Final Fantasy VII: Yuffie Kisaragi

And then there was 16.

I never thought I’d be posting so many different anonymous cosplays here in this blog. But I’m really curious to know who these cosplayers are and what series they’re cosplaying from.

Her headband reminds me of Naruto, but I don’t remember any ninjas like her. I could be wrong though, since I’m not all that familiar with Naruto.

Thoughts? Guesses? Please leave them at the comments section, thank you!

EDIT: Thanks to Anime Illusions' Snoozer for the reference pic showing this is Yuffie from Final Fantasy VII!

Technorati Tags: nanao, research, cosplay, cosplayer, unknown, anonymous, anime, manga, naruto, ninja, warrior, guard, headband, guess, 16, comment, series

Kanon: Misaka Shiori

The younger sister of Kaori Misaka, Shiori is a first year student who has been ill since birth. Because of this, her sister chooses to keep her distance from Shiori, thinking that it would be much easier when she eventually does pass away.

Because of this, Shiori became very lonely, and eventually wanted to kill herself to relieve everyone’s burden on her. But a chance meeting with Aizawa Yuichi and (the spirit of) Tsukimiya Ayu changes her decision to take her life. Her life was expected to have only lasted until her birthday of that year. She later confesses that she never wanted to die, and had a miraculous recovery.

Isn’t this a cute cosplay? This is actually Kipi, the same cosplayer we’ve seen as Asuka, Shana, and even Misa-Misa! I think she’s become a reader’s favorite now…

Originally posted by Tori Avalon of the Anime Illusions Forums!

Technorati tags: nanao, research, misaka, shiori, kanon, cosplay, aizawa, yuichi, terminal, illness, tsukimiya, ayu, spirit, kaori, asuka, langley, shana, misa-misa, amane, misa, kipi

Full Metal Alchemist: Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes

Important notes:

• Cosplayer is cosplaying the character accurately.
• Cosplayer is male.
• Cosplayer does not appear to be Asian.
• Cosplayer knows exactly what he’s doing

And therefore:

• He looks awesome.

A little bit about the character, Lt. Colonel Maes Hughes is a member of the Investigations Division. He is not only good at what he does, but he is also a good father, and a loving husband. He is also a good friend of Colonel Roy Musatang and the Elric Brothers.

This is definitely one of the rare photos of lovely male cosplayers.

Technorati tags: nanao, research, fullmetal alchemist, full metal alchemist, alchemist, lieutenant, colonel, maes, hughes, maes hughes, cosplay, cosplayer, cosplaying, male, guys, roy mustang, roy, mustang, elric, brothers, investigations, division, father, husband

Final Fantasy VII: Cloud Strife

My, my… Someone is in a very bad mood..!

Cloud Strife, the protagonist of the Final Fantasy VII game, is described to be an unsociable mercenary, who was a Shin-Ra experiment for several years. His escape from Shin-Ra resulted in the death of his companion, Zack. He was left for dead, but somehow survived with a mixture of amnesia and mind control, ending up believing that he was the SOLDIER Zack was.

This is a beautiful cosplay! It must have been difficult to replicate Cloud’s hair style. As the song goes, “Yay for hair cement!” ^_^;;;

Photo originally from Anime Illusions.

Technorati tags: nanao, research, cloud, strife, final fantasy vii, 7, cosplay, protagonist, mercenary, shin-ra, experiment, zack, soldier, amnesia, mind, control, hair cement

Hunter x Hunter: Kurapika

No matter what anyone says, this cosplay is both impressive and scary to me.

Kurapika from Hunter x Hunter, is the last living member of the Kuruta tribe. The Genei Ryodan (aka Phantom Troupe) destroyed the Kuruta Tribe because of their rare “scarlet eyes”; eyes which would change to flaming red when they are angry or emotionally agitated and a priceless treasure among body-part collectors.

Revenge prompted Kurapika to enter the Hunter Exams in order to become a Blacklist Hunter and kill all the members of Genei Ryodan. In order to hide his eyes by wearing black contact lenses.

Stunning cosplay! Kurapika is one of my favorite anime characters! A bit memorable too. I remember one time, when I went to an anime convention, a Kurapika cosplayer on stage brought a heart shaped ballon to the stage. I was one of the many otaku photographers near the stage and for whatever odd reason, the cosplayer gave the balloon to me! Haha! It was so embarrassing! But flattering too!

Excellent cosplay! And I love the blood red eyes.

Image originally from Anime Illusions.

Technorati tags: nanao, research, kurapika, cosplay, cosplayer, anime, convention, hunter x hunter, hunter, blacklist, genei, ryodan, scarlet, eyes, phantom, troupe, priceless, blood, anime illusions, otaku, photographer

Gensomaden Saiyuki: Genjo Sanzo

I think people will forever debate that Japanese and Asian Cosplayers use Photoshop to manipulate their photos to look the the character they’re portraying…

I’m not denying the some images look Photoshop-ed… But when you think about it, Movie Stars, Singers, and other types of Hollywood Celebrities do that too… More accurately, they have someone else to do it for them.

Personally, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that… I mean, it is just a photograph… Just hope that no one knows what you really look like and hey, you’re good!

Going back to the featured cosplay of the day, here is Genjo Sanzo from Gensomaden Saiyuki (based on the Chinese novel “Journey to the West”). It’s pretty hard to top this cosplay. He looks really cool! I guess his hair could be a little blonder, but who cares? He makes a great Sanzo!

Image taken from the Anime Illusions Forums. Note that the URL has changed, the forums are now on the new domain called anime-illusions.net (with an “s” in illusions).

Technorati tags: nanao, research, cosplay, cosplayer, asian, japanese, gensomaden, saiyuki, genjo, sanzo

Naruto: Gaara

I have little knowledge about this character, though I have heard from several friends that the rings around his eyes are a result from not sleeping… I’m serious, he doesn’t sleep because if he does, the sealed spirit within him attacks anyone at random.

It’s sad though, that he lost his mother and his uncle (the only one who cared for him)… His father only sees him as a threat, and so he lives without ever feeling what love is.

Anyway, this is a beautifully made costume… His green eyes literally haunts you and the attention to details is awesome.

Originally from Anime Illusions.

Technorati tags: nanao, research, cosplay, gaara, naruto, anime illusions, anime

Hikaru no Go: Shindo Hikaru and Fujiwara no Sai

Hikaru no Go, a popular anime and manga that revolves around the game of Go, an oriental board game that has been around since ancient times.

Fujiwara no Sai, the one with long hair, is a spirit and a Master Go Player. He has not yet moved on to the next world because of his strong desire to play Go and accomplish “Kami no Itte” - “Divine Move,” or the “Hand of God” a perfect game.

Shindo Hikaru is the only one who can percieve Sai, and therefore is the one that Sai continually pesters to play Go with! Though at first, Hikaru has no interest in Go, his passion grows as he begins to understand the game the more he plays.

It’s probably one of the most influential animes / mangas Japan has seen. And the cosplay attempts of the series says a lot, as well as the rise in the number of Go players around the world.

Image originally from the Anime Illusions Forums.

Technorati tags: nanao, research, cosplay, hikaru no go, go, hikaru, shindo, fujiwara, no, sai, anime illusions

I’s: Yoshizuki Iori

Yoshizuki Iori from the I’s Manga is a 16-year-old, friendly girl who is easy to get along with. In the beginning of the series, her usual, positive outlook on life is changed drastically when she becomes famous thanks to a swimsuit magazine spread.

Now she has no idea whether guys like her because she is herself, or because of her beauty.

And what a gorgeous cosplayer this is… She really does look like Iori from I’s.

I remember finding this picture from Anime Illusions, but I can’t find it anymore today… Kind of sad, really.

Please do link me and use my site banners for your convenience! ^_^

Technorati tags: nanao, research, i”s, i’s, manga, anime, cosplay, cosplayer, iori, yoshizuki, is

Rurouni Kenshin: Battousai and Yukishiro Tomoe

This one is a classic favorite among all anime and manga fans. Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romatan (also known as “Samurai X” in the English translation) is one of the most influential animes that was ever produced.

Some cosplay watchers may find this image very familiar. I’d still like to find out who the cosplayers are in this photo. Not only did they get the costume right, but even the height (yes, Kenshin was shorter than Tomoe in the OVA) and Tomoe’s near impossible hairstyle!

The problem with cosplaying Rurouni Kenshin is that the costumes are too simple. So, if you don’t get the attitude right, you’ll simply look like a random person wearing a kimono!

Great work, and I love the blood detail in Kenshin’s Kimono… I have several other pictures of these 2, but I’ll save them for next time…

Originally from: the Anime Illusions Forums

Technorati tags: nanao, research, cosplayer, cosplay, kimono, rurouni kenshin, samurai x, himura, kenshin, yukishiro, tomoe, ova, meiji, kenkaku, romantan

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Ayanami Rei

Another classic anime for a classic cosplay look, Evangelion has been tested and tried, and a lot of people have been cosplaying Ayanami Rei from any/all walks of life.

This is a photo of one of my favorites.

Red Eyes, blue hair, and a blank, angst stare… All the makings of a great looking Ayanami Rei Cosplay. And, I love her uniform look better than the plug suits I’ve been seeing all over conventions.

Sometimes, simple is better…

Photo originally found in the Anime Illusions Forums.

Technorati tags: nanao, research, evangelion, rei, ayanami, cosplay, convention, anime, manga, anime illusions, angst

Final Fantasy X-2: Rikku

May I make a note please? That I am in no way biased?

I like featuring Asian Cosplayers because they do cosplay the right way. Cosplay is indeed about fun, but you must also consider how you look when you cosplay. There are a lot of photographers in anime cons, and if you aren’t careful in choosing your cosplay, you’ll end up looking silly and getting laughed at all over the Internet..!

Now who in the world would want that?

Take this photo of Rikku for example… In careful consideration? Her clothes really do look silly on any normal day, but this cosplayer’s got Rikku’s attitude down to a pat. This is why she looks good, and not nerdy.

Anyway…

Photo was originally found on Anime Illusions. And giving a nice thank you shout out to Ying Dong for featuring me in her blog. *3*

Technorati tags: nanao, research, final fantasy, rikku, cosplay, yingdong, sanriotown, anime illusions

Naruto: Haruno Sakura

I’ve seen many people attempt to portray Haruno Sakura from Naruto. And in my *ehem* unfortunate experience, they either don’t get it right or they’re just trying to hard.

Sakura is a fun character to cosplay. She’s a headstrong, very intelligent, and if she doesn’t get her way, you better run.

How could Sasuke resist such a cute girl? Beauty and brains, and still he prefers revenge…

I love her dress and her hair… Her eyes look like they can pierce your soul… But I begin to wonder…

Why are her nails painted neon green..?

Image was first found on the Anime Illusions Forums.

Technorati tags: nanao, research, naruto, haruno, sakura, sasuke