The December issue of Kadokawa's Dengeki G's Comic magazine revealed on Friday that the Sword Art Online anime film's all-new original story will take place after the Mother's Rosario arc, which was the final arc depicted in the TV anime's second season.

The Mother's Rosario arc in Reki Kawahara's original light novel series covers volume 7 of the series. The second half of the anime's second season also covered the Calibur arc, which took place in volume 8 of the light novel series, but aired in the second season before the Mother's Rosario arc.

Kawahara is writing a new story for the film. Tomohiko Ito is returning from the two TV anime series and the anime special to direct the film at A-1 Pictures. Shingo Adachi is also returning from the TV anime to design the characters.

Kawahara's Sword Art Online light novel series inspired two TV anime series in 2012 and 2014, as well as the Sword Art Online: Extra Edition TV special in 2013. The franchise also includes several manga adaptations and spinoffs and three video games. A fourth video game will ship in 2016.

Thanks to Kagayakiru for the news tip.