Welcome Our New Blog Author-Irvy Cosplay

Irvy have been cosplaying for about ten years, most of those in her home state of Idaho, California, and the Pacific Northwest United States. In her spare time, Irvy like to write and play too many video games. For photos, updates, and other information, please check her Facebook page as Irvy Cosplay. She’s also part of a cosplay group in Boise, Idaho called Ellipsis Cosplay.

For the article from Irvy, please check the page here . And if you also want to write for our blog, please contact me at any time 🙂

“Unexpected Link Cosplays”-Blog New Author Introduction!

Today we are welcome – Ally (Unexpected Link Cosplays) join in our blog to share her cosplay story and to be one of our blog author, hope more cosplayers join in our sponsor program and share your own cosplay experience.

unexpected cosplay link

Hello everyone! I am Ally from Texas, better known as Unexpected Link Cosplays. I have been part of the cosplay community for about 3 years, and wish to get myself out there a bit more! I have been claimed as a novice cosplayer in my conventions. I mostly deal with anime characters, but then again, I am a HUGE geek, and will probably do something other than anime in the future. I am here so I can help other cosplayers be the best that they want to be! Happy Cosplaying!

 

Fullmetal Alchemist – Where Metal meets the Body

Fullmetal Alchemist
Fullmetal Alchemist

Fullmetal Alchemist (FMA for short) is a great series and one my wife really enjoys as well. Like all Japanese anime, it has a lesson to be learned. In this one however, it is an extremely hard lesson with some extreme consequences.

Welcome to the world where alchemy is a reality. However there are some things that should not be tried. After the death of their mother, Edward and Alphonse Elric try to bring her back using the art of alchemy. In their attempt however, Ed losses some of his limbs while his brother’s soul is transferred into a armored knight. Thus we learn about the Law of Equivalent Exchange.

Now they are on the search for the exclusive Philosopher’s Stone. A magical red stone that they hope will be able to correct their current situation. In trying to do this, Ed decides to become a State Alchemist. This is an alchemist employed by the State Military of Amestris. In a way, Ed hopes that by joining, he will be able to find more information on the stone for him and his brother.

Along the way they meet many new friends and of course enemies (Homunculi). It seems that there are others trying to manipulate life – for the sake of power. There are many twists to this series that always leave you guessing where it will go. This is one of the draws to this series besides the characters. Just when you think you know who is the good or bad guy, everything flips.

If you are into cosplay and have a group of friends, this is one that you may want to do. You can easily do several characters from this series and be a hit at the conventions.

Hatsune Miku – Singer in a Box

(concept) illustration by KEI
Hatsune Miku - illustration by KEI

From Ninja, to Pirates to Sailor Moon, where is our adventure of to next. What the heck does he mean by the title? Miku is not a Singer in a box, what craziness is this.

Well, I decided to find the roots of one of the most famous non-living Singers in the world. Little did I know that this was not all that it seemed. This lovely lady – Hatsune Miku – actually started out as a simple Singing Synthesizer. It was later development into a software called Vocaloid. This is where we get the name of ‘Singer in a Box’. Not only was it produced in Japanese and English, but you can now get it in Korean, Chinese and Spanish.

Vocaloid Group
Vocaloid Group

What was cool with this was that a new character was created for each version. They just didn’t stop at one Vocaloid, but decided to set out to form a diverse group of them. I think this was a smart call as it really showcases the way you can market a product without that much capital. Seriously, so many people have fell in love with these characters, that it just makes one of the greatest promotional series. If you want, you should check out the numerous figures that have been designed and sold of them. Even I want the VN2 version figure so I can start at it’s awesomeness.

Why the heck is Miku sometimes pictured holding a LEEK and carry it around for that matter. Why would this vegetable (sort of spring onion on steroids) be such a draw for this character. I guess it is to whack all the fanboys away from her – LOL.

Now lets not leave out cosplay of Hatsune Miku which has exploded across the conventions. I think this is one character that anyone who saw it would recognize her immediately. You can even check out a great blog review right here of Gloria (Sweet Angel) showcasing one of the many cosplays you can find here.

What’s up for the next blog form yours truely, well lets just say my son will be helping me as you ‘Gotta Catch them All“.

Sailing to the Moon

Gave you a little hint last month on my Pirate’s blog on what we will be reviewing today. If you couldn’t figure it out, we will be talking about Sailor Moon.

Not really one of the shows I watched regularly as it was more for girls. I did however catch it as it came on with my other ‘cartoons’ in the old days. This has some romance, but there was only one main male character. Luckily however, it is not a harem show as it dealt with the girls and their issues.

Our main character, Serena Tsukino, ends up meeting a cat. Not just any cat, but a talking cat named Luna (go figure). She ends up telling her that she is this great fighter of justice and she is needed to help fight against the Dark Kingdom. What we actually find out is that she was sent into the future by the Moon Princess to protect the Earth. Along with other Sailor Senshi (as well as our Male lead Tuxedo Mask) to help in the battle against these villains.

Besides the Sailor Moon, you also have the ‘Sailor Scouts’ which are named after each of the other planets – Sailor Mercury, Venus, Mars, Uranus, Neptune, Saturn, Jupiter and Pluto. This was before Pluto was classified not a planet anymore – but I digress. Now they don’t all come out together, but some are brought in as the show proceeds.

Now out of all these girls, there is only one other hero who just happens to be a male character. I guess you need a ‘masked magician’ to come to your rescue if you are in need. It is funny as he throws a red rose down to mark his entrance. Very romantic and mysterious – wooooo. You get the sense that there is a relation brewing and it does.

Now we switch over to the ‘Dark Side’ and look at the villains of the Dark Kingdom. They happen to be lead by Queen Beryl. They actually destroyed the old Moon Kingdom and want to insure they don’t come back. What they actually want to do is bring life back to Metalia. In order to do this, they need to suck the life out of humans using monsters that are summoned by one of her 4 Shitennou. Of course, Sailor Moon and company are here to stop them and save Humanity and Earth.

Even in the US, this has been a huge hit and merchandised well, but not as much as others. It is funny that I was walking in an Antique / Consignment store and actually found some of their merchandise. Even though this has pretty much ended, it is continually being revisited. There has been games and live action movies which keep this anime alive. I think it really was a great show that made girls feel empowered to be more than they were no matter the obstacles.

This group of characters has been heavily cosplayed for years and for good reason. Everyone wanted to be Sailor Moon as she was the lead. What made this great though, was that f you had a small group of friends, then you could as the team. This really got you some attention at any convention.

As for my next blog, lets just say it is a very famous singer that started only as artwork and a figure.