Sword Art Online may not be at Demon Slayer levels when it comes to the amount of swords to choose from, but it’s still an anime series that’s jam packed with cool swords that will make you want your own. It follows the adventures of Kirigaya Kazuto, better known as Kirito inside Sword Art Online’s video game world, as he saves the day with a series of signature swords such as Dark Repulser by his side.
Whether it’s Kirito’s Elucidator or Asuna’s Lambent Light, the show finds a way to make each sword that the characters use shine in their own ways, sometimes even giving the swords unique powers that fit the show’s RPG video game theme.
While none of the replica swords on this list have abilities that can help you kill monsters, each one is made to look just as it does in the anime, making them great collector’s items.
A Guide to Sword Replica Materials
Not all sword replicas are made equal and even the ones that are will have key differences due to the material they’re made from. There’s no hard and fast rule to what makes a sword material good so when looking for the “best sword material”, take a moment to think about what qualities you want your Sword Art Online anime sword to have and what you intend it for.
Foam
Foam-based sword replicas make for great cosplay swords and as an alternative for collectors who have small children at home. This material is the lightest used in making replica swords, making it ideal for carrying around for hours at a convention. Plus, if you have overly curious kids at home, it’s very unlikely for them to hurt themselves or each other even if they decide to have a little sparring session using your foam sword collection while you’re out getting groceries.
Wood
Wood is commonly used in replica katanas because of how easy it is to disguise the material as true metal. If you’ve seen a real katana, you may have noticed that the blade has two tones. In anime, this is often depicted in a stylized form that has half of the blade painted black and the other painted silver. With wood, you get a sword that’s lighter than steel, but more durable than a foam replica.
However, please keep in mind that wooden replica swords are still replicas and are in no way intended to function like the wooden swords used for Kendo training. These swords will snap if used for sparring.
Stainless Steel
Steel-based replicas are popular among collectors who value a true-to-life appearance for their swords. These tend to be more durable than most types of sword replicas in addition to costing more. If you truly want a steel replica sword, we recommend buying one for anime swords that are meant to look like real swords, that is, ones that show a blade’s metal work as opposed to being painted over, to get the most out of your money.
Steel sword replicas are especially popular among history and LARP enthusiasts since their realistic appearance makes them feel more accurately representative of the era a sword comes from. That said, LARP enthusiasts and cosplayers who want a sword that can handle a few swings are better off with a carbon steel blade since the material is more durable despite being less rust resistant.
3D Print
3D print is a new entry into the sword replica scene which is why few sellers offer 3D printed swords. They’re difficult to mass produce compared to other sword replica types which means they can rival and even surpass the price of many steel swords.
The only time a 3D printed sword may be a better option than a steel sword is if an anime, game, or show isn’t popular enough to have mass produced replica swords. Otherwise, you’re better off with any of the three aforementioned options.
6 Sword Art Online Sword Replicas You Can Add to Your Collection
Having said all that, which replica sword you buy is ultimately up to you. Fortunately, we have a number of Sword Art Online sword replicas that let you choose between foam, metal, and wood materials.
Kirito’s Dark Repulser
Kirito’s Dark Repulser was one of the swords he received from Lisbeth. In the show, the sword is made of a Crystallite Ingot, a special material made from dragon poop because that’s anime logic for you.
Luckily, you won’t have to go on a quest to find these swords since they’re made of regular steel and foam.
The steel replica of the Dark Repulser sword comes with a leather scabbard and has finer details on the handle and hilt. Meanwhile, the foam version of Dark Repulser uses a solid dark teal for the sword’s decorative elements. That said, it’s visually striking and would make a great accessory for cosplay.
Sword 1
Length: 109cm
Material: Steel
Sword 2
Length: 108cm
Material: Foam
Kirito’s Elucidator
We rarely see Dark Repulser alone in Sword Art Online because Kirito always uses it with his main sword, the Elucidator. Kirito cosplayers often choose to get Kirito’s Elucidator sword to pair with their costume since, as Kirito’s signature sword, it’s his most recognizable one.
Both the steel and foam replicas of this sword are virtually identical to each other, barring small differences inherent with the material and the fact that the metal Elucidator comes with a scabbard.
Sword 1
Length: 109cm
Material: Steel
Sword 2
Length: 108cm
Material: PU Foam
Kirito’s Night Sky Sword
Kirito’s Night Sky Sword a.k.a “The Black One” is one of the many secondary swords he picks up throughout Sword Art Online’s story. This long sword specifically shows up during the Alicization Arc after it was made by Sadore using a branch of the Gigas Cedar.
With a name like that, it’s expected that the sword should be all black just as it’s shown in the anime. This steel replica of the Night Sky Sword, however, has a heart and crescent moon design on the crossguard. If that discrepancy with the anime version of the sword is likely to bother you, you might want to skip this one. But if you’re open to a top-quality replica that takes a few creative liberties, this is for you.
Length: 108cm
Material: Steel
Kirito’s Blue Diamond Sword
Kirito’s Blue Diamond is a breathtaking sword that borrows from the basic form of the real-life rapier and mixes it with a distinctly Sword Art Online aesthetic.It gets compared a lot to Kirito’s Blue Rose Sword due to their similar looks, but the Blue Diamond sword gets far more screen time in both the anime and manga.
The Blue Diamond sword bears a resemblance to Dark Repulser and was one of two swords he used in the Alfheim Online story arc.
As for the replica of the sword, it’s a steel blade painted in a tasteful silver and black combo that comes with a navy blue “diamond” on the sword end of the crossguard. The leather scabbard is cut with a V-shape at the opening to let you show off its compex design even while sheathed.
Length: 107cm
Material: Steel
Asuna’s Lambent Light
Asuna is introduced in the anime as one of Sword Art Online’s best and fastest sword fighters which is likely why she wields Lambent Light, a thin blade that’s obviously a stylized version of a rapier.
Much like the French sword, Lambent Light’s replica features a beautiful crossguard that covers the top of the wielder’s hand that shares design elements with the pommel. Both the scabbard and the sword have eye-catching Art Nouveau elements that are bound to impress anime fans and non-fans alike.
Length: 107cm
Material: Steel
Asuna’s Alfheim Online Sword
Asuna doesn’t get as many swords as Kirito does, but she does get an even thinner blade in the Alfheim Online arc. Because her Alfheim avatar was the Fairy Queen Titania, her sword has a more fae-like appearance that might remind Lord of the Rings fans of the elves.
The replica of Asuna’s Alfheim sword has a straight steel blade that ends in a rather sharp-looking point. The sword’s handle has a more subdued version of Lambent Light’s scrollwork with the addition of a blue gemstone at its blade-facing end. Like the Blue Diamond Sword, this replica comes with a white wooden scabbard that lets the gem show even while the blade is sheathed.
Length: 118cm
Material: Carbon steel with wooden scabbard.
Conclusion
You can get a quality replica of just about every popular sword from SAO, but finding the one that works best for you and your lifestyle means taking into account what materials the swords are made from and the sword’s popularity. That said, it’s ultimately up to you whether you want the most iconic swords or something more niche that you feel called to.
20-something freelance writer who likes games and history maybe a little too much. When I'm not writing for the web, I write notes for a new Dungeons and Dragons campaign. Hyperfixations include Genshin Impact, color eyeliner, true crime, and Star Wars.
Juliana has been writing for nearly thirty years and concentrates on Tudor and Medieval history. She has written for Tudor Dynasty, Tudor Writing Circle, Historian Matt Lewis, and others. Juliana currently writes for Pen and Sword Publishers and is the author of several books, including Medicine in the Middle Ages and A History of Insanity and the Asylum.
