#polywater is the spice

[idol--hands]

OK, this sent me down a rabbit hole this morning.

But it was interesting!

The two are dressed as characters from a video game that is now a manga & an anime, called Touken Ranbu (Tōken Ranbu) -- the plot is about ancient living swords (swords taken from actual Japanese history) and the pretty boys who wield them. Initially marketed as a (harem) video game for women.

Despite appearances, the universe is set in the future of 2205 and humanity is suffering a crisis, population is down, and people hope the pure spirit of these swords can spark a solution - one group of warriors believes the power should be used to reverse time and the other thinks we should embrace our future and use the energy to improve it.

At this point in the future, women have been replaced by "robots" (no women), so these are actually both MALE characters despite appearances; they are not main characters, so I assume they are the artist's favorites. They were tricky to figure out, there are MANY characters!!

⚔️

DATA is dressed as #Iwawooshi (ee-wah-woo-she) who uses a unusually large "naginata" or *pole sword. Pole swords were apparently used by female warriors in particular, so they have a particular appeal to women. He looks wild, but was raised in a refined manner and appreciates delicate things.

LORE is dressed as Jiroutachi (gee-row-tah-chee), who is the little brother of Taroutachi; for some reason Jiro has some garb that is traditionally female when he fights (not all his outfits are like this); the character likes to drink heavily. Jiro's sword is "ceremonial", like his brother's, but unlike his older brother, it is not too large to actually be used in battle. Oh. And he's a "shape shifter", whatever that's about.

Interestingly, both characters have orange/yellow eyes.

So...

DATA: "Hmm, it's a *naginata. This is my first time looking at the real thing!"

LORE: "It's uncomfortable in these clothes, but my only real drawback is that I can't get drunk."

Data and Lore ostensibly (and adorably) cosplaying as a shrine maiden and a warrior monk ^__^

(Source)