Anime Don't Read This!!!!

[Roxie Faye]

[color=#9933ff][size=1]The thing is, once you say "don't read this!" you get more people reading it.

Anyway, I need cosplay advice. Usually I don't like asking OBers for any sort of crucial advice, because it makes ME uncomfortable (not this time, though), but I'm going to. And you all better reply, or I'll haunt you with my Wand of Purple Polish (WoPP), and corner you with a PM (j/k ^_~).

But I've been in sort of panic-stricken/frenzied/adrenaline-ish/stressed-out mode lately because of cosplaying.

Anime Next (held at the meadowlands in NJ) is on June 17, 18, and 19. My friends and I are going on the 18th. And I wanted to cosplay (this is my first at a convention, second cosplay ever).

But for the life of me, I can't decide who I want to cosplay. I was originally going to go as Yuko from XXXholic (clamp), wearing this dress: [url]http://www.kimihiro.net/images/index.php?spgmGal=color_illustrations&spgmPic=12&spgmFilters=#pic[/url]

but I've been thinking about going as Edward Elric.

The upside of going as Yuko is that I wouldn't have to do anything with my hair at all, since it's already long (not as long as the picture, but long), and dark brown.

The upside of going as Ed Elric is that I'm short. 5' 1" and 1/4 of an inch, to be exact. I wanted to go as Ed because his V/A (American) is going to be there (so is Roy Mustang - eeee! Both V/A's of cute Anime Characters!!).

The downside of going as Yuko: The dress isn't as spectacular as I would have liked, but I've worn that color (in velvet) before, and it looks good on me, but for some reason, that color is why I don't like the dress as much as I should. O_o; The other downside is that there's no seams in the picture; I want to make it authentic, and trying to figure out what to do with the dress without making an seams tremendously obvious. And lastly, the fact that she's not a well known anime (manga, rather) character is either a plus or a negative side, whichever one you want to put it in.

So, er... the downsides of playing Edward Elric (from FullMetal Alchemist): Well, I don't have blonde hair, and I'm not permanately dying it, so it's either hair spray, or more money for a wig (and I don't have a money-well or a money-tree in my backyard). The second is the automail - I don't even want to think about how I'm doing that; it's making me sick. And the third downside is the sheer number of people who want to cosplay Ed Elric. [For example, on the Anime Next forums, there's about six who've already said they're going as Ed.] I'm afraid if I start on a costume for Ed now, it won't look good at all.

And I'm panic stricken about all this because I'm going to get the fabric for this on Saturday. And I've never used a pattern for something, and the last costume I made (Alice McCoy from Digimon Tamers) took me forever to make (and I knew how I was going about making the dress that time, and it was less fabric to work with).

Gah!!! *runs around like a chicken with her head cut off* Please, any advice at all would be tremendously appreciated from all of you!!!!! *continues pacing back and forth nervously*

- Roxie[/size][/color]

[Cap'n]

I think you should go as Yuko simply because, as you said, everyone is gonna be going as Ed. Since FMA premiered on Adult Swim, its fanbase has increased tenfold. Go as Yuko so people don't say "Oh...another Edward Elric...*scoff*".

That is, unless you like going with the grain. Then by all means, go as Ed.

[r2vq]

Full Metal Alchemist is more well known and as Cap'n said, more people will be cosplaying him. Last year, at a convention I went to, the amount of Edward Elric cosplayers and Naruto cosplayers was just not funny.

The girl from XXXHolic is not neccessarily that it's not well known, just that the character wont be instantly recognisable. XXXHolic, like most CLAMP works, is pretty well known in my experience.

But unless you're that tall and skinny, it'll be pretty hard to distinguish that you're that strange witch lady...

I say go for Yuko because it'll be a prettier dress, and it'll definately be unique. ^^

-ArV

[shinji172]

I also think you should go as yuko. For starters, the outfit itselph is nice and would probably look better on you. It would also be easier for you to make as (judging by what you said) you know what you are doing. Another reason that Yuko is a better choice is that not many people will choose Yuko so there is always the possibility of compliments :D . Whatever you choose i hope you have a good time :animesmil

[Roxie Faye]

[color=#9933ff]Mmm. Thanks for all the input, you guys. I appreciate the "silent" votes, as well, but I am especially thankful for those of you who posted your opinions on my cosplay options. I'm very very grateful.

Anyway, I went out today to buy fabric and everything. I went with Yuko from xxxholic. Everything came to $20.35 because of a sale - thrilled my socks off. ^^ And the woman (young Asian, probably about college-age) who was cutting yardage of my fabric just looked at me and said "what costume are you making?" So I showed her the picture that I had printed out. She said, "holic. That's gonna be great" (referring to the costume). It's not even made and I'm already getting compliments? XD You guys were right! ^^

We talked about anime cons and stuff, and that was cool. So, yeah.

Thanks again you guys! I'll be sure to send you some pictures if I ever finish it. ;_;


(edit)P.S.: r2vq, I'm not tall, but I'm incredibly skinny, so hopefully that will make me appear taller. ^^;[/color]