♡ Otakon 2015: Cosplay Decisions + Preparation! ♡

Hi lil'buns~!

I finally put together my post about m experience at Otakon2015 aka my favorite con of the year! I first attended Otakon2014 and had a great time which is even difficult fo r me to put into words on how truly great it was (lol). But since the last day of the con last year, I knew for sure I was going to attend the next year and the one after.

One of my favorite pics from day one last year! ( Read about last year! 1 / 2 ).

After my great experience at otakon last year, both in terms of cosplaying, panels, interaction with others and location, I wanted to go all out this year. This is also because the location of the con is going to change starting next year, therefore this would be the last ear the coon would be held at this current location --which I have come to really like *sob*.

After weeks of waiting, a schedule was finally released, and with that I could finalize cosplays and my weekend!

Anyways, after having a successful cosplay experience in the past, I decided to take my cosplaying experience a little further and make a own cosplay from scratch, purchase a dream cosplay and receive one of my faves from previous times.

I decided ( after contemplating for weeks and several reviews ) to cosplay these four cuties:

Friday- Super Sonico.

I've admired super sonico for a bout a year now and this cosplay is on of my fav. looks of hers. So after finding a cosplay of it online, I could help myself.

Saturday AM- Ririchiyo Shikariin from InucBoku SS

Saturday PM - Kuroneko from Oreimo2

Sunday - Mako Mankanshoku fight club president from Kill La Kill

And with that decision made --finally-- I got to work asap and begun making Ririchiyos white and red kimono, which I have admired for years ( since 2012 when the anime came out). Getting to finally cosplay a character/design you love is one of the best feelings, especially when you make it with you own hands. I honesty wish this feeling to all cosplayers, its the best!

♡ ~Making the cosplay~ ♡

Using my mothers wonderful sewing machine aka Magnolia xD , I got tow work using a beautiful white fabric I found with flower patterns and red strips of cloth for the lining of the collar and sleaves. To make tis, I simply looked up "yukata pattern" on google as well as youtube to find a rough idea of how to make a yukata, then using my own measurements (with the help of my mother-bless her!) and my own imagination I created my own pattern a nd begun cutting up the fabric- with no reassurance if what I was doing was going to work. But I was so determined to get this cosplay done, I didn't let negative thoughts cross me.

"Step one of making your own cosplay: Don't panic

Step 2: repeat step 1" ~Me

And to my own surprise and relief, I wad doing something right! The yukata pattern was working and I could finally see some positive results after just re-learning how to sew after years! I stayed up the rest of that night ti accomplish more. (my mother was so proud!).

Within the first few hours of getting to work, I could already see it coming together!

Two days later --after winging it it and adding last minute adjustments-- I was done!

With the red lining on the collar and sleeves which I thought I would get done! I can honestly say I amazed my entire family with this feat.

I used an obi from a traditional yukata a friend gave me=she lives in Japan!- and a skater skirt I already owned for the bottom. For the gold belt Riri-chan has around her waist, I used actually rope, braided it and pray painted in gold to look like hers.

ig@misumipyon

My very first costest of my completed Ririchiyo yukata featuring the scarf --which I also made-- wig and tights, not featured: red lining on sleeves and collars. As you can see from the image/sticker I added, they look very similar *sobs*. I was honestly so proud of my work, and the complements on instagram made me even happier!!

I later added the red to it~~

I previously put together a makeup and and wig styling costest for Ririchiyo in anticipation of finally getting to cosplay her! ( More about this costest).

I also made adjustments to my Mako Mankanshoku cosplay from the previous year! ( Read about last year!) I only wore it once and did get to wear t for too long, so I gave it a second shot! 

I really love how it turned out, also I had severe nostalgia from the great memories I made last year the the Kill la La Kill anime photoshoot! I met great people there and had the best time there. I hoped to meet more KLK cosplayers this year, and to my pleasure-there were! Just not as many as the previous year. Which makes sense, the hype of the show died down a little. Nevertheless, Mako is precious to me so I was happy to wear this again. 

And right before leaving for my weekend I checked my mail to find that my long awaited Super Sonico cosplay had in fact arrived on time, hrs before I was leaving --Talk about good luck! 

I promise I will review it in a separate post AND have a complete cosplay shoot soon! I considered making the pops for this cosplay, but i figured it would be a little difficult hauling them with me around the convention as ump from panel to panel etc.

As for my Kuroneko cosplay, I already had a lovely dress pre-made just for me! I also already had the other necessary item such as the shoes, wig, stockings and neko ears~

I also have a cosplay review, makeup tutorial and photo-shoot of this to share with you all~!

Before I knew it it was time to finish packing for my trip to Baltimore, including all my completed cosplays and regular cute clothes for my weekend getaway!

I wore comfy clothes for the long journey:

Top: KPP 2013 concert t-shirt

Shorts:

This is one of my favorite shirts btw!

ig@misumipyon

Con essentials! aka: What's in my bag, con edition!

First off a cute tote bag(read about it here), makeup essentials, phone, lens case, 3DS (gotta get those street passes), perfume and deodorant, collected of otaku pins and badge! Now it's off to the con!

Look forward to my post(s) about my con experience and photos of my cosplasy! Also a haul post featuring new figure and goods!

Thank for reading, I hope you enjoyed this and are excited for next time!

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♡ 10 Shoujo Manga To Read Before Watching The Anime! ♡

Hello lovelies~! 

Lately I've been reading more manga online and been looking forward to more summer anime but I realized there are a ton of anime I would like to watch after reading the manga! My reason for this being because I would to get the original and real story the mangaka put into the manga ( as well as art style) before it was adapted into an anime. And as majority of us know, the story in the anime isn't always according to the manga, very rarely does that ever happen. Frankly I've never come across an anime that follows the manga precisely, the closest one I've come to that experience with might have to be Naruto Shippuden -now that I think about it-. But I have yet to watch an anime and think "yes, that was in the manga!". Lol!

So I decided, since this list of "Manga before Anime" list of mine continues to grow, I would make a post about it, and hopefully read some of your opinions on this and share some great manga as well~!

Onto the list, which is in random order.

1. Sukitte Ii Na Yo



The anime of this story actually aired back in 2012 and it's very very short-12 episodes. And although I was very excited about the anime adaptation at the time, it turned out the be very brief (not surprising at all) and vague. If I was not aware of the original story and plot before watching the anime, I would have found the story very basic and short. So much relevant dialogue and specific events were evaded and were replaced with romance, the story is a lot more than just that. I's more about self discovery and learning to appreciate those around you. Personally it's one of my faves. I highly suggest it!


2. Fruits Basket



This is actually one of the most famous shoujo manga ever because of how dramatically its story line changed and lead to somewhat unexpected events. Its very cute and even though the art style is very outdated for me, the story is definitely unforgettable.


3.  Ore Monogatari



I actually begun reading this a few months back by recommendation from a friends and I loooooved it! Some may find it to be a very stereotypical shoujo manga love story, but it has a very interesting twist! It's very "lovey-dovey" but unique in it's own way. The anime premiered in the spring of this year and I liked it, but the full effect can only truly be felt from the original story. Several of you may have seen gifs and images of the anime floating around tumblr and its for a good reason, the anime is ridiculously cute!


4.  Akatsuki No Yona



At first I was a bit skeptical about this manga, but when I heard that the anime was coming out soon I decided to read the manga firs. And to my surprise it was actually very well written and enjoyable! There is something very intriguing about a female lead who grows to be independent and not need no man to help her at every turn. (lol). Also the detail is fantastic, kudos to the mangakas- and the animators who made and attempt!


5.  Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-Kun



If you like shoujo manga that don't follow a specific, stereotypical kiss-kiss fall in love plot -ha see what I did there xD- this is the manga for you! Not only is this story very cute and entertaining, it also very random and spontaneous! Its like the magakas added a dialogue or story while they were inking it and not before--coincidentally being a mangaka is part of the story as well! It's very funny and silly, but also very sentimental.

6.  Ao Haru Ride

I've been looking forward to this anime since before it premiered last year, but after looking at some screen shots of the manga on tumblr, I think I would prefer the manga better than its anime adaptation. I think the concept is sweet and simple, but I would prefer the full experience through the manga ^^

7.  Kamisama Kiss



Both the manga and anime are just so cute and I cant help but want to know what happens next all the time, lol. Plus their relationship is a little awkward in the anime whereas in the manga there is a lot more progress.

8.  Kaichou Wa Maid-Sama




9.  Tonari No Kaibutsu-Kun



This is actually one of the few titles on this list that I watched before reading the manga. And the lack of focus on side characters is what drew me the manga to learn more about their origins / stories. Also we all know this show isn't getting a second season (cries) and I had to know about the progression of their relationship.


10. Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji 



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Putting this post together makes me want to grab my tablet and begging rereading these titles or discovering underrated manga which need a chance! lol.
Anyways, I hope you liked this post as much I enjoyed putting it together and look forward to more manga/anime related posts in the future through this tag!

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