Sword Art Online Progressive’s Next Release Reunites Kirito with An Old Friend
There’s nothing like meeting up with unexpected friends in Old Aincrad.
Just last week, news of Progressive’s next light novel – Vol. 10 – was announced via the Dengeki Bunko official website. Today, the official blurb for the upcoming release was revealed.
Sword Art Online Progressive Vol. 10 teased with the return of an old friend
Sword Art Online Progressive Vol. 10’s cover has yet to be revealed
“A reunion with an old friend leads to a new, high-difficulty quest—infiltrating the forest elf capital!?”
The hook for Vol. 10 teases the return of an old friend. But who could that be? While at first many names might go through your mind, there’s really only one character it could be: Klein!
The rest of the blurb goes on to say:
“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!”
Klein has been noticeably absent from Progressive until now
Klein of course plays a vital role in the main Sword Art Online story. Whether he is aiding Kirito and Asuna in clearing Aincrad, or coming to the rescue in the Underworld, Klein is Kirito’s steadfast friend.
It feels strange, therefore, to have Klein missing for so many volumes so far of Progressive. Other main characters from the Aincrad arc are present, including Argo and Agil.
Although relatively little is revealed about Klein so far, it’s clear from the blurb that Klein is likely becoming involved with the front line clearers attempting to beat the game.
We know that at some point Klein becomes one of the strongest players in Sword Art Online. He’s a vital member of the front line fighters, and even leads his own guild.
Will we learn what he has been up to since parting ways with Kirito in the Town of Beginnings?
Kirito and Asuna finally explore the eighth floor
Clearly even Progressive’s thorough pace isn’t enough to keep up with everything that happens floor-to-floor between Kirito and friends. Progressive’s original premise was to devote one book to each floor. However, multiple floors have already taken up more than one book. Not that I’m complaining as my favorite SAOP arc to date involved a well-deserved two-book story.
Here in Book 10, we’re only just now finally exploring the eighth floor. Although technically Kirito and Asuna reached floor eight at the end of Vol. 9, they were backtracked for most of the story, spending much of Vol.9 on the fourth floor.
As revealed in the official SAOP Vol. 10 blurb, however, not only does the next volume explore the eighth floor, the Elf War quest that has been ongoing since SAOP Vol. 2 appears to possibly be coming to an epic conclusion.
Releasing on November 10, 2026 in Japan, Sword Art Online Progressive 10 promises to be an exciting and meaningful ride for SAO fans – one that brings yet another beloved character into the SAOP storyline.
And who knows? Maybe some day we’ll get another Sword Art Online Animated film with Klein in it!
One can dream.
