Entertainment company Bandai Namco Filmworks announced a new anime special for the Echoes of Aincrad: Sword Art Online game on Friday, revealing the cast members, staff, a teaser visual (pictured right) and a trailer. Subtitled Unanswered//butterfly, the special will be included with the ultimate and premium editions of the game, which launches July 9, and will also have a promotional screening event in Japan on May 9.

Cast
Emirun: Tomoyo Kurosawa (Akudama Drive)
Rex: Kouki Uchiyama (Horimiya)
Kirito: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Kimetsu no Yaiba)
Asuna: Haruka Tomatsu (Darling in the FranXX)

Staff
Director: Tadahiro Yoshihira (Kuutei Dragons)
Screenplay: Keisuke Makino (Tsuki to Laika to Nosferatu), Tadahiro Yoshihira
Music: Kegani (Sword Art Online: Alicization theme song arrangement), Pan (Fate/Grand Order: Fujimaru Ritsuka wa Wakaranai), Iruma Rioka (Mahoutsukai no Yome Season 2 Part 2 theme song arrangement)
Studio: Polygon Pictures

Synopsis
The world's first full-dive VRMMO, Sword Art Online— commonly known as SAO. What was meant to be a dream world has transformed into a nightmare: a death game where dying in the virtual world means dying in real life.

Emirun and Rex, who knew each other in the real world, reunite by chance within SAO. The two find refuge in a scouting party and begin to learn how to survive in this unforgiving world. One day, however, the party encounters a mysterious PK (Player Killer) known only as the Black Swordsman. Emirun rushes to the scene, only to find Rex, with his head hung in despair, and the Black Swordsman standing over him. The Black Swordsman...had wiped out their entire party.

Determined to avenge their fallen comrades, Emirun and Rex seek out the prodigy swordswoman Asuna and begin intense training under her guidance. In a death game where even players turn against one another, what new beginning will these two reach...?

Trailer


Official Game Site: https://eoa.sao-game.jp/

Source: Gamer

Sword Art Online: Unanswered//butterfly on MAL