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Well there’s been a lot of issues revolving around lots of fans trying to force their fandom on others who don’t really like it, some other fandoms have a ‘I love *insert fandom*’ and ‘I hate *insert same fandom*’ pages on Facebook.

Let’s take example of Alodia’s (a celebrity cosplayer here in the Philippines) fans and haters (actually not a hater nor a fan, I respect her; but she makes a good example here), actually if you observe the fanpages and the ‘hate’ pages, both parties literally try choking each other with their beliefs and reasons and all that jazz. Yes I know how fans love to ‘Whiteknight’ Alodia, since it’s their idol (what can you do about it, they can’t stand to see some people bashing her).

Although some fans do try to go to the hate pages or blogs, to try to shut the people up. This is actually a no-no, hopefully that the fans and haters respect each other beliefs, others see this with Alodia…other’s don’t and see other aspect of her that they don’t like.

Also fans of almost anything, please don’t go to hate blogs or hate pages of your fandom you’ll just get humiliated by the haters; and best just stick to praising your fandom instead of causing a commotion on both parties, just respect one another. You don’t have to snoop on ground level by debating with the other party.

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Second is the bashing I’ve been seeing on other’s posts, enough with the bashing it shows how immature you are. If you have criticism, negative or positive, then say it in a decent way without having to end up hurting the person feelings much.

Other’s see like a post of a newbie cosplayer wanting to cosplay a certain character she doesn’t know, and yes a screenshot of it was posted on Facebook and it humiliated the person since they were getting bashed by others cosplayers.

It’s best that you tell the person, “Oh I suggest you research, and watch/play the anime/game, before you cosplay that.” If he/she doesn’t listens and just delete your comment, then don’t force it! (Wag patulin!) Just go on with life and cosplay because you want to, you don’t need to create a big issue. If you think about it, EVERY convention there’s always a newbie in cosplay, but we don’t make a fuss on them; but if seen on the internet some people spread the screenshot and humiliate them like they’re one of the best and have the right to humiliate them.

I knoow, it’s saddening to see that others just see cosplay as a main trend and would just jump into the bandwagon without knowing what it’s really about; but this doesn’t mean we should just bash them…let’s just help them know the true meaning of what it is, if they don’t want us helping them then just leave them alone.

I know cosplay isn’t really for everybody, it’s for the anime/game/movies enthusiast actually, but this doesn’t means other’s can’t join it…actually everyone is free to try it, so if you really know someone who’s not into anime or what…just helped them. 

Well this is where I’ll end my post once again, please know.. this is just my opinion, so please respect them. Thank you for reading once again :D

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I heard many cosplayers asked “Which Character Suits me?”, “Can you suggest a character that will match with this wig?”, “What character shows their curves (or whatever they want to show)?”, and “Which character matches my appearance?”. Also newbies of the cosplay community usually come up to me asking for tips for cosplay.

All I can say is…Cosplay a character you really love. There is a connection between you and the character itself, which you will roleplay them correctly and by just cosplaying your favorite feels like it fulfilled your dreams being in your favorite character’s shoes for the day. And you may not know, others would love it since you are in character.

If you get bashed by your appearance don’t feel bad at all, you should be proud that you cosplayed your favorite and one thing that everyone must remember, you only cosplay for yourself and not for others; so if people do bash you just keep your head up, and cosplay with confidence and show that you don’t give a damn about them, and do try to improve with each cosplays. 

I was pretty guilty with the wig question, but now I think I’ve became matured enough to know that even with the suggestions of others I wouldn’t be happy at all by cosplaying the characters, since I have no connection at all with the character itself or hardly know them; so I decided to go with the characters I wanted.

If a character suggestion does really catches your attention and you want to cosplay it but you don’t really know the character, you MUST RESEARCH on the character…you cannot just jump in and cosplay the character right away and do random poses, or else you’ll never give the right justice to the character itself.

Cosplay is not about the appearance, to get famous or seek attention, it’s not about having many character costumes, it’s not about trying to be unique; but it is about making the characters you love come to life and for your love for the hobby itself. 

So here I end this post once again, again this is just my opinion and some experience. Thank you for reading once again :)

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(Still a sensitive topic, so if you don’t want to read I suggest you should leave)

It should never be a priority really, these couple of days…well actually years I’ve seen some who put it as a priority to their list. Yep it’s sad to say there are people like that.

Seriously guys, cosplay is just a hobby that you should be enjoying not literally trying to make it a career where every single con you attend. 

There are even conventions that even hits a holiday like father’s/mother’s day, days after Christmas, New Year’s Day itself gets hit by convention or whatever cosplay related. Aren’t those holidays suppose to be for the family?

What happened? During those conventions I usually still see many cosplayers going, I’m thinking maybe they’re part of a broken family or something… but some really just put it as a priority than spending time with their family.

Somehow, hopefully you get my message instead of putting cosplay as your priority focus on your studies, family, and other things that are MORE important! There are tons of cosplay convention in a year, since now cosplay is too mainstream many are popping almost weekly/monthly. So think about it, is cosplay more important than your family/school?

Again I will say, this is just my opinion and what I see! This doesn’t apply to everyone, each one of us think and see things differently.

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(This topic is a bit too sensitive, so if you don’t like to read some of my harsh comments then I advise you not to read at all)

Well it’s been a long time that I’ve posted an entry, due to being busy with my OJT and blah blah…

Anyway moving on to the entry, this 2012 I’ve noticed that there are too many conventions being held in my country ever since cosplay became mainstream due to the media and particularly ever since Alodia entered showbiz. Actually some how it’s nice to see how cosplay gotten known, but look at almost all cosplayer (not all but some) mostly some sees cosplay as a stepping stone to stardom (which I do not know why they see it like that) or some didn’t do their research properly on cosplay.

Notice that in the title I put ‘Cosplay’ Convention instead of anime/game con…reason why, most conventions now only base themselves on cosplay (where’s the convention where everyone went there to talk about anime or mingle with true otakus?); yep cosplay, only a few people I get to mingle with at cons talk about our interest in anime. 

Now, why did I say too much Cosplay Convention is not healthy? Here are some reasons why:

1. A cosplayer wouldn’t be loyal in cosplaying their character

Well not all, but many as what I’m seeing  right now. Due to many conventions coming up, I’ve seen many would try to make another cosplay costume for the next event…no repeats on the character, it’s like seeing that these cosplayer’s mindset is just to cosplay as many characters as they can. And another thing why they wouldn’t be as loyal in cosplaying their character is due to the lack of preparations (but I’ll get to that next)

2. Lack of Research/Preparation and Dedication of Cosplayers to their Cosplay

It’s not like before, that it would take 3months or more before the next convention and this gives a lot of time for a cosplayer to prepare for his/her cosplay, not in terms of costume only but research! I would see almost everyone was dedicated to their cosplay back then since they have done their ‘homework’ right and you can tell by how they roleplay, got the details of their costume right, and they styled their wigs. Now you can buy costumes at anytime due to others selling their cos, others made a business in making costumes and props (there’s not a lot of people now trying to make their props) giving many cosplayers to just commission these people to make their costume not much of dedication much and some hardly do their research on the character they’ll be cosplaying! (but still it’s fine if others can’t really do their props and costume, but at least put more effort in preparing for the cosplay)

3. The Organizers of Conventions are getting GREEDY

Have you noticed the hike in prices for convention tickets? I’m pretty sure many did, unless you’re a newbie in the community.  I don’t really have to explain this, just noticing the almost weekly conventions popping up and just the price to enter a convention is too damn high (seriously why so high? There’s nothing really new to the convention, since I always buy my ticket to enter one I’ve hardly see changes)

4. You’ll get Tired of Seeing the same thing again and again…

Like I said in number three, I ALWAYS go inside the convention to see what’s new and buy some stuff there…from the time I resume cosplay in 2010-2012 nothing really changed in the conventions, (except for some which I’m pretty surprise they did quite well in changing the way I normally see organizers do for a convention) and since you see the same thing over and over again and conventions come up almost weekly you’ll get tired and bored that you might not attend for a few months.

Well this is where I’ll end my post now, thanks for reading.

This post is based on what I see and experienced, and my own opinion.

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I attended the annual Xmas Toycon this year, and I have to say I regret not bringing a lot of money for that day.

The Xmas Toycon is a convention that sells a lot of toys, figurine, and etc., and you can bargain the selling price for a cheaper price (but it will depend on how you can convince the stall-keeper to sell their merchandise on a lower price) and they also hold a cosplay event for the three-day convention.

I came to the convention wearing a Loli.Goth because I wasn’t able to finish my armor that I was going to wear on the event. But it was fine, I was able to observe the attitude of other cosplayers and “who’s who” (“cosplayers” who wants fame only *face palm*) and I was able to go around the event freely without being stopped by photographers. I was suppose to have a meetup for that day, I was going to buy a K-On uniform from Chappi Phantomhive but we didn’t get to meet for that day since she came to the convention late and I needed to go home. But I wish I spend my money on other figures instead of hold on to the money for the costume.

I was able to meet my other cosplay and arcade friends at the convention but they stayed at the Timezone arcade and at the Foodcourt. Too bad I wasn’t able to spend time for our group’s dinner party and I wasn’t able to collect the money for the T-shirt.

The Toycon really seem to kept it’s true meaning in selling other toys and merchandises unlike the last two years. The last two years seemed like it was based on Cosplay only and not really the toys itself.

So if you’re going to next year’s Toycon, make sure you bring a lot of cash because there are many things to buy and also make sure that the amount of cash you bring would be about 2k+ php ($40 and above) if you’re chasing after collectibles such as figurines or you’ll buy a lot of gifts for other children.

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Number 1 mistakes I usually see by some cosplayers especially newbies, they’re not in character.

You’re not really cosplaying if you don’t know how to roleplay the character or even know what kind of personality that character has. Just because you saw the character over the internet, saw it on some person’s stuff, or saw one of your friends play it on the game and said it’s so cute or cool or whatever that you’re going to cosplay it.

Seeing the character is cool or cute is the number one reason why cosplayers cosplay the character. Actually I don’t really mind that if you find them cute or cool, but don’t you think you should research more of the character before you cosplay? What happens if for example you find a character you like to cosplay but little did you know the personality is quite dark like Emma Ai and you just end up smiling and doing cutesy poses, don’t you think you’ll be disappointing many congoers and fans that like Emma Ai since you’re not in character? And it’s quite awkward seeing Emma Ai do such poses.

Cosplay is about Costume and Play (roleplay), that’s why knowing your character is an essential in the world of cosplay. Although now a days, judges and some other people don’t really look into roleplaying and just look at the way your costumes are detail or your body structure…but still it’s best to know how to roleplay your character because you’re representing the character and keeping the true meaning of cosplay.

That ends this entry for now.

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I’ve decided to start writing a Cosplay 101, to give an idea what cosplay is really about and the reason why also is because I’m noticing now a days in the cosplay community in my area aren’t really doing it for the hobby but for something else. So this is quite a sensitive topic in the cosplay community so if you’re just getting struck by this entry title I suggest you not to read this entry.

Now I’ll start with this topic that cosplay is not for fame. As most of us know, cosplay is a hobby where we just have fun and to bring out our inner child within us by wearing costumes and roleplaying the character.

After cosplay was introduced by the media, it became mainstream that almost everyone want to try it out. Some embracing their inner otaku, others want to try it because it is ‘in’, and there are others who see it as an opportunity to showbiz.

The last two things I pointed up that others try it because it is ‘in’ and to make it a stepping stone is a no-no….to tell you the truth even if you are in the character’s costume, wearing a wig, and holding whatever props…but not roleplaying; you’re not really cosplaying. 

If you really want to be famous, don’t use cosplay as your medium to get to stardom because there’s a low chance that you’ll be as popular like the international/known cosplayers. Try taking up workshops that are being offered by TV stations or take up modeling, there’s a bigger chance that you can enter showbiz or to be known by many.

Leave cosplay to the anime enthusiasts.

I’ll cut this short for now, I’ll edit this topic later.

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Well Cosmania XI, as usual I attend the last day of the con which is on a Sunday, since it’s the only free day I can go to the convention.

Well my day started a bit…not so good, since we were hurrying and rethinking if I brought all the stuff I need for my Rin Meltdown Cosplay, and I nearly forgot my boots luckily I remember to enter the house and get my black Converse. I was actually excited in the car because it’ll be my very first time to have a partner for that event, which would be my college best friend: Hime Chan, who will cosplay a Miku version of Meltdown.

When we arrived at Mall of Asia (MOA), we went first to the department store to search for yellow shoelaces, and a White and Black Handkerchief for the cosplay hair ribbon which sticks up; but I failed at finding the needed Handkerchief so I ended up buying an elastic headband which are white and black, so that’s why the ribbons tied to my wig wasn’t sticking up. OTL

We went to eat at a Hotdog Dine-in, just to wait for Hime Chan and Mint Chan (a college friend), I nearly got caught by my parents when I reacted to a text message I receive from my cosplay friends (which my parents do disapprove giving my phone number to any cosplayers/photographers and especially con-goers, but I told them I only give my numbers to those I really know) which said that the line to SMX is very long and that the security is very strict since they confiscate sharp objects, pens, hand sanitizer, and perfume/cologne (which is because of a mall shooting that happen a few days before the event, so security was really strict that day).

I decided to dress up, due to the reason about the long line. Dressing up was quicker than any of my other cosplays that I’ve done, well except for the Haruhi Suzumiya winter uniform costume since it is just like wearing a school uniform.

As me and my bf came near SMX the line was really….really long, it was because only two doors were open, and it took about 20 mins until they open four doors in order to make inspection faster. About time Hime Chan and Mint Chan arrive when we were near the door, I really felt bad about the other cosplayers/congoers since me and my parents agreed to let them cut in line and I thought hopefully the people didn’t notice they cut in line.

My two college friends decided to dress up, Mint Chan wearing a Hina Ichigo costume from Rozen Maiden and Hime Chan of course a green version costume of the Meltdown design. My friend Kurou, was actually relieve that Hime Chan brought the Ciel Phantomhive wig since he was going to crossplay (well not exactly crossplay since Ciel is a boy) the pink gown version of Ciel.

I thought that me and Hime Chan would stick together throughout the whole convention, but instead it seemed to be another solo flight for me again. Since Hime Chan and Mint Chan went around the area taking picture of/with other cosplayers, I was disappointed actually since I was really looking forward for the partnership cosplay but instead I decided to let it drop. Others really noticed it wasn’t the full happy smile like the one I used for Haruhi, but oh wells the show must go on.

I came upon many boys who seemed to be only interested with girls and would try to have a chance in touching girls or invading our private bubble. I nearly lost my temper with one group of boys and a male congoer; the group of boys approach me right away and put an arm around me and I swing my hand to get it off and I moved backwards to get have a safe distance from them and they asked me: “pwede po ba mg akbay sayo? (Can we put our arms around you?)” and I gave a small glare and firmly said ‘No’, one boy was going to ask “Why?” but he got intercepted by one of his friends who said “Sabi ko nga ba, hndi pwede. (I told you, it’s not allowed/they don’t want us to do so)” and they left which I was relieved of. Another was the male congoer who said while taking a picture with me “Ang kyut ni ate, sasabihin yan thank you at bibigay sa akin ng number nya. (She’s so cute, I know she’ll say thank you and she’ll give me her number.)” In my head I said “In your dreams.”, I gave him a somewhat irritated gaze at him and said “I’m not giving my number.” and he kept pestering it until I answered rudely “Basta, I’m not giving my number to you, GET IT?” I didn’t really want to be rude, but enough is enough.

Well I wasn’t able to buy much stuff at the convention, although happy that even if my Rin Kagamine Meltdown costume wasn’t a full success without a partner and I wasn’t in character, and that my guitar prop got broken to a careless congoer who doesn’t care if he broke a prop, at least I enjoyed and met new friends.

Well that concludes my entry.

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It’s a bit late to post, but this would be my experience of the Best of anime convention.

As usual I attended the last day of the convention, and I did a repeat cosplay of female Cloud Strife.

The morning didn’t start out well, since my mom accidentally plug the iron in the wrong voltage plug-in and ended up burning a part of the cape-like part that covers my legs. I almost went to the convention wearing the Yukata @.@ so we decided to rush it to the Alter Station at MOA when we arrived.

Hime.chan didn’t attend the convention, I’m pretty sure it was because she was reviewing for the final defense which was suppose to be on the next day. While I met Plu, my high school best friend, and she was with her clubmates from college so I decided to just let her hangout with them so I was with my bf the whole day and we got nearly caught by my parents since they were walking around SMX when they felt like it xD but luckily we did not get caught since we were alert.

There weren’t a lot of cosplayers and anime enthusiast that attended the con, maybe because the conhall was far, or they went on day 1, or they’re saving money for cosmania’11.

It was also tiring, to pose infront of the cameras and my foot started to hurt due to staying in a few places for more than 30 minutes. There were some congoers that didn’t have any manners since some would just tap me on the shoulders and they didn’t even ask “pwede po pa picture po? (Can we have a picture with you?)” they just pose right next to me or just take a picture of me right away, some would drag me to a specific spot just to take a picture without even telling me. Since there was a lady who dragged me from the middle of the conhall and brought me to the Maid Cafe tables where her family was (which was far) and ask for a picture, it would have been nicer to ask to have a picture first before she dragged me. While some boys kept a small distance with me when it comes to pictures and it made me uncomfortable so I kept moving backwards when I feel that he was already invading my private bubble.

Anyway I had eyes on the Saber Alter figure, so I kept going back to the figurine stall to see if it was still there and then it was bought, and I ended up buying a Dead Master figure, which I regretted not buying the Saber figure right away x.x 

The con was really enjoyable, you can tell that everyone in the con was all anime enthusiast, and they weren’t the cosplayers/anime “otakus” that only follow the trend just for popularity. It was better than the other events I have attended this year except for some boys, but at least I didn’t have to move away from a lot of boys who invaded my private bubble just like during Ozinefest.

I hope that most cons will be like BOA, where a lot of people who attended mostly are true anime addicts and cosplayers. 

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I attended Otaku Expo on the last day, I wasn’t able to enjoy the convention area since I couldn’t enter the Megatrade hall due to many people taking pictures of me and that my props were getting bumped by the congoers.

That morning I arrive just wearing casual clothes so that I can go around the convention hall to buy dvds, search for figurines and other anime stuff I can buy. 

A lot were asking me why I wasn’t in costume that morning or if I was going to cosplay later on. Because usually when I attend cons, I’m already in my costume when arrive. The reason why I didn’t wear it was due to the fact my VN-02 Miku props at the back is heavy and I won’t be able to go around the con-area once I’m in costume (which is true).

The convention hall is really small, looks smaller than the Hero con-hall; since there are many booths inside and there are many cosplayers, congoers, and photographers inside. So it would be really hard walking around in a bulky cosplay inside especially if we have a prop sticking out in the back.

Most cosplayers were usually found outside the conhall; either maybe they don’t have enough money to enter the con-hall, their friends are outside, or they’re wearing a bulky costume and can’t handle walking in between many people inside.

I wasn’t able to attend my anime group’s EB again, since I got stuck at the top floor but luckily some went up to search for me and have a small conversation despite the many people taking pictures of me.

I was able to escape the crowd around 4pm so I took the advantage to make it my snack time and my rest time. I was able to talk to my friends for a short time during my snack time but they left right away.

So after snack time, I decided to text my parents that I want to change clothes. So we met at the railing across the entrance of the conhall. I thought I was free from photographers but soon they came up for me to get my picture so I took another one hour at that area getting pictured. During that session one my shield/prop at my back broke (well not actually broke), it slid down the aluminum wiring tube and wouldn’t stick back on.

So the costume is back under repair again :)) just attending is fun and yet tiring due to the photographers, too bad I wasn’t able to enjoy the activities in the convention area.

Well this is my experience of the con yesterday.