Hello everyone,
I’m sorry to say that this months issue will be delayed due to server trouble. It is actually going through some upgrades. I’m not sure how long it will take, but if it doesn’t finish in the next week or so, we’ll have to cancel this months issue. But don’t worry, we’ll do a double issue next month if that happens!
Again, I’m very sorry!
Courtesy of the Government of Japan, you may download the anime, Megumi, for free! Based on the true story of Megumi Yokota, a Japanese girl who was abducted by North Korean agents in 1977.
Story: In 1977, Ms. Megumi Yokota, a 13-year-old girl, disappeared on her way home from school. It was revealed later on that she was abducted by North Korea. This film features the anguish of Megumi’s family and their desperate effort to bring her back home.
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
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…)
