Just what is a cosplay? Well, you see, there are these people called otaku. These are people who obsessively like anime. Some otaku like anime so much that they go to these things called conventions at which they can accomplish three main objectives:
1. Actually leave the house. (ooh, scary!)
2. Have an opportunity to get Cool Anime Swag.
3. Associate with other anime fans.
Now, some of these fans go a step farther. They actually dress up as anime characters. What's special about cosplay, as opposed to other obsessive fangirl/fanboy doings, is that it's almost entirely done as an act of love. Unless you win the cosplay competition, all you get out of cosplaying is the satisfaction of knowing that you've shared the love of your fandom. Some people look really cool, some look really cute, some look really scary in a good way, and some look really scary in a not-so-good way. But it's all an act of love.
Now, what does this have to do with Zoids? Well, my friend and I cosplayed as Zoids characters at Acen2003. He was Thomas. I was Moonbay.
Here are two photos of me taken during my "test run" at home.
And here's what you've all been waiting for:
Moonbay and Thomas We look good together.
You can read a review of my experience at Acen here. If you want the short version: had fun, very few people recognized us, got swag and hugs, didn't get into the cosplay competition, my Moonbay costume was great for dancing.
This was neither the first nor the last time I have cosplayed. In chronological order, here are pictures of my other costumes:
Faye Valentine from Cowboy Bebop, at Akon2002
Seguchi Tohma from Gravitation, at Numa Rei no Con 2002 and Acen2003
Note: I won first place in the cosplay competition at NRNC. Here is a video of the first minute of my winning cosplay skit. Worship me.
Risa from DNAngel, at Connecticon2003
Bad picture. However, I still have the costume and am planning on wearing it again, either as a secondary costume at a convention or to Fetish Night at the ShimSham club.
And, just for fun, here's a picture of my partner in crime Jordan, who was the one cosplaying with me.
Goku from Dragonball Z, at Acen2003
Look! There I am in my feathery Tohma costume in the background!
