In one of the most shocking incidents recorded recently, a man in Warwickshire, UK, was arrested after approaching police officers while wielding a Master Sword. Nuneaton resident Anthony Bray has been sentenced to four months in prison for “possession of a bladed article in public”, according to a statement from Warwickshire Police.

The incident took place in Nuneaton town centre, where Bray was arrested immediately after approaching officers with the object clearly visible in his hand. Police identified the “bladed item” as the Master Sword from the popular video game series The Legend of Zelda. This sword, known for being the weapon that seals away darkness in the Zelda universe, was described as a six-inch blade that could be drawn at the press of a button.

Despite Bray's claims that the object was simply a stress toy, authorities did not accept his explanation. The police tried to make him understand that, despite its recreational purpose, the item in question was a sharp and cutting object that could be used as a weapon and cause fear in the population.

Bray was charged on 28 June at Leamington Spa Magistrates' Court, where he was sentenced to four months in prison and fined £154 (approximately US$ 200) to compensate victims. The West Midlands region, which includes Nuneaton, has the highest rate of knife crime in England and Wales, which could explain the police's lack of tolerance for the possession of sharp objects in public.

Sergeant Spellman of the Police Patrol Investigations Unit said: “We have a zero tolerance stance on laminated items in public, and Bray violated that rule. It is possible to find stress-relieving toys that are not six-inch knives. It is also possible not to walk down the street holding them in plain sight. With a little more common sense, Bray could have avoided contact with us altogether.».

This incident highlights the importance of public awareness and responsibility when transporting objects that could be considered weapons. Despite the iconic nature of the Master Sword in the world of video games, in real life, any sharp object can pose a potential danger and be treated as such by the authorities. But of course, it didn't take long for the news to reach Japan:

• «What? In a different world you could be arrested for something like that?».
• «In the UK, the bagpipes have recently been considered a musical instrument again rather than a weapon under the law, but it seems that this time they have considered the Master Sword a weapon.».
• «How ridiculous!».
• «Four months in prison and a fine of three thousand yen? Plus, a royal ruling… as you’d expect from the UK!».
• «I think he got arrested because he wasn't dressed like Link.».
• «Is this forbidden…?».
• «I completely understand the desire to use it because of the otaku spirit. You really have to be careful».
• «Unable to become Link».
• «Will there be anyone nearby who considers the Master Sword a threat? (´ω｀)».

Source: Otakomu