Trinity Blood: Cain Nightroad

The elder twin brother of Abel Nightroad and the main Antagonist of the story, Cain is the oldest of the Test Tube Babies who was once the beloved leader of the Mars Colonization project.

Because of an accident, his younger brother Seth injected him with Crusnik nanomachines, a sort of vaccine that turns normal humans into vampires that feed on the blood of other vampires. This saved Cain’s life, but it also drew him into insanity. His decision to support the Vampire Returners and to murder prototype Lilith Sahl angered Abel and Seth, killing Cain in the process. But it seems even turning Cain’s Crusnik body into ashes is still not enough to stop him, as he is able to regenerate later on in the series.

This is a most impressive cosplay of Cain! It’s rather controversial that Cain looks angelic and Abel looks demonic, when the two of them play opposite roles! But you really have to love the details of his armor!

Technorati tags: nanao, research, cosplay, trinity blood, cain, nightroad, twin, brother, seth, abel, marshmallow, colonization, project, crusnik, vampire, blood, insanity, vampire returners, lilith, sahl, regenerate, controversy, angel, demon, armor

Holiday Cosplay Goals

I'm finally done with finals hell, so I can focus on cosplay for a few weeks! That is, between seeing my friends and family and doing holiday activities. *sigh*

My biggest goal for this time period is making Suigintou's sword for my costume (see crappy picture to the left).

I registered for Anime Boston at the nice low rate of $35. I plan on entering the Hall Contest, I think, because I'm a little concerned with the masquerade taking up too much time (like Connecticon, though I'm sure it will be run better at AB), but I still want to enter the costume in a contest. It seems to be a good middle ground.

I'm planning on making the sword handle out of wood. I'm going to use two pieces, one for the front and one for the back. I'm going to cut them out and dremel the same design into each one. Then I'll sandwich the blade between the two halves of the hilt.

I'm going to construct the blade out of a (insulation) foam core that I will cover with plastic. I chose this method to comply with convention regulations. Many events absolutely do not allow wooden swords, so I figure this way I won't really have to worry about whatever convention I take it to. I made Zabuza's sword out of plastic covered foam last year, and that was huge, so I know they will allow it. In my opinion it's better to be safe than sorry with this kind of thing, lest you be left without the amazing prop you spent so much time working on.

At least that's the plan.

I'm going to try to make an instructable for the sword, or at least take photos and share them.

My second goal is to fix the wig for the Suigintou costume. It's a bit wonky right now. I got a curling iron with adjustable temperature so I think that will help coax the wig into doing my bidding. I'm also going to fix the cut. It's a little strange.

I'll be happy if I can get those things done while I'm here.

I'm in the process of making instructions for my Izumi goggles. I figure even if you never make an Izumi costume, it could be helpful for if you have to make any kind of goggles or similar item.

D.N.Angel: Dark Mousy

Jesuke really know how to do her cosplays…

This character is Dark Mousy from D.N.Angel. He is the alter ego of Niwa Daisuke, a shy and reserved 14-year-old typical school boy.

Dark is a phantom thief who steals the harmful Hikari Family art pieces. Although he always gives warnings as to when and where a particular robbery will occur, he has never been caught.

There are several different pictures of Jesuke as Dark Mousy in her Deviant Art account. Please have a visit there as well. I had to choose this picture because of the wing details… It’s quite impressive, don’t you think?

Technorati tags: nanao, research, cosplay, costume, jesuke, deviant art, dark, mousy, d.n.angel, angel, dna, d.n.a., thief, hikari, art, piece, niwa, daisuke, character, wing

Gundam Seed: Natarle Badriguel

Natarle Badeiguel, one of the few survivors of ZAFT’s Le Creuset’s raid to seize the new weapons of the colony, is one of Earth Alliance’s most loyal and promising young officers. She is the executive officer of the Archangel, a ship headed by Captain Murrue Ramius. She is a superb tactical analyst, a fine trait that made her a captain of her own ship, Dominion, after her former captain began to question the Earth Alliance’s actions.

Natarle is one of my favorite character in the series. Most people don’t really like her because of her cold nature, but I believe that’s what makes her such a fine officer in the first place. Besides, I respect characters like her better than the Damsel in Distress types.

Sadly, she perished in Archangel’s hands because of her blind loyalty to the Earth Alliance.

Pretty accurate cosplayer though, isn’t she?

Technorati tags: nanao, research, gundam, gundam seed, seed, natarle, badriguel, zaft, earth alliance, le creuset, weapons, colony, executive officer, archangel, captain, murrue, ramius, tactical analyst, dominion, damsel in distress, cagalli, yula, athha, cosplay, cosplayer

Yu Yu Hakusho: Youko Kurama and Hiei

Oh my… I didn’t think there’ll be more Yu Yu Hakusho cosplays that are being done recently… But according to this picture, it was uploaded December 10, 2007 on High King’s Flickr account.

The demon Youko is good, though I think wearing the wings made of petals and vines he used to fly around the Demon World may be a bit much… What I’m really impressed with is Hiei! The cosplayer’s got the look and attitude just right!

Of course, I was hunting for a Hiei cosplayer especially for Shadow Cat. I didn’t get the particular Hiei look that she requested, but I think she’ll be happy with this anyway…

Hope you like it, Shadow Cat!

Technorati tags: nanao, research, cosplay, cosplayer, youko, yoko, kurama, demon, fox, hiei, fire, yu yu hakusho, yyh, shadowcat, shadow, cat

Trinity Blood: Dietrich von Lohengrin

The sadistic Puppet Master who thinks of people as merely his toys, Dietrich von Lohengrin is described to be a genius with an angelic face and a demonic heart. He is also the only known Terran in the Rosen Kreuz Orden.

As a young child, his father had realized Dietrich’s evil nature and tried to kill him. Dietrich ended up killing his father as well as his entire family at a young age. He joined Rosen Kreuz Orden later at the age of 7 and became a high ranking official in the age of 10.

Such an impressive cosplay! I found this in a website that features a ton of Trinity Blood cosplays! Make sure you guys visit! I’ll post a few more from them soon.

Technorati tags: nanao, research, cosplay, trinity blood, dietrich, non, lohengrin, rosen, kreuz, orden, puppet master, genius, angel chao, devil, terran, murder, slaughter

Get Backers: Mido Ban

Speaking of people with dangerous pointy hair, here’s a character who has such messy (and pointy!) hair that he is often nicknamed “urchin head”!

The rude, and often arrogant Mido Ban, if the descendent of the Last Witch of the 20th Century. He is a genius in battle, and a natural born leader. And, though he’ll never admit it, he is very sentimental towards his friends and even those he is rude with.

That is the most awesome looking Mida Ban hair! Another case of abusing hair cement like Kakashi? I heard using raw egg whites will also get you that result.

Technorati tags: nanao, research, get backers, getbackers, mido, ban, kakashi, urchin head, messy, rude, arrogant, descendent, last witch, witch, 20th century, egg, egg white

Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Music Video

Ivy’s Sonata of Temptation shows an excellent reenactment of a scene from Final Fantasy VII, Advent Children. But from what I hear, Square is suing them for not asking permission to use Final Fantasy Advent Children references.

Well… regardless of the politics, it’s an awesome cosplay! I don’t really care much for the music though… I just like the cosplay…

Technorati tags: nanao, research, music video, korean, final fantasy, advent children, final fantasy 7, tifa, lockhart, cosplay, square, politics

Tenjou Tenge: Natsume Maya 03

The third challenger of the Natsume Maya cosplay! I believe she wins hands down… But I’m not really one to judge, since I have no idea whether or not Maya actually appeared in an outfit such as this…

Makes me think of Kill Bill or Charlie’s Angels for some reason…

Anyway, you guys be the judge who looks most like Maya. This is where you’ll find the first cosplayer and here is where you’ll find the second.

Technorati tags: nanao, research, cosplay, cosplayer, tenjou tenge, tenjho tenge, natsume, maya, first, second, photobucket, samurai, sword, kill bill, charlie’s angels

Naruto: Hatake Kakashi

Naruto’s sensei or “teacher” Kakashi is a genius shinobi who has never revealed his face, nor his true personality. He no longer has any close family or relatives and is often times thought to be arrogant and emotionless… Which is quite the opposite, really.

He acquired his Sharigan eye from his dying friend, Uchiha Obito. The two had an arguement with regards as to whether they should prioritze their mission or rescuing Rin. Unfortunately, after the two had made up, Kakashi lost his left eye to protect Obita, and Obita perished saving Kakashi’s life when rocks nearly crushed him. It was during this time that Rin performed her duties as a medical ninja, and transferred Obita’s eye to replace Kakashi’s damaged one as a final gift.

I would just like to say… I wonder how much hair cement this cosplayer used to get the hair that way?

Technorati tags: nanao, research, naruto, cosplay, cosplayer, hair cement, kakashi, hatake, obita, uchiha, rin, shinobi, medic, ninja, sensei, teacher, photobucketket

Final Fantasy X-2: Rikku 03

I found a blog post from Ying Dong about an amazing Rikku cosplay. Ying Dong seems to like this cosplayer because of the “natural fit”, meaning she’s a natural blonde so it fits her to be Rikku perfectly.

I’d have to agree with Ying Dong. I like cosplayers who have that natural look/fit as well. If it just so happens that their natural hair color is the same as the character’s, then it’s plus points!

That said, I decided to post a Rikku who is not your typical Asian cosplayer, but still looks great as well! I found this photo from Movie Tome. There are other cosplays from there I want to feature, but I think this will do for now.

Does this cosplayer rival the Rikku from Ying Dong’s blog? Or maybe the first X-2 Rikku I posted? The 2nd one? I don’t know, I can’t decide. I think they’re all great!

Technorati tags: nanao, research, cosplay, final fantasy x-2, final fantasy, rikku, cosplayer, ying dong, natural, blonde, movie tome, asian

Gundam Seed Destiny: Cagalli Yula Athha

It was in Gundam Seed Destiny that I began to hate Cagalli. I suppose suddenly becoming the “sort of” president of a country is extremely stressful, as well as having to marry someone for diplomatic means…

But I don’t like it that she has to cry so much and ask for so much pity and support from everyone.

Even though I don’t like the character, this cosplayer is so pretty! Though I think I actually like the first cosplayer that I posted then this one (which is a first!). Still… I love the cosplayer, the pose, and the photo! Great Job!

Technorati tags: nanao, research, gundam seed destiny, seed destiny, seed, gundam, destiny, cagalli, yula, athha, president, diplomat, self-pity, cosplayer, cosplay, photo, asato, ros, photobucket

Trinity Blood: Father Tres Iqus

The mechanical soldier created by Vatican Scientist, Professor Gepetto Garibaldi, Father Tres Iqus is one of ten “Killing Dolls” to be used for an attempted rebellion. He was spared from destruction and recruited by Cardinal Caterina Sfroza for AX, the Minister of Holy Affairs’ Special Operations Group.

Father Tres is part mechanical and part organic, and he maintains his body by taking vitamins. You can tell straight off that he’s a cyborg, because he always answers questions with either “negative” or “positive”, though there are times when he shows some emotions and even a sense of humor.

Lovely cosplay! Especially the guns..! I’m not sure if Father Tres wears sunglasses though… Hm…

Technorati tags: nanao, research, trinity blood, cosplay, father tres iqus, father, tres, iqus, vatican, scientist, professor, gepetto, garibaldi, killing dolls, rebellion, cardinal, caterina, sfroza, ax, destruction, minister, holy affairs, special operations group, cybord, mechanical, organic

Gundam Seed Destiny: Stella Loussier

Stella Loussier is one of the 3 experiments of the Naturals, labeled as an “Extended Human”, someone who is born naturally, but could fight in the same efficiency as a Coordinator. Extended Humans do not have their DNA altered like Coordinators; rather, they use other means such as drugs to enhance their fighting ability.

Stella, or “Stellar” in some markets, is a gifted Gundam Pilot who suffers from a personality disorder. She is generally sweet and child-like when she is surrounded by people who are most important to her. But when she is in danger, or hears the word “death”, she becomes a totally different person, a ruthless killer who kills and destroys everything in her way.

Such a cute Stella! Oh, I cropped the original image from Photobucket. You can view the original by clicking the image.

Technorati tags: nanao, research, cosplay, gundam, seed destiny, gundam seed destiny, stella, stellar, loussier, naturals, extended humans, coordinators, drugs, pilots, child-like, personality disorder, photobucket, death, ruthless, killer

Full Metal Alchemist: Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes

Important notes:

• Cosplayer is cosplaying the character accurately.
• Cosplayer is male.
• Cosplayer does not appear to be Asian.
• Cosplayer knows exactly what he’s doing

And therefore:

• He looks awesome.

A little bit about the character, Lt. Colonel Maes Hughes is a member of the Investigations Division. He is not only good at what he does, but he is also a good father, and a loving husband. He is also a good friend of Colonel Roy Musatang and the Elric Brothers.

This is definitely one of the rare photos of lovely male cosplayers.

Technorati tags: nanao, research, fullmetal alchemist, full metal alchemist, alchemist, lieutenant, colonel, maes, hughes, maes hughes, cosplay, cosplayer, cosplaying, male, guys, roy mustang, roy, mustang, elric, brothers, investigations, division, father, husband

Gundam Seed: Lacus Clyne 02

I have a secret and I’m not telling…

At least… That’s what the photo looks like it’s saying…

I think I like this Lacus Clyne a lot more than the previous one. Her blue eye shadow really does the trick! She really looks like a singer/idol.

Great job on this! I wonder what her name is…

Technorati tags: nanao, research, gundam, gundam seed, seed destiny, seed, lacus, clyne, singer, idol, cosplay, cute, secret