TV-Series
Description
Silica, whose real name is Keiko Ayano, is a recurring character throughout the *Sword Art Online* series. At age 12, she became trapped in the death game SAO, using the avatar name Silica. She gained fame as one of the rare Beast Tamers by taming a Feathered Little Dragon named Pina, feeding it peanuts. While popular on the middle floors, some parties treated her more as a mascot than a full member. This initial arrogance led to a critical incident where she separated from her party in the Forest of Wandering and exhausted her supplies. During an attack by Drunk Apes, Pina sacrificed itself to save her. Kirito intervened, saved Silica, and told her about the Pneuma Flower on the 47th Floor, which could revive Pina within three days. With Kirito's help, she retrieved the flower, revived Pina, and formed a lasting bond with him, viewing him as an older brother figure despite developing initial romantic feelings.
After SAO ended, Keiko attended a school for survivors. During the *Fairy Dance Arc*, she and her friend Rika (Lisbeth) made a pact to give Kirito and Asuna one month alone before pursuing him romantically, though they quickly regretted this upon seeing the couple's closeness. She later explored New Aincrad in *ALfheim Online* (ALO) as a Cait Sith, keeping her Beast Tamer abilities and gaining cat ears and a tail. In the *Extra Edition* OVA, she helped teach Kirito's cousin, Suguha (Leafa), how to swim and joined the «Deep Sea Plunderers» quest.
In the *Phantom Bullet Arc*, Silica gathered with other survivors in ALO to watch the Bullet of Bullets tournament. When the player "Death Gun" appeared, she explained the history of the murderous guild Laughing Coffin and their eventual defeat to Leafa. Later, during the *Calibur* sidestory, she joined Kirito's quest to retrieve the legendary sword Excalibur on December 28, 2025.
Silica is characterized as kind, cheerful, and deeply loyal to her friends. She maintains a strong attachment to Pina and is easily flustered in romantic or embarrassing situations, like having her skirt flipped by monsters or witnessing public displays of affection. Her skills in SAO included proficiency in One-Handed Dagger, Light Metal Equipment, and Familiar Communication.
After SAO ended, Keiko attended a school for survivors. During the *Fairy Dance Arc*, she and her friend Rika (Lisbeth) made a pact to give Kirito and Asuna one month alone before pursuing him romantically, though they quickly regretted this upon seeing the couple's closeness. She later explored New Aincrad in *ALfheim Online* (ALO) as a Cait Sith, keeping her Beast Tamer abilities and gaining cat ears and a tail. In the *Extra Edition* OVA, she helped teach Kirito's cousin, Suguha (Leafa), how to swim and joined the «Deep Sea Plunderers» quest.
In the *Phantom Bullet Arc*, Silica gathered with other survivors in ALO to watch the Bullet of Bullets tournament. When the player "Death Gun" appeared, she explained the history of the murderous guild Laughing Coffin and their eventual defeat to Leafa. Later, during the *Calibur* sidestory, she joined Kirito's quest to retrieve the legendary sword Excalibur on December 28, 2025.
Silica is characterized as kind, cheerful, and deeply loyal to her friends. She maintains a strong attachment to Pina and is easily flustered in romantic or embarrassing situations, like having her skirt flipped by monsters or witnessing public displays of affection. Her skills in SAO included proficiency in One-Handed Dagger, Light Metal Equipment, and Familiar Communication.