Okay, so this entry is about Anime North last weekend. I was so exhausted when I got back, and have been busy the for past few days, so didn't get a chance to write this up until now...


Where should I begin the story.... I guess it all starts a year ago, at last year's Anime North.

Last year around this time, I attended Anime North 2008. It was my first Anime North, and actually my first ever anime convention. I wanted to cosplay as Murrue Ramius, and actually went and gathered materials for it a few months before. But I kept on putting off actually working on the costume, as I thought I had time. At the same time (or maybe even before), kiaarra told me that she and her roommate wanted to cosplay as the Powerpuff Girls Z (aka the anime adaptation of the Powerpuff girls), and they needed someone for Buttercup. I said sure, 'cause I had black hair, and would work nicely for Buttercup.

However, as the time approached AN 2008, I still didn't get to work on my Murrue Ramius cosplay. Then kiaarra told me that she had to go to Amsterdam that weekend and thus could not go to AN. So I went to AN by myself, without cosplaying. I had a lot of fun nevertheless (spent waaaayyy too much money, but that's another story all on its own). But I also felt left-out, seeing many other people cosplaying and me not cosplaying, especially since I did not see anyone cosplaying Murrue Ramius, or Mwu La Flaga, or anyone from Gundam SEED other than Lacus... (saw lots of Gundam SEED Destiny cosplays though, like Luna, Meer, Athrun etc).

And that leads me to this year's Anime North. I wanted to cosplay this year. However, we left our costumes to the last minute \i again\i0 ^^;;...

We managed to finish the Powerpuff cosplays in time (well, mostly it was kiaarra and :devalexa-on-fire: who worked on them, I just mostly helped). However, my boyfriend was supposed to cosplay with us as Mojojojo (through various means of blackmailing, bribing, pleading, and coercing, but that's another story), and we didn't start his costume until like the Tuesday before the con. Haha, baaaad idea. We tried staying up on the Thursday (I took the Friday off so I could drive us to the con) making the costume. We didn't have time to do the hat with paper mache, so had to try using cardpaper and paper... In the end, we decided it'd be too crappy a costume even if we did finish it, so we gave up... But my boyfriend did bring the cape to wear to the con, just randomly XD

As for my Murrue Ramius cosplay, that was a story on its own as well. I basically really started working on it the weekend or two before. I didn't have a sewing machine, so I had to handsew all the colour bits on it (I didn't make it from scratch btw, got a white shirt thing that looked like hers, and some fabric to do the coloured parts). At the same time, I had to find shoes, pantyhose, wig, and a belt for it. When I first got the materials last year, I had also bought a nice skirt for it. However, I think I left it at my parents' house or something.. either way, I couldn't find it, and the con was in 3 days. So in desperation, I went shopping after work. However, a white skirt of the right style and size is harder to find than you'd think... I went to a few places before finally getting one that could work, if I pin it a bit on the waist... Whatever, as long as I had a skirt it's fine. At this point I just wanted it done instead of being 100% accurate. Turns out that the next day, I went to another store (just casually, not even thinking to buy anything) and almost immediately found two skirts that would work perfectly. *sigh* ... So I got one, and will return the other ones I bought later I guess...

So anyway, I got all the materials I need, just need to put it all together. So on Thursday night, while they were working on Mojojojo, I was sewing like crazy to finish the collar and add the black lines to my Murrue Ramius costume. At first I was neat, then I stopped caring and just wanted to get it done >__< But we didn't want to stay up too late, 'cause need energy for the con after all. In the end, by the time we had to leave for the con (Friday at 2ish), I was still not done my costume... And I was sad, 'cause I wanted to wear it on Friday and Sunday (Saturday being the Powerpuff cosplay)..

We arrived at the Doubletree at about 3:30pm. By the time we sorted out our hotel room and passes and dropped off our stuff, it was only 4:20ish. The con doesn't start until 5, and there wasn't really any events I wanted to go to at 5. Aha, chance! I brought my sewing stuff just in case, and now I had some time to finish my costume!

I literally finished my cosplay minutes before the con started. I was originally planning on making the belt with the grey material ('cause Murrue's looks about the same colour as the grey on her coat), but didn't have time, so instead I just used a regular black belt I brought along. Not exactly like hers, but will have to do. The collar also isn't perfect, 'cause I made it too short so it doens't wrap around too well; I had a plan in mind to fix it, but didn't have time, so instead, borrowed some safety pins and forced it in place. Also didn't have time to outline the arm badge things (the grey area around the OMNI logo) with the black. The shoes I bought 3 days before the con, and haven't worn it at all. This turns out to be a BAD BAD idea. Not only were the shoes new, they were slightly too big for me (damn, should've gotten it one size smaller, but the reason I didn't because the smaller size is also narrower...). So I stuffed toilet paper into the shoes and hope they won't fall off... Dammit, should've brought my comfy black boots (which was what I originally wanted to use, seeing as how EA shoes are weird 'cause shoes rarely come in that colour >_>, but I found these ones that are slightly closer to hers ).

So I went out to the con, wearing my Murrue Ramius cosplay, yay!

I should mention at this point that our hotel room overlooks the crosswalk to the TCC, so we could see cosplayers walking to and from there to the Doubletree. I saw a Rau Le Creuset cosplayer walking across the street as I was still finishing my costume. I noted to myself to find him later and get a photo with him. However, through the rest of the con, I couldn't find him again! I'm really really sad, because the costume looked pretty cool, and it's Rau! (would've liked to see Mwu more, but Rau is cool as well)

Anyway, I saw quite a few Gundam cosplays throughout the con, and am pleased that there were more Gundam SEED cosplays this year. I saw at least 2 ZAFT redcoats, one of them being Nicol (yay!!), that Rau, many Lacuses (one of her in her Mizu no Akashi outfit, which I'm happy about, 'cause usually people do the Lacus in her normal or commander outfits), and a Miriallia (yay I'm not the only EA uniform-person! Though I saw her on Saturday, which meant I wasn't in my Murrue cosplay.. oh well). GSD-wise, there were Athrun, Cagalli, Kira in Orb uniforms, a few Meer, more GSD Lacus, more Athrun.

So yeah, back to Friday, me and my boyfriend went to Nomoichi, which is all the way at the Renissance (the other hotel, which was across the bridge, slightly less than 1km), and we had to walk there, me in my feet-killing shoes DX (should've taken the shuttle, the TCC was closer..) On the way there wasn't too too bad, but on the way back, after walking around so much, my feet were dead, and I really wanted to take my shoes off and just walk barefoot. But I was afraid the concrete will ruin my nylons, so I didn't... Also, the skirt ruled out the piggy-pack ride option.. I somehow made it, and as soon as I got to the Doubletree I took off my shoes..

So here's advice if you wanna cosplay, which should really be common sense, but unfortunately I was too worried about finishing the costume to worry about:
WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES IF YOU PLAN ON WALKING AROUND THE CON!!! Or at least test them out beforehand to know they suck and then bring a backup pair, which I regret not doing.. DX

Anyway, went to the Skit contest.. wasn't as good as last year's (also note the lack of Death Note skits, which there were lots of last year, but that's unrelated to the "not as good as last year" comment), because some stupid Internet Memes >__>

Saturday came, and thank goodness the shoes for this cosplay are nice and comfy. I was going as Buttercup, which means I get to carry around an air-filled hammer and get to hit people with it (which squeaks every time I hit someone XD) >D . I didn't have contacts, so I just wore my glasses (which I kept forgetting to take off during photos... sorry >__< ). Oh, and on Saturday morning, they were showing the last 3 eps of Powerpuff Girls Z (the best eps, esp the 2nd to last ep) =D We went to that, and then walked around the con.

Our costumes were AWESOME. They were sooooo bright and very attention-catching, esp Bubbles' (kiaarra) wig, it was pretty fluorescent, esp against the blue, out in the daylight. People kept on asking to take our photos, esp in front of the TCC, where we were going to the Cosplay Chess, every two steps, and photo request XD. I'm surprised by the number of people who actually know the anime. Because I thought they were just gonna assume we're the Powerpuff Girls (original), and not recognize the Powerpuff Girls Z (anime version). But people actually knew, yay for fandom!

It helps to have non-cosplaying friends to walk along with you and help carry your stuff during photos. I felt bad though; I usually just throw my bag on the ground before posing for photos, but our friend who was carrying our stuff just took it and told me she'll carry it for me 'cause we get stopped a lot... Said friends are also helpful in taking photos for you with your own camera for momento.

Saw lots of interesting cosplays on our way to TCC, including a Companion Cube, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, some awesome Dragonball Z, and Gurren Lagann (including a few Gunmen) along with the usual Naruto, Bleach, Haruhis and Kyons, Final Fantasy/Kingdom Hearts, and very abundant this year, Hetalia.

Unfortunately we arrived too late for the Cosplay Chess [If you're wondering what Cosplay Chess is, it's a giant chess board on the floor, with cosplayers as chess pieces, and when pieces take each other out, the cosplayers go on the side and do "battle"] to actually become a participant... would've been awesome, I wanted to do combat with my hammer =(

So after watching for a bit, we went to Renissance (being stopped for photos all the way XD). There I met with Caped Kyle who had been playing Munchkin all morning, parted ways with Blossom and Bubbles (who was changing out of her costume for another one anyway, boo), and headed to the Dealer's room.

On the way to the Dealer's room, an amazing thing happened: I saw another girl cosplaying as Powered Buttercup! She didn't have a Bubbles or Blossom to cosplay with though...

So yes, the Dealer's room, where I got my Perfect Grade Strike last year (still haven't started >__< shame on me) and spent too much money, this year I was determined to spend less. I found some Gundam 00 Season 1 Voice i-Dolls, which I couldn't find anywhere online, yay!!! I got Tieria and Grahamcrackers from one place, and added Halleluja from another place (that seller had them repackaged so you could see who you're getting), but unfortunately NO LOCKON!! *sob* The only one I really really wanted to get they don't have *sob*. Though I'm happy to get Grahamcrackers, 'cause I can use him in my little photo-story with the SD Gundams (which I need to do the 3rd chapter of, since I do have SD-Exia now).

I was determined not to get anymore posters, since I have no room on my walls anymore. But I still broke down and got a Setsuna poster (they also had the Lyle one, which I thought a split second about getting and pretend he's Neil but decided not to)...

Also got some Gunpla, of course. 1/144 HGs of Buster, Aile Strike, and Exia. Buster because I want all the GS (maybe 'cept Aegis...) Gundams (they had the Duel too, but a bit more expensive). I already have the SDs of Strike and Exia, but those are my faves... besides, I have the Strike Dagger with Gunbarrel already, and it goes with the Aile Strike (I'm sad there's only Aile Strike, 'cause Launcher Strike is actually my fave)... therefore, I can make Gunbarrel Strike!!!! *squeeeee*

Ahem, now that bit of nerdy Gundam fangirling is out of me.... oh wait, I also got a pink plushie Haro!! =D

Caped Kyle got the Nono figure from Gunbuster (she's pretty big, she's 1/10 I think, but 1/10 of the biiiig Gunbuster Nono, not 1/10 of an actual person, the figure is about a foot tall), which I admit, was pretty cool. I wish there were non-chibi figures of Mwu *sob sob sob* Speaking of Mwu, I looked through some doujinshi for sale, and same upon one with Mwu on the cover, and went "=D !!!! =D". It had Neo on the back, but whatever, it has Mwu on the cover! And the art looked pretty nice too. But then I noticed on the back, it said in kind of small font beside Neo's face: Mwu + Kira. ".........%@#@#% *sob sob*" Why are there no doujinshi of MwuxMurrue (no Neo) that is not ecchi!!! Is that too much to ask?!?! Apparently it is... ones that are not shonen-ai are ecchi >____>

Continuing on, after Dealer's room, we had sushi for dinner (man they must really love AN, it was really busy). Then just as I was settling in for Anime Hell, I got called out to do photo shoots with the Powerpuff Girls... I wish we thought of doing this during the day, when it's light out... by the time we started, it was getting dark, and we had to use flash (ugh I hate flash). Although before the sun totally went down, we did (and recorded, though not on my camera, need to ask for it) the Hare Hare Yukai dance [me as Yuki, Blossom as Haruhi, Bubbles as Mikuru] =D

Had a lot of fun just messing around in the TCC parking lot doing poses, and trying to capture us jumping (got a few good shots, but again, not on my camera). On our way back, we met the other Buttercup I met earlier in the day, and we took a few photos with her. Then we went in and caught the end of the Masquerade. Looking back, I really wish we had entered the Masquerade, 'cause our costumes are awesome, and we could do the "Fighting Science Legend" shout, then the pose (in which Bubbles has the most awesome yet stupid and hard to do ones XD)... oh well...

Then we stuck around for the 404s Improv Comedy, in which came out the lines "I've got a Gundam in my pants" and "That's the smallest Gundam I've ever seen" [don't ask.. for the love of.. please don't ask >__< ]

Ahem. I left early 'cause I wanted to sleep for the next morning. 'cause at 11am, there was a Gundam photoshoot I wanted to go to.

At the photoshoot, there was a pretty awesome cosplay of Zechs (Unfortunately no mask, sunglasses instead) and Relena. For the GS/D, it was 3 Lacuses and me (Murrue) who showed up (a few showed up late). I was sad the Rau wasn't there... I took my Haro with me, but unfortunately I totally forgot to take off my glasses (which tints when I'm outside....) or switch my shoes (since I didn't want to walk in those shoes, I wore my Buttercup shoes and brought the black ones for the photos, 'cept I forgot to put them on DX). Lots of G00 cosplays, including 3 Tierias, one of which was a guy in S2 ep 8 dress XDDD (oh, there was another S2 Tieria from Sat. with a Haro), Lockon (Neil, along with Haro, which I wanna steal XD), Feldt (S1 and S2), S2 Marina (in white dress), Ribbons (S2 ep 8 clothes), S2 Setsuna, S1 Christina and Lichty and Sumeragi, Mileina etc.

Walking around, saw a Quatre, Char, more Lacuses (in various outfits). There was a box-Gundam, of course, 'cept it was kinda lame.. I totally wish I'd brought the Pizza-Box and newspaper Gundam I made in March for one of my mecha-crazed friend and made him wear it, it would've been much more awesome!! Yes, during one event at our anime club, I made a Gundam out of Pizza-Box and newspaper (man, I need to post photos of that). I asked the guy who I made it for if I should bring it, but he said he planned on another costume, so I didn't bring it.... I also wish I brought the Paper Wizard costume I made in Jan (out of newspaper) for my bf and made him wear it too, though I have a feeling no matter how much I blackmail/plead, he won't wear it, even though it's so awesome....

So yeah, that's about all I wanted to say about my AN adventure. It was lots of fun, a different experience from last year's. Spent more than I planned, and a few regrets here and there, oh well... I dunno if I'm going to AN next year, since it's kinda expensive and I've already cosplayed as who I wanted to cosplay... I'll keep it as a "maybe"... if I do go, I might consider going as Nono, since somebody complained there was no Nono cosplay, though I don't think I'd look good in pink hair (totally clashes with my complexion)... or maybe I'll go as Kati, since she's so awesome (and don't have to take off my glasses XD)

Casualties:
- I lost one of my earrings (which, since I don't have ears pierced, I just taped on the modeling thing on my earlobes with duct tape) from my Buttercup costume.
- The velcro thing to close the top of the Murrue Ramius cosplay is loose. I wore a white T-Shirt underneath, so nothing was showing, but that part of the costume didn't look too good by the end, 'cause the top flat kept on coming undone by the end...
- My poor poor feet... but I think they recovered
- My wallet ;___; Didn't seem like I spent a lot of money, but I did...




Powerpuff Girls Z, with weapons! I love the hammer =D



No weapons! I'll use my fist!



Back of our costume, looks awesome =D



Bubbles blowing bubbles, and Blossom in the background dancing XD I took the photo, that's why I'm not in it



Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup! Note that I was doing the jumpy thing, and the camera just caught the moment I was about to take off or before I landed XD



Oh noes, the girls are fighting!!



Fighting Science Legend, Powerpuff Girls Z!!



Yay we found another Buttercup!





Murrue Ramius. As you can see, I didn't have the time to outline the thingies on the upper arms, nor the time or skill to replace buttons with zipper. I look funny with that wig on XD Forgot to take off glasses, oops.



Murrue Ramius with pink Haro! I remembered to take off my glasses for this one, 'cept that A) I now cannot see, and B) the sun is in my eyes, therefore, I am squinting DX I look funny with wig. And there are those accursed shoes that killed me feet...



GSD photoshoot, me and 3 Lacuses.. as you can see, I forgot to take off the glasses and change into the shoes >__<



Murrue and Lockon Stratos XD


Now here's what I bought:


Buster, Strike, and Exia!!! =D



Haro!!!! He's being added to my Haro family =3



G00 Voice i-Dolls, note the lack of Lockon ;__; Setsuna keychain, and Yuki keychain, 'cause Yuki is awesomeness =D



All the Voice i-Dolls I have. Halle looks like boy band leader, Tieria is contemplative, Patrick is optimistic, big Setsuna is angry, little Setsuna is innocent-looking, and Graham is totally checking out little Setsuna's butt. That mechaphile pedophile.