NieR:Automata's starting sword is getting a $1,200 smart replica

Do you need another sword for the sword collection that you definitely have?

Japanese audiovisual manufacturer Hibino Corporation is releasing a $1,199 complete set of the White Contract, the starting katana used by 2B in NieR:Automata. I will admit right now that NieR:Automata is my favorite modern video game. I love the visuals, the music, the gameplay, and the story, so my objectivity regarding a 1.3-meter glowing sword is somewhat compromised. U.S. Orders for the complete set opened on April 10, 2026, with the first shipping wave scheduled to begin on or around April 15, 2026, and the second around May 13, 2026. It bundles the previously released 1/1 scale smart toy with a dedicated light-ring display stand and a soft carrying case.

Aluminum, ABS resin and an accelerometer

The replica measures exactly 1387mm long and weighs just over 1.2 kilograms. Hibino built the blade and hilt using a mix of die-cast aluminum and ABS resin. They applied a weathering paint job to make the weapon look like it has actually seen heavy combat against machine lifeforms. The hilt wrapping uses traditional Japanese sword braiding techniques to replicate the delicate woven texture seen on the in-game model.

Because swinging a massive piece of metal around your living room is inherently dangerous, Hibino made a few practical compromises. The actual edge of the blade and other fragile components use ABS resin instead of aluminum for safety reasons. The tip also includes a removable silicone rubber cover to prevent accidental property damage.

The "smart" part of this smart toy comes from an internal accelerometer powered by four standard AA batteries. When you swing the sword, the blade lights up and plays slashing sound effects that match your physical movements. It also plays various voice lines from 2B depending on the specific way you handle the hilt and blade.

I need this for my living room

Square Enix and PlatinumGames released NieR:Automata back in 2017. It was a sequel to a 2010 cult classic that very few people played, but the follow-up exploded in popularity. The game's blend of bleak philosophical storytelling and tight hack-and-slash combat cemented it as a modern classic. The White Contract (known as Virtuous Contract in the English localization) is the very first weapon players use. You spend dozens of hours watching 2B swing this specific blade through ruined cityscapes, desolate factories, and abandoned amusement parks. It is the visual anchor for the game's entire combat system.

Hibino originally sold just the sword by itself for 89,100 yen. This new complete set bumps the price to 133,078 yen (roughly $1,199 in the US) to include the new display hardware. The included light-ring stand illuminates the weapon from below, giving it a museum-quality presentation. I am not entirely sure where you would safely transport a glowing, noise-making katana, but having a tailored bag for it is certainly convenient if you plan to take it to a convention.

From concert halls to collectibles

Hibino is an interesting company to tackle a project like this. They were founded in 1964 and primarily build massive LED displays and professional sound systems for concert venues. They recently launched their smart series line to apply that heavy-duty audiovisual engineering experience to high-end gaming and anime replicas.

The complete set is an expensive piece of merchandise, but the engineering on display is impressive. It is a massive step up from the static resin props usually found at conventions.