Sometimes, loving a video game franchise means calling it out. This varies based on what the franchise is and what the transgression is, but if there's one thing that's clear, the treatment of Eivor isn't something many Assassin's Creed Valhalla fans are happy with. NOTE: This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for Assassin's Creed Valhalla.
Today, a new Assassin's Creed Funko Pop leaked online which has slowly been circulating throughout the AC Community via hubs like @AccessTheAnimus. This Funko pop is named "Eivor" and seemingly comes with two editions: a standard version with Hidden Blade and axe, as well as a GameStop exclusive with two axes. Much more about these Funko pops, including their validity (which does seem legit) and price, has not been revealed, but it seems likely such information will come soon. However, for those who have played Assassin's Creed Valhalla, one issue may be rather glaring: that's not Eivor.
Indeed, there are three choices when starting the game: selecting a male character, selecting a female character, or selecting "Let the Animus Decide." The latter option is the canonical choice, one in which both male and female versions of "Eivor" appear in the game. This may be the case in terms of how both of these characters existed, but there is truthfully only one Eivor and she's a woman. The male character does not exist in the canon choice outside of a couple of key missions, where the character is accurately and aptly named Havi.
In such a way, Havi is Eivor but no moreso than Ezio was Desmond. It can be quite confusing trying to decipher Assassin's Creed lore, but the bottom line is, the below Funko Pop is a continuance of male-dominated marketing by Ubisoft, one which the character depicted does not exist as displayed. This Funko Pop could have been more accurately named Havi or even, because it is a choice, male Eivor, but no, it seems the name of Eivor Varinsdottir is minimized here, likely many female characters of the franchise before her.
Because this is a leak, however reliable it may seem, there could be some key detail that is missing. Perhaps the name was changed after these images were taken but before they hit shelves and maybe there will at the very least be an accurate version of Eivor as well. However, when it comes to accuracy in portraying a character, not just an Assassin's Creed character, words like "Perhaps," "maybe," or "at the very least" are not words that just be used. The Funko Pop depicted here is Havi, not Eivor, which is more than established by the game and its world.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.