What Does alice Stand for in Sword Art on Line
Interview: The Staff of Sword Art Online Alicization
by Jacob Chapman, 
It was a big weekend for Sword Art Online at Anime Expo this twelvemonth, with guests in attendance from the production of both the lighthearted Gun Gale Online spinoff and the main series' upcoming mega-arc: Sword Fine art Online: Alicization. While information technology was still likewise early on to preview the show fix to premiere this fall, you lot could definitely experience the nervous energy of series producer Shinichiro Kashiwada and vocalism actors Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Kirito) and Ai Kayano (Alice), equally they wrestled with the tender balance of hyping up the new serial without spoiling any of the twists and turns that give this arc its reputation.
So in that location's a new design artful for Alicization considering it's new Total Dive software and a new fantasy world. What was the process like designing all of the new avails for the story?
Kashiwada: The new visuals have a much heavier fantasy bias, and in that location are many more new characters, so information technology's very unlike. For this procedure, the principal graphic symbol designer is still Shingo Adachi, only in that location are two more for a full of 3 grapheme designers. And we take gone through design changes for past game systems such as Gun Gale Online, just we'll still have the consistency of the Sword Art Online game way informing these changes, so it's a look that nosotros tin all expect and enjoy.
What was the reasoning behind having iii graphic symbol designers? Is there an art-fashion shift within the story?
Kashiwada: Including Alice and the enemy, there are many more new characters, and we also have a new director for the testify. There has been a gradual shift in staff toward new talent that need to go incorporated. The other two character designers, Tomoya Nishiguchi and Gou Suzuki, worked very well in the last feature. So they deserve their promotion.
Well, congratulations to them. Then does this arc nowadays whatsoever new acting challenges for Mr. Matsuoka as Kazuto? Yous've been playing the grapheme for so long, what about this story was new for y'all as an actor?
Matsuoka: In fact, the showtime claiming came right in episode 1. I hope we're immune to talk about this, but correct away, Kirito, Eugeo, and Alice all show upwardly every bit eleven-yr-olds. When I looked at the visual of the characters, they looked much younger than eleven to me.
Kashiwada: Complain to Adachi on that one!
Matsuoka: Ms. Kayano could get past okay, just Nobunaga Shimazaki as Eugeo and myself as Kirito were in abiding fear of performing in episode 1, equally if we were going to go fired. They're supposed to exist eleven, but they look like eight-year-old characters. I didn't wait to have to do a young boy's voice.
Kayano: If it's an xi-yr-erstwhile boy, the part is usually performed by a female voice actor.
This arc has some major twists, like the i y'all mentioned in the very first episode. Practice you read ahead when you lot're preparing to play the character, or practice you lot like to go in blind?
Matsuoka: It actually depends on the show. If I know too much most what's going to happen, it's going to rob me of the freshness of my acting. But if it's a complicated story and I don't know what's going on, and then I may become things wrong, and Alicization is a very complicated story arc, so I remember I did need to read everything ahead of time for this arc.
Kayano: For me, information technology also really depends on the championship. I think I'm a similar type of performer every bit Mr. Matsuoka. For the Alicization arc, I'm actually reading the novel as we tape. But the story is very intricate, and it takes fourth dimension to digest, and so each time I receive my side by side script, I get to the novel and read through the same place in preparation.
What was Ms. Kayano's familiarity with Sword Art Online before being cast, and what was your reaction when you lot become the titular part in such a big project?
Kayano: I knew about Sword Art Online, but I didn't accept too many opportunities to become to know the show in detail. I debuted as a voice actor effectually the same fourth dimension as Mr. Matsuoka, so I had the run a risk to hear about what he got to do as a bandage fellow member of SAO, such as going on stage overseas. I didn't think that I would get to have the same chance, so that part of the feel has been wonderful. When I got the function on SAO, I was very quick to let Matsuoka know that I would be his co-star.
Sword Art Online has many heroines. What makes Alice stand out virtually to you compared to the others?
Kayano: Alice is a mystery. Just similar her namesake inspiration, she introduces y'all to a globe total of wonder, and in that location are already surprises starting in episode ane if you've been a long-time viewer of SAO. And if you haven't read the novels, y'all will really exist surprised at what's going on throughout the story. But that's something to wait for, to enjoy the wonderful surprises.
I take not read ahead, so I'm certainly waiting to be surprised by the anime.
Kashiwada: Nosotros can guarantee that you lot will at times be wondering if this really is Sword Art Online.
While I have not read ahead, everyone I know who has says that this is the best part of Sword Art Online so far. Do y'all experience similarly? Why exercise you call up this arc is so beloved?
Matsuoka: It'south difficult to answer, because anything we said would be a spoiler.
(As if predicting his own mistake, Matsuoka and then made a remark that had to be hastily hushed up by the Aniplex representatives in the room. Kashiwada elected to handle the question from there.)
Kashiwada: I can probably say that once again Kirito will be staking his life to resolve a conflict within the context of a game, but just every bit Matsuoka said, this time it'due south unlike considering in that location's a life and death matter taking place in the real world. Also, in previous incarnations of the game, we didn't have game characters starting to go sentient on their own. And then there are those heavier themes involved, and peradventure that will make it easier to sympathize with a wide range of characters.
Alright, I'm really excited now. So without spoiling anything, what moment are y'all near excited for fans to encounter blithe?
Kayano: SAO has many iconic heroines, simply I think Alice volition be the one that you really tin't your eyes off of, considering Alice changes the near throughout the story, and that's something that I'thou looking forrad to portraying as a vocalism extra myself. Although we haven't gotten to the place where she undergoes her greatest change even so in recording, she will go through a lot that I desire viewers to experience.
Kashiwada: If I were to give you lot one keyword as a hint, go along detect of the blue rose.
Matsuoka: What? I don't even know what he means by that!
Kayano: Aye, that'south even cryptic to united states of america. There will exist a lot of fascinating weapons as well throughout the bear witness, so that'due south something to wait forward to.
(Perchance uneasy subsequently his slip-up before, Matsuoka struggled with answering this question earlier Kayano intervened.)
Kayano: Matsuoka, you lot're friends with Nobunaga, so what nigh Kirito's friendship with Eugeo?
Matsuoka: Aye, there is a development in their relationship that's going to be heart-clutching.
(Matsuoka tried to find the words to elaborate on this, but the tension was too great, and the room bankrupt down into teasing and laughter.)
I feel like I've accidentally acquired a pocket-size scuffle here.
Matsuoka: I still don't even know what Kashiwada was talking about with that "blue rose" hint.
Well it sounds similar there is a lot to look forward to.
Thanks to Anime Expo and Aniplex for the opportunity.
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