Cons are great chances to catch a gander of things you’d never see anywhere else- ever. Some fantastic sights are always to be found, and it’s always good fun to try and pick out obscure, rare cosplays. Going to an anime convention is much like going on safari when it comes down to cosplay.
There are always “herds” of cosplay from popular anime (Naruto and Bleach come to mind), and the occasional “flock” of cosplays from less popular, but still fairly well-known, anime and games, and lastly there are the rarer, seldom seen cosplays from obscure anime and manga. Look! Over there! It’s that snake-guy thing seen on the left-hand corner of page hundred of Random Manga!! OMG! Get a picture before he gets spooked!
Each year offers new opportunities to finally check off the Cosplay-Watch List those cosplays we’ve longed to see, and see done right. Last year for me, it was Pip Bernadette from Hellsing at Anime Expo. That gal was dead on and looked fantastic, down to the tiniest detail. Then there was the absolutely adorable Schroedinger and the creepy Herr Doctor, also from Hellsing. Wow, three in one day! That’s good cosplay watching!
The one cosplay I’m still waiting to snap a photo of is a brilliantly done Alucard (another Hellsing, I know). It would be my greatest pleasure to see a perfect Alucard, cosplayed by a guy. Coming in close second on my wish list is a skillfully done L from Death Note. It’s an easy cosplay to do, but it’s hard to do right. I think it may be difficult to get perfect because people go visually verbatim with the hair. I’d also like to see a guy pull this one off successfully. I have many more minor cosplays I’d like to see, but I’m satisfied with the cosplays I’ve checked off so far.
What cosplays have made it onto your Cosplay-Watch List? Is it a rare character? Or is it a popular one, but one you want to see done perfectly? Is it a character from a video game, anime or manga? Does a group cosplay tickle your interest? Have you been crossing your fingers, hoping this will be the year to finally get a snapshot of that one elusive cosplay? Which cosplays are you hoping to spot at the cons?
Wow, I never thought of actually going looking for a specific cosplay before. I just see, admire, respect, and take pictures. Oh, wait, there is one I have been dying to see: Inuyasha, but I’m taking it upon my self to make that one, insted of waiting an eternity for a good Inuyasha cosplay (never gunna happen, unless its a girl).
The two that always look for are Washu from Tenchi Muyo! and Tokiko from Buso Renkin. Those are two of my favorite characters and both are not the easiest costumes to pull off.
The best cosplay is that which is unexpected, however. It’s the moment of realization you have while wondering though a convention that excites me about cosplay. Saying to your friend “OH MY GOD IT’S SNORLAX” and rushing over to get a picture is some good fun.
There were tons of good cosplay I ran into at AnimeNEXT 2008 last weekend. Including some amazing D. Gray Man cosplayers and a man so dedicated to cosplaying Jet Black from Cowboy Bebop that he shaved his head. http://timetravelisawesome.com/?p=76
I’ve always wanted to see a group of guys take a stab at the boys from Weiss Kreuz. It would be original, fun, and would probably get a lot of attention from the fangirls (and some of the fanboys ^_^)
A GOOD L cosplay. Not just something they threw on. I’m talking gelled hair and eyeliner- the works.
Lelouch in his ZERO costume! Bonus points if the person also wears speedos underneath it all.
And of course, actual Gundam cosplay. Although the cardboard box ones I see are fun.
@Javakat, yes, we should all enjoy the random beauty of a con, but there’s something thrilling about the hunt! Inyuyasha? Cool! Good luck!
@Scott Spaziani, ahh, I remember those moments last year upon seeing Pip Bernadette and the rest. How I miss those moments!
@Ramsey Isler, those are some pretty boys from Weiss Kreuz, indeed the fangirls and fanboys would be happy!
@Mimet, yay L! There’s nothing worse than a mediocre cosplay of a character you’re dying to see. Especially if you can tell there was zero effort put into (thinking of a really lazy Squall who just had the jacket and sword and NO coiffed hair or accessories)
But I agree the box Gundams are fun!
i would like to see a good Gintoki Sakata from Gintama. or any of the other characters.
I don’t really see people dress up as Gintama characters. It would be awesome if someone dressed as one of te characters though.
@Hana-san, there really is a dearth of comedic anime cosplays. I wonder why?
i wanna see Inu Yasha, Naruto, Bleach, or Death Note characters, cuse those r my favorite anime’s….
when I got in Japan I will make some contest and the winner will get an anime DVD ^^