Anime Convention Part Two
Back again to an event shed in east London for my second Anime Convention this year.
On paper it must have looked okay to produce a Discover Nigeria expo in Hall B, Property Investor's World in Hall D, and the London Anime and Manga Expo in Halls E, F, G, and H. Six thousand kids in wild costumes invading the main hall while capitalists of two continents tried to conduct consumer creationism tested that concept.
Fortunately for the House Of Cosplay couturier (aka Mum), in the months since the last Convention the 14 year-old's dream costume mutated from wildly extravagant to purloining grandad's army uniform. She is a fan of Hitalia, where all the characters are countries, and in this guise she went as England.
It's when you cast a business eye over anime and manga that you realise how pathetic other media are in exploiting their properties. Even Disney can't compete. There's not just an England in a uniform, there's also civilian England. Pirate England. Different outfits for boys and girls. But wait! There's more! There are music stars who specialise in anime theme tunes, with their own albums and tours. How much do you think this makes? Don't answer yet because not only is there all that, there's also fan manga and fan fiction, published by the official manga house. Oh yes - you can also buy the official cosplay costumes, which the expert tells me are badly made and recommends the cottage industry supplying better made versions on eBay.
After deliberating I decided not to go in costume. Standing on the train platform 10 minutes from paradise my future anime director looked me over.
"Dad, you could have made more of an effort." I explained that Power Ranger was not a good look. "Noooo, you could have worn your Bleach t-shirt. And gone as Confused Dad."
Sometimes the Emperor travelled incognito.
Pirate England and her crew.
If I was a teenager today, dating would be very different.
Below the tattoo she had scarred herself all the way to her wrist. On her other arm she's planning a Lichtenstein painting.
There's a Joker in every crowd.
The family that slays together.
Don't come with your parents. They will only embarrass you.
Lots of people had 'Free Hugs' signs. On the other side of this, it said "Or Death". When he hugged you he breathed a death rattle in your ear.
The easy way to cosplay
The unicorn is not standard military issue.
Even rabbits need money.
Comments (8)
Better not tell my stepdaughter about this event, I could see the family being persuaded to plan our yearly trip to the UK around this one.:)
Jonh, did you ever check out the feature Adam & Joe did on Japanese Cosplay?
I saw several of the Adam & Joe in Japan programs, but not the one on cosplay. Better not tell the 14 year old or she'll have yet another reason to pretend YouTube is part of her homework research.
Robin - there's two each year! Plus a 3 day Kidscon in Nottingham. Ship her off and enjoy some peace.
Looked Good;
I got suckered into watching Hitalia this year...my daughter swore it was educational...the funny thing is that it actually did pique her interest in the political history of nations...go figure!
In July.. I took my daughter up to LA and we went to the Anime Expo or AX as they call it here.. She dressed up like Kakashi.. and SO many people took her photo. Professional and non professional. I dressed up to as Toru Honda from Fruits Basket! Her friends thought it was so cool that I would dress up and take her there.
We spent the night in downtown LA at the Boniventure. Watched fire works from our room. ( July 4th weekend ) It was all over the valley!
Our favorites tho were the Full Metal Alchemist bunch. The costumes were amazing!
Looks like ya'll had a GREAT time!
Ha ha, a mum who goes all the way - that's great Kori. I think it's cool that you would dress up with her. Full Metal Alchemist haqs high standing in this household - what astory. Pretty popular with the cosplay crowd too. My girl is now angling to visit the Expo in Japan - the trials of being an anime parent!
LOL.. aye indeed. My daughter would LOVE to go to Japan for the Expo there. She has been digging at me here and there.. "Mom.. wouldn't it be cool to go to Japan!"
Trial indeed!
you deliberated before deciding not to go in costume? ah, i can relate.
we have little though well-attended anime conventions here in Manila. i come, with nephews and nieces as my costume / excuse / security blanket. (8