You ever gone into an anime or video game forum and see one of those topics about what series you'd want to live in? People will name cool action series with lots of monsters and robots and whatever, the really exciting stuff. Personally, I wouldn't want to visit any kind of world like that. Sure they're cool from the outside looking in, but, you see, I'm kinda opposed to pain and stuff like that is full of it! Even Pokemon seems pretty dangerous. Nah, I'll just stick with taking my chances in the real world.

Kirito, however, doesn't get that choice when he finds himself trapped in the VRMMORPG Sword Art Online. Now not only is pain in the game real, but death in the game means death in real life. And between monsters and rising aggression between players the kill count is quite high. But he has an advantage as a beta tester that allows him to not just survive, but to excel.

So now Max Factory is giving the Black Swordsman of SAO the hero's treatment with his own figma. Kirito is looking like a mid-level figma with lots of parts and accessories. The sculpting on his clothes and coat look great and I'm glad they used different shades of black and gray. The white lines on his BlackWyrm coat are especially nice looking, hopefully they look that clean on the production version. Maybe it's just me, but the skin tone looks pretty dark compared it his relatively light complexion in the anime?

He'll come with three face parts featuring a smile, shouting, and that uneasy/confused face. Of the three I could do without the shouting face, I hate it when some figma open mouths are sculpted as a big pink blob on their face. Especially when other figma have surprisingly well sculpted mouths. It's like he's been gagged with a pink balloon. Would have much preferred that Kirito-trademarked intense stare or gritted teeth. Anything but the open mouth!

He has no shortage of accessories. As a duel wielder he'll come with both his primary black sword, Elucidator, and his crystal sword, Dark Repulser. They're not just well sculpted, they also have some really fine paint details for some great accuracy. They also include their unique sheaths which can be equipped with either Elucidator alone or as a pair. And just to raise the bar we get to see Dark Repulser with an effect part which is nice, but I think it would have been better if it was clear where it slides over the blade. Apparently there's also an effect part for Elucidator as well.

I can't be the only one that's more than a little excited that we're actually getting the male character from a series ahead of any female characters. All too often we'll see a male lead character get snubbed by Max Factory in favor of secondary female characters so I have to give them credit for coming right out of the gate with Kirito. Pre-orders are scheduled to open this Tuesday in japan so plan on watching for them late Monday night/early Tuesday morning in the west. Price is ¥3,800 yen and he's planned to be released in May 2013.

[via figma blog]