No, Sword Art Online (SAO) has not officially ended. While a major storyline has concluded, the series continues to evolve with ongoing content and future plans for its main narrative.
Current Status of the Main Series
The "Alicization" arc represented the culmination of a significant segment of the Sword Art Online storyline. However, its conclusion does not mark the end of the overall series. The narrative for the main SAO show is planned to continue, specifically with the "Unital Ring" arc, which is currently being developed in the original source material. Future anime adaptations are expected to cover this arc once sufficient content is available.
Ongoing Content and Future Releases
The Sword Art Online universe continues to expand through various forms, ensuring its active presence and development:
- Light Novels: The primary source material, the light novel series, is still ongoing. Readers interested in continuing the story beyond the events of the Alicization arc can do so starting from volume 19 and subsequent releases.
- Anime Films:
- The franchise has released Sword Art Online Progressive movies, which delve deeper into the initial Aincrad arc from a different perspective.
- A new, original Sword Art Online movie has also been produced, contributing to the expanding lore and adventures within the SAO world.
This continued production across multiple media platforms confirms that the Sword Art Online franchise is very much active and far from concluded.
