Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-6697950-20140624141338/@comment-6697950-20140902134918

This topic is meant for general discussions, not questions. But to answer your questions:

1) Pretty much every character who had at least some significance in the first arc + Leafa has already made their appearance in the second season (aside from Agil who runs a store so won't have much of an apperance unless Caliber is adapted). However, only Kirito and a member of Laughing Coffin will have major roles in the Phantom Bullet arc (GGO). Everyone else of the old crew will only act as background characters until after the arc (which will end around episode 12-14). Then the rest of the season will probably be side stories where the other characters have more action.

2) Last time it took a year. This time might be sooner. However, it will most likely not be before the season ends in December.