Anime Cosplay Help

[Guest primevalcrosis]

Hey. I'm trying to start my first cosplay project. But there is only one problem... I have no idea what to do or be. Please, oh mighty Convention veterans, help me with my quest. any tips you can give on good characters from these animes to cosplay or tips to make the actual costumes will be greatly liked.

[CENTER][I]Animes prefrences[/I]
Rouroni Kenshin
Gundam Wing
Gundam SEED
Wolf's Rain
Hellsing[/CENTER]

[Delta]

[COLOR=DarkRed][SIZE=1]
If you want something simple, then go as a wolf from Wolf's Rain (in human form of course). Easy as pie.

But I'd rather you do something unique as this is your first time cosplaying... a costume in the likes of Oniwabanshu's Hannya (Rurouni Kenshin). Not only will it make the experience memorable, you might even be dubbed as the first one to ever cosplay a particular character.

Point Two: Go as a character who [i]actually[/i] looks like you. Perfect for someone with limited funds (like me T_T). Costumes can only do so much, that's why crossplays (or cosplays where you have to crossdress) almost always turn ugly.

I once cosplayed as Faye Valentine waaay back when Cowboy Bebop was still a secret among anime fans here. Loved the looks on people's faces when they ask "Who's that?" Go for the surprise factor, I say!

Love and Peace!
[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Dagger]

It would help if you told us whether you're male or female. Anyway, I'll second eternity's advice... for example, don't try to cosplay someone very tall and imposing if you're only 5' 3". Having the right hair will keep you from needing to worry about a wig. If someone in your family is Asian, he or she might be able to provide you with interesting-looking traditional garments (this would be ideal for cosplaying a character from a historical series like Rurouni Kenshin).

~Dagger~

[Charles]

In my opinion, this thread seems most appropriate for Anime Lounge, so I'll move it. The attention that section would receive it with would probably be more more beneficial to the thread starter.

[Guest primevalcrosis]

Thanks Dagger IX1 and eternity for the replies. For help, I'm female (yet not feminine), Short, Short Hair, minimal budget. Hope this helps a little more.

PS,
Thanks Charles for moving my thread. The more help, the better ^^

[Dagger]

Hmm... I don't know how short your hair is (or its color), but would Soujirou from Kenshin be an option? [spoiler]Blue, a character whose human form[/spoiler] is not revealed until the latter half of Wolf's Rain, has fairly short hair and doesn't look overly feminine, so she might also work for you. As for the girly-boys of Gundam Wing and Gundam SEED--well, just take your pick. They could all be convincingly cosplayed by a female.

~Dagger~

[Delta]

[COLOR=DarkRed][SIZE=1]
Misao Makimachi would be perfect for you! A girl with short hair and not enough estrogen to be considered feminine...yet. Plus her costume's [i]really[/i] simple. If I can make it, so can you.

Good Luck!
Love and Peace!
[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Soliel]

[COLOR=GREEN]I'd go with a character who has similar features to yours. For example, if you have dark hair, then Misao or [SPOILER]Blue[/SPOILER] would be a good choice. However, if your hair is lighter, then [SPOILER]Kagali[/SPOILER] from Gundum Seed would be better. I find it best to go with your natural hair color, or at least close to it, for your first cos-play attemt. Well, I hope this helps, and good luck with your costume.[/COLOR]

[MangoPenguin]

Personally, I don't think it's entirely necessary to look like the character you cosplay. Moreso, it's better to cosplay a character you simply -like-. I'm a short, pale girl with a round face and dark eyes, glasses, and short brown hair. But I've cosplayed Nami from One Piece who is tall, skinny, orange-haired and busty--none of which are attributes I have. It really matters most if you like the character. Then you can pull off -being- that character much easier. Take my cosplay of Shanks from One Piece as an example. He's a fairly generic pirate man. Facial hair, scars, etc. But I cosplayed as him, and have been told more than once that I did an awesome job at it (I'm too modest to believe that though ^^). I don't look a thing like Shanks, but he's one of my favorite anime characters ever. Just keep in mind that it's really a matter of preference.