coraa | Anime Expo (Reply)

So Anime Expo is in... what, two months now? (Time flies.) So the question is: cosplay! Last year I cosplayed Etna from Disgaea and had a ton of fun, so the question is: to dress up or not to dress up, and if so, as who?

I have three thoughts in mind. (Theoretically I could do all three of them -- it is a multi-day event -- but I don't think I have the energy for more than, say, two at most.)

Riza Hawkeye

Pros: Definitely theme-appropriate. From an anime/manga I'm fairly heavily into. High recognition value. Character I love beyond reason. Costume doesn't require showing a ton of skin and doesn't make me worry about bending over.

Cons: Potentially very labor intensive and/or expensive. Would have to either wear a wig or be an inexplicably redheaded Riza (and I don't care much for wigs; they itch). Potentially quite hot in LA in summer (especially if I wear a wig).

Elfquest elf (probably Nightfall or Moonshade)

Pros: Temperature-appropriate garb. Not quite from an anime/manga, but from an anime/maga-influenced property with similar visual styling. Old Favorite fandom. Nightfall's coloring is close to mine, so no major need for wigs/contacts/etc.

Cons: Not as extensive as Hawkeye cosplay, but still fairly labor-intensive. Have to worry about body mods (pointy ears). Not quite from an actual anime/maga, so lower recognition value.

Steampunk

Pros: Relatively easy to put together (already have many pieces). Reusable costume. Can be as revealing and/or overheating as I choose. Can be as labor-intensive as I feel like.

Cons: Not actually anima/manga-specific. Recognition value nonexistant. Feels a bit like a cop out.

And of course there's always the option to do nothing, and to go wearing Jeans And A T-Shirt.

In conclusion: must ponder.

EDIT: OMG,