The light novel illustrations were just officially revealed for Sword Art Online Progressive Vol. 10, releasing on November 10, 2026. Not only do these preview images highlight one beloved hero from the story – Klein – who was just reintroduced into the story in Vol. 9, another character is officially returning to Aincrad in this upcoming volume.
In the original light novels and anime, Klein is a powerful player in the death game and beyond, fighting alongside the front line “clearers” as leader of his own guild: the Fuurinkazan guild.
While Klein’s role in Progressive Vol. 10 appears to be more of an emissary than a monster-slaying badass based on the info we know from the official book blurb and image previews, perhaps this story marks the turning point in the story where Klein finally joins the clearers on the front line?
Even more than that, however, the Progressive Vol. 10 preview highlights additional characters who will be making their return, as well as one villain who has previously lurked in the background of Progressive under his early Aincrad alias, 'Joe,’ but who fans know better as the evil Johnny Black.
First, Morte will undoubtedly play a role in this novel, as he’s featured facing off against a very red-eyed Kirito.
Morte has acted as a nemesis to Kirito in the Progressive light novels, with the two facing off against one another more than once over the course of the story. In the picture on the left, Morte appears to be in combat with a group of Dark Elves. This would coincide with what we know about the story from the official Dengeki Bunko book blurb.
“Responding to an urgent summons from informant Argo, “Something bad has happened,”
Kirito heads to Friben, the main district of Aincrad’s eighth floor. There, he is met by an unexpected person:
Klein—the curved sword wielder whom Kirito met and parted ways with on the first floor, “The Starting City.”
From Klein, Kirito learns of the plight of the two major clearing groups, ALS and DKB, and together with Asuna, Kizmel, and Argo, he sets out to resolve the situation.
Their destination is Sluva, the capital of the Kingdom of Kales-O, the land of the forest elves. A reckless mission begins: infiltrating the stronghold of the enemy forest elves!”
While Morte is clearly up to no good, in the next visual featuring the character, he appears to be at Kirito’s mercy, while Kirito flashes his terrifying red eyes.
Johnny Black and Kirito face off
The bigger reveal is Johnny Black, however. SAO anime fans will recognize Johnny Black from the anime – he originally debuted as Death Gun in the GGO arc, and appeared again just before the beginning of Alicization. While the first image appears to show the player killer in an amicable mood, clearly there is a face-off happening in the second image.
What will Laughing Coffin’s role be in Vol. 10? We’ll have to wait and find out, but clearly things are coming to a head as we head deeper into the eighth floor.
With the light novel illustrations officially revealed, as well as the official cover art that was spoiled weeks ago, we now have about as good of an idea as we’re going to get about Sword Art Online Progressive’s next release.
And as exciting as it is to get a sneak peek at these images, we’ll likely have another year to wait until Vol. 10 gets its English translation released by Yen Press. At least that gives us plenty of time to pick up the latest volume of Sword Art Online Progressive – Vol. 9 – ahead of the release of the next chapter.
Sword Art Online Progressive 9 (light novel) (Volume 9)
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$15.98 (as of 05:32 PM)
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Of course, there are plenty more Sword Art Online releases coming out. For a full list, check out my complete Sword Art Online release guide.
