Rings of Power (Andrew Richardson)
Credit: Ben Rothstein/Prime
It remains unclear why a sword appears to hover while a stone does not.
In the third season of Rings of Power, Anarion—a lesser‑known character from Tolkien’s legendarium—is introduced as the younger son of Elendil and brother of Isildur. His appearance has sparked discussion, as he was not mentioned in the first two seasons and appears older than Isildur.
The image of Anarion with a sword that balances on the top of his spine yet is not strapped to his hand or shoulder raises intriguing questions. The blade is neither sheathed nor being carried in a conventional manner, suggesting a unique visual effect or an unconventional design choice.
Contributors have speculated that the animation might have relied on AI-generated visuals, which sometimes produce improbable results such as a weapon off‑hand or a soldier holding a sword over a shoulder without any visible grip.
Other theories consider the possibility of hidden props—such as a tail or an unseen mechanism—that could account for the floating effect, or that the sword was placed in the frame to createителей dramatic tension, echoing the famed “Sword of Damocles” motif in a modern setting.
