{COSPLAY} Fairy Tail: Freed Justine

I'm back for my first February blog entry which shows that so far I am in keeping with my New Year's resolution to keep on blogging. XD

My eighth Japanice Resolution for 2013 is to improve my cosplay. I got to realize that I really need to start on going down to the details of my cosplays when I cosplayed Freed Justine from Fairy Tail. I noticed some details that I fail to give attention at.

Jellal and Freed Justine

When I think about it, failing to go to the details are most of the times brought about by the fact that I have to change into costume either in a cramped rest room or in the mall's food court (when I wear my costume in the food court, I need not "change" but rather just simply put on the costume). The point is that I don't really get the luxury of time and convenience to get all things and parts of my cosplay completely done and made. I don't even put on make-up aside from a quick application of basic foundation. That is why I would admit to always falling short of doing a perfect cosplay. But then again, having imperfections would always mean lots and lots of rooms for improvement. Improvement in itself is always a welcome challenge for me. So looking at the brighter side, I can expect that I have always something to work at.
 

For this blog entry, I would also be sharing how I made the sword-props for Freed Justine. Freed's sword is a rapier which he uses both as a weapon and as a pen with which he writes his Letter Magic especially during battle. This is just the second time I made a weapon-props. The first time was when I made a quincy bow for my Uryuu Ishida (Bleach) cosplay. I think I made a satisfactory job with the sword except that the blade was too wide.
 
 
 
The materials I used for this sword are as follows:
1. All-purpose cardboard;
2. A round tension curtain rod;
3. Masking tape;
4. Silver spray-paint; and  
5. White, blue and green all-purpose paint.

Most part of the props-making involved cutting and shaping the cardboard into (1) the blade, (2) the hilt, and (3) the decorative Fairy Tail insignia on the hilt and "wrapping" the sword handle.
 
The curtain rod serves as both the skeleton of the blade and the sword handle. After assembling all the parts of the sword, I wrapped everything in masking tape and painted the blade and hilt white.
 
It took so much time before the white paint completely dried and then I noticed that the surface of the sword seemed to have "runs" or it became uneven, primarily because of the masking tape getting wet, I thought. It made me think that I should have just directly spray-painted the sword silver, without first coloring the masking tape white, to avoid getting the surface uneven.
 

 

After spraying-painting the sword blade and hilt silver, I proceeded to design, cut and paint the Fairy Tail insignia that would decorate the cup hilt of the sword. Notice that "tail" of the insignia functions as a knuckle bow that adorns sword handle. I wrapped the cardboard cut-out in masking tape before painting it green.

 

Lastly, as the final detail, I attached a small rubber ball at the tip of the sword handle and colored it blue. Actually, it's not a ball but an Animax rubber cellphone stand that is attached to the flat and smooth backside of a mobile phone so that it can stand. Luckily, I just to insert it in the hole of the curtain rod and it attached perfectly. =D



With other Fairy Tail cosplayers during the Ozine Anime Figure Special 2012
 

Now going back to my concern on attending to the details, some of the details of my Freed cosplay that I did not do, both intentionally and unintentionally, are (1) Freed's bangs are swept to the right and covering the right eye, I swept mine to the left XD, (2) I didn't tie my hair to a low pony tail, (3) I didn't put a mole under my eye, (4) I didn't have Freed's signature lightning hair strands jutting out backwards from the sides of my head, and lastly (5) I no longer had time to make a brown scabbard for the sword. XDD

 

Anyway, I want to do an improved cosplay of Freed Justine again with a Laxus by my side. =D



Character: Freed Justine

Series: Fairy Tail
Cosplayer: Hiro
Venue/Convention: Ozine Anime Figure Special, December 2012
Photos: Mark (aka Kram)
Costume: Commissioned Tailor
Props: Hiro

{COSPLAY} Fairy Tail: Jellal Fernandes

The 5^th Philippine Cosplay Convention (PCC) was held at Robinson’s Manila this past weekend. Much to some PAOtakus’ surprise, it was only held for one day. PCC was usually held for two days. Anyway, there were still at least a dozen PAOtakus who met up at the event and of course, a crowd of con-goers graced PCC. It doesn’t have admission fees to begin with so it is only natural. However, there is always this feeling that something is lacking whenever an anime convention is held at Robinson’s Manila (either PCC or TAGCOM). I can not exactly point it out but there really is a different feel... Perhaps brought about by a different kind of crowd? Whatever it is, I always liked the fact that there are lots of foreigners in this venue and they really are amused of the cosplayers.

I decided (last-minute) to cosplay Jellal Fernandes at PCC. I had five days to prepare for this cos. I call it as some sort of an almost impromptu cosplay. Impromptu cosplay would be like using readily available items either everything you need or partly. In the case of Jellal, I already have some of the items I need while I still need to get the rest.

I always make it a point to prepare for cosplay months or at least a few weeks ahead. By prepare, I mean the costume, weapons and other items must already be complete at least a few weeks before the event proper. However, for this instance, I intentionally decided to cosplay a new character less than one week before the event just to see how it will come out. For a change.

I was “generally” fortunate to have my Jellal cosplay push through at PCC. I got white pants, a pair of boots and the black sleeveless turtleneck-like shirt. I needed Jellal’s coat from season two (the one he took from the wind-element magic user), obviously, this coat is the thing that needed to be custom-made. I asked the tailor if he would be able to finish the coat four days before the day I will be claiming it. He was positive and so I provided him the materials. But then as I had expected, the coat has not even been started yet on the day I was about to claim it.

NOTE: This is the illness that MOST, if not all, tailors and seamstress share. You give the job order ahead of time but they will only attend to it on the day you will be getting it and if you’re there watching them. If you are most unfortunate, they will have forgotten your costume all together and will give you tons of excuses. That is why it is most advisable to have your costumes made ahead of the event especially if the costume is detailed or complicated.

At any rate, the tailor was able to sew it the whole morning till noon on the day of the event. I know he’ll make it considering that Jellal’s coat isn’t complicated. I have to admit that it’s really irritating given that I have provided enough time for the thing to be done. But then, we likewise have to accept the horrible mystery that surrounds dressmakers. Again, refer to the above note. >_<

As for the hair, I tried looking for on-hand wigs to no avail. I was ready to color my hair with washable blue hair spray. Luckily, I was able to find a good-quality blue wig in one of the merchandise booths. Actually it was Kaizen, a PAOtaku, who first got to buy the same wig for his Kaito cosplay. I felt like I have Siegrain or Mystogan with me. LOL

Special thanks to Kaizen for doing a job well done on my face tattoo. It was Jellal’s tattoo that really worried me the most. Good thing Kaizen was game on doing it. We used a pencil eyeliner for the outline and a liquid eyeliner for the filling.



Flame of Rebuke



Abyss Break!
*Toyed with PIXLR*

Jellal and Siegrain err.. Mystogan er.. Kaito XD

With PAOtakus

PAO 18th Meet Up @ PCC

With the talented tattoo artist, Kaizen :D

Character: Jellal Fernandes

Series: Fairy Tail

Photographer: Kaizen

Convention: 5^th Philippine Cosplay Convention

Venue: Robinson’s Place Manila

{COSPLAY} Bleach: Uryuu Ishida

As for my first cosplay article, there is no other cosplay of mine that deserves to be featured first than the last Quincy, Uryuu Ishida. I can still recall the excitement way back in 2007 when I planned on cosplaying Ishida. Bleach was quite the anime back then when it was aired on local TV specifically on GMA 7. I like his personality, his built, his weapon, his power – I just like the entirety of his character. I chose Ishida for my first cosplay back then not only because of my bias but also for practical reasons. As a newbie cosplayer, I wanted a costume or character that is simple and easy without compromising my personal preference on the kind of anime character that I have a liking. Ishida, I thought was perfect. And he is still now.


I had the costume tailor-made and used it in our office Christmas party in 2007 with the theme of “White Christmas.” Ishida’s wearing white after all, it’s like hitting two birds in one stone: having a costume for the party and I can start cosplay from then on. However, it was not until in 2009 when I actually attended a con and cosplayed Ishida. Moreover, it was not until in 2011 that I was able make my props, that is Ishida’s quincy bow. It was likewise my first props-making project and I’m really proud of the finished product.


So what is it I love cosplaying Ishida practicality-wise?


1. I need no wig. I need not color my hair.


2. I can go straight or even commute to the event venue in my cosplay attire. You see my Ishida cosplay has three layers – the polo, the long vestment and the scarf. I can actually just wear the polo on my way and just put on the rest for “full battle gear.” XD Believe me, I wore my Ishida cosplay in the office a couple of times already.


3. There’s no hassle whatsoever. The costume is not hot at all, very light and can pass off as casual clothing. Except of course until I started bringing the Quincy bow and swaying it around.


For those curious on how I made the bow, here’s how:


1. It is made out of a carton box and a roll of masking tape.


2. I used a broomstick as the skeleton or frame inside the bow to make it sturdy.


3. White all-purpose paint and blue marker for the finishing touches.


I think I might be retiring my Ishida cosplay. Well, after all those years it’s about time. But if there would be a Bleach group cosplay then I guess cosplaying Ishida once more won’t hurt.

Uryū Ishida is a bespectacled teenager of average height. He has straight, chin-length raven-colored hair that frames both sides of his face and is fair-skinned with blue eyes.

Rihito Regen!!

Spirit Arrow!

Ichigo to Ishida

Hirenkyaku

Props-making

"For the pride of Quincy."

Character: Uryuu Ishida

Series: BLEACH

Cosplayer: Hiro

Venue/Convention: Various

Photos: Various photographers (can’t even remember who took unless there are watermarks)

Costume: Commissioned Tailor