Sword Art Online is getting a brand-new original film, with the franchise revealing the title, creative team, and 2028 release date this week.

The film is called Sword Art Online -Integral Domain- and will be directed by Shingo Adachi, known for his work as chief animation director on the earlier SAO seasons. The project is being produced at A-1 Pictures and Psyde Kick Studio, with character designs by Yumiko Yamamoto (Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld, Yohane the Parhelion -SUNSHINE in the MIRROR). Animec will handle distribution.

The story is an original creation by Reki Kawahara, the franchise creator, and takes place after the events of the Alicization arc. Returning to voice their iconic roles are Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Kirito and Haruka Tomatsu as Asuna.

This announcement marks the next major project for the SAO franchise following years of buildup. The film was first teased during "Sword Art Online -Full Dive-," a special event celebrating the 10th anniversary of the anime in 2022. A more concrete teaser emerged at the Yuna First Live concert on April 29, 2026, with both announcements hinting at an original story not adapted from existing novels.

Kawahara's Sword Art Online web novel began in 2001 and evolved into a multimedia franchise spanning multiple anime seasons, films, manga, and spin-off novels. While the original "Alicization" arc concluded the author's initial web novel storyline, the franchise continued with newer story arcs including "Moon Cradle" and "Unital Ring." The Progressive spin-off series also received two anime film adaptations.

The franchise remains active across multiple media, with a new action RPG titled Echoes of Aincrad launching on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in July 2026, while a live-action adaptation has been in development.

More details about Sword Art Online -Integral Domain- are expected as the 2028 release approaches.