Crunchyroll censored version of ‘Sword Art Online Progressive: Song from a Starless Night’ Asuna Bath Scene

To the dismay of many Western fans who were hoping to wrap up their Thanksgiving break with the series’ latest cinematic outing, Crunchyroll appears to have censored their download of Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night.

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Sitting on november 24th to participate in the first animated adaptation of gradual Light Novels – which provide a more comprehensive retelling of the original sword art online The Story – Fans were quick to note that the version available on Crunchyroll was heavily censored.

Focusing on the series’ female protagonist, the specific scene in the questions focuses on a battle-weary Asuna taking a moment to bathe herself as she struggles to accept the fact that she is now trapped in the series’ eponymous MMO universe.

As meticulously detailed by YouTuber @lucaslkp_On the uncensored Blu-ray release of the film, this scene treats viewers to a few moments of brief fanservice as Asuna has a brief respite, her quick transition from relaxation to anxiety while stressing the toll it takes on her body.

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However, thanks to the platform’s subtle sensibilities, this landscape is almost entirely different when viewed on Crunchyroll,

Rather than showing any hint of Asuna’s exposed skin, Crunchyroll’s version of Starless night song She doesn’t just cover her strapless breasts with a weird “light-solid camisole” as she prepares to enter the bathroom:

But also takes things a step further by eschewing bathing body shots in favor of random environmental shots, like a faucet pouring water into a tub:

Or – in a case that ends up making viewers look more like a “peeping tom” than the original – a thumbnail of her current location, the house she shares with Kirito:

More confusing, however, may be the censorship applied to a later shot of Asuna relaxing in a bathtub. In the uncensored version, the heroine’s head, neck, hands, and chest—the last heavily obscured by the light’s reflection—can be seen through the bathing water.

But in Crunchyroll, the clean bathing water seen earlier has been replaced with a mysterious substitute that hides her body from the shoulders down.

Even her final exit from the tub did not escape the sergeant’s eyes. Originally upon exiting the bath, Asuna’s naked upper body can be seen, her chest covered with her arm, as she prepares to lift herself up.

Meanwhile, in the Crunchyroll version, the camera pans so high that only her head is visible, and any hint of potential nudity is simply pushed out of frame.

Crunchyroll’s decision to opt for a censored version of Starless night song The uncensored release has been particularly puzzling for fans, especially since the platform is not averse to offering such series as Berserk: The Golden Age Arc – Commemorative Edition as their production teams originally intended.

However, due to the fact that streaming services must separately license certain censored and uncensored anime versions, some have begun to speculate that Crunchyroll has chosen to host only the slaughtered version of the anime. Starless night song In order to increase sales of the upcoming English-language film, an uncensored Blu-ray release.

This unmodified version of Sword Art Online: Progressive – Aria of a Starless Night It is currently on track to hit US shores on January 24, 2023.

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