ShadowYazoo

I heard about this convention for a while, but this year was the first time I got to go. The location didn't feel overcrowded and had quite a few good spots for photos, good lighting at night and even a small park nearby. I decided to do two simple cosplays first and last days (Yato and Natsume) so I can explore more and take pictures. Saturday is usually the happening day at the con, and I got into Overwatch in November so it felt natural to debut my Oni Genji that day. Aside for my armguards and bicep pieces giving me lots of trouble and refusing to keep their paint (they were the last pieces I made) the first wear of that cosplay actually went pretty well, stayed in it pretty much all day. I spent the longest on the bodypiece and the sword, and I was really happy with how they turned out. I tried to make the mask, but I had no luck and I just salvaged the horns from it and used facepaint to keep the color scheme (and my ability to see unobstructed). 

On Friday we headed there by bus and got off a stop early because our sense of direction was great. As we walked closer to the con center we spotted a few cosplayers and a dog in a kimono. so it was a safe bet we were on the right path. We got the badges, and stopped at the subway since it was right there at the con. Most tables were taken so we went and ate at the corridor nearby where a lone Soldier 76 had the same idea. He had us in his sights. 

Then I went on my usual hunt for photos. I found 1 other Yato and we took a pic together. I made my onlly purchases for the con which were a Widowmaker and a Genji/Hanzo keychains, since Overwatch is fun. While I didnt get pics of my cosplay taken, I got some in-character interactions which were quite amusing. I joked with a Ventus cosplayer as I took his picture that he suspiciously looked like Yukine. Then I took a pic of Tracer that had a sign about her broken chronal accelerator. She said she couldnt leave a God with a sad picture to remember her with, so she gave me a happy one after as well. Mokuba apparently also knew the greatness of Yato (ofc who wouldnt c: ) We went to sleep pretty early since I was up since 5 am painting last minute stuff.

Saturday is when I woke up and put on a black turtleneck and painted my face and looked like some spy mime until I donned the rest of my cosplay. As I ventured outside with my friend Kyle who helped us with a place to stay and a ride, we walked by a construction worker who was having his lunch on the curb. He stared at me for a long second then commented 'Woah! You look like Gengis Khan!' So that happened. The bus driver across the street was also pretty perplexed. Then I had to sign for my weapon at the con, while wearing claws, and it went better than it sounds. A few Hanzos walked by me and ignored me even when I said hi, only responding after I ran into them like 5th time later (Hanzo and Genji dont get along too well to put it mildly). I got quite a few compliments on my cosplay which made me really happy. I tried meeting Matt Mercer, but only was able to see his panel in person, as autograph sessions were always a pandemonium. He seemed like a good guy, who didnt get fame get to his head, and he said that when he heard about Overwatch he really wanted to get involved in it, then he saw McCree and was hoping no one voiced the cowboy yet, and then he got the role. 

There was a huge gathering later in the day which I did get to go to and it was the biggest one I've ever been to.   I got to deflect McCrees flashbang, meditate with Zenyatta, fight some Hanzos, beg for healing, be resurrected, and got to meditate with fellow Genjis~ Also a nice Widowmaker helped me up and down the steps. After the Gathering I wondered the con some more, came upon 2 groups of Overwatch peeps. One of them I stood next to for a while without joining right away, then they said that I should get on the payload, even though I am a flanker and I've never been there. Eventually I did go other there and had an awesome chat, and later on I talked to a Genji and her sister who was Hanzo and made new friends C: I also got a selfie with Ana who liked my cosplay and all of that just made for a really awesome Saturday.

Overall I had a good experience at Sakura and would love to go again~

I wanted to cosplay Raiden from MGR:Revengeance for a long time, and a small con nearby seemed like a decent place to debut it. I worked on armor for it on and off for months, buying supplies, patterning and making. About 2 days before con it was still only partially done. I decided to neglect the back and calves/shoes parts since those dont show up in pictures anyway. Not wanting to try and use a con bathroom to put on lots of pieces for the first time, I opted to do suiting up back at my co-worker's place. He has cats and a small black one likes to follow me around so she was batting at the fabric as I tied pieces together so they will stay. Velcro was my enemy most of that morning and the day, since it sticks awesomely to itself but not to things its supposed to hold even though I hot-glued and ductaped them too. 

Once most of it was on, with 2 pieces still attempting to fall off I went downstairs and my co-worker had to help me put those on since I couldn't really use my arms because of limited range of motion armor gives. After carefully climbing into the car he grove me to the con, and a few more people there helped me fix the parts that fell off. This continued for most of the next few hours where I had to ask random strangers for help. At one point someone bumped full force into my shoulder, moving shoulder piece and shortly after I had to switch cosplays since it just wasn't staying on anymore.Next time I would try my best to ensure velcro cants come off the thing its attached to and avoid crowded areas if I can. Also having a handler rather than fixing it on your own would help.

The best part of that con was how many people recognized Raiden and said I did a good job, I got lots of picture requests. One was from Aerith who was there with Sephiroth and she asked me to do the pose Sephiroth does by killing her, and then another pose where I am fighting Sephiroth. I obliged and was amused, even though Raiden isn't a bad guy and wouldn't hurt Aerith. There were a few people I know that went to this con as well, and they couldnt recognize me in this cosplay, probably because of the jaw part. I asked one of the arists there for a realistic style and chibi style of Raiden so I can further remember this con and the fun times.

At one time someone was offering me candy to come to their panel. Then someone asked how I would eat it with the metal jaw and then someone else answered that a metal jaw would actually make eating easier xD  

I changed into Yato once it got too much to not be able to sit down (it would shift pieces too much) and the shoulder piece rebelled by losing some of its paint. Just after I did so I ran into another Yato and Hiyori and we got some pictures together. All in all around 10 people recognized who I was at this small con, so I felt like a celebrity xD 

I then realized that I missed the panel that Ansem's voice actor did. I wanted him to sign a bag I have next to the other Ansem's voice actor. A staff member arrannged for us to meet after the masquarade and he signed it, telling me how he and Richard Epcar often joke around between each other. He then said one of ansem's lines and gave me a hug and that was awesome. 

Then there was a nice panel on philosophy in video games, tv series and anime and then it was time to head home. While it was a pretty small con I got to talk to quite a few people there and there were some pretty cool cosplays, like Dante from Devil May Cry and Hidan from Naruto. Hidan's daughter was cosplaying torchic even though she was a toddler.

I didnt even know I was going to go to this con so unlike for others there werent any new cosplays in the making. I did add Mikoshiba from Gekkan, who I got the wig for at the con and brought the cosplay for, but he was pretty hard to recognize without the school emblem on the shirt (didnt have the right thread to make it). Nevertheless at least one person did, which was a nice surprise. 

On the ride there we talked about con stories and made up con stories for this con. The drive there was faster than back, since everyone was excited. The hotel was nice and quiet, within a short shuttle ride from the con. Was really nice to get the first floor rooms, since way less waiting for the elevator that way. 

First cosplay I did was Minato from Persona, since that gathering was first and my friend from the anime club was going to be there as Ryoji. Her wig didnt come in time, so I let her use one of my many xD It worked out, and there were quite a lot of people, with 2 other minatos. 

I ran into my friend lilycli in the artist alley, which was a cool surprise since she is based in CA and I wasnt expecting her to be at this con. We had a nice chat and she gave me cat stickers

I ran into Haikyuu cosplayers, and they had a volleyball with them so I took a short video of them recreating the anime, with kenma in the background, who cheered when Hinata spiked xD

Final Fantasy gathering was right after so I changed into Reno. The old rod I made for him before have seen better days, so I made a new one the day before by painting a plastic rod that wall scrolls use and it worked. Cid at the gathering was happy that I recognized who he was. There was an Aerith there with a cool flower basket and even Hojo who had his syringe and creepy glare xD There were also 2 Axels since it was a general Squeenix gathering and I asked for a picture with them since Axel and Reno are bros. 

I donned mikoshiba after and went to get a sandwhich and finish off the day with free cotton candy and more random shots of people in cosplay. At subway is where I got recognized and had a nice chat with Beat from TWEWY. 

Next day I spent a lot of time struggling with Kanda's multiple belts and the long wig that insisted on tangling and sliding off my head. I also had a sword with me that I balanced while using my camera. I got a few hugs and picture requests and found 2 lenalees. I also went to the Way of the Sword demonstration which was very fun and sensei there told me more about the korean style and how its very different from the structured Kendo stances and hits. A sebastian and tomaki coslayers were part of his team and they encouraged me to join, though I wouldnt be able to since they were based in small towns in minnesota which is far. 

I ventured into the dealers alley and while looking at figurines I saw a few to the side that had dragons. One of them was a water dragon and the other a silver and black one in a dynamic pose. I first got the water one, then changed my mind, then kept thinking about keeping the silver dragon and ended up doing so, since there was a different version of the water one online with blue flames rather than plain. They seem even cooler as a set so I might have to get the second one as well. Can never go wrong with a detailed dragon figure. 

I walked around as Kanda some more until that cosplay was just too hot to wear (I had to step out to cool off every once in a while) and changed into Assasin's Creed with my Scouting Legion cape. At least 2 people recognized and complimented my combo of two series, even got asked for a picture, so I felt better about my lazy excuse at a new cosplay xD I went to a fun Attack on Titan truth or dare panel that had Beetlejuice participating as well. Hour flew by as random questions and goofiness happened. I asked Jean the Horseface (who actually pulled out a horse mask when I called him that and had a bag of carrots with him) if he knew about how the hay supplies were doing and if there were bays of hay strategically placed next to all the tall buildings (Assasin's creed reference). I then got asked how good I am at my job and Levi offered me Jean's job xD

Last day I changed into Cloud and went to another cool panel where I got to practice the basics of Japanese drums and even got to play a real one on the stage. Which was a good note to end this con at ^^

I heard good things about this con and some of my friends were going there, so I decided to make it happen I debuted two new cosplays at it - King Yato from Noragami and Natsume from Natsume's Book of Friends. 

When I arrived to Baltimore I took light rail to the convention center. It was empty most of the ride there, except it passed by a stadium where a game just finished, which was eerie since it was night and there were lines and lines of people waiting for the train. Within seconds it filled up to a point where people had to stand on steps, and my stop was the one after that one. People were nice to help me with getting my suitcases out.

At convention center people were still lining up for their badges, except a few hours later the doors closed and people had to come back tomorrow. An Assasin's Creed cosplayer saw me (I use my Assasin's Creed coat when I travel) and I got asked for the first picture of the con, so we posed together

Next morning I changed into Cloud from Advent Children and headed to grab some food and then stand in the line. While I was ordering my sandwich (I seem to have eaten nothing but sandwiches that whole con) a worker there asked where is my sword, and then a con-goer said they'll find me later to take a picture of me xD Then I went to go stand in a line (which wrapped around the convention center three times). I thought wearing my sleeveless cosplay would be good, but sun was intense so I did get sunburned. I saw a few other Clouds in the line and we high-fived each other and I waved at all the Zacks I saw xD 

Later at a con I ran into a few Tifas who were glad they found a Cloud xD and since I didnt have a sword I did one of the two poses - holding my sunglasses (which I wore indoors too) or crossing my arms and looking down all serious. At one point I was sitting down, propped on a wall and one of the congoers said 'Thats a really low cloud' xD I stopped a Reno and Elena for a picture and then they got one of me since Cloud is cool :3 I also had to take a picture with Lightning since that character shares the design with me xD

When my shoulders looked as sunburnt as they felt it was time to switch cosplays. so I changed into Genesis thinking there is a final fantasy gathering somewhere. It was, but I didnt find it, so I just wondered around for a bit. I saw two squalls and a vincent in one spot, so I went to take pictures of them and hang out with them, and then a FFVII Aerith in a red dress appeared and suddenly we had a tiny gathering of our own xD me, Aerith and Vincent got pictures together, since we are all in red and then a deadpool jumped in xD

I saw a Black Mage, Summoner and White Mage cosplayers from FFXIV and they were resting so I asked if I could take a picture once they were done. They said yes, and liked how I asked nicely. The person that cosplayed Black Mage actually made hers and Summoner's outfits and is playing more as a monk because she made her blm costume before the game even came out. They asked which server I was on, and it wasnt the same as theirs, but it was still fun to meet fellow players since at the moment its a small fandom. They even had a carbuncle plush with them.

Afterwards I changed into Minato and headed for Persona midnight shoot. I still had a few hours to burn so I just found a spot with good lighting and waited for cosplayers I want to take pictures of to walk by. One of them was a KH mushroom, and she was really awesome so we chatted about kingdom hearts and the con for a bit. Then there was another white mage, and we chatted even more with him and another player about the mechanics and 'horror stories' of FFXIV. Then my gathering started and it was lots of fun since a lot of persona cosplayers were there. I hanged out with fellow Minatos and Junpeis and we poked jokes at each other in character. 

Next morning I changed into N and wandered around for a bit until I started seeing lots of Code Geass cosplayers. They all congregated in one spot so I asked when the gathering is and it turned out it was in a minute. So I went back to the hotel and changed into Li Xingke as fast as I could. My eyebrows were still green, so my roomie let me borrow her eyliner so I could darken them and helped me get at least a few tangles out of my wig. I then headed down and made it just in time for when they needed a picture of Xingke. My wig wasnt behaving, but I posed anyway and tried to fix it while I waited for other pics. It finally behaved only after gathering was done xD I got to pose with other Season 2 characters and then fighting two lelouches at once, except I forgot to face the camera xD And I pitched in a few requests which people did and made me happy ^^ the organizer was glad I was able to come, so she kept giving me hugs. 

After that I changed into Cloud again, since I heard the gathering was at noon. There were a few other Clouds there, and we did the shot where Zack passes on his sword to Cloud. Aerith posed too, and we put some flowers on top of Zack and she was like' NO! T_T MY FLOWERSSS!' xD we also posed with all Lightnings (at that point most of them left though), Clouds and Squalls for 'a bad weather shoot'. There were quite a few FFXIV cosplayers there, including a cool bard I met and talked to earlier, a male miquote who was actually from the same server as me, Hildibrand, Lalafels and a Paladin. 

Then I changed into Rin, since my shoulders were too sunburnt to keep wearing Cloud. My roomies were Rin and Yukio and we got to cosplay together for about an hour. We found a Mephisto who we chatted with and then he posed with us and me, him and another Rin stile our Yukio's glasses xD Later we ran into another Yukio who was happy we noticed and waved to him. Sadly I forgot to pose with stealing his glasses too xD Then they lost me, since I went ahead a few steps and so we didnt get any more pictures after that xD

I changed into Levi to cosplay matching characters with them more, but missed the gathering and then rubbed my face since it was hot and wasnt used to having makeup and then I had to go change since makeup is his actual costume. On my way back I saw that a Noragami gathering was happening, so I went up and changed quick into King Yato and made it back in time. Hyoris were happy to see me, so we got quite a few fun shots  and I got to use my cape which is actually a shower curtain xD

After that I changed into Natsume and we ate a fancy sandwhich with my roomies at an irish restaurant. It was tuna in my case, and it was very filling which was good, since cons take a lot of energy. I then wondered around until Persona again, and three people recognized my cosplay which made me really happy. This Persona gathering wasnt quite as fun, since people were tired.

Next morning was Sunday so I only did N that day. There actually was a pokemon gathering at noon, so I was able to make it. So many people were glad I cosplayed N and often I couldnt take a few steps without a request for a picture or hugs ^^ I got to take a picture with all the pokemon too, and they all snuggled up to me which made it hotter (the gathering was outside) but was awesome anyway xD I stayed as N during travel back to the train, and I ran into a Lucario from the gathering at the station. We chatted some more, and then the con was done.

All in all I would like to go back to this con one day, there were almost 40k people there, most of them in costume and most of them were nice ^^ 

This con was lots of fun and I was pleasantly surprised that it was bigger than I imagined it would be. 

As soon as we got off the train, we found a fellow con-goer that we split a taxi ride with. The inn we stayed it was on the other side of a highway from the con hotel (which was the size of a convention center), it had shuttles to and from the con and plenty of places to eat in walking distance, so that was very convenient. The pre-reg line was also only a few minutes of a wait rather than hours like it was at other cons. 

I cosplayed Rin Okumura first, and my friend went as Boris from Alice: Land of Clover. Quite a few people recognized our characters, but we had trouble finding cosplayers from the same series. Later we found out that everyone decided to do theirs on a different day than us, but I did manage to find one Yukio to pose with, which was nice. Boris found a few cool things in the artist's alley, like a Zero (VK) bag and a Vaporeon hoodie. 

Then we changed into Minato and Zero, and it was funny that our outfits matched even though our series were completely different (both were black and silver jackets). This time we had better luck finding cosplayers from our series At some point Zero mistook Hibari (Reborn) for my character, since he has a jacket and a red armband. We run into an Eren cosplayer, and after he did his thumb biting pose, I asked for a rage pose, which was executed beautifully xD from then on this Eren was known to us as 'Rage Eren'. 

Next morning we were N and Vaporeon from Pokemon. I went ahead to the con first, while Vaporeon was getting ready, and got lots of picture requests and people happy to find N in one hour that I waited xD An Asuna cosplayer yelled 'N!' across the con and ran after me (I was standing still so it wasn't like I was going anywhere) and glomped me, which made her day and mine too. Once Vaporeon got there we took quite a few pictures with other pokemon people and I kept hearing 'N!' as I walked through the con xD 

Then we changed into Levi and Zero again and found a hoard of AoT cosplayers heading for the photoshoot so it was good timing. The photoshoot was outside, and the wind was cold, but we still got quite a few laughs and good shots. Zero got convinced to cosplay AoT after that. When we were just chilling in one spot at a con, more AoT cosplayers appeared and fun times ensued since there was an all-left Marco (with a normal foot, since he still needed to be able to walk around). Annie cosplayer was standing next to where Marco, Mikasa and Petra were sitting, and Mikasa yelled at Annie for the things she did to those two, while Annie didnt even respond (which was in character xD). We also hanged out with a Medusa (Soul Eater) cosplayer who was pretty cool and told us how all Chronas she saw submitted to awkward hugs. 

Then I changed into Yato to test the cosplay out and Zero changed into the cheshire cat gear (not Boris this time). Zero met one of her favorite fursuiters - Havic and I got a few people that recognized me. On Sunday I was Yato all day, and my friend was a Vaporeon again. I was able to find two Yatos and a Yukine. I gave one Yato five cents since I can donate to myself xD I also got scammed by Hunny, who sold me fruit snacks for 5 yen, because he claimed they will make me all powerful. I gave a talk at a panel about how I made a few of my props, with a student from UND that makes props as a host (I was co-host). Hopefully it gave a few good ideas to people that wanted to make props. We had almost a full room, which was cool to see at the last day of a con. 


I granted a few hug wishes, one of which yielded me another 5 cents. And I also granted Izaya's wish, that was to stop her friend from poking. I somewhat suceeded and also sent Vaporeon after him for a tackle attack. He ran fast but Vaporeon still caught up to him. Later on we ran into that Izaya again and during our chat Hunny appeared again, carrying a llama and in our conversation it came to the fact that those snacks turn you into a llama. After which I said I didnt want to be Kusco, since he is a lowly emperor while I am a god. And then Izaya said 'You know what Kusco has that you dont? Followers'. Ouch xD Hunny hugged me after that to console me. 

When we got back to hotel we ran into cool cosplayers in the lobby that we chatted with for a while, then we got asian food and that was a wrap for the con

I got a few buttons from it, and a small wallscroll of Ed freaking out about Alphons sheltering a dozen cats inside him from the rain xD