It’s done! I came in on Saturday and Sunday and today, (Monday in Japan) I came in at 6:00 am, just to finish this issue on time. Yes, I know what you’re thinking: it’s my own fault for procrastinating. Really, it wasn’t procrastination; this month is probably the busiest month for people in this industry in Japan: Comiket, World Cosplay Summit, Wonder Festival, etc. But I worked hard because I love you guys! Enjoy!

The How-to for this issue teaches you the basics of costume-making. You’ll learn how to make a Bunka-style sloper. This is how almost all fashion designers in Japan start making clothes.

Feature Photos: Professional photographs of 19 cosplayers showing off their hand-crafted costumes - no detail is too small to be left out!
Cosplay Snapshots: Snaps of hundreds of cosplayers from the various events in Japan!
World Cosplay Report: Cosplay Snapshots from Sakura-Con!
How-to Wig: Master natural-looking haircuts.
How-to Costume: Learn to make a Bunka-style sloper.
Cosplay Japanese: Speak with Japanese cosplayers!
COSMODE Life: How did you find your otaku friends?
COSMODE Life: Anthropomorphic Personality Test

Click here to view the free sample issue.
View the full issue at your member control panel!

The other day, Cosplay.com threw its first (I think it’s the first) annual Cosplay.com Party in Tokyo. It started off in an izakaya in Shinjuku that’s known for its sashimi. The we moved on to karaoke! I sang a song by The Blue Hearts and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Thanks Ginny for helping me out with the neverending song Give It Away.

That’s me, in the tshirt with purple sleeves, translating for Jacky at the izakaya. Around 70 people joined: the Cosplay.com crew, the COSMODE crew, and a whole bunch of cosplayers, photographers, and industry people.

Some of the cosplayers I met:

Giorgia is a gorgeous Italian cosplayer who won an award at the WCS a few years ago. I promised to eat pizza with her when I go to Italy. Her friend - shit… forgot his name (did I mention I drank a lot that night?) - who well… I don’t really know what he does, but he’s really cool. I always need a good drinking partner, ya know? You didn’t give me your card so please email me!

Monica and Mauricio were some cool Brazilian cosplayers. Their fashion was just amazing! And of course they new one of my favorite authors, Paulo Coelho.

Nadia is a really cute Italian cosplayer who was super fashionable. I had told her where to get the best espresso in Japan, but, of course, she had already done her research before coming here.

Yui and Minori won an award at the WCS this year.  They were some funky Japanese girls!

Francesca came in this really cute gothic fashion. She’s also an Italian cosplayer (super cute). I didn’t really get into any deep conversations with her (language barrier), but I expressed my love for espresso, Italian wine, pasta and Parma ham.

Jeudy and Ratte won the WCS last year representing France. They are doing some otaku, sub-culture media program in France. Interesting stuff. I’ve met many French people in Japan. Most of the time, I don’t really get along with them. These guys though were really open-minded and cool.

I’ll do another update when I get more pictures. Late.

Did you know? There’s a cosplay tv program being broadcasted in Japan!

Its name, CosCosPlayPlay; and it delivers the latest cosplay info and tips to answer all the needs of the cosplayers out there. We were invited to the public filming on August 10th. Normally, the filmings are done in private studios, but, this time, they rented out half an elementary school (not used as a school anymore), let regular cosplayers come in freely in their favorite costume, and filmed the program inside the school!

The actual broadcast date for this will be on September 1st at 9pm (Japan time, of course) on Fuji Satellite Television channel 721. Have your friend in Japan tape it for you!

First, here is the main cast posing in front of (more…)

So, I went to the Tokyo Wonder Festival Summer 2008 (Wonfes) last Sunday. Well… I’ve been living in Tokyo for 5 years and right in Akihabara for the past year, so I don’t get surprised much. However, my first Wonfes was a bit shocking.

Most of the otaku are waiting right when it opens and dash to their favorite booth to get the toys. Takashi went there from the start, so check out his post information on the Wonfes early morning lines (actually, some people wait in line since the day before). A lot of the toy companies produce Wonfes exclusive stuff which can be resold for double, triple or, I’ve even heard, 5 times the retail price. Anyway, here’s my little report on the Tokyo Wonder Festival Summer 2008!

I took the monorail from Shimbashi Station to Tokyo Big Sight Exhibition Center. The monorail is fully (more…)

Hey guys! Well, COSMODE just released issue #23. I really like the neon green text!

The cover features an “awase” of REBORN! characters.

The feature photo section has 20 cosplayers! I think, it’s the biggest yet! (That’s me reading it.)

Here’s what’s in COSMODE 23:

20 Featured Cosplayers
500 Cosplay Snapshots
How-to: Molding for beginners - make emblems, tiaras and crowns, animal props, and big props. It also includes a tutorial on how to make a armor quickly and easily.
How-to: Cosplay Makeup - Learn 7 techniques to make up your face cute & cool. Also, makeup for men!
How-to: A full cosplay photography course
COSMODE Life: Cosplayer’s COSNames
Style Wig Catalogue: A bonus booklet featuring wigs from many different shops.
And much much more!

What are you looking forward to the most?