Ordinal Scale: Non-canon or retcon to canon?

Paul Nebeling·6/13/2017 in S,R,&G

Yes, I know that the WoG isn't final on this. I would like to point out that a fairly large amount of noise is/was made over Kirito visiting the Yukki household and meeting Asuna's mother. Both of those events are clearly stated as never having happened in SAO9, which happens after OS. Also, there is the discrepancy of the release date of the Augma.

In contrast, I would like to point out that there are things in Progressive that are also clearly pointed out as not having happened in earlier LN. One specific example is the first time Kirito and Asuna formed a party together. The original LN say it wasn't until the Murder Case in the Area, while Progressive has them partied up (so far) thru most of the first five floors.

Both stories are considered to be canon. Anyone want to address why there's such a fuss over what I consider minor retcons, that Kirito went to Asuna's house and met her mother, but the a huge retcon of Kirito and Asuna's early history is quietly accepted?

(Edited by Paul Nebeling)

Valgaaf·6/13/2017

I think that at this point we cannot make final decision about OS, whether it's non-canon or retcon to canon. The movie, initially, was set after Alicization arc, but it was changed due to Directior's suggestion. As you mentioned, Reki himself is not sure what to do. In one of his recent answers on twitter, he said that he still needs to figure it out and it depends whether he will write novelization of Ordinal Scale.

I would vote for putting OS into grey area (kind of pending status). Not confirmed to be canon, but at the same time with the possibility of being one.

The main differnce between OS and Progressive series, is the that former gives us major contradiction (or "possible" retcon) to the whole choronolgy, which is putting one arc before or after another. Progressive, on the other hand, retcons only minor things, which are easy to accept and don't pose big contradictions.

To sum up, in my opnion, it is safe to put on hold any deep delibarations untill we know more.

Who knows, maybe in new, upcoming arc we will find some answers - tightly keeping his fingers crossed for appearence of the ring.

(Edited by Valgaaf)

ZeHaffen·6/13/2017

I'd hardly call their early history being changed a "huge retcon", the fact that they didn't party together until later on is mentioned in passing and doesn't really play any role in the story. Not to mention the fact that their history together is changed in the main light novel series alone, from the two having only ever spoken in boss meetings and Kirito making note that they'd never so much as been to a restaurant together (v1) to them partying together and going to a restaurant to work on solving the murder mystery (v8). This is even changed once more in the main series, where Asuna reminisces about her time meeting Kirito in the dungeon and them partying together on the early floors of Aincrad (v16). It's a detail that not only plays an almost nonexistent role in the story but one that is changed multiple times within the main story alone.

As for Kirito visiting Asuna's house, there's more than one reason for that. While this is not a major thing either, as it is merely another thing mentioned in passing, but it has to do with the original intent for Ordinal Scale. The story of Ordinal Scale was originally planned to be set after Alicization, as evidenced by Material Edition 22 and (I believe) directly stated by Kawahara on Twitter, and thus it stands to reason that something like this event was intended to take place later on in the story. Instead, Itou seems to have left this event in the movie despite having moved its location on the timeline, causing a break in continuity. I, personally, take more issue with this because it raises questions about movie-version OS's status as canon, whether or not Kawahara will release his intended version of OS (novel format, set after Alicization), and what this means in regards to the anime v. light novel timeline.

(Edited by ZeHaffen)

Paul Nebeling·6/13/2017

For what it's worth, I'm in agreement with the theory that OS was originally set AFTER Alicization. It just fits better overall. Ultimately, it's up to Mr. Kawahara.

My biggest conundrum with Progressive is that as close as Asuna and Kirito seem to be getting towards the end of SAOP4, what in Aincrad happened to keep them apart for so long? With SAOP5 nowhere in sight, it's hard to even speculate.

Here's a question that I'm having problems remembering. How "hard" is the date given in OS?. By that I mean, is it mentioned once at the start of the movie, then pretty much forgotten, or is the date continually mentioned during the movie?

(Edited by Paul Nebeling)

A Fandom user·6/13/2017

Is Kawahara taking the idea of writing a LN of OS under serious consideration or is that a rumor?

(Edited by A Fandom user)

Gsimenas·6/13/2017

According to his tweet, he has been playing with the idea. But that's all there is to it at the moment. He's not yet sure how he's going to handle it.

(Edited by Gsimenas)

ZeHaffen·6/13/2017

If you're wondering about their split, read Sugary Days. Any questions about what causes their split are answered there, at least, for the most part.

As for the dates, I don't recall there being any mention of a solid date during the movie. I believe the year 2026 is mentioned, but I don't think anything more specific than that is ever said (I may be wrong, though, so if I am someone please correct me).

(Edited by ZeHaffen)

Gsimenas·6/13/2017

The movie had tons of calendars and stuff for dates, so we do know the approximate span of the movie, if that's what you're asking.

(Edited by Gsimenas)

Paul Nebeling·6/13/2017

More or less, Gsi. The more visual dates seen, the harder it is to displace the story in time.

Went back and found it, Haffen. Can't help but wonder how long it will take for SAOP to reach the end of the Elf War quest.

(Edited by Paul Nebeling)

What do you think?