The recent Aniplex x Kadokawa Anime Matsuri livestream event unveiled exciting details for the eagerly awaited second season of Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online (GGO). This new season, titled Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II, will premiere on October 4 on Tokyo MX, Tochigi TV, Gunma TV, and BS11. It will air the following day on MBS and TV Aichi.
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Returning Cast and Characters
Fans will be thrilled to see Tomori Kusunoki return as the main character Llenn. Other beloved characters will also be back, including Yōko Hikasa as Pitohui, Chinatsu Akasaki as Fukaziroh, and Kazuyuki Okitsu as M. Their performances have been a key part of the series’ success and are highly anticipated in this new season.
Production Team
The anime continues to be in excellent hands with Masayuki Sakoi directing. Known for his work on Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious and Princess Resurrection, Sakoi brings a wealth of experience to the project. The series scripts will once again be overseen by Yōsuke Kuroda, who has contributed to popular series such as My Hero Academia and Mobile Suit Gundam 00. Character design and chief animation direction are handled by Yoshio Kosakai, ensuring continuity in the visual style fans have come to love.
Plot Overview
The story centers on Karen Kohiruimaki, a college student standing at an imposing 183 centimeters (6 feet) tall. Karen feels self-conscious about her height and struggles with social interactions. Seeking an escape, she enters the virtual world of Gun Gale Online, adopting the avatar Llenn, who is less than 150 centimeters (5 feet) tall and dressed in pink. In this digital realm, she encounters Pitohui, a striking, brown-skinned player. The two quickly bond, but Pitohui eventually persuades Karen to join “Squad Jam,” a team-based Battle Royale version of the Bullet of Bullets tournament.
Background and Adaptation
Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II adapts the light novel series written by Keiichi Sigsawa, which itself is a spinoff of Reki Kawahara’s original Sword Art Online series. The first season of the anime aired in April 2018, spanning 13 episodes. Aniplex of America streamed the series on Crunchyroll and Hulu, and later released it on Blu-ray Disc in 2019.
The light novel series continues to gain popularity, with Yen Press providing English translations for international fans. The engaging narrative and well-developed characters have contributed to its widespread acclaim.
Future Expectations and Fan Reactions
As the premiere date approaches, excitement builds among the fanbase. The returning cast and crew promise a continuation of the high-quality storytelling and animation that defined the first season. The new season is expected to delve deeper into the dynamics between Llenn and Pitohui, exploring their evolving relationship against the backdrop of intense virtual battles.
Moreover, the shift in production to A-1 Pictures, following Studio 3Hz’s transfer of its animation planning and production business, marks a significant change. Despite this, the core team remains intact, ensuring that the essence of the series is preserved.
Stay tuned for more updates and prepare for an exciting season as Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II hits the screens this October.
Sources: Aniplex x Kadokawa Anime Matsuri livestream, Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II anime’s X/Twitter account
