Ayano Keiko, known as Silica in virtual reality games, is a supporting character in the Sword Art Online series. She was one of the 10,000 players trapped in Sword Art Online, where she became known as a skilled Beast Tamer. Silica is most notable for her partnership with her tamed feathered dragon, Pina.

In SAO, Silica wielded a dagger and was known for her agility and beast-taming skills. After the SAO incident, she continued to play VR games, joining ALfheim Online as a Cait Sith race character. Keiko's journey in the series involves overcoming challenges, forming friendships, and growing as both a player and a person.

Silica plays a significant role in several story arcs, including her own side story in the Aincrad arc, and is part of Kirito's core group of friends throughout the series.

Personality and Appearance

In real life and SAO, Keiko has light brown hair tied into twintails with red ribbons. Her SAO avatar had red eyes, while her real eyes were light brown. In ALO, her avatar is similar but with blue clothing, and Cait Sith features like cat ears and a tail.

Keiko is kind, cheerful, and supportive of her friends. She can be easily flustered, especially in romantic situations. While initially becoming somewhat arrogant due to her popularity in SAO, she learned humility after a near-death experience. Keiko has a deep attachment to her familiar, Pina, demonstrating her caring nature.

Powers and Abilities

Silica possesses several notable skills across the virtual worlds she inhabits:

• Beast Taming: She was the first player to tame a Feathered Little Dragon in SAO.
• Dagger Skills: Silica is proficient with daggers in combat.
• Agility: Her playing style focuses on speed and agility.
• Familiar Communication: She can effectively command and communicate with her tamed monsters.
• Acrobatics: Silica is highly proficient in acrobatic moves.
• Support Skills: She has abilities in cooking, sewing, and playing musical instruments.

Trivia

• Silica's avatar name is derived from "Silica," meaning silicon dioxide, relating to her real name, Keiko (珪子), which contains the kanji for silicon.
• She named her familiar Pina after her real-world cat.
• Keiko was one of the youngest active players in SAO.
• In ALO, as a Cait Sith, she experiences strange sensations when her tail is touched.
• Her family follows a tradition of naming children after elements in the periodic table.
• Keiko attends a school established for SAO survivors after the incident.
• She has a character song titled "☆Lovely Super Idol☆" in the anime's soundtrack.
• Silica appears in several Sword Art Online video games as a playable character.