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Cosplay help


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sykosteve



Joined: 22 Jul 2006
Posts: 356
Location: columbus, ga
PostPosted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 3:56 pm Reply with quote
Hey guys, I posted this in the Convention thread because I figured it would be a bit more appropriate, but in 24 hours, not a single post has been added to that section other than mine.

Basically, I'm trying to pick a character to cosplay as...one that's relatively similar to me in physique. My first thoughts were to cosplay as Chouji from Naruto, but I wear glasses so I was trying to steer away from that.

This is something that'll have to be fairly cheap and simple as the convention is in just a little over 3 weeks.

My physique is 5'11" and about 285 pounds and I wear glasses.

My plea to you guys is to name off some characters with fairly simple yet recognizable costumes that match my body type. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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ironwarrior



Joined: 14 Aug 2006
Posts: 151
Location: Under Clare's armor, Lewisburg, WV
PostPosted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 4:09 pm Reply with quote
I'm in the same boat as you. Going to my first anime con in October but have NO idea what to dress as if I decide to dress up. Part of my problem is most of the anime I like has female protagonists, which is no-good since I'm not a cross-dresser (ha-ha).

When you say body-type what do you mean? You're stats could indicate a muscular or overweight person. I'm 5'8", 220 lbs, but a powerlifter, so I'm fairly muscular.

Maybe some of the others could help both of us.
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sykosteve



Joined: 22 Jul 2006
Posts: 356
Location: columbus, ga
PostPosted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 4:13 pm Reply with quote
haha...cosplaying as chouji being my first option should give it away. I've got a belly to myself Anime hyper This is my second con...I went to AWA back in 2003 I think it was. The amount of Naruto cosplayers that year was overwhelming...I just can't think of any other characters that fit the description. Haha, i could do an old and burnt out City Hunter Ryo Saeba; that's a really easy costume Anime hyper
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Nagisa
Moderator


Joined: 19 Aug 2003
Posts: 6128
Location: Atlanta-ish, Jawjuh
PostPosted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 4:25 pm Reply with quote
Best advice I can give is to just find a character you like, go as them, and damn the consequences. Laughing You'll have more fun doing that than if you go out and seek out a character you don't know or don't like just because they match your body type. I know some stuck-up cosplay purists will give me hell for this, but it's better to go as a character you like and not be completely accurate than to go as an accurate depiction of someone you don't know or don't like. And this is to all cosplayers in general. Go on. Be a black Kakashi. Be a female Alucard. Be an Archer with long, dark hair (something I was going to do myself before I ran out of money to do it). Be an adult Yotsuba. Who cares if an elitist minority of cosplay freaks will snub their nose at you? At least if you go as a character you like, you'll be having more fun with it, and that's the whole point.

Hell, for AWA this year I'm either reprising my Laughing Man from last year with the dingy sweatjacket, or fashioning some cheapo Evenkuruga ears and leaving it at that (Utawarerumono fans will get the reference). So I'm not wearing the proper sky blue raincoat for the Laughing Man or doing a full-on Touka getup. I'm just having fun with it, plain and simple. That's all cosplay really should be. I mean, if I was only going for accuracy, the only characters I could really cosplay as would be either Kamon from FLCL or Benny-Boy from Black Lagoon. And even then, I don't have the right shades for Kamon and my hair's too dark for Benny-Boy.

Granted, I kinda like those ideas, and I can do Kamon's voice perfectly, bu~ut, it all just goes to show you how limiting it can be when you're only planning cosplay based on accuracy of body type and not who you really want to be.

You wanted to go as Chouji, right? So what if you have glasses? Just do it! Very Happy
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ShikamaChU



Joined: 13 Jul 2005
Posts: 79
Location: Evergreen State, Olympia Washington
PostPosted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 6:17 pm Reply with quote
I'm sort of a cosplay nerd.....
I found it was good to go to a handful anime conventions before attempting cosplay. That's really the best advice.

Just to see what generally works and what doesn't. Also, if you're not sure what to cosplay, I'd hold off until you have something you really want to do. Half Assed cosplay is never cool.
Good Cosplay is really awesome, but rushed cosplay is….unfortunate.

Anyway, Nagisa's right, go as something you like. Even if every overweight dude with a Konoha Forehead thing and a scarf is going as Chouji, go for it you want to. You'll probably be a better Chouji than some of 'em. If you’ve got the scarf and jacket vest thing, you’ll definitely look way cooler than what I like to call ‘people ninja’s’. Y’know, the people all over cons with the ninja bands that aren’t actually cosplaying. They’re just wearing the bands from like, Hot Topic or whatever.

As for other ideas for you, there's nothing I can think of. There aren't that many anime characters (that aren't in plain clothes, like Genshiken) which quite your physique. There's also nothing wrong with making it work anyway, just be tasteful (Don't be Man Faye) and it doesn’t really matter all that much. If you like Irresponsible Captain Taylor, I’m sure you could make Taylor work. Like Guilty Gear? I’m sure you could make a few characters work from that too. ^^

But just because you don't have much in the way of con experience, I'd wait it out and gather tips and ideas. See what works, see what you like, take your time, learn, and make great cosplay.
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ironwarrior



Joined: 14 Aug 2006
Posts: 151
Location: Under Clare's armor, Lewisburg, WV
PostPosted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 7:38 pm Reply with quote
Hmm. Since this will be my first anime, perhaps I should take your advice. Of course, I'm pretty much a walking freakshow as it is with bright-blue hair, full upper body gothic/tribal tatoo, lots of metal in me, and muscles. I often get asked if I'm a pro-wrestler or supposed to be some anime/cartoon/comic character character (I actually do architecture).

Though, given the above description, if anyone can suggest an anime character that might fit me, I'll check out the particular series and see if I can carry the role.

It's all about being an attention-whore afterall Wink
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sykosteve



Joined: 22 Jul 2006
Posts: 356
Location: columbus, ga
PostPosted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 7:45 pm Reply with quote
get a leather jacket with the sleeves ripped off (leather vest) and a pompador (sp?) you can be japanese punk Anime hyper
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Key
Moderator


Joined: 03 Nov 2003
Posts: 18480
Location: Indianapolis, IN (formerly Mimiho Valley)
PostPosted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 10:28 pm Reply with quote
ironwarrior wrote:
Hmm. Since this will be my first anime, perhaps I should take your advice. Of course, I'm pretty much a walking freakshow as it is with bright-blue hair, full upper body gothic/tribal tatoo, lots of metal in me, and muscles. I often get asked if I'm a pro-wrestler or supposed to be some anime/cartoon/comic character character (I actually do architecture).

Though, given the above description, if anyone can suggest an anime character that might fit me, I'll check out the particular series and see if I can carry the role.


Based on the description you give, the first two characters that pop into mind are Tamiya and Ohtaki from Ah!/Oh! My Goddess. Which one's the better match depends on your skin tone, but if you're going to do Ohtaki be sure to have the spark plug earrings. That would certainly get the attention of any half-knowledgeable anime fan.
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AirCooledMan_2006



Joined: 09 Jul 2006
Posts: 594
Location: Delaware, U.S.
PostPosted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 2:10 am Reply with quote
How about Eureka 7's Talho?

Hey, worked for Man-Faye...
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Abarenbo Shogun



Joined: 19 Jul 2005
Posts: 1573
PostPosted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 5:43 am Reply with quote
http://www.cosplay.com

http://www.cosplaylab.com

Go here or there, your choice. And for god sakes, make it look semi-decent and not half-assed.

Just because you have a white t-shirt, jeans, pancake makeup and that dark goth shade from Hot Topic does not equate a decent L (from Death Note) cosplay. Likewise, adding the Chunin headband and looking like a Hot Topic reject does not equate a Naruto cosplay.
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NessFreaK



Joined: 07 May 2006
Posts: 75
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
PostPosted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 7:06 am Reply with quote
I happen to be in a situation of character choice aswell...

I, male, have long hair... and im having extreme difficulty finding basically any male character which has long hair (and long bangs!)

Im yo typical average build guy... id pretty much take anyone O.o
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undeadben



Joined: 06 May 2006
Posts: 1212
Location: West Texas
PostPosted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 7:44 am Reply with quote
NessFreaK wrote:
I, male, have long hair... and im having extreme difficulty finding basically any male character which has long hair (and long bangs!)


Average build and long hair... you can basically pick your favourite samurai, if you like samurai that is. If you're hair is long enough you can even do a top knot. And getting to wear Japanese clothing is pretty cool too.

If you like Samurai Champloo, I don't know how long your bangs are but If you want to let them hang down and they're not too long I'd go with Jin:


I haven't done cosplay but I've done a samurai a couple times for Halloween parties both top knot and with my hair tied back high or low.
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ironwarrior



Joined: 14 Aug 2006
Posts: 151
Location: Under Clare's armor, Lewisburg, WV
PostPosted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 8:06 am Reply with quote
Key wrote:

Based on the description you give, the first two characters that pop into mind are Tamiya and Ohtaki from Ah!/Oh! My Goddess. Which one's the better match depends on your skin tone, but if you're going to do Ohtaki be sure to have the spark plug earrings. That would certainly get the attention of any half-knowledgeable anime fan.


Ha-ha! Good stuff! I just happen to have Ah!/Oh! My Goddess, and I really liked the spark plug earrings. Those would be easy to attach to the bottom of my 10ga hoops. I'll check out that anime.
-----------------

I talked with my wife about this thread, and she concurs with the opinion of feeling out our first anime show to get an idea of the costuming. She doesn't like anime, but she does like the cosplay. She thinks we should probably stick with the Japanese punk style if we do anything. I'm inclined toward that direction but am definitely going to make the spark plug earrings.
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DaZ616



Joined: 12 Jul 2005
Posts: 327
Location: Sydney, Australia
PostPosted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 8:06 am Reply with quote
Whats the most simpliest cosplay costume that i can dress up as? Im going to my 1st anime festival "Animania" in October

I dont want to dress up, but if theres a very simple one, i wouldnt mind.

-DaZ
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Arkard



Joined: 15 Oct 2003
Posts: 677
Location: Poland
PostPosted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 8:16 am Reply with quote
DaZ616 -
If you are a girl then usually simple Cat or Bunny ears work. They look cute, they are fun and dont get in the way of your regular convention doings.
If you are a guy, then a simple Naruto forehead protector, or a yukata (I bet you can get one easily in Australia) can turn you into a generic ninja or samurai.

Might I say that most people will give you HELL for a half-assed cosplay?
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