Hello!
As usual, I try to write a “cooldown” post after visiting an event. But with the current temperatures, I have had a hard time to cool down and recover. And I think everyone who was in the solo competition on Sunday, has the same problem. (You guys are amazing for wearing those complex outfits and staying strong! Do take care of yourself!) Without further ado, here’s my view of the Sunday of Animecon 2023!
The week before Animecon, I saw it would be very warm and I tried to prepare as much as possible. I made sure to leave early, have my make-up on in the car (without the markings, I wanted to apply those later, but I kinda died) and I had to pack my car later than planned too, as I couldn’t be sure of the temperature in the car and my costume. So, I woke up at 5:00 AM, had breakfast, petted catto, applied make-up and got my stuff in the car. I refused to drive without a drink on me, so I grabbed some lemonade to get me started.
After an hour, I arrived at Animecon and I got help from some lovely cosplayers and friends to get my stuff to the venue. Thanks so much guys! Love you <3 I checked in with the competition organisation and got backstage with my stuff. I wasn’t really feeling getting changed into my cosplay. However I felt like I had to get changed a little bit for the rehearsal. So off I went to the rehearsal in my leggings, shorts, skirt and hip pillows. I wasn’t the only one looking a bit silly, so that was neat.
The rehearsal went alright and once again, I went backstage. I struggled with getting ready as my body bloats with higher temps and I didn’t want to faint. Luckily, I got help again and I was dressed well before judging.
After this, Waroda cos (a true trooper) and me went outside to get a drink. We met up with the friends who helped us earlier and fixed some parts of my costume that did not like the heat. Originally, I had planned to buy foam and stuff for my next project, but with this heat, I am not doing anything. (And my car’s airco died.) Instead of buying materials as originally planned, we walked around a little bit, before I had to get back for judging.
I’ll tell you a secret, for the first time in years I felt comfortable with the judges/judging. They had good questions, I was prepared to tell them about the parts of the costume I am most proud of and when I was done, they seemed all smiles. It was nice to be in a room with people who love crafting as much as you do and discuss your ideas, experiments and results with them. They handed me a small sample of foam clay and I thanked them for that. (No idea what I will use it for, but I am sure it will be usefull in a pinch!)
Then it was time for tech talk. I was the last and we joked a bit, as I had the simpelest script ever for them. I know them a little bit and I was like “yeah, I kinda bullied you guys last time, I felt I had to make it up to you :P”. It was nice and I for sure will bully them again sometime <3. And since I was last at the tech talk, I was last for the pictures with Knachte (many thanks for waiting for me!). We took some pictures even though we both were exhausted. We did our best and made it quick, because of the sheer exhaustion getting to us. Then I had to hurry to the backstage area where everyone was being gathered for the competition to start. I found myself a chair and made myself as comfortable as possible. For some reason, it felt like the competition took forever to get started. I was overheating slowly and my whiplash also decided to say hi. The crew helped me a lot with staying alive, but my turn couldn’t come fast enough so I could change out of the costume.
I mustered the energy to have a sneak peek at the contestants before me and I loved how they looked. You all did amazing! My walk-on was short and sweet, so I just did my thing, was brought backstage again and I was helped by another cosplayer and her helped to get me out of the worst parts of my cosplay. I could finally breathe a little. When Waroda returned, she helped me getting back in regular clothes and I packed my stuff into the bags again, so I wouldn’t bother other contestants with it. We brought the bags and all to the bag room, as I don’t like leaving a mess and we walked through the dealer room.
The dealer room had a very lucky find for me: the Malzeno dragon plushie I had been looking for for months! <3 I try to get the Monster Hunter plushies of the armor I am cosplaying. Nothing else caught my attention, so back to the main stage I went for the ending ceremony. For some reason, a steward decided to stop me with my tiny Eevee bag as it was too big. I explained to her, I had to be there and that I had no time to run to the bag room again (Plus that I never had heard of that rule, as I was a contestant and had been backstage all day). She wouldn’t budge at all. I get rules are important, but in this case, it would really have been better if she called over someone from the cosplay crew to verify my story. The bag would easily fit under a chair and I now had to run to find a different place to enter the main stage (and just bother like 5 people from cosplay crew with this problem to get entry in time, so yeah, good job steward).
The ending ceremony was neat and I totally agree with the judges on their picks for the finals. I walked with Waroda and friends back to the car and drove back home. Some plans for next year were discussed and when we got into our cars. After another hour drive, I arrived back home. Tired, but happy.
So that was Animecon 2023. Next up: Abunai!con 2023.
See you there?
Amirine