PlayStation®5/Xbox Series X|S/STEAM® "SAO" Latest Home Console Game "Echoes of Aincrad" Story Trailer Released!

Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. is pleased to announce the release of the latest video for "Echoes of Aincrad," the newest home console game in the "Sword Art Online" series, scheduled for release on PlayStation®5/Xbox Series X|S on Thursday, July 9, 2026, and on STEAM® on Friday, July 10, 2026.

In conjunction with the video release, the following information has also been made public:

• Approximately the first 10 minutes of the promotional anime video "Unanswered//butterfly" are now available in the archive of the "'Sword Art Online' Home Console Game Series 10 Million Units Sold Commemorative Program."

• Applications for the special event where the promotional anime "Unanswered//butterfly" can be enjoyed in cinemas are closing soon. Information on visitor gifts has also been released.

◇"Echoes of Aincrad" Official Website: https://eoa.sao-game.jp

◇"SAO" Game Official TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sao_gameinfo

◇"SAO" Home Console Game Official X: https://x.com/sao_gameinfo

◇"SAO" Game Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sao-game

"Echoes of Aincrad" Story Trailer Released!

"Sword Art Online" was supposed to be the ideal world we dreamed of.

As a beta tester, you met a solo swordsman named Iori and the "information broker" Argo,

and enjoyed your adventures in "Aincrad."

However, after the official service began, the utopia transformed into a death game where "game over = death in reality." You and your companions, leveraging your experience as beta testers, begin to take action.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/PUHkFlXQgSs

Approximately the first 10 minutes of the promotional anime video "Unanswered//butterfly" are now available!

Applications for the special event to enjoy the promotional anime in cinemas are closing soon.

Approximately the first 10 minutes of "Unanswered//butterfly" are now available!

Approximately the first 10 minutes of the promotional anime video "Unanswered//butterfly," which is over 110 minutes long and will be included in some editions of "Echoes of Aincrad," was streamed on Dengeki Online Channel during the

"'Sword Art Online' Home Console Game Series 10 Million Units Sold Commemorative Program"

and is now available in the archive!

The program also includes actual gameplay of "Echoes of Aincrad" and information about a present campaign commemorating the 10 million units sold of the "Sword Art Online" home console game series! Please be sure to watch.

Watch here: https://youtube.com/live/dpdUZC_ztEg

Products including "Unanswered//butterfly" can be found here: https://eoa.sao-game.jp/unanswered_butterfly/

"Echoes of Aincrad" Special Event Applications Closing Soon!

Applications for the special event where "Unanswered//butterfly" can be enjoyed in cinemas before its release are open until 23:59 on Sunday, April 5th!

The event will consist of three parts, with a stage greeting featuring a豪華 cast confirmed for Part 1.

Don't miss this first and last chance to watch "Unanswered//butterfly" in cinemas!

〈Event Outline〉

Date: Saturday, May 9th

Part 1: 12:00-15:00 / Part 2: 16:00-18:00 / Part 3: 19:00-21:00

Location: Tokyo/Osaka

Admission: Free

Speakers (Part 1): Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Haruka Tomatsu, Tomoyo Kurosawa, Kouki Uchiyama, Reia Kato, Rina, Mafia Kajita (MC), Tady Yoshihira (Polygon Pictures), Yosuke Futami (Bandai Namco Entertainment)

Event details here: https://eoa.sao-game.jp/special/specialevent

Application form here: https://survey.bandainamcoent.co.jp/jfe/form/SV_6lHP8vzbsBjkb8a

Apply by 23:59 on Sunday, April 5th, for a chance to win luxurious visitor gifts!

Those who apply for the "Echoes of Aincrad" special event by 23:59 on Sunday, April 5th, are selected, and attend the event will receive two visitor gifts!

〈Gift Contents〉

・"Echoes of Aincrad" / "Unanswered//butterfly" Original Double-Sided B2 Poster

・"Sword Art Online" Home Console Game 10 Million Units Sold Commemorative Illustration Acrylic Stand drawn by abec

Applications are closing soon, so don't miss this opportunity!

Event details & application here: https://eoa.sao-game.jp/special/specialevent

*Images are for illustration purposes only.

*Event and visitor gift contents are subject to change without notice.

*Please check the "Echoes of Aincrad" official product website for details.

"Echoes of Aincrad" Pre-orders Now Open!

Pre-orders for the luxurious packaged edition are now open at Dengeki Store within ebten!

Pre-orders are now being accepted at Dengeki Store within ebten for a luxurious packaged edition of this title, which includes original merchandise!

The Premium Edition includes a "Unanswered//butterfly" Special Box, which contains a Blu-ray Disc with the uncut version of the over 110-minute promotional anime video "Unanswered//butterfly" and a special discussion video, as well as a soundtrack CD, in addition to limited merchandise.

Be sure to pre-order this luxurious edition to fully enjoy "Echoes of Aincrad"!

▼Pre-order here

・"Echoes of Aincrad" Premium Edition Dengeki Special Pack:

https://store.kadokawa.co.jp/shop/ebtendengeki/g/g7015026070901/

・"Echoes of Aincrad" Premium Edition:

https://store.kadokawa.co.jp/shop/ebtendengeki/g/g7015026070902/

・"Echoes of Aincrad" Standard Edition Dengeki Special Pack:

https://store.kadokawa.co.jp/shop/ebtendengeki/g/g7015026070903/

Pre-orders for download versions are now open for PS5®/Xbox Series X|S/STEAM®!

For the download versions sold on PS5®/Xbox Series X|S/STEAM®, in addition to the standard edition, pre-orders are now open for the "Deluxe Edition" and "Ultimate Edition," which include bonuses such as early access to the "Death Game Mode" content available after clearing the story, and planned expansion DLCs.

The Ultimate Edition includes the contents of the Deluxe Edition, plus an app that allows you to enjoy the uncut version of the over 110-minute promotional anime video "Unanswered//butterfly," a digital soundtrack, and a digital art book. Be sure to check it out!

▼Details here

https://eoa.sao-game.jp/products

What is "Echoes of Aincrad"?

We were certainly here.

The world's first full-dive MMORPG, "Sword Art Online."

The adventure experienced by diving into a virtual space with one's consciousness attracted many players.

However, this virtual world transformed into a death game where death in the game meant death in the real world.

Among the countless trapped players, "you" were also there.

In this world, more cruel than reality, "you" reunite with Iori, a beta tester with whom you have adventured before.

An RPG that depicts the worries and conflicts of players trapped in a virtual world where death is always present, set on the floating castle "Aincrad."

What is the promotional anime video "Unanswered//butterfly"?

A feature-length promotional anime of over 110 minutes for "Echoes of Aincrad," produced by Polygon Pictures.

This content can be enjoyed by purchasing the download version "Ultimate Edition," or the "Premium Edition" and "Premium Edition Dengeki Special Pack" currently available for pre-order at Dengeki Store within ebten.

*"Unanswered//butterfly" is planned to be screened or distributed separately for free for promotional purposes.

Details here:https://eoa.sao-game.jp/unanswered_butterfly

〈Synopsis〉

Emilun and Rex, who knew each other in the real world,

unexpectedly reunite in "SAO," which has become a death game.

The two join a map survey team and learn how to survive in the world of "SAO."

However, one day they encounter a mysterious PK (Player Kill) player known as the "Black Swordsman."

What Emilun saw when she arrived was Rex hanging his head weakly, and

the "Black Swordsman" looking down on him.

It was the "Black Swordsman" who annihilated the survey team――.

Emilun and Rex meet the genius swordsman "Asuna,"

and begin special training to avenge their comrades.

In a death game where even humans fight each other, what new beginning will they reach...?

Introduction PV here: https://youtu.be/Zj4FqCJiW80

◇"Echoes of Aincrad" Official Website:https://eoa.sao-game.jp

◇"SAO" Game Official TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sao_gameinfo

◇"SAO" Home Console Game Official X:https://x.com/sao_gameinfo

◇"SAO" Game Official YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@sao-game

"Echoes of Aincrad" Product Information

*Information is current as of the information distribution date. Content may change without notice after announcement.

Please be aware in advance.