

Subtitles: English & Spanish [Japanese language]

Subtitles Locked: No

Discs: 1

Plot Synopsis (via Back cover):

It's been 2 years since the players of Sword Art Online were first trapped in this life-or-death adventure. As Kirito and Asuna get closer, Asuna starts to want distance from the Knights of the Blood, but her wish does not come easily. The Assault Team launches an attack on the 75th floor boss, but they find the Skull Reaper to be an extremely tough foe! Meanwhile, Kirito begins to feel suspicious of Heathcliff's actions...

Extra Content:

Chipboard Limited Edition Artbox

Bonus DVD: Exclusive Staff Interview

16-page Deluxe Illustration Booklet

Set of Pin-up Illustration Postcards

Aniplex 'Proof of Purchase' card

Audio Comnentary by Creators and Japanese Cast

Special Animation 'Sword Art Offline'

Original Web Previews

Trailer

1st Season Textless Ending

Sword Art Online is pretty much no longer available as a Limited Edition Blu-ray set from Aniplex of America (unless they release a standard set). The DVD version is still available. For other territories the Blu-ray and DVD are available from Manga UK and Madman.