Established in 2005, A-1 Pictures is one of the biggest anime studios in Japan. Over the last few years, notably since 2024, A-1 Pictures has gained significant popularity due to the production of the famous anime series — Solo Leveling. Solo Leveling has undoubtedly been big for the studio, and right now, it could even be said to be its face. However, no matter how big Solo Leveling gets, the biggest project that A-1 Pictures has ever undertaken is Sword Art Online, the gateway Isekai series that made the genre popular worldwide.
Sword Art Online’s story was thought to have ended in 2020 with Season 3, but A-1 Pictures just revealed the return of the franchise in 2028 with a new movie — Sword Art Online: Integral Domain. Integral Domain and Beyond the System are neck and neck as the two biggest projects for A-1 Pictures in the works at the moment.
A-1 Pictures Is Bringing Back Its Biggest IP With Sword Art Online’s New Movie
A-1 Pictures is a studio that was first founded in Tokyo, Japan, on May 9, 2005, as a massive animation company under the Aniplex subsidiary. Since its founding, the studio has created many hit series, which include the likes of Solo Leveling, more recently, or older classics like Black Butler, Fairy Tail, and Blue Exorcist. Of course, among all the series this studio has created, none so far has had as much impact on the anime community as their 2012 project, Sword Art Online. The Sword Art Online anime was created based on the novel by the same name by creator Reki Kawahara, which was self-published between 2002 and 2008.
After the first season, A-1 Pictures would then go on to create two more installments, notably Season 2 in 2014 and Season 3 in 2018. The story officially ended with its last episode on July 12, 2020. At the time, many fans thought this was the end for the franchise, but the new movie announcement has proven that Sword Art Online is too big to just die. After 6 long years, on July 6, 2026, we finally have a new official project confirmed by A-1 Pictures. This new project is a massive theatrical movie release, titled ‘Sword Art Online: Integral Domain,’ and it’s projected for a 2028 release. Right now, we only have a new key visual and teaser, but we can’t wait for more information to be revealed. This new movie will bring back A-1 Pictures’ biggest IP in full force, and it could compete and even retake its throne as the Studio's face ahead of Solo Leveling.
Sword Art Online: Integral Domain Movie Could Outshine Solo Leveling In 2028
At the moment, fans would describe Solo Leveling as the biggest ongoing project that A-1 Pictures has. Additionally, the franchise also has a massive project coming next year in the form of a new movie, titled ‘Solo Leveling: Beyond the System.’ The studio is giving Beyond the System all its attention, and it’s going to be their biggest release of 2027. But following that, in 2028, Sword Art Online: Integral Domain is on the way, and given its popularity, it's going to steal the spotlight upon its release.
Undoubtedly, Solo Leveling is popular, but it doesn’t have the cultural impact that SAO has created over the years. Sword Art Online’s popularity also opened the floodgates for the Isekai genre to enter the overseas market. With its grand return after an 8-year absence, this movie is guaranteed to be a massive hit. The comparison is especially interesting when taking into account their Japanese popularity. Solo Leveling is very popular overseas, but it can still do much better in Japan. Meanwhile, Sword Art Online is massive both locally and internationally. Quality-wise, we expect A-1 pictures to go all out for both movies, and they're certainly going to be an exciting watch in theaters.
A-1 Pictures Will Continue With More Solo Leveling And Sword Art Online Projects
We are all excited about the announcements for the big animated projects for both Solo Leveling and A-1 Pictures. While we’re going to be entertained for the next two years with one A-1 Pictures release after another in the form of Solo Leveling: Beyond the System, and Sword Art Online: Integral Domain, fans are also wondering what’s next after that.
For Solo Leveling, we’re sure we will get to witness more content as the movie itself will not be able to conclude the story of the Manhwa. Even after the adaptation of the full Solo Leveling story by Chugong, we know there’s Solo Leveling: Ragnarok to adapt as well. When it comes to SAO, things are a bit more complicated, but there are quite a few spin-off novels for the series that could be brought to life afterwards, if A-1 Pictures wants to keep the franchise alive.
Solo Leveling
- Release Date
- 2024 - 2025-00-00
- Studio
- A-1 Pictures
- Creator
- Chugong
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
