Sinon (Shino Asada) Sword Art Online - Nendoroid
Since the series' debut as a web novel in 2002, the Sword Art Online series has become one of the most recognizable franchises in the anime community. After the series received its first anime adaptation by A-1 Pictures in 2012, its popularity quickly spread throughout the world. Nearly a decade later, the Sword Art Online series has received several other sequel anime adaptations, films, video games, and spin-offs. As the popularity of Sword Art Online continued to increase, fans became more and more eager to collect merchandise of their favorite characters, with figures being one of the most desired. Out of the many manufacturers of figures, one of the most reputable is Good Smile Company and their Nendoroid line, which takes fan-favorite characters from many different franchises and turns them into small, chibi-style figures. Out of the many different characters who have been made into Nendoroids, one of the most notable would be Sinon (Shino Asada), who saw the release of the "Nendoroid Sword Art Online II Sinon". This particular figure would go on to become so popular, subsequent re-releases of it would follow.
Nendoroid Sword Art Online II Sinon
This figure of Sinon recreates her appearance from the Gun Gale Online arc of the Sword Art Online series, which consists of short, shoulder-length blue hair, a military green outfit with white armor and black shorts, and a white scarf. As one might expect, this figure also includes Sinon's beloved Hecate II sniper rifle. This rifle also has an effect part that can be added or removed to make it look like it is in the middle of firing. Other parts included with this figure are parts to pose her in a prone firing position and a second face plate with an embarrassed expression.
Manufacturer: Good Smile Company
Sculptor: Isao Shirasagi
Specifications: Painted, non-scale, articulated ABS and PVC figure with additional parts and stand included
Height (Approx.): 100 mm | 3.9"
About Sinon (Shino Asada)
Sinon, also known by her real name, Shino Asada, is one of the main characters of the Gun Gale Online arc of the series.
About Sinon (Shino Asada): Background
Prior to the events of the Sword Art Online series, Shino Asada lost her father due to a car accident, leaving her alone with her mother. Later on in her childhood, she and her mother would become hostages in an armed robbery. In the incident, Shino, who was still a child at the time, managed to take the assailant's pistol and kill him. This incident resulted in Shino developing a severe phobia of guns as she grew up. Eventually, one of her friends suggested that she try playing Gun Gale Online as a way to try and get Shino to overcome her past trauma. Inside of Gun Gale Online, Sinon is known for being exceptionally calm and collected, two traits that are required for any sniper of her caliber. Outside of the game, however, Shino can be anxious and prone to mental breakdowns whenever firearms are involved, even if someone is trying to do an innocent prank.
About Sinon (Shino Asada): Abilities
After getting hooked on Gun Gale Online, Sinon would eventually be rewarded her primary weapon, the PGM Ultima Ratio Hecate II, as a rare drop from a powerful boss. With this weapon, Sinon would go on to become an extremely powerful sniper and one of the best players of Gun Gale Online overall. This rifle is described as an "anti-material" sniper rifle, which alludes to the power it has to penetrate through incredibly tough materials. In games she would play further in the future, Sinon tends to prefer other long-ranged weapons like bows.
Other Important Sword Art Online Characters
Two other characters worth mentioning from the Sword Art Online series would include the series' main protagonist, Kirito, and its main heroine, Asuna.
Kirito (Kazuto Kirigaya)
Kazuto Kirigaya is a young man who developed an interest in computers and video games at a young age due to his adoptive aunt being an editor for a technology magazine. This eventually culminated in Kazuto becoming one of the lucky few who were able to beta test the highly anticipated VRMMORPG known as Sword Art Online. Here, Kazuto named his character Kirito, which he would go on to use for other games later in the series. When Sword Art Online was released to the public, Kirito is shown to be rather helpful to others by teaching them game mechanics. That said, many often think that Kirito can come off as blunt or standoffish because of his desire to do things alone. Eventually, however, he meets Asuna and learns how to work better with others.
Asuna Yuuki
Asuna Yuuki is a young woman who was first introduced at the beginning of the Aincrad arc of Sword Art Online. As the series goes on, Asuna quickly becomes known around the game for her mastery of the rapier. Her skills eventually let her become a sub-leader of the Knight of the Blood, a powerful guild whose goal is to reach the final floor of Aincrad and free every player in the game. Much like Kirito, Asuna is very kind and willing to help others, sometimes to the point of being overly selfless. Furthermore, aside from her skills as a fighter, Asuna is quite proud of her cooking skills, which she managed to max out early on. Although they first meet on the first floor of Aincrad, Kirito and Asuna eventually become a couple and get married in-game.
Links
Nendoroid Sword Art Online II Sinon (Re-Release)
Eugeo Sword Art Online - Nendoroid
Asuna Yuuki Sword Art Online - Nendoroid
Kirito (Kazuto Kirigaya) Sword Art Online - Nendoroid
Sword Art Online - Figures
Asuna Sword Art Online - Figures
Kirito (Kazuto Kirigaya) Sword Art Online - Figures
Alice Zuberg Sword Art Online - Figures
Leafa (Suguha Kirigaya) Sword Art Online - Figures
Sword Art Online - Merchandise
Sword Art Online Swords - Merchandise
Nendoroid Label
Sword Art Online Label
Sinon (Shino Asada) Label
Good Smile Company Label