Videogame Cosplay: Jillian Husted as Larxene from Kingdom Hearts (Pt 1)

I am here to provide you with a look into the life of Florida’s cosplayers and their costumes. This time I would like to feature one of the cosplayers associated with Orange Anime.  Orange Anime is an online forum that bands togheter all of Florida’s videogame and anime fans and arranges local events in Miami and the surrounding areas.  One of Orange Anime’s own staff member. Jillian Husted, also known as “Ixka1kai” on the forums will be the subject of this interview. She will be sharing here experiences as she talks about her cosplay of Larxene from Kingdom Hearts.

1. As a female cosplayer, why did you take an interest in this character and how close does the character resemble your personality?
I would say that Larxene is pretty much the exact opposite of me (except for maybe the b****y part). I wanted a character where I can be what I am not and attempt to have some more confidence. What initially drew me to Larxene in particular was the fact that she wanted to overthrow the ultimate evil to get a greater position of power.

2. What initially drew you to play the game she is from?
Larxene came from Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories (or Re:Chain of Memories) which was apart of, in my opinion, the greatest game series ever. Not a lot of people have played/completed that particular game and Larxene was the greatest challenge I had in the game; it made me want to be her.

3. Did the character’s outfit influence your choice in cosplaying her?
The outfit was given. I mean there is basically 15 cosplays in one Organization XIII coat. I guess my main gripe is that it’s one coat (and gets very hot at cons) so I can’t change it up unless I go by fanart. When it comes to doing other outfits I plan to do a slumber party Larxene for Metro Con if it’s accepted

4. Why do you feel this character is special to the game she is from?
I believe that the character is special from the Kingdom Hearts series because she and Marluxia basically set-up the character line up in the second game of the series and creates a rift in an Organization meant to take down the good guys. It sorta makes her the ultimate evil I guess.

5. Is she your favorite videogame character? If not who is?
I would say she was my third favorite character in the games. I favorites are Riku & Sora. I cosplay Sora, but Larxene is special because she was my first cosplay ever.
6. What drove you to put in the work to make this character’s outfit and how did you go about making it?
I bought my outfit because I’m just getting into cosplay, but I would really like to learn how to sew in order to make the outfits as accurate as possible. I have made improvements in the chain and did get some advice and help on the wig from a fellow cosplayer.

Stay tuned for part 2 of this interview later this week!

Cosplay Tutorial Contest – Kingdom Hearts Riku’s Keyblade Way to Dawn Tutorial by Axel Iroppoi

Way to Dawn Tutorial [The cheap way]

My tutorial will show you how to make beautiful props at affordable prices.

way-to-the-dawn

First we start off with a big block of foam from your local home depot/Lowes! One sheet will do, you can get the thinner one that costs around $10 because the sheet is big enough to double up [and save money]. [Remember that you cannot use a jigsaw on the thinner foam, it will only break it, you have to cut it out by hand with an exacto knife]

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Once we have our foam, draw out the shape of the way to dawn. There are 2 ways to do this. The way we did it was just drawing it out by hand, but if you are not an artist, you can always go to kinkos and get a blown up picture of the keyblade to trace. Next, you can start cutting out the keyblade you’re your knife. [don’t worry too much if a piece breaks off while you’re cutting, this happened to me in the pic below, you can just hot glue it back on. But be NEAT!]

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Once you have cut out one, place the cut out keyblade on top of your remaining block of foam and trace it. Then cut out a second keyblade.

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Once you have cut out both sides to your keyblade you can attach your wooden dowel to one side. Remember, the wooden dowel should be thick! You are supporting a keyblade that is very thin in the middle and is meant to hold up a very thick blade. I used a yard stick from home depot. I also used a smaller piece of wood to provide support on the wing part of the blade. I used hot glue to attach this. Make sure the glue is not TOO hot, or else the foam will melt. Don’t worry if it doesn’t glue perfectly, just make sure it is attached enough. We will be bonding it with bonding adhesive later. [Also note how thin the foam is as well, this is why we are doubling up.]

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Next, glue the two sides of the keyblade together. You will have a gap in between the two sides of the keyblade, don’t worry. We will bond the two sides together with adhesive and finish off the gaps with caulk.

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Use adhesive caulking to fill the gaps. Wait for this to dry. I left mine to dry for an entire day. Then take regular caulk and finish off any imperfections. Now we can begin carving the keyblade details. First draw out the keyblade the details in sections. Then take a wood rasp and begin carving. Remember to ALWAYS wear a mask when carving anything out of foam.

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Once finished with a section, use different degrees of sandpaper until the area is smooth. Do this for the entire keyblade. The wood rasp makes carving a lot easier.

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Now create the two eyes (one for each side) that will be attached near the handle and the heartless symbol for the key charm.

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For the keyblade use regular white primer (for painting walls) and paint the entire keyblade with 6 full coats of this. If you can’t get primer, regular white house paint will work as well. This will get the keyblade ready to be spray painted. If it is sprayed directly the spray paint will eat the foam.

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Section off sections of the keyblade using painters tape. Spray paint each section with its primary colors. I used a dark blue for the majority of the blade, red and cream for the both wing sections. This will make it easier because the majority of the blade is already painted.

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Now begin to add the details. I used regular acrylic paint for this. Blend the paint together to create new colors. Use darker colors for shadows.

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Finally attach the chain with hot glue (I used a plastic chain from iparty). Attach the heartless charm to the chain. And the two eyes near the handle (after painting). Now we must add the red to the handle. I decided to use red electrical tape for this. I looked at the photo of the blade and tried to match it as best as I could.

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This is a guest post from Axel Iroppoi, entered in the Cosplay Tutorial Contest. Click here to check out all the participants and their scores, and more details about the contest, like the rules, how to join, the prize, etc.

Author Bio:

Name: Axel Iroppoi
Gender: Female
Nationality: Russian and Middle Eastern
Personal Blogs & Social Networks: deviantart, facebook, YouTube
Comments about the tutorial: This Tutorial will show you how to make the “Way to Dawn” Keyblade from Kingdom Hearts! It will show you how to make a beautiful prop at an affordable price!

New Arrival on Oct. 19 – Kingdom Hearts Kairi Red Dress Cosplay Costume

Since Kingdom Hearts cosplay is noticed by many cosplay fans, we offer you a rich collection of Kingdom Hearts costume in our store. This is the Kingdom Hearts Kairi red dress cosplay costume. It’s sold on $47.03 with fast shipping. Carrying wonderful accuracy level in each small detail and really desirable comfort, it will be the must-have item to enrich your Kairi cosplay performance!

Kingdom Hearts Kairi Red Dress Cosplay Costume

Luxurious cotton is used to make most of our cosplay costumes. This one is also made from high-quality cotton, which shows you clear texture if you take a closer look at it. Never will you find difficult to clean or keep the costume. Kairi cosplay costume includes a dress and leather belt with pocket. Being faithful to the original manga look, it will enhance your confidence about your Kairi cosplay appearance.

Kingdom Hearts Kairi Red Dress Cosplay Costume1

We operate a costume factory, where experienced designers and manufacturers spare no effort to ideally cater to your cosplay needs. This Kairi costume is strictly designed and sewn. It will be shipped out in 48hrs. We provide you with regular size S, M, L and XL. Also, we can customize the costume for you. Both adult and child sizes can be customized.

Go to our store to hunt for more deluxe but inexpensive cosplay costumes, wigs, shoes, etc.

Cosplayer Interview – Katy-Angel

Hagane Miku Cosplay11

Katy-Angel’s Kingdom Hearts Aqua cosplay was found by us five days ago. This Russian girl also accepts our interview here. Except a graceful Aqua cosplay, she also shares us charming Megurine Luka cosplay, cute Alice cosplay, fearful Hysteria cosplay, etc in her gallery. With succinct words, this cosplay talent may inspire you. Now, let’s start the interview.

1. Please introduce yourself first.

Katy.

2. What does cosplay mean to you?

Lifestyle.

Alice Cosplay

3. What and when was your first cosplay?

In 2008, Alice

4. What is your most memorable cosplay experience?

I can not choose, I remember them all.

5. What’s your favorite photo shoot?

I think that photoshoot Aqua.

Ignis Cosplay

6. What’s your favorite anime/manga/game character to cosplay as?

Alice, Aqua and Luka.

7. Any cosplay plan in future?

It’s a secret ^ ^

8. Do you make your costumes yourself or buy them?

I do everything myself:)

Hatsune Miku Cosplay

9. Any other cosplayers you like?

Yes, they are interesting.

10. Do some changes happen to you after cosplay?

Cosplay makes me happy.

11. Any advice you wanna share with cosplay newbies?

Never fear, cosplay is a wonderful hobby 🙂

Daily Cosplay – Kingdom Hearts Aqua Cosplay

Kingdom Hearts Aqua Cosplay

Most people make stunningly appealing transformations on their appearance while cosplay. Katy-Angel is absolutely one of them. I feel fascinated about her Kingdom Hearts Aqua cosplay once finding it. Sea wave behind her is absolutely a wonderful toner for this picture. But what’s more important is still her alluring look! Blue costume and blue hair enhance her charm. This is a Russian girl, who is absolutely an excellent cosplayer. Her Megurine Luka cosplay shown in her gallery also seems rather appealing. But Hysteria cosplay makes me feel so thrilling. Yet her Code Geass C.C cosplay feels so sexy. If you are planning to do cosplay, you may find some afflatus from this girl. Just pay a visit to her site now.