Cosplay as the Most Popular Blue-haired Anime Heroines

If you search online for blue-haired characters, you will get the results that they are usually characterized as “cool,” “intellectual,” “unrewarded,” and “low on luck.” And it seems that they’re mostly tragic roles in anime. But many of them are popular among fans. A recent poll conducted in Akihabara Japan from 100 people presents us the top blue-haired heroines:

1.

Rei Ayanami from Neon Genesis Evangelion

1

Rei Ayanami School Uniform

2

 

Rei Ayanami Fight Cosplay Costume plug suit

 

2.Sayaka Miki from Puella Magi Madoka Magica

3

 

 

3.Nymph from Heaven’s Lost Property

4

 

4.Ami Mizuno from Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon

5

 

5.Konata Izumi from Lucky Star

6

 

Konata Izumi blue school uniform

7

 

Konata Izumi red school uniform

6.Erio Touwa from Ground Control to Psychoelectric Girl

8

7.Ika Musume from Squid Girl

9

Choose your favorite one and cosplay as her to capture Otakus’ hearts~!

Cosplay: America vs Japan

This is another guest post from Rose Rappaport , our lovely friend, you can check her las article Life in Japan-One Piece as well.So let’s beginning:

Cosplay in Japan is very different from cosplay in America, but there are similarities as well.  Japan does not have as many conventions as the United States, so places to cosplay are somewhat limited.  Japan also has different social rules than the United States.  Over the summer, I went to Comiket in Tokyo.

Conventions in Japan

Comiket is short for Comic Market and it is held two times a year; once in the summer and once in the winter.  I thought it was going to be a normal anime convention, but good thing I looked at the website first.  That particular convention is free to attend, but if you want to buy anything specific, you are recommended to buy the very large catalog which is a little on the pricy side.  Also, you can cosplay, but you have to obey the rules.

1.Never come in your costume: there are specific areas for changing and applying make-up. Some conventions don’t let you put on certain make-up.  Also, most conventions do not allow hairspray and other sprays in the convention areas.

2.Photos are not allowed to be taken outside of the 3 areas on site: if you see someone walking in the hallway or working at a booth, you can not take their picture.

3.You always have to ask before taking a picture (unless there is already a group taking pictures, just join in).  When you are done taking the picture, people typically bow and say thank you.

4.No inappropriate costumes: for example, no cleavage or super short or tight costumes allowed.  This is for obvious reasons like harassment.

5.No pointy or sharp objects: to make sure no one gets hurt.

6.On top of these rules, there is usually a fee just for the cosplayers (about $10, which is not bad if you have been to Otakon or other large scale convention in America).  Comiket is mainly a doujinshi (fan made comic) convention, so there is little to no official merchandise.  Because of that, no photographs allowed at tables unless by the people running them.  Also, they can sell whatever they want, and a lot of them were selling 18+ material and there were not covers or warnings (I saw way too much, that I can not un-see).  That is totally different from conventions in America.

Conventions in America


I laid the groundwork for Comiket, so for those who have never attended an anime convention in America, here is how it’s similar and different.

American conventions have similar rules such as the weapons policy.  Actually, some conventions have a weapons check where you have to get a certain tie put around your item to ensure that you are allowed to carry it.  Metals like steal are not allowed in, guns have to have a painted tip to show that is is not able to be fired and some conventions don’t let you in if your weapon is bigger than you, so people have to scale them down.  Some major differences are: American conventions only have a one time admission fee (either a 1 day, a weekend and some have 2 days if it’s a 3+ day event).  You don’t have to pay extra money to cosplay and you don’t have to buy a book to navigate your way around.  There are no special places to take photos, you can take them anywhere, but you should ask permission to take photos (not all do, I have found pictures where I was drinking water or sitting down).  As for the costume content, there are no specific rules, but it has to be appropriate.

Many conventions have 2 places to shop: an artist alley (all fan made items like pictures and plushies) and a dealers room (people sell official merchandise).

Costume Process in Japan vs  America:

In general, Japanese people don’t make their costumes from scratch.  There are many stores that sell costumes already made in a variety of stores like Animate (a big name anime store in Japan).  The costumes are professionally made and are high quality.  They also sell high quality wigs and props for the costumes.  These are not cheap, a Piccolo costume is about $120 in Don Quijote (kinda like spencers in America, but higher quality and not all of it is inappropriate). In the United States, you either make it from scratch, alter existing clothes or order online which is costly.  If you order online, you are playing quality russian roulette as well, unless you are sure of who is making your costume, you can’t be sure how well it will turn out.  There are many pros and cons to the Japanese way of cosplay.

If you buy your costume in Japan (at a store), it will be expensive, but well made.  You can usually try it on (make sure you ask permission first) instead of waiting for someone to make it, ship it and maybe find out it is not fitting you properly.  Also, the store people will be able to help you select a costume, wig and other accessories that will work with you.  At most stores, they have wig stands, tips for cleaning costumes, binding materials and anything else you will need for your perfect outfit.  There are some downsides: if you are not up to date on the newest anime, you may have trouble finding a costume.  Most stores have a small cosplay section with only popular anime.  Today, if you walked into any animate or other store, you will find costumes from Tiger and Bunny, Hetalia, Magi the Labyrinth of Magic, Evangelion, Uta no Prince sama and a few others.  Other than that, you will most likely have to make them.

If you make your costume from scratch or you alter existing clothes, you not only have the satisfaction of making something yourself and also you have the chance of winning awards if you choose to enter a contest.  It is also fun going shopping for the clothes!  Get your creative side going with lots of reference pictures from all angles and just cut, sew, glue etc…

Where can you cosplay?

In Japan, people usually cosplay at concerts, photo gatherings (see the Sengoku Basara picture), Harajuku (usually on Sundays) and at conventions like Comiket.  The photo of the Sengoku Basara cosplayers was taken at a Japanese “theme park” modeled after the Edo period.  I was in the right place at the right time because of the fact that people don’t just cosplay in public as often as Americans.  I personally asked them if they made their costumes and only one of them actually did out of the large group.  In America, I know many people who just dress up and go places (the mall, a diner, etc…), that is absolutely unheard of in Japan.

Cosplayers are all human, they all are dressing up for fun.  That, we all have in common.  Because we love anime and want to show off that character, we cosplay.  That is what it is all about.

Author Bio.:

Rose Rappaport:I am almost 22 and have been watching anime since I was 3.  I have been cosplaying since 2007 and attending conventions since 2006.  I consider myself very passionate about anime, manga, music, Japanese culture etc…  I have been living in Japan for about 5 months now and I will be here until mid December.  Since I have been here, I have soaked up the culture and language and it has been nothing but paradise.My cosplay.com account is mizu_usagi1.

Note:

This article is submitted by our friend Rose Rappaport ,if you want to post this article in other place ,please mention the copy right and credit to miccostumes.com and Rose . And we hope more friends will share own articles related to anime,cosplay,convention live news,Japan culture etc to us

Guest Post:Life in Japan-One Piece

I have been living in Japan for about 4 months now.  I thought I knew what to expect, but when I got here, it was everything I expected and more!

Every anime fan has to know something about One Piece.  Love it or hate it, it’s one of the biggest anime to hit Japan, the United States and well, the world!  Not even a day after arriving in Japan, I saw One Piece merchandise; almost every store in Narita Airport in Tokyo had something with One Piece.  All anime stores, convenience stores and even some restaurants sell one Piece goods .  If you walk into a 7-11 during the lunch time rush, you will see adults reading One Piece and other Jump manga after chowing down on some bento (Japanese pre-made lunches).

Speaking of Japanese foods, One Piece is not only in Jump, toys, and shirts, but it is on all types of foods, drinks and other daily products like body spray.  I have come across Japanese “Cheetos” and “Doritos” with One Piece characters, and if you buy that, it comes with a trading card.  I have also purchased Puccho (Japanese chewy candy with different flavors, similar to Hi-Chew) and with that purchase, you get a One Piece phone charm.  They are all random, so people can’t pick and choose what they want, but those (like me) who are not picky are happy with any of them.

In any department store you will find other One Piece goods, like key holders, pen cases, folders, pencils, magnets, even bath salts!!  Anything you can possibly think of, odds are, there is something with One Piece on it.

Naturally, the main crew is the most popular, but minor characters like Ace, the warlords, and even the Marines are popular.  I have seen many crane games in almost any arcade with One Piece characters.  They even had Halloween themed Chopper figures.  The game machines here are more expensive to play (anywhere 100-200 yen per play) but that makes it more rewarding to get the items.  I hope to write an article on arcades sometime since there is a lot to write about them.

As often as I go to anime stores (and that is very often), there seems to be a never ending line of action figures for sale for a fraction of what any and all anime conventions have sold them for.  There are even capsule machines (you know, the ones that cost a quarter and you get some plastic ball with a cool prize in it) with nice sized action figures and cell phone straps in them.  These cost anywhere from 100-500 yen (phone straps costing about 100-200 and the figures costing about 300-500) and the best thing is, they are not junky toys, they are all official, licensed figures and straps!!  I remember paying about $7-$9 for a phone strap at a convention or anime event, and here I have gotten dozens for maybe $3 or so.

Aside from the food and figures, some anime stores actually play One Piece movies or episodes in their stores.  I have also been in arcades and non-anime stores and heard One Piece opening and ending themes on the radio.  Also, anytime a One Piece movie comes out in theaters, it is a big deal.  There are commercials, even more product advertisements and of course, figures, plushies etc…

There are also One Piece themed stores, and exhibits in museums.  I went to the Toei Museum and there was so much One Piece I thought I was going to pass out!!

Lastly, One Piece gains popularity by being combined with other Japanese pop icons.  Chopper is commonly seen dressed as Hello Kitty or other anime characters.  I have seen a Toriko (another popular Jump manga and anime) and One Piece crossover, there have been figures with Dragon Ball Z characters with One Piece characters as well.  One Piece characters also make appearances on Japanese landmarks.  If you visit any major place like a castle, Tokyo Sky Tree, Tokyo Tower etc…you will find One Piece characters on phone straps and other merchandise with that landmark on it.

In conclusion, if you come to Japan, expect to see One Piece pretty much everywhere except maybe public restrooms.  It’s amazing how much one anime has intertwined itself into the Japanese culture.  I don’t think I have ever seen so much of one series/movie in the United States.

Note:

Author Bio.:

Rose Rappaport:I am almost 22 and have been watching anime since I was 3.  I have been cosplaying since 2007 and attending conventions since 2006.  I consider myself very passionate about anime, manga, music, Japanese culture etc…  I have been living in Japan for about 5 months now and I will be here until mid December.  Since I have been here, I have soaked up the culture and language and it has been nothing but paradise.My cosplay.com account is mizu_usagi1.

This article is submitted by our friend Rose Rappaport ,and Miccostumes.com will provide $15 gift card to Rose. And we hope more friends will share own articles related to anime,cosplay,convention live news,Japan culture etc to us 🙂