Shanghai Said You Can Bring a 'Sword' on the Subway

Videos that have gone viral online show some commuters in Shanghai starting their subway ride by tapping a sword on the turnstile and calling out "Excalibur!" before passing through the Metro gates.

As knives are banned on the Metro system in Shanghai, the videos have raised questions about how the "swords" have passed security checks and whether they will risk public safety?

Shanghai Public Transportation Card Company told thepaper.cn on Thursday that the card was released on July 28 as its official collaboration with mobile video game "Fate/Grand Order," and it had received approval from the Metro operator to use it.

Metro officials also said that the card is permitted. They explained that although the card is modeled after a sword, it is made from rounded ABS plastic and has no sharp edges, thus cannot be classified as a weapon under current transit rules.

The design recreates Excalibur, the signature sword used by Saber, one of the key characters in the game. The 25.1cm "sword" functions as a standard stored-value Metro pass and retails for 119 yuan (US$16). It can be used in cities across China that support the national transportation card system.

The trend gained traction after players posted clips of themselves quietly murmuring "Excalibur!" while entering stations, a reference to the character's battle summon.

However, the design has also drawn skepticism. Some questioned whether a sword-like object could confuse passengers or raise concerns during security checks, especially at crowded stations. Others worried that normalizing weapon-shaped items could lead to misunderstandings.

In response, Shanghai Public Transportation Card Company stated that the product was reviewed jointly with the Metro operator before its launch. It emphasized that the material and blade shape were intentionally designed to prevent harm.

Shanghai Metro similarly stated that the card is not included in its list of prohibited items, which covers knives and objects that cause real physical injury.

Under Shanghai transit regulations, controlled blades and other items with the potential to cause harm are banned in the subway system. Passengers are also prohibited from bringing flammable, explosive, toxic, radioactive, or corrosive materials. If someone refuses to comply, Metro staff are required to intervene and notify police.