Sword Art Online: Box Set IV Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Sword Art Online: Box Set IV Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman December 25, 2013

Aniplex has perhaps been taking a pretty large gamble that there are enough Sword Art Online fans to sustain a pretty pricey series of box sets that has thus far included Sword Art Online: Box Set I, Sword Art Online: Box Set II and Sword Art Online: Box Set III. A substantially cheaper option is starting to become available, albeit without the supplements and swag that typified the first Aniplex releases. For those who are “rabid completists” and who have already invested in the first three deluxe box sets, the finish line is finally in sight with this fourth deluxe set, which finally brings the saga of Kirito and Asuna to a close.

The quest aspect of Sword Art Online continues unabated in the last few episodes included in this set, with Kirito continuing to "clear" levels while simultaneously attempting to save Asuna, but there are a couple of actually pretty interesting sidebars that erupt along the way, including a bit of corporate intrigue, a madman attempting the ever popular world domination, and some final wrap-ups in the actual “real” world. There’s a none too subtle hint that Kirito’s long journeys into virtual realities may not be quite over yet, so fans may want to be saving up their bucks for the next collection of pricey box sets.

Sword Art Online: Box Set IV Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

There's no appreciable difference between this fourth volume's AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1 and any of the previous volumes. Some parts of this presentation still continue to look slightly soft, but overall this is a very colorful and clear looking high definition presentation that benefits from precise line detail and some very well done looking backgrounds.

Sword Art Online: Box Set IV Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

As with the previous three volumes, the English dub here is presented via lossy Dolby Digital 2.0. The Japanese track, delivered via uncompressed LPCM 2.0, is obviously the way to go for audiophiles, at least if they're not overly bothered by reading subtitles. While there's nothing inherently wrong with the English language track, it's obviously nowhere near as boisterous as the Japanese track, especially in the action sequences. The score above reflects an average of the two tracks put together.

Sword Art Online: Box Set IV Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

On Disc Supplements

• Audio Commentary by Creators and Japanese Cast


• Special Animation Sword Art Online


• Original Web Preview


• 2nd Season Textless Ending

Non Blu-ray Disc Supplements

• Bonus DVD: English Cast Interviews


• 16 Page Deluxe Illustration Booklet


• Set of Pin-Up Illustration Postcards


• Exclusive Bushiroad's Weiss Schwarz Collectible Card #3


• Rigid Box Illustrated by abec (Original Character Design)


• Clear BD Cases with Reversible Wraps

Sword Art Online: Box Set IV Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Sword Art Online loses a bit of its momentum as it trundles along, and probably only the most resolute fans are going to be willing to shell out the considerable dough necessary to pick up all four deluxe sets. The good news is, these last few episodes actually pick up quite a bit of steam as the saga finally reaches its denouement, and as with the other sets Aniplex has released, this one is very handsomely packaged and comes with an assortment of on disc supplements and other accoutrements. Technical merits are good (save for the lossy English track), and Sword Art Online comes Recommended.