Source: 泡の海 awa no umi (@awanoumi2) - image used with permission

Japanese hobbyist’s stunning “carbon blades” combine sword & lightsaber in futuristic designs

Japanese hobbyist 泡の海 awa no umi (@awanoumi2) works in a company selling FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic) materials. In his spare time, he uses the skills he's acquired through his work to create original dolls as well as "weapons." (Since they are made of reinforced plastic and contain no metal, they are only weapons in appearance, not practical function). Sometimes, he puts his creations up for auction on sites like Mercari and Yahoo Auctions.

Among these creations, his "carbon blades" are particularly impressive. Fitted with sensors, electronics and finished in futuristic (some might say "cyberpunk") designs, they combine elements of a sword and a lightsaber, complete with sophisticated sound and light effects.

His most recent carbon blade is a real stunner. The third of a series of 光刀 "light swords", the 炭素繊維強化樹脂戦術太刀「夜烏ー月華」 CFRP (carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic) Tactical Tachi style sword "Night Crow - Moonflower," has been deservedly garnering attention since he revealed the finished product on his Twitter account on February 20th, 2022.

Reproduced with permission from 泡の海 awa no umi (@awanoumi2)

According to the creator, his inspiration for the design of this carbon blade comes from several sources, including sci-fi RPG games like Ghostrunner and Punishing: Gray Raven.

Take a look at this unsheathing video which has over 1.1 million views at the time of writing:

Reproduced with permission from 泡の海 awa no umi (@awanoumi2)

Here is a video showing the whole blade, activated, along with its scabbard:

Reproduced with permission from 泡の海 awa no umi (@awanoumi2)

Moreover, as you can see in the video below, the blade is equipped with a motion sensor, which allows it to react when you move it.

This is what it looks like when you actually swing the blade as you might do in a cosplay setting, for example:

In addition to the games Awa no Umi mentioned as inspiration, his carbon blade seems to remind people of characters from a few others. Some of the reactions were:

  • "Wow! So cool!
  • "This is Raiden (from Metal Gear Rising)"
  • "This is too cool. I can imagine how excited I'd be if I could hold this in my hands."
  • "I'm reminded of Ash in Apex Legends..."
  • "I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it (...)"
  • "I'm getting goosebumps."
  • "Whoa. I'm gonna get me one of those."
  • "Nice kife."

If you'd like to know all the details about this amazing carbon blade, the specifications are listed below:

Specifications

General Information

  • Category: Carbon blade, "light blade" (replica sword)
  • Name (Japanese): 炭素繊維強化樹脂戦術太刀「夜烏ー月華」
  • Name (Translation): CFRP Tactical Tachi Sword "Night Crow - Moonflower" (Yogarasu - Gekka)
  • Total length: approx. 117 cm (3'10")
  • When stored in scabbard: approx. 118 cm (3'10.5")
  • Blade length: approx. 80 cm (2'7.5")
  • Blade thickness: approx. 12 mm (0.5")
  • Blade weight: approx. 1030 g (2.27 lbs)
  • Scabbard weight: approx. 995 g (2.19 lbs)

Materials

  • Blade: CFRP + Highly transparent FRP + Silver carbon FRP
  • Handle: GFRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic)
  • Scabbard: GFRP
  • Protection plate: PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PS (polystyrene)
  • Two 20mm rails mounted (7 slots + 11 slots)

    • Electronics

    • Light source: NeoPixel 2020 LED tape 1m 120 bulbs
    • Light emission control board system: XenoPixel
    • Charging port: USB-C

    CFRP Tactical Tachi Sword "Night Crow - Moonflower" is currently listed on Yahoo Auctions with bidding ending around 21:20 on February 26th, 2022 (JST).

    * Please note that it may be difficult or not possible to have it shipped internationally. You can try going through a proxy shopping service like White Rabbit Express which handles auction site items.

    To see more of Awa no Umi's cool creations, follow him on Twitter.

    By - Ben K.

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