Akihiko Kayaba
Creator of Sword Art Online
The architect of the Sword Art Online world and mastermind behind the death game, a genius game developer.
Quotes
- This world is reality. It must be.
- Life is precious even within a game.
- In a world you can't escape, you have no choice but to fight.
- The boundary between virtual and reality is yours to decide.
- People find freedom within the game.
Trivia
- His real-life appearance is reflected in his in-game avatar.
- His surname 'Kayaba' actually exists as a real Japanese surname.
- No specific real-life model as a game developer, but portrayed as the ideal VR engineer.
- His death serves as a pivotal turning point in the story and plays a significant role in the series.
- SIde story作品でも彼の過去が掘り下げられている。
Alternate names
Akihiko Kayaba
桐ヶ谷和人
Profile
- Species
- Human
- Gender
- Male
Appearance
- Overall appearance
- Middle-aged man wearing glasses. Distinguished by refined facial features and hair streaked with silver. Possesses a smart and composed demeanor.
- Eye color
- Brown
- Hair color
- Silver
- Distinguishing features
-
- Glasses
- Silver Hair
- Refined Features
- Iconic items
-
- Glasses
- Lab Coat
- VR Headset
Personality and abilities
- Core personality
- Calm
- Detailed personality
- Rational, calm, and calculating, yet harbors nihilism and philosophical musings. Capable of ruthless decisions at times, while also possessing an idealistic side that envisions the future of the world.
- Keywords
-
- Genius
- Calm
- Calculating
- Philosophical
- Ruthless
- Motto
- People seek freedom even in virtual worlds.
- Talents
-
- Game Programming
- VR Technology Development
- Advanced AI Design
- Strategic Planning
- Skills
-
- Virtual Reality World Design
- System Administration
- Psychological Manipulation
- Motivation
- To pioneer new possibilities for humanity in virtual reality and provide the ultimate VR game experience.
- Habits
- Occasionally stares into the distance, muttering philosophical soliloquies to himself.
- Favorite foods
- Unknown
- Hobbies
- Programming, VR Technology Research
- Disliked situations
- A world without freedom, Meaningless restrictions
History
- Backstory
- A brilliant game developer and the chief designer of the VRMMORPG Sword Art Online's world and systems. Planned and executed SAO's death game, trapping players inside the game world. Midway through the story, revealed the truth of the death game, pursued his ideals and objectives, and ultimately died.
- Debut date
- April 10, 2009
- Work title
- Sword Art Online
- Media type
- Anime
- Episode or chapter
- Episode 1
SAO Death Game Launch
- Significant event
- SAO Death Game Launch
- Description
- Activated the death game where players could no longer log out, and death in the game world meant death in reality.
Revelation of the Truth
- Significant event
- Revelation of the Truth
- Description
- Revealed his true identity to Kirito and explained the purpose of the death game and the world's mechanics.
Death
- Significant event
- Death
- Description
- Using the virtual world's collapse as a trigger, he died via the collapse program.
Relationships
Kazuto Kirigaya
Rival
Confronted each other to save the game world.
戦場ヶ原ひたぎ
ALfheim Online Development Team
ALfheim Online Development Team: leader
Media appearances
Sword Art Online
Anime / Supporting
2012 TV Series
Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale
Movie / Cameo
2017 Theatrical Release
Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet
Game / Supporting
Voice cast and creators
Yūichi Nakamura
- Voice actor
- Yūichi Nakamura
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- TV Anime Version
Patrick Seitz
- Voice actor
- Patrick Seitz
- Language
- English
- Version or series
- English dub
Reki Kawahara
- Creator name
- Reki Kawahara
- Role
- Original author
abec
- Creator name
- abec
- Role
- Character designer
A-1 Pictures
- Creator name
- A-1 Pictures
- Role
- Animation studio
Related goods
Akihiko Kayaba Figure Voiced by Yūichi Nakamura
- Item name
- Akihiko Kayaba Figure Voiced by Yūichi Nakamura
- Category
- Figure
- Availability
- Regular
SAO Official Glasses-Type VR Accessory
- Item name
- SAO Official Glasses-Type VR Accessory
- Category
- Accessory
- Availability
- Limited