STUDIO FANTASIA

Wow. It came and went so fast I don't even know what to say. Well, Anime Mid-Atlantic is now over and for the most part, it was a far better con experience than what I had hope for. Now I'm sorry for being so doubtful in the beginning. Although it still had troubling with scheduling and long periods of down time, unexpected and wonderful things happened. The most important news would be that I placed 2nd in the Fan Favorite Hall Costume Contest. A really awesome Misa won 1st place and a Godot (I hope I spelled that right) took home 3rd. I know its only a minor victory but from my humble cosplay background and being friends with one of the best cosplayers I've ever seen or known, I'm pretty happy. To top it all, I ran into Vic Mignogna after the closing ceremonies on Sunday and he congradulated me and signed my free AMA shirt. Teehee. Speaking of Vic, he gave a concert on Saturday night before the masq. event and it was great. He can really sing ^_^ Other than the Fan Favorite Contest, it was nice meeting new people, buying some pretty sweet things from the dealer's room (like a walking, talking Haro) and actually taking pictures for once. Now I'm happy I decided not to cancel and went down to Virginia Beach.

Alright, so with AMA in the dust that's two cons down and  two cons to go. I am REALLY REALLY looking forward to T-Mode and AnimeUSA this year. AUSA mostly because I get to see all my Otakon friends there and T-Mode (hopefully) because I just applied for their Otaku Passport which allows you to do some very sweeeeeeeet things indeed (like hang out with guests, VIP treatment and all that lovely stuff) HOPEFULLY. Only 25 people are allowed to get the passport and seeing as how I was allowed to purchase it still hopefully means I'll get on the action. *crosses fingers*

Lastly, Anthy was a complete success. Everyone liked my movie version of the Rose Bride and with any luck, I'll have some extra cash to get one more Anthy wig to roll into her signature style (I've been wearing it down like in the artbook forever now lol). Also, going to AMA reminded me... I've been doing the Rose Bride since what, 2005/2006??? Amazing. 0_0 I've also launched a web page dedicated to my Utena cosplaying. Check it out: http://cloudyrevelations.wordpress.com/the-fantasia-of-the-rose-a-shoujo-kakumei-utena-cosplay-project/

Now I'm done. See you later!!

Today is the day. It's the day of Washington D.C. annual sakurai matsuri parade and street festival. I can't wait. Last night I spent an hour styling my wig into OVA Kenshin form and this morning, I pressed all my wears so I am ready to go. If I can, I'm going to squeeze in a quick photoshoot before leaving for the city. ^^ It's going to be a good day, and plus it's warm. YAY!


Kenshin desu!

Hai. Hai. Sakura Matsuri desu!

It's started!!! YAY! This is my favorite time of year, so much to see and so much to do. This weekend I'm going to go see the fireworks and perhaps do some cultural things. Then next weekend is the big weekend, the street festival! This year I'm cosplaying Kenshin Himura from Samurai X. Oh yeah, full out battousai! I can't wait. I'm just sorry the sakura themselves bloomed and peaked so early this year. It was windy last night and I know the wind just tugged them right off the branches. I was hoping a few would linger in time for the street festival but I guess not if it continues to be windy.

Yay. Less than two weeks then the fun begins!

Also, on a quick note. Movie Anthy (both rose bride and school uniform) are in the works! WH00T!

Well, one con down and an estimated three to four cons left plus the cherry blossom festival. Katsucon is well over (thank God! ) My next venue will be the National Cherry Blossom Street Festival in April. Once again I'll be going as Kenshin Himura. However, this year, I think I'll finish the gambit and go as OVA Kenshin. Oh yeah, bad-ass battousai roaming around D.C.  LOL. I've done the manga and tv versions already so it's time to finish it out. Unfortunately, if all goes according to plan, I won't be in the country next year (2009) to pull Half-Demon InuYasha out of retirement.

Oh well, with that said, I've come to announce changes in the cosplay planning and line-up. First of all, let's all bid a fond farewell to The Rose Bride TV version. That costume is going into retirement for a while. Also, I wish to kiss my old Yazoo/InuYasha wig good-bye. That poor thing doesn't have another con left in it. Luckily, I have a replacement. So, the cosplay line-up for this summer is shaping up to be this

The Rose Bride Movie Version
Anthy Himemiya School Uniform Movie Edition
Kenshin Himura

and one private shoot, Half-Demon InuYasha!

Now, the biggest change is coming to the costumes in planning category. I've added some, I've subtracted some. I like this line up a lot better and a long await costume has finally moved up on the list. I don't know which would come first though, it depends on the costs!

NEAR-FUTURE COSTUMES (as of March 2008)

• The Rose Bride (Revolutionary Girl Utena the Movie)
  
• Anthy Himemiya School Uniform (Revolutionary Girl Utena)
• Yoruichi (BLEACH)
• Black Rose (.hack//sign?)
• Gloria (Devil May Cry 4)

SCRAPPED COSTUMES

• Yachiru (BLEACH)
• Yuffie Kisaragi (Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children)

Now the only exception to these listings is Yachiru from Bleach. She could appear. She could not appear. I haven't decided yet. However, if she does come forth from the cosplay closet, her debut will be dramatically delayed (meaning, not this year or the first half of next year) because of changing priorities in cosplay, travel and convention scheduling for 2009. Finally, I had to kiss the yuffie cosplay goodbye for a simple reason. I'd rather cosplay from someone Devil May Cry than do yet another Final Fantasy cosplay. XD Capcom for the win!




So yes, that is the new addition to the future cosplay listing, Gloria from DMC4! That is going to be a tough costume. It's dangerous just as is, now I have to get it made to convention standards (she wears nothing under that thing and the back is... ) Gloria and Black Rose are going to have to fight each other for a while. I know how much .Hack// is going to cost but no idea on Devil May Cry. However, DMC might win out purely because I'm uber fan of the series and know more about that character than anything .hack//. But if I keep getting requests like I do, Black Rose might be even closer than I think! LOL. Elly, this one is for you sweetie!

Alright, those are the current updates from Studio Fantasia as of now. I'll update again when more information comes along...

Well, this year might be one of the most exciting cosplay years yet. I will be going to a new convention this year and I have new adventures in cosplaying! So without further ado, Studio Fantasia is proud to present our 2008 Con Tour and Costume List!!!

1. KATSUCON (Feb. 15-17 in Arlington, VA)

2. TEKKOSHOCON a.k.a Dream-con (Apr. 11-13 in Pittsburgh, PA)
3. Anime Mid-Atlantic (June 13-15 in Virginia Beach, VA)
4. T-MODE (Sept. 5-7 in Arlington, VA)
5. ANIMEUSA (Oct. 10-12 in Arlington, VA)

Official Costume Venue

1. The Rose Bride (Revolutionary Girl Utena)
2. Himura Kenshin (Rurouni Kenshin TV/Samurai X)
3. Yazoo or Kadaj (Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children)

Costumes in Planning

1. Anthy Himemiya School Uniform (Revolutionary Girl Utena TV & Movie)
2. The Rose Bride (Revolutionary Girl Utena the Movie)
   
3. Yachiru (BLEACH)
4. Yoruichi (BLEACH)

Back-up Costumes

1. InuYasha (InuYasha)
2. Tsuzuki Asato (Yami no Matsuei)
3. Claire Lionelli (Heat Guy J)
   

And that's my schedule. It is HIGHLY DOUBTFUL that i would make it to Tekkoshocon this year, but it's nice to dream. LOL.