Metrocon Cosplay Contest

Today I would like to bring to you footage from Metrocon.  Florida’s largest anime convention!  This is footage taken from their Cosplay Contest.

http://youtu.be/y1DG0LeGXP4

This video also features a photography contest at the end of the video.  This showcases some of Florida’s best cosplay photographers.

The winners of the cosplay contest can be found here:

http://youtu.be/A593lNOMNmU

Enjoy!

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!

Pariahcon 2012: A Florida Convention

Bringing to you the latest news in convention news from sunny Florida.  The convention season is about to start in full swing around these coming summer months.  So I would like to bring to your attention a small up and coming convention in its 2nd year of bringing fun to us Florida anime/videogame fans.

Pariahcon is coming soon!  What is Pariah-con you may ask yourself?  Well that is what I am here for!  This is the second annual convention in Lakeland where all your videogame, anime, and other special interests are met.  The convention will be help on April 27-29.  Here you can meet fellow enthusiasts from all around Florida and make friends that share similar interests.  Not to mention see a lot of beautiful cosplays.  It would be great to have you all come to the convention.

There will be a combination costume contest and cosplay contest where you can see all of the great costumes people have made and the skits they have prepared.

Orange Anime, Florida’s best anime/videogame social site,  will also be in attendance putting on different panels for a lot of fun for all ages. Including Videogames Easter Eggs, Who Would Win Anime, Destiny Islands Game Show (a Kingdom Hearts Game Show), Pokemon Center, Dating Games, Supernatural Theatre, and many many more.

There will be a dance/rave on Saturday night, and a lounge where you can relax if things get a little too crazy.  Don’t forget your swimsuit because there will also be a pool party!  There will be cult movies, anime screenings to keep you entertained.  And an achievement system which has you searching the convention grounds looking for challenges to win prizes.

There will be a fully stocked game room with many gaming competitions.  A special Pokemon tournament will be taking place, among other fighting and shooting game competitions.  Some come show me your moves!

There are more and more and more events to be seen but you will just have to visit their site HERE to find more.  Or you can just attend to get the full experience.  Let us toast to the beginning of another fun convention season!

Florida Cosplay: Cosplay meets History

In Miami there are many beautiful places.  Today I would like to show you how cosplay has made it even more beautiful.  In Miami there is a place known as Vizcaya where there lies gorgeous historic buildings surrounded by a lovely garden.  Andrea Van Der Plaats, Stephanie Cone, Shana Harlow, and Katie Inderbitzen, some of South Florida’s best cosplayers,  have visited this place and will now share with us a glimpse of what makes Florida cosplayers so special.

Videogame Cosplay Interview: Jen Amador as Cammy White (Part 2)

In my last piece we learned about Jen Amador, a Florida cosplayer, that cosplays as the beautiful Cammy White of Street Fighter fame.  We learned about her love of the character and what she did to make the cosplay come to life.  To see the first part of this interview click HERE.

This time we will be learning about Jen’s experiences as this femme fatal, in Part 2 of this interview.

7. What do you personally feel when you are portraying the character and why do you choose to cosplay her?
I feel really confident and strong when I’m cosplaying Cammy. This costume has really taught me to love and appreciate the body I have despite what anyone else thinks.

8. What are people’s reactions to you when you are in costume?
I have gotten some comments about it but I’ve also gotten a lot of compliments from males and females alike. I feel like people misinterpret love of a character and of your body as a need for attention.
The reactions vary. Some people love it and want to stop me for a picture or to ask me for a win quote and some people make rude comments. But that’s the situation with any cosplay I suppose.

9. What was the hardest part about bringing this character to life?

Maintaining the serious attitude all day. I’m a very happy person most of the time but Cammy is known for her serious determination, so keeping my poker face was the hardest part.

10. Did you ever get any special recognition for this costume?

None yet but I’ve only worn it once.

11. What videogame character would you like to portray next?

Next on the list is Princess Zelda from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, but you can expect a lot of video game costumes in the future.

12. Lastly is there anything you would like to convey to the readers?

Just that cosplaying is a hobby in order to showcase the things that you love. If you love a character, don’t let anyone else’s opinions stop you from cosplaying them.

If you wish to see more cosplays by Jen Amador, you can check out her Facebook Cosplay profile HERE, her deviant art page HERE, or her Cosplay.Com profile HERE.