New Cosplay: Shinobu Oshino from Bakemonogatari

Finally, something other than a general update! Not to say that this post won't involve one, but hey, it's progress. For the past two weekends, I've had the pleasure of debuting a new cosplay. It fits into many of the general themes found in my upcoming costumes: unnecessary headgear, planned in 5 minutes, made with materials I don't commonly work with.

While Shinobu's dresses aren't difficult in their design, chiffon was my material of choice, which I've only used sparingly a few years ago. Despite it being so slippery, it was easy to gather, and the pattern I chose was very modifiable. The wig I've used is a bit curly (reusing pieces, GO FRUGALITY), but I was too lazy to straighten out this beast...and it photographed nicely, so who cares?

 yay! Bathroom selcas before leaving the house...

The makeup involves a lot of red eyeshadow and false lashes, but flash photography + untamed fringe = where did all of my work go. I ended up just looking like a typical moemoe beast at AnimeiCon.

Photo by Jiunn Chang

 Photo by Ryan Tseng

 Photo by BlizzardTerrak

 Photo by Ryan Tseng

 Photo by Kelly Dun

 

Oh, how I love my impaired hearing (seriously, wig and helmets aren't the best idea) and my lovely partners--Crystal as Senjougahara Hitagi, and Trina as Hanekawa Tsubasa~

I can't wait to return home in late November for Thanksgiving! I will be buying fabric for my newest cosplays, but I won't be sewing until after me semester ends. However, I received my Sakizo wig in the mail a few days ago, so expect a makeup trial soon?

Are you making or doing anything interesting? I really don't do much other than school and tutoring...

Upcoming Cosplays (now with progress photos!)

I've been home for quite some time, but I've tried to limit my cosplay list to 7 new costumes in order to focus on craftsmanship and ensure that I get plenty of photos. This season's theme is...decided on in 5 minutes (and generally by someone else), poofy silhouettes, and unconventional headgear. But what characters does that inquire? In some sort of order:

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu from Glico's Pucchin Purin CM, to be worn at the J-Pop Summit festival in San Francisco on July 27-28th. Not sure when I'll be attending, but KPP will be performing that Sunday, and it's one of my sick dreams to meet a celebrity dressed as them.
EDIT: Not sure if I'll have Kyary completed now, because I was given an amazing opportunity! Harajuku Kawaii!! is having a fashion show on the 27th, and I will be modeling for them~ Never thought I'd be given a chance at modeling just because I'm short OTL

 

Oshino Shinobu from Bakemonogatari, aiming to debut at AnimeIcon in October. I have all of my materials, save for the goggles! Planning on making imitation Mister Donut, but my friends will have to toughen up and eat my attempts >:D

 

Another version of Ciel from Kuroshitsuji~ After re-wearing him at Fanime, I couldn't help but make some more ruffled monsters! I have a decent amount of black velvet in my fabric stash, as well as my red contacts, so there wasn't much of an option for me to avoid this...

Maccha Latte from Sakizo's Afternoon Tea, my first lolita-inspired project~ I've been searching for luxury fabrics online, but I don't plan on debuting this until Fanime, due to my schedule.

Hatsune Miku from Unhappy Refrain, boyfriend's fault. Have the wig picked out, finally get to work with vinyls *not sure whether to be excited to terrified*.

Hakudoushi from InuYasha, what a nostalgic costume! Might have a group for this, I'm just excited to finally play a villian...and have a giant stabby-stick orz

Have some progress pictures, I've been forcing myself to get some major work done lately, especially with my trip coming up on Friday >w<

Thankfully, a lot of wigs I own can be recycled for this season's cosplays. With some extra styling (and the help of a helmet), my Panty wig is perfect for Shinobu! Can't decide between using my EOS Adult lenses in brown or red..in the photos, I'm wearing the brown version, which are a nice gold color on light eyes.

 

I bought a long white wig for Hakudoushi, but it looked really flat. Luckily, I found my Soul wig amongst my wig boxes, and now I only have to trim the base wig and dye both to a pale lavender color.

 

Trying to crank out the rest of Kyary's Pucchin Purin outfit very quickly...I only have the shorts, boots, and gloves left. The ruffles are all ready for the shorts, and I just need to get motivated and dye my gloves, but I'm worried about the boots because of the chance of chipping paint.

Told myself I wouldn't work on anything other than Kyary and Shinobu until wintertime, but Michaels was having a sale on everything I used to make this headpiece for Ciel OTL Just need to fix one of the butterflies, and find a way to attach this to my wig.

I'm really excited for this lineup to come together! Considering that I'll be in Japan next year, I don't think that I'll be able to make any new costumes. Hoping to make it to AX next summer and attend more events in general, just to make up for my absence from the cosplay community in 2014-15. What are your plans for the upcoming season?

Most Neglectful Blogger, Here! Fanime 2013 and NorCal Summer

I am so sorry that I haven't been updating on a somewhat-regular basis. I haven't even been that busy, but every time I think about posting, something happens within my brain and it just doesn't happen. Recently, I've made an effort into forcing myself into adopting more hobbies. Hopefully that will produce enough photos, even after I move back to Monterey for school, so there will be no excuse to avoid this blog! Fair warning, while this is predominantly a cosplay blog, if I remember to update, there may be a new rush of photos including my meals and nail art...

Anyway, two months ago, I attended my seventh FanimeCon! It was not as busy as I had imagined, especially when I was too lazy to schedule shoots for all seven of my cosplays. There are some cosplays that I still need more photos of, so despite my shorter list for the 2013-14 season, some already-completed costumes will show themselves again. BUT ENOUGH WITH THIS HOPELESS TYPING..have some photos from my Fanime adventures~

Day 1

Wore Irabu again for a shoot with Johnny, who put up with me conversing in two languages and being threatened with blowing away. I don't think I've mentioned this to anyone, but while wearing this alongside the Jojo gathering, a man asked if he could get a photo with me upon his shoulder. It was a bizarre request, but I went along with it and have yet to see any evidence. Come on, internet.

 

After wearing Irabu for a few hours, I changed into Kitaro for a little while. It wasn't anticipated at all, but a small number of people recognized my costume (I also saw another Kitaro later in the weekend)! Unfortunately, as I took photos with some classmates, Medama Oyaji fell on the floor and broke an arm and a leg. I'll need to perform surgery before I wear this again...

Day 2

 

I tried to get a decent amount of sleep after trotting around in Kitaro, had a 9am shoot with Ben in my boyfriend's room for Hagane Miku~ Didn't wear this around the con too much, but my feet were killing me, so I had to be a diva and change into a kpop suit. That's definitely one of my most logical decisions I've ever made.

/blessing the internet with this beauty/ Fanime played a surprising amount of kpop at Stage Zero this year, but I guess not enough people follow the godsend that is Kim XIAH Junsu. Not sure when I'll be wearing this again. Boyfriend wants to go to KCon in August in this getup, but it'll be crazy hot and that's at the very beginning of my semester OTL

Day 3

No costume malfunctions because Sunday was old-cosplay day! I haven't worn Ciel since 2011, made sure to get photos with Ben and Sara that morning. Didn't even occur to me that Sunday is church-going day for many people...and was brave enough to shoot on the steps of the church next to my hotel. Lucky for me, the people that were late to the service still stopped for paparazzi photos. My bustle survived this time, I remade it using plastic as opposed to the wood and craft foam method from high school. It proved to be very lightweight, flexible for posing, and impressive enough to keep people from talking to me (which is a shame, I don't feel like I was social enough! SOMEONE TALK TO ME)

 

Changed into Inori, had started to schedule a shoot, but it fell through. However, I made plans to shoot...eventually with a friend of mine who has the school uniform for Shu~ I even go to take a selca with a stranger, what a new experience. It still makes me laugh when I invite old classmates to my hotel room for lunch as a small British boy, and once they show up at my door with sandwiches, this is what I look like XD I'm sure they're used to it by now.

For the last day, I did a super lazy couple cosplay! We did purikura as a lame excuse for a photoshoot, but I have yet to scan mine. Now that I have a smartphone, I can only hope to document events better.

After Fanime, I finally attended a NorCal gathering after a year. University took a lot out of my schedule, and these gatherings always happened a week before or after I had come home for a visit. This situation may improve considering that I'll be living away from my campus with a vehicle. I CAN SEW WHEN I WANT AND GO PLACES AND DANCE AND COOK AND ARGH..when I'm not tutoring people. Having experience from the summer picnic last year (going back on topic), I made sure to make something comfortable and covered enough to withstand either hot or cold weather. What did I choose? TSURITAMAAAA

This is me in my natural environment. I had a great time meeting up with people I had missed at Fanime! I didn't get too many photos because without fellow fishermen, people don't always know Tsuritama unless if you call out GAY FISHING ANIME...I wanted to shoot this again in the fountains by the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, even if it means sacrificing my safety in the rash-producing city water.

This post was getting long, so I'll stop here and do a general update as well as 2013-14 future cosplay list soon. I will be in Santa Barbara next week for 6 days to attend a language-teaching seminar, and a few days after that, I will be in San Francisco for Jpop Summit! Not sure which day, but preferably Sunday because Kyary Pamyu Pamyu will be performing in Union Square. Need to power through my cosplay because I'm sick enough to want to see an idol while in a costume of them, but decide that the craftsmanship must be great in case if they were to see me up close. Don't even ask

Current Fanime Lineup!

Feeling a bit too lazy to write this out in Japanese, I have a business-etiquette video to film, so my language abilities must be saved until then...

Now that FanimeCon 2013 is only 27 days away, many of my friends have decided to share their costume schedules as a motivator. Considering that I'm still living in the dorms, I can't really work on anything besides my lineup, which I have just recently completed.

So what will I be bringing this year? 7 COSPLAYS. LAST YEAR STOPPED AT 5

Friday: Series that the US hasn't heard of

 Irabu Ichirou from Kuuchuu Buranko! Haven't worn this since CBF 2012~

Following with Hakaba Kitarou/Gegege no Kitarou. I only have some small details to finish with this, it's a really simple cosplay that I have strictly planned to wear to Psycho Donuts XD

Saturday: Singing BAMPHS that didn't always ooze sex appeal

So excited to finish up TARANTALLEGRA, even though at this point, there won't be a group to dance with...Need to choose a pair of boots, but I'm cheap so that will probably be put off until I move back home orz

Return of Type-H, now with more accuracies~ Last year was pretty unorganized, bought that wig less than an hour before the shoot, missing some accessories, ect. I HAVE THEM NOWWW

Sunday: Characters that are too beautiful for their own good and know it

Time to fix up the butt-cage for Ciel! Wore this at Fanime 2011, but the bustle was dead by the end of the weekend. This time, I'm using hula hoops and plastic sheets so the form should be much more sturdy. Might be adding some bling too, but that's just me :P

Just got a possible shoot for Inori~ Got better socks for this costume, and I need to fix the wig/accessories, but this is the newest thing I have finished so it shouldn't need a lot of work.

Monday: Uniforms because I'm too lazy on move-out day

Only thing that needs prep is the wig, and the skirt always needs ironing...Don't pay attention to the reference, doing the winter uniforms instead >:D

So there you have it, my crazed costume plans. Apparently, I have a lot of people staying in my room. This is the third time I've gotten a hotel room, but I've only ever had one roommate. That was the initial plan, but my classmates needed a place to relax, and they offered to over a large portion of the cost. I also designed and ordered my own set of cosplay name cards so I won't have any unknown photos floating around the internet (I hope). When they come in the mail, I'll be sure to write a review of my experience~

Cosplay Makeup: Welcome to Eyelash-Land~

I'm back with what will most likely be the last of the basic looks: classic moe OTL I preferred cosplaying boys for the longest time, but that doesn't mean I never learned how to put on some falsies! False eyelashes can be really make a difference, and with cosplay, mascara just doesn't always cut it.

The base is practically the same as the crossplay makeup look, with the addition of false eyelashes, liquid eyeliner, some optional shimmer, and a colored lip cream.

Cosplay Makeup: Introduction to Shota?

Here is the first of my basic cosplay makeup tutorials! This is a pretty essential style, it can easily be altered with different colors or liquid eyeliner to properly fit your character.

 Even if you don't choose to be more extravagant with your color choices, I'd suggest something like an 88-color eyeshadow palette. All of the colors in this look are neutral browns, but the brighter colors are perfect for accents or coloring your eyebrows to match your wig! Other essential products include eyeliner pencils (black/brown, white), an angled brush, an eyelash curler, and mascara.

Cosplay Makeup: Basics for an Event-Friendly Base

Hello, again~ I won't be trying my hand at translating this today, but this is a photo-heavy post, and is very self explanatory. About two weeks ago, I received a request for some cosplay makeup tutorials. It was probably directed towards my Kagamine Len cosplay, but I think having a collection of basic tutorials is generally more useful.

Let's get started with what is probably the most important component: the skin!

Why Did I Forget to Share My Recent Cosplay Photos? どうして最近のコスプレ写真をシェアして忘れたの？

Well, aren't I a bad blogger! I've been writing more frequently, but it seems that I have forgotten the main purpose of this blog...And because I already attempted to get some homework done, I can share my work from almost a year ago~
さあ、私が悪いブロガーだよね！しょっちゅうもっと書いてるけど、このブログの目的を忘れそうで残念。。。もう宿題をして試したから、去年から私のコスプレをシェア出来る~

What to Expect in 2013 *upcoming cosplays*

I'm attempting to be a better blogger in the new year...so far, ideas about blog posts have been running through my head, so I guess that helps orz

Fanime is coming, and every cosplay that I plan to bring is brand new! When I was home for my winter vacation, I got a satisfactory amount of sewing done >w<

So what am I bringing, exactly?

In no particular order:

 

XIAH Junsu "Tarantallegra"

yes, one of my first kpop cosplays, and it happens to be one of my many dream-husbands. 

 2NE1's Dara "CAN'T NOBODY"

have all of the materials, not to excited about finishing that space suit though...

 Guilty Crown's Yuzuriha Inori

this actually isn't new at all, I wore it a month ago >3<

 Hakaba Kitaro/Gegege no Kitaro

finished most of this cosplay last weekend, would be nice to have some monsters to shoot with~

 好きっていいなよ's Tachibana Mei

 Easy cosplay, doing the winter uniform because I really love sweaters...

SO THERE YOU HAVE IT, INTERNET

I started my new classes this week, and the workload looks a bit heavy, so I'm really happy that I got so much work done when I was home. I'll be sure to plow through the rest of this list during my spring break! And if absolutely necessary, I have maybe a week in between the end of my finals and hotel check-in >w<

Fanime Countdown: 13 Days!

Almost done...just not there quite yet.

I'll be shopping this morning so hopefully I can finish everything by next weekend

BECAUSE IF THE INTERNET IS NICE TO ME, I'LL BE AT GOOGLE ON THE 21ST TO SEE MY DREAM-HUSBAND

Uknow the one.

Anyway, I have some more (but not really) progress pictures to share of what I'm hoping to finish in the next two days~

 

it isn't for me, but it's almost finished! Just need to buy and attach the white lace/ribbons.

This is for Miffy, who, unless I move to Japan and live in her closet, won't be available to cosplay with anymore D: So as a combination birthday-Christmas-we'll miss you-present, I decided to make this to go with my Panty cosplay. 

 Current Type-H progress, minus the base wig, because I don't want to wear it until my wefts come in (I hope they come in soon >.<)
Need belts on the top and skirt, so I also have to attach belt loops to the top...and now the top looks giant on me. I either lost weight or I did some secret technique last time I wore it. I'll probably bring my super-spy backless bra thing...it gives some extra padding so my costumes don't look like they're being worn by a prepubescent child.

Need to get to work! I'll be sitting in front of the computer attempting to reserve Google tickets tonight, so I need to get a much as I can before 5pm just to be safe.

UPDATE:

I didn't even remember that I wrote this THIS MORNING XD
my brain just exploded a little bit.
Anyway, while I didn't sew like a monster, I got some cosplays OFFICIALLY FINISHED

both versions of Panty, and my Stocking commission are complete!

 love the trim. I just can't not
sleeves look sloppy on my dress form, but that's because they're Juliette sleeves and therefore too heavy to stay up without arms shoved inside.
But it's done and I'm happy~

Finished painting stripes on my socks for Panty, so I'm ready for Day 3 at Fanime.

Attached red belt-loops to my Type H top (not accurate, but I don't care anymore XD), bought belts at DAISO. Still need thigh highs and the wefts for my wig.

Stopped caring about curling my Kyary wig, so I went ahead and safety-pinned the massive bow onto the wig itself. May test it out to see how many pins I'll need to keep both parts stuck to my head...still need more bags, and my shoes.

Fanime Countdown: 19 Days!

I'm almost ready~ at least I think I'm almost ready.

Spent the last 2 days sewing and dying many things...but I only have a few pictures of what I worked on today.

As of right now, Panty (default) is complete except for the wig, which can be styled at the hotel. I dyed the dress again yesterday with a polyester-specific dye, and it turned out beautifully :D

I also sewed the bows for my friend's matching Stocking cosplay. I need to attach pins to the bows and buy/attach white ribbon/lace to the dress, and I'll be done!

I worked on Type H Miku for most of the weekend. I made my first pair of bootcovers, and I don't understand why I put them off for so long; they're surprisingly easy! I made the pattern yesterday, but I was convinced I'd need zippers to get them onto my legs. It turns out that my silly calves wouldn't fit even with the zippers, so I added a 3-inch extension to the backs of the covers, and now they fit without any closures~

Here is a boot at about 75% completion. They're complete now, but it's very hot in the Bay Area today, so I didn't want to put them on for pictures. After this photo was taken, I added a 6-inch cuff to the top and hemmed the bottom of the boot (around the toe). When I wear these, I'll need some double-sided tape to attach the covers to the shoe, but that's it! 

Wig wise, I'm at a bit of a stopping point. I was dying some loose wefts to attach to my Miku wig as twintails, but the color is uneven and a bit dark. I just bought some more, and if they're too dark, I'll dye the base wig a little bit. The only successful part of this wig has been the styling of the base.

 Originally a medium-length bob style that I bought almost 4 years ago XD

Layered with styling shears to a long pixie cut. A friend of mine will be borrowing it (without twintails or gray extensions) for his "Secret Police" Luki cosplay.
 

I really like the style of this wig now that it's been cut, though. My hair is naturally wavy, so even if I cut it, I'd have to put a lot of time into styling it. So when I'm in Japan this summer, I may just bring some wigs with me if I get too lazy to do my hair OTL

Need to keep working! Here's a list of what needs to be done:

Miku: attach wefts, buy accessories (belts, thigh highs)

Kyary: style wig, buy shoes (+attach ribbons), add more bags to the skirt

Stocking (commission): finish bows, add white details (lace/ribbon)

SO CLOSE.

But I have 2 giant exams on Thursday. In 2 different languages. So I must cram. Or else I will write 3 advanced English literature essays in intermediate Japanese. And vice-versa.

And then I may be given permission to infiltrate Google headquarters to attempt to see my husband U-know the one :P 

Need to hurry up and finish everything!

 

Fanime Countdown! + photos and a completed cosplay

24 DAYS.

Not ready. Getting there, but not quite.

Lucky for me, the NorCal Cherry Blossom Festival was 2 weeks ago, so I had a new cosplay completed for the occasion!

and because it's finished, I'll be bringing Irabu to Fanime because it's a comfortable eyesore.

so have some photos:

 

 met up with Crystal and Trevor as soon as I arrived in JapanTown! And then we went on an adventure to find takoyaki...unfortunately, I think the booth trolled us. Didn't taste any octopus out of the 8 I bought OTL

 

We took a lot of pictures in line (it was at least 15 minutes long TwT). This is devoted to the back of my head and Trevor's unmatchable photobombing skills. 

 

 (photo by Kei Tsubasa)

We roamed around for a few hours (Crystal and I were interviewed for a TV program!), and found good spots to watch the parade. There was a lot of playing around. But mostly tie-pulling. They're just jealous because I finally have a ducky tie and they don't.

 

(totally aware of how out-of-focus this it)

All in all, I had a great time. This costume was recognized much more than I expected. Kuchu Buranko is a pretty unappreciated series because of the obscure characters and animation style. But the people I met through this cosplay were all so friendly!

About the costume:

The pants were the only thing I made completely from scratch. They're pink quilting cotton, and painted with my odd mix of acrylic paints. The ears are green felt attached to a headband. I bought the glasses from Forever21, popped out the lenses, and painted the frames with red acrylics and nail polish. I bought the tie from DAISO, made a duck stencil, and painted the ducks with fabric paints. Details on the wig are in my previous blog post. The lab coat was a birthday present from my mom...even though I found it and picked it out from a medical uniform store. The shoes are my trusted cosplay-sneakers from Japan (yayyyyyy).

And now for some progress photos!

 

still working on Kyary's skirt...needs a few more bags. Ever since I stuffed them with tissue paper, gaps started showing up.

Type H makeup test~ I finished the armwarmers, too, but I'm too lazy for photos...

I really need to start finishing more cosplays. I have lists made, but I need more motivation! 

 

New cosplay: Hatsune Mikuo 「恋は戦争」

I need to cosplay something without blue hair, this is ridiculous!

This was taken yesterday at a small gathering at the San Jose Convention Center, where Fanime 2011 will take place 3 months from now. I made this cosplay back in December for a Vocaloid-only gathering, but my Miku couldn't make it, and I didn't know when I'd ever wear this.

I bought and altered the shirt with a basic, turquoise cotton, which I also used to make the tie (not pictured), and belts. I bought the gloves at Daiso, and custom-dyed them to match. The megaphone is made from a plastic drink pitcher, painted black, and craft foam attached for the rim. The holster-thing is just a basic glasses case from Lens Crafters, and the wig is my friend's Miku wig without the pigtails (I've been overusing this wig so much >.<).

Hatsune Mikuo "Love is War [EAGER LOVE REVENGE]" from Vocaloid 02
Cosplay/post processing by me
photo by *Ice-and-Spice