Katsucon 12 Highlights [My... Special Coffin?]

Good morning, everyone, aaaaaah what in the world am I doing here so early? Well, if I have to be up, then let's make the most of it [this is disregarding the fact that a) half the time my usual goal is try and salvage semi-sleep when awake this early, and b) that I could be doing something else a little more urgent at this moment]. Also, since this is a derailment from the norms of the blog, I didn't want to put this off too much before it became overly irrelevant [like a birthday post did... eheh heh...]. Saa~ minna, if you will, a brief memoir of Katsucon 2012.

Like last time, I only went for one day. I'm okay with this, because the one day pass is cheaper, and realistically, I'd only go on Saturday and maybe Sunday anyway, since I'd usually have class on Friday. I also drove myself; I'm terrible with directions and wary of misinterpreting signs, but I made it alright [then I remembered I need directions going back, ahaha...]. Also like last time, I didn't dress up in a full cosplay; I wanted full mobility, and not be detracted as much with being photographed myself [I will do a full cosplay if I go the whole weekend though]. The majority of the day was spent standing in the registration line, photographing [yaaaay~ a Sengoku Basara group was there~], Streetpassing with other 3DSers, and shopping like a psycho otaku that I am. I had quite a haul for just one day [equivalent to roughly three days at Otakon]. 

MORE PINS~ MUAHAHAHAHA~! Also a new bag at last [though I still use the Hellsing one.]

But truly the best finds of the day were the face mask down in the front, and that big old red book in the upper right corner. Why you ask~?

And yet another thing on my person that jangles.

Well, first, the face mask. It wasn't terribly expensive for what it was [$10], has given me some inspiration for the one I still plan on making--in terms of design, accessories, and material--, and perhaps the best of all, it does not fog up my glasses when I breathe. This is a very important point for me, as one might guess, because if I'm wearing a mask for when I'm actually sick on top of wanting to look formidable, I tend to be even more miserable having to deal with not being able to see half the time.

It's probably because of the swimsuit-esque material.

This one will be going out with me a lot for weekends in Visual Kei. Since the safety pins are removable, no da, I might substitute them with a lighter brooch if I want to add some sort of neo-Aristocrat touch to it.

As for that big red book? That, my friends, is 'Coffin: The Official Artworks of Vampire Hunter D' by Yoshitaka Amano [gamer fans may know the name as the illustrator of Final Fantasy artworks]. 

Includes color pages not shown in the novels, and an exclusive short story.

I saw this book in a Barnes&Noble several years ago while window shopping on a double date or summat, and immediately desired it. I didn't even know what Vampire Hunter D was; the author of the novels, if it was a movie, whatever, nothing. I just wanted to have it. It was $60, which I didn't have on me at the time. So I lightly thumbed through some of the pages, probably gaping like a fish, then put it back on the shelf, and forgot about it after a while.

 

In that time, I've acquired the VHD movie and several volumes of Takaki Saiko's manga adaptations, and in general become a fan of Hideyuki Kikuchi's legacy work [my shadow has even told me I should cosplay as the titular character D]. So when I saw this artbook in a booth at Katsucon, those dormant desires from way back when flared up ten-fold in combination with my fandom. 

Needless to say, if I ever did cosplay D, it would be one of the most intensive ones ever.

I would've bought it no matter the price, but the conventions gods loved on me; the seller put it out for $30. He also mentioned something about it being out-of-print, so if that's true, it'll probably be worth hundreds somewhere down the line. Maybe. Who knows? Even if it's not, I'm happy to have it.

Do you have any special promotional works for books or movies you like? Have an autographed piece that you'll hold onto forever? Any series that you love enough to buy a collectible item for? Hahaha, that pretty much defines otaku.

My this week flew~! What on earth have I been doing? Class? Eh?

I thank you for your indulgence, everyone.

Eternally yours,

Il Ruinante Isaak

Katsucon 11 Highlights [derailment]

Good afternoon minna-sama, chotto hisashiburi ne~? I hope you won't mind if we have a slight digression, into the lesser of the triad for this blog, anime/manga love. Katsucon 2011 has come and gone, and though I only went for one day to give our panel, the D.C. convention is still a very enjoyable affair. Do humor me with pictures posted of my cosplay. Enjoy~

To start, since it was the one day, I decided to do it casual and cosplayed as Casual Undertaker. Or rather, just what Undertaker wears underneath [context] which resembles a priest cossak. I wore it with the intent of putting on a black face mask and arm band to just be dressed in a manner to alarm the other Gaylord Hotel guests, but as I walked to the end of the registration line, I got shouts of "UNDERTAKER~!" Therefore. Casual Undertaker. Legit cosplay. Afterwards, I did go and parade up and down the registration line for kicks [since I brought my cane too]. I did get mistaken for Bishop from Dogs: Bullets & Carnage once though. [Seeing how close the cosplay is, I've been considering it for Otakon.]

Casual Undertaker is a master creeper~! [And still bamfin' yo.]

I saw Bedroom [aka Just-raped-by-Sebastian] Ciel in the line too; she was Russia this time.

Got a discount for being a state employee~ for registration.

I spent an usually long amount of time in the Dealer's room [which was combined together with the Artist Alley], bought a fuuch load of pins. My quest was solely for Trinity Blood volumes that I didn't have yet, and fortunately, I did find them [and perused some artbooks too]. I've been looking endlessly for Yami no Matsuei vol 11, but I have a feeling I'm not going to find it anywhere but online... Pins are great. Amazing, and attaching them to my bag is an art form. Decided to get as shirt too; Jenova's Witness [front], The Church of One Winged Angel of the Latter Day Summons [back]. I was tempted to get a Castlevania wallscroll [Hrrrrrr~ Hector, so sexxxy], and a finger armor [FINALLY saw some], but resisted. Next time... next time... *Cackle.*

I need to up my Legend of Zelda paraphenalia. Preferably a shirt, but I'll take pins, phone charms, and emblemed things [TRIFORCE~]. Hetalia, Hakuouki, and Pokemon are taken care of, so maybe some Level E next. And definitely Devil May Cry [so I can have the two DMCs].

There was this creepy zombie[?] chick with needles poking out of her arms walking [creeping] around. Did you guys see her? I almost ran into her, because I don't think either of us could see clearly, but I heard jangling from the person she was walking around with [he was a wolf gijinka, I suppose] so crisis averted~. Other hotel guests were putting people in their group with her to take pictures; willingly or unwillingly is questionable, heh.

I took a rolling backpack with me this time. The escalator was a little awkward, but other than that, it worked out quite well. Carried lots of big essentials, namely Yoshimaru, Arizona tea, and food.

Todd Haberkorn. You all can have your Vic Mignogna, I'll take Todd. Went to his panel for voice over, which was awesome~ [give it up for Kinch Cross who got to go to the mic~!] And got a picture of him, with him, and a hug~! He's so much fun. And his love for Lady Gaga always will immediately trigger Leather Pants in my mind.

ROOOOOOMAAAA-JIIIIIIIIIIIIII~! Finally saw him too. Apparently a lot of people went that I didn't get to see~ Let's share our memories together though, ne?

I took a habit of standing in random groups when I was in between going places. Just rollin up and sitting/standing together [I also was furthered in my tendencies for harmless molestation for people in lines. I think it's the wig...]. The great things about con-goers, for the majority, is that we're all in this together. Spontaneity becomes us, and getting cozy together is relatively natural. I am eternally grateful for it. We are all joined together by our overwhelming passion for the numerous and beautiful things that make up a convention such as Katsucon.

At one point in my sitting around, I whipped out Yoshimaru and danced to 'Sabishii Nettaigyo' [the Prince of Tennis cover version], and 'Resonance' [TMRevolution]. I reccomend Youtubing the first if you haven't seen it [look up 'Cloud and Squall dance Dissidia Final Fantasy', or check it here] I couldn't see past my bangs, so I wonder if anyone was recording.

Our panel, ACROSS JAPAN, went over very well! I am very pleased at the turnout, the interactions, the enthusiasm [don't question me] that was shown by our guests in attendance. I would like to do it next year, along with the Maid Cafe [as a BUTLER, aku made shitsuji desu kara, yatta yatta]; those would basically be my reasons to justify attendance, desu ne. Things were a little wonky before hand, but once getting there, it went pleasantly.

Same for the helpfulness of the staff. They're really looking out for us in the big beautiful Gaylord Hotel [water show? Do like, mini-Bellagio it may be, heh heh]. So thank you, dedicated volunteers and staff [Marcos, shout out]. Please maintain your wonderful composure and helpful attitude into the future.

Ehehn heh heh heh... *Nosebleed.* Togainu no Chi, Lamento~ yaoi... ehehn...

From now until Otakon, I'll be off into making the new cosplays~! Akabane and Ukoku Sanzo are slated, but knowing what I do now about Bishop, I'm certainly putting that into consideration.

Go forth, great Otaku! We love you back.

Eternally yours,

Il Ruinante Isaak

Aristo Otaku's Weekend Out.

Good afternoon, mina-sama. It's been almost a week since I posted last, it seems. Things have been very eventful, as has been mentioned prior to my leave. I don't want to bog you all down with a lot of unrelated convention adventures and happenings, so I mean to make this concise and elaborate on more interesting fare. Please join me in my recollections, at your leisure.

I had set down a schedule for Otakon of all the things I wanted to do on each day; in the end, I would say I only ended up following about five or six things out of perhaps 25-30 panels, workshops, and signing sessions planned. But when I think about the things I might have missed if I had I instead chosen to wait in lines and sit around in rooms for hours on end, I can come to appreciate spontaneity. Just doing whatever came to mind. Meeting up with people, and stopping cosplayers for pictures. And getting your picture taken. Yana Toboso's 'Kuroshitsuji' Undertaker was a big hit, and over Friday and Saturday when I was fully adorned, I was asked for a picture about 35-40 times [not including the two Kuroshitsuji photoshoots]. The weather was not as harsh as it had been, and I was mercifully inside a majority of the time, so I managed to pull through without passing out from heat stroke. For next year--the dates have already been officially set--I will go with something more climate friendly, for the central AC BCC, and for whatever Baltimore summer heat wants to throw at us.

I bought a lot of things; my most important--and expensive--purchase of the weekend was Demonia black chunk boots. I has looking for something maybe half the height of what I bought. But they are comfortable, easy to put on, minimal difficulty to get up from the floor in, and easy to move around in. There will be pictures to come, along with the jacket that just arrived in the mail [a more elaborated post will follow soon].

I think the highlight of the entire weekend was the X Japan halftime performance and Q&A during the masquerade. Yoshiki is as skilled and sexy as ever, and new bassist Sugizo was too cute for words in that older man type of way [he even stands in a cute way, if you can imagine that]. By popular choice as voted on the Otakon site, with Yoshiki at the piano and Sugizo playing a beautiful silver weathered-hollowed out violin for the vocals--since Toushi was not there--the first song played was 'Forever Love'. I mouthed the words along as I cried. I think after I saw 'Forever Love' on the Last Live performance was when the song first started to make me try--towards the end. But I believe it was the song, plus the experience of it being live, live, before my very own eyes, two members of the world renown X Japan playing, that made me cry almost from start to finish. I have heard few things in my life that are as beautiful as that rendition of 'Forever Love'.

After that, they answered a brief Q&A of the most popular questions submitted from the fans. Sugizo doesn't speak English as well as Yoshiki, so at one point, although Sugizo answered what his opinion was of US fans vs. Japanese fans in a way that made the audience go all 'Awwwww~', Yoshiki added, "So let me just translate that. You all are fucking awesome." Euphoria. They ended by playing 'Endless Rain', another beautiful ballad among their usual rock genre, and are off to Chicago to play in Lollapalooza. My night--my weekend--was completely made.

And while there were many other adventures and tales and pictures abound, there is another place for that, to go on in elaboration. But know that for the rabid otaku inside of me, I still want to turn back time to that Friday, and do it all over again.

But now I must look into the future, because the dates are set, and a hotel booked. I'll take you on my paths to recreate Kazuya Minekura's 'Saiyuki' Ukoku Sanzo, and Yuya Aoki's 'Get Backers' Akabane Kuro'udo. Yes. Somehow I've been coaxed into doing the latter one as well. ^_^

We are in the final weeks of summer, mina-sama, so for those of you fond of warm weather, enjoy these lovely temperatures while they linger. Those longing for the autumn weather, try to enjoy the remnants of summer too, if you can. Soft winds in warmer weather can soothe the soul just as well as a cool breeze in crisp air.

As I count my blessings, and dance in my heart...
Eternally yours,
Il "Undertaker" Ruinante Isaak

Helpful touches in achieving any look; Accessories.

Good evening, mina-sama~ I trust your day went well? I had noon-day tea out in front of the sprawling lawn--it needs a bit of tending with this extreme heat, good grief--and it was very pleasant indeed. Rasberry sorbet lingers on my tastebuds from tonight's dessert. And fireworks go off in the background [no, really. I live close to a minor league pro baseball stadium, and there are fireworks almost every other day during the summer].

Let's shake things up a bit, shall we? Pictures shall be abound [so long as I can make the picture thing in the tool bar work]. While mentioned in the previous entry I'm not so privy to many clothing items--either bought or modified by my hand--I do have quite a few accessories to compliment Aristo and V-Kei. So without further ado, shall we? ^_^ I've tried to do my best to arrange them by similar category.

For the head. The most prominent, and a selction of hair clips/ribbons. You'll see more of the grey hat on the right.

The hair clips came from Japan, the mini top hat, Katsucon.

Cosmetics [is it weird to call it that?]. When I do wear it, I like to think I do a good job of it. The mask gives rise to an eyepatch in the near future.

Jewelry. I have two rings and three necklaces on perpetually [the Trinity Blood Crucifix in the back middle being one of them].

The single earring now attached to the jingle bell I made, such that the other two baubles--or anything with hooks--could be attached.

More suited of V-Kei. Armwarmers from Hot Topic. Armband reads 'dancho'.

My [zipper] necktie, which is quite popular actually. Aquired at Otakon. Bowtie I stole from a spare uniform of my highschool orchestra. I dunno what I'm going to do with the black rose pin yet.

Detailing of tie. The "stamens" [if I still know botany] fell out, but they will be replaced soon.

Suspenders and chainlink. I put these together in a category 'legs', since the chain goes in belt loops, and I commonly wear the suspenders down. Both acquired at Hot Topic.

My super amazing shoes, front. Tall for elegance, but comfy--to a point--for almost everyday movement.
Shoes side view. These two pictures are subject to reappear or move to a separate post, which will include just footware.

[By the way, that took entirely too much effort to arrange. There's gotta be a better way...]

Although accessories do not make a particular style alone, they add specific touches that certainly help the image along. In the right combination, they do well as a stand alone for everyday activities. I do hope to add to the collection a bit, as I make my particular niche in Aristo and V-Kei. A cane, a full tophat, and another pair of taller boots are in the nearby works. [call me crazy, but I was in half a mind to try and find/make ballistics gel to add to those shoes I already have. Cost would've been a major factor, but I never figured it out...] Colored contacts would also be nice... Maybe cat eye.

We are in the con months, so in the coming weeks--or even days--there is a high chance of a shift to cosplay, at least until Otakon passes. But Versailles pumps through my ears and plays through my mind's eye...

Jaa, hopefully that was more exciting. Now then, I've too many things to do again tomorrow morning, so if you'll pardon me, I'll be turning in. ^_^

Dream softly, sleep well.
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak

On the flip side, a realm of Visual Kei aesthetics.

Well good morning, ma cherie. ^_^ I trust you slept well? The day is already in full swing for me, and after an extra few mintues to sit [read: sleep] still, I am ready to preoccupy myself [at work] thusly.

As the blog title indicates, in addition to my delving into the realm of Aristocrat, I am also putting myself on the path of Visual Kei [wikipedia is most helpful in making a straightforward example of things, in case you haven't noticed]. In fact, I daresay I was inspired by the glam-rock style possibly two years before I became motivated to become Aristocrat. I like the possibilities, the mixed genres of styles. At the moment, I have only modified pants to the Visual style--and have a few accesories--, but as I work on my Aristocrat wardrobe, V-Kei will be woven into the mix as well.

If I teach myself electric bass, then I'm all set for a band [heh, maybe].

At the heart and core of the inspiration behind both Visual Kei and Aristocrat, is my love for anime, manga, and video games [which has indeed branched to an all encompassing love of Japan]. Though this is not the main topic of this blog, there will be spots in between where I simply must interject, because damnit, something fuuching amazing is going down. Among the first few pictures sure to be posted here [when I get back home and modify posts] will be the complete outfit of Undertaker, from Yana Toboso's Kuroshitsuji. Once Otakon is said and done, I will post the process of making my next outfit--Ukoku Sanzo, from Minekura Kazuya's Saiyuki--alongside all the other news of my Aristo and V-Kei doings.

Thank you for spending time to come along my journey with me. Commentary, advice, tips, and general conversing is always welcome. ^_^

Now, go off and make today productive, the weather is splendid. I think I'll write haiku by the fountains today.

Eternally yours.
Il Ruinante Isaak
p.s. Also, because of my massive love of Japanese music, occasional mini-posts will have V-Kei band related news. After all, new albums and live concerts are a great way to steal designs begin brainstorming new ideas.