This article, Akiye Tanaka, is property of Kenji-Taichō. Permission is required to alter its content. |
“ | I suppressed a chuckle. Sheila was all but hidden under a mop of black-coloured bed-head, the only indication she was awake being the hand that rubbed at her dark-brown eyes. Elise, meanwhile, managed to look at least somewhat dignified. She was up and alert, hair combed to neatness, in under a minute. | „ |
~ Excerpt from SAOK: The Business of Grinding, giving an example of one difference between the twins. |
Akiye Tanaka | |
---|---|
Personal Info | |
Real Name | Akiye Tanaka |
Kanji | 秋江田中 |
Age | 12 |
Gender | Female |
Height | 136 cm (4'5½") |
Weight | 31 kg (68 lbs.) |
Family | Momoko (twin) |
Player Profile | |
Display Name | Sheila |
Kanji (Display) | 詩蘭 |
VR Played | «Sword Art Online» |
Occupation | Crafter |
Affiliation | «Brightscale» |
Status | Alive |
Media | |
Appears In | «Sword Art Online (Kenji)» |
Akiye Tanaka (秋江田中), known by the username Sheila (詩蘭), was one of the 10,000 players trapped in «Sword Art Online». She was a founding member of a Clearer guild called «Brightscale» and supported her friends as a crafter. In-game Akiye ran the «Brightscale Smithy». Her twin sister was Momoko.
Akiye served as one of the primary supporting characters of the series. She was a major supporting character in Part I, the main supporting character in the Inbetweeners side-stories, a minor character in the Intermission chapters, and is slated to be a major supporting character in Part II.
Appearance[]
Akiye is a petite dark-haired girl with a cheery disposition.[1] Shortly after joining Kenji she wore crafting gear similar to a standard civilian NPC.[2] When not crafting however Akiye has appeared with a different outfit almost every day, which were made by Momoko whilst levelling her «Sewing» Skill.[3]
Guild unfirom[]
Seemingly in response to Kusaka's venting regarding the weight of the Tanking equipment his role required him to wear,[4] Momoko created a casual uniform rather than a strict battle uniform, allowing for the members of «Brightscale» to exhibit their own unique appearance when questing. The uniform she settled on was distinctly Eastern in design and consisted of a black-coloured kimono, white shitagi, black hakama, white ōbi, white tabi, waraji, and a simple armband with the «Brightscale» insignia emblazoned on its surface.[5] These uniforms were in use by the members of «Brightscale» by the 22nd of December 2022.[6] As a continuation of Kenji's insistence on protective equipment when the twins party up with him, Akiye wore several «Throwing Pick's» attached to her ōbi, whilst her shitagi was more thoroughly padded than those worn by her guild-mates.
Early crafting gear[]
“ | Still, it looked rather strange. Sheila was a kid -- only 12 years old! Yet here she was heating metal in a forge. It looked rather comical. She was the exact opposite of what you’d expect a blacksmith to be. | „ |
~ Excerpt from SAOK: New Year Resolutions, were Kenji observes how strange Akiye appears whilst crafting. |
Akiye's initial crafting clothing consisted of a set of denim dungarees and a thick apron tied at the waist, which was identical to the NPC blacksmiths encountered by Kenji and Airi, on the 2nd Floor of Aincrad.[1] This was in accordance with Kenji's observations as the set was entirely store-bought. Once she slotted «Blacksmith» as a Skill she donned a pair of protective heat-resistance gloves that allowed her to safely handle the various ores and ingots safely.[7]
Early combat gear[]
At Kenji's insistence the twins adopted battle-centric equipment whenever they were questing with him. This consisted of a tunic with a protective metallic breast plate, a studded leather skirt, cloth leggings, and fur-lined boots and gloves. The suit was completed with a ridiculous looking brown leather cap.[2] In addition to the above, Fujimaru gifted Akiye and her sister a rather potent «Cloak of Hiding» in the days immediately prior to his official recruitment into «Brightscale». This cloak was moss-green in colouration and was decorated with falling leaves.[8] This was one of the few items Akiye would wear regardless of whether it clashed with her current outfit or not and it became a staple of her load-out.[9]
Everyday casual outfits[]
The initial clothing she wore in Aincrad consisted of a plain woollen top, leather trousers, and plain black boots. Kenji noted this outfit to be entirely store-bought.[1]
One of her outfits is a yellow tunic that extends to thigh-level, which is usually paired with a pair of white three-quarter length trousers, and a pair of sandals. She wore this outfit when she met Fujimaru on the 3rd Floor and quested with him on the 2nd Floor.[10]
Another is an eye-catching scarlet T-shirt with a protective padded leather chest, three quarter-lengths trousers, and stout leather boots designed for field work. In addition, she wore a flower in her hair. This was the outfit she wore when she had a picnic with Fujimaru on the 4th Floor.[3]
During her time on the 5th Floor, Akiye had adopted leopard-print jacket and trousers, beige shirt, and her usual leather boots.[9]
Personality[]
Akiye and Momoko are twins with an energetic disposition and an innocent naïveté.[1] They were below the recommended age-rating for Sword Art Online at only the tender age of 12.[11] Kenji, however, noted that whilst the two have a long list of similarities, they have just as many differences as far as their personalities are concerned.[12] Akiye, unlike Momoko, is not a morning person and prefers sleeping in, and has demonstrated more of a tomboyish attitude than her twin.[2] As a crafter in Sword Art Online, Akiye eschewed the Skills that could best be described as arts and crafts which were favoured by her sister, opting instead to work iron and metal as a blacksmith and armourer.[13] Once she reached Level 20 and unlocked «Martial Arts» however she showed a notable desire to join Kenji and company on the battlefield,[14] and she eventually became a member of Kenji's Team A as a supportive DPS.[15]
Their shared naïveté resulted in the twins being assaulted and almost robbed by a fellow player with the username Loki when they approached him to help them clear a difficult quest on the 1st Floor. Kenji, thankfully, came to their rescue, and subsequently took them into his care.[1] This began a long-term recovery process for the twins who were so adversely affected by the ordeal that they couldn't sleep at night unless they knew Kenji was in the same room.[2] Akiye was also terribly frightened at the mere sight of Loki and when she met him against alongside Fujimaru, she immediately moved behind Fujimaru for protection.[10] Their reliance on Kenji, coupled with widespread misconception regarding their relationship, led the player population to wrongly assume that Kenji was their elder brother. Even Fujimaru laboured under this misconception.[7] Whilst she viewed Kenji as a brotherly figure it was Yoshiro whom she viewed as a parental figure, and it was often he whom she went to for advice first and foremost whenever she had a problem or questions.[3]
Despite the fallout associated with Loki's actions, Akiye managed to befriend a number of her fellow players, despite initially finding it difficult to trust others outside the core «Brightscale» group.[2] The most notable of these friendships were Ino and Fujimaru. Ino helped Akiye from a business point, and she eventually helped the young Akiye grow into a confident and knowledgable crafter of weapons and armour with an impressive customer base.[13] Fujimaru, however, touched her life more profoundly than anyone sans Kenji himself. The two initially bonded over their closeness in age,[10] discovered they shared many interests,[3] and came to genuinely enjoy one another's company.[9]
Akiye is a fan of Disney's animated films, specifically Frozen and Moana. When she first met Kenji's friends she walked in on an impromptu party celebrating Kusaka and Sojiro reuniting, and sung various Disney songs alongside her sister.[1] Whenever festivities were called for the twins were often called upon to sing, which was something they took to with gusto.[7]
Relationship with Fujimaru[]
With the possible exception of Kenji and her twin, Akiye's most noteworthy bond in Sword Art Online was Fujimaru. Even early into their friendship Akiye was known to reschedule plans with her guild-mates to spend time with Fujimaru, even becoming the first outside his grandparents to compliment his snow-white hair.[10] Their closeness became a talking point amongst her guild-mates, and she got quite defensive when teased about this by Yoshiro. That said, when she asked Yoshiro for advice on how best to move past an awkward spell, Yoshiro was quick to offer advice and the young couple bonded over a shared love of music.[3] Before Fujimaru had even joined «Brightscale» Akiye had stopped charging him for gear maintenance and enhancement.[9]
History[]
Synopsis[]
- Main article -- Sword Art Online (Kenji).
Aincard arc[]
Part I: Companionship[]
- SAOK: The Karma Scales
- SAOK: The Business of Grinding
- SAOK: The Eventful Taurus
- SAOK: The Moneymaking Crusade
- SAOK: Roving Rovia
- SAOK: Braving the Depths
- SAOK: New Year Resolutions
Inbetweeners I[]
Intermission[]
Part II: Determination[]
- SAOK: Old Hands, New Blood
- SAOK: The Bond of Brothers
- SAOK: Carrying on the Fight
- SAOK: Smuggler's Cave
- SAOK: Smuggler's End
Stats[]
Stat | Value | Time |
---|---|---|
Level | 4.[1] | December 6th, 2022.[1] |
Level | 6.[2] | Evening of December 7th, 2022.[2] |
Level | 12.[Notes 1] | In the time between December 7th and December 15th.[16] |
Level | 20.[14] | As of January 27th 2023.[14] |
Equipment[]
Weapons[]
Name | Type | Acquisition | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
«Throwing Picks» | Throwing Blade | Bought by Kenji and given to Akiye on the morning of December 7th.[2] | Used only when questing or farming mobs with Kenji.[2] |
Crafting[]
Name | Type | Acquisition | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
«Heirloom Hammer» | Crafting Gear | Acquired as a rare drop from a «Bandit Tailor» on December 6th 2022, by Kenji and given to Akiye.[1] | Comparable to shop-bought gear found on the 3rd Floor.[1] |
«Portable Forge» | Crafting Gear | Shop-bought.[16] | Purchased after hitting level 12 and acquiring the «Blacksmith» Skill.[16] |
Accessories[]
Name | Type | Acquisition | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
«Unnamed Agility earring» | Earring | Received December 19th 2022,[16] as a reward for the «Jade Key» quest.[17] | Grants +1 to Agility.[17] |
«Sigil of Lyusula» | Ring | Received between December 26th and December 29th 2022,[16] from Yofilis, after the completion of the «Shipwright of Yore» quest.[18] | Allows access to «Dark Elf» areas.[18] Increases Skill proficiency gain.[17] Grants +1 to Agility.[18] |
Items[]
Name | Type | Acquisition | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
«Vendor's Carpet» | Mercantile mat | Early Christmas present from Kenji.[16] | Acquired after hitting level 12 and acquiring the «Blacksmith» Skill.[13] |
«Cloak of Hiding» | Cloak | Given to Akiye and Momoko by Fujimaru on December 30th 2022.[9] | Helps obscure the wearer by blending them into the background.[3][8] Durability decreases with continued use, requiring the «Sewing» Skill to repair.[9] |
Skills[]
Akiye began her career in Sword Art Online as a non-combatant, though when she was questing or farming materials with Kenji, she used «Throwing Picks» to lightly injure a monster before Kenji finished it off to increase her experience yield.[2] This practice would continue when questing with Fujimaru. At his direction the twins were given a «Cloak of Hiding» apiece which allowed them to easily resolve fetch quests in monster-infested areas without their more battle-ready comrades having to constantly watch out for them.[9] Midway through January 2023 Akiye reached Level 20 and unlocked «Martial Arts». This provided her a means of causing descent direct damage, though she was never considered a front-line member.[14]
Akiye's primary role is crafting and maintenance.[19] Her initial skills included «Heavy Metal Armour Forging» and «Light Metal Armour Forging».[1] Her third skill, acquired during intensive questing and monster-farming whilst partying with Kenji, was «Metal Refining».[2] She reached her fourth skill slot in the time between December 7th and December 15th, with her fourth skill being «Blacksmith».[16] By the time «Brightscale» was established as an official guild, Akiye had built an impressive customer-base and product knowledge. Kenji's gift of a Vendor's Carpet allowed her to set up a shop in any safe-zone when her combat-focused comrades were questing or farming.[13]
Sword Art Online[]
SAO SKILL SLOTS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Heavy Metal Armour Forging | Light Metal Armour Forging | Metal Refining | Blacksmith | Martial Arts | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Appearances in other media[]
Specials[]
Akiye has appeared in a number of specials and one-shot chapters, usually as a confused spectator. Whilst considered canon to the rest of Sword Art Online (Kenji), these chapters are designed to be light-hearted and not overly serious, with content that can rightly be called ridiculous.
The specials in question are:
- The Tortilla Crusade! -- one-shot celebrating "National Tortilla Chip Day".
Author's notes[]
Behind the scenes[]
- Akiye's height and weight measurements, including physical appearance, is modelled on Karin Kurosaki from Bleach.
Trivia[]
- Akiye was put forward for one section of the Sword Art Online Fanon's 7th Year Polls in 2019, specifically the "Best Couple" category.[20] Akiye won the poll, having been paired with Fujimaru Nakamura.[21]
References & notes[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 SAOK: The Karma Scales
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 SAOK: The Business of Grinding
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 SAOK: Inbetweeners III
- ↑ SAOK: Unexpected Meetings
- ↑ Guild uniform
- ↑ SAOK: The Twin Sword Conundrum
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 SAOK: New Year Resolutions
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 SAOK: Inbetweeners IV
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 SAOK: Inbetweeners V
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 SAOK: Inbetweeners I
- ↑ Volume 2, Morning Dew Girl, Part 1
- ↑ SAOK: The Eventful Taurus
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 SAOK: The Moneymaking Crusade
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Intermission: A Matter of Skills and Proficiency
- ↑ Intermission: Matters of Trust
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 16.6 SAOK Timeline
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Progressive Volume 2, Concerto of Black and White, Part 2
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Progressive Volume 3, Barcarolle of Froth, Part 7
- ↑ Brightscale Roles
- ↑ SAO Fanon 7th Anniversary
- ↑ SAO Fanon 7th Anniversary results
Notes[]
- ↑ Akiye managed to craft the «Crimson Tide» for Sojiro sometime between the 15th and 17th of December. Since she also crafted light-metal and heavy-metal armor for the other members of «Brightscale» she did not remove any existing skills. The only way she could have forged the «Crimson Tide» was if she reached level 12, gained her fourth skill slot, and slotted «Blacksmith» in her fourth Skill slot.