Category: Anime

Inspiration: I wanted something really challenging, with lots of opportunity to play with details. I always liked Vampire Hunter D, and since there was all of this artwork about with D from Amano, it was something too good to pass up. The biggest challenge, however, was to make a D that was obviously Amano, but not so overly glitzy as to make it impractical. To do this, I took my favorite elements of several pieces of art, rather than use one picture for the whole thing. I also borrowed inspiration from the D 12 inch action figure for the second anime, mostly so that I could get a sense of scale (especially with the sword!) (selected images from Didjiman, some taken by my fiance' at Anime LA 2005)

Favorite Aspect: The sword and the armor. It was a LOT of work, but the end result is something I'm really proud of, and was the result of a lot of materials I'd never used before. And I have to say it, the hat rocks too, but it can be a REAL pain when you try to use the sword. I had to severely alter my movements for CC23 so I wouldn't knock it off onstage!

Least Favorite Aspect: Making all the pattern drafts for the "bodysuit". Drafting something like this entirely from scratch is difficult! It's not easy to get something that is form-fitting yet not so much so that it's restrictive without using a stretchy fabric. Also, this is the kind of costume that will never be 'fully done'....as there will always be something new that I'll find that I want to add!

Easiest Task: Mod-Podging. I thought it would be a pain, but it's fun in a messy-little-kid sort of way :)

Hardest Task: Working with vinyl. It's covering a lot of the armor pieces, and figuring out how to cut it JUST right so that it covers things appropriately was a lovely quest in trial and error.

There's a lot of new stuff I want to add to the costume...areas of black that could use a touch more decoration, that sort of thing. I don't want it to be too shiny, but I think it could use a little extra 'umph' in a few places. My main thought is to add a black and white trim to the edge of the cloak (an intermittent Amano element) and perhaps a few other things as well.

I'm also considering going for a wig...while my own hair has been good enough for a while, I'm realizing that I want my hair more brown for D, and that's not a color I want to keep constantly. As a result, I'll be on the hunt for something new soon.

Awards:

Best Recreation, Journeyman at CostumeCon 23
Best in Class: Workmanship, Journeyman at CostumeCon 23
Third Place at 2005 San Francisco Cherry Blossom Festival
2nd Place at CosplayLab Contest: Vampire Hunter D