Anime Matsuri 2017

Once again, I return to my favorite convention: Anime Matsuri (AM). I had been planning my return since the end of last AM. Mostly because I decided I wanted to try new things for 2017. One of those new things would include being a model for the J-Fashion Show. This would be my first time being a fashion model. I applied to be a model when the applications opened and was accepted to much of my delight. After seeing Alex's experiences back in 2014, I felt like I wanted to see what it was like to walk the stage with such amazing designers and models. The second new experience would be hiring my first photographer for a convention. I have never gotten professional photography done for any of my cosplays, so this was a whole new experience and I loved it!  To join me on this wonderful weekend were my three roommates Ryan, Dulce, and Tiffani.

Day 0: Thursday
I feel like, any time I go to AM, I run into transportation issues. Luckily, I made it to AM without losing my luggage this time. Instead of flying straight to Houston, I flew into Dallas. My friends, Ryan and Dulce, picked me up and, just 15 minutes of leaving the airport, Ryan's car acted up. We ended up at an auto shop for 3 hours. I missed the Shop in Wonderland Meet n' Greet with the guest models, which included Akira.

By the the time we got into Houston, it was 7 P.M. and I was running late for the J-Fashion Show rehearsal. The brand I was going to model for was Triple Fortune, owned by Kaie and Babi. It is a very interesting brand with a strong love for bonnets. They almost put me in a pink dress, which I was trying my best to hide my distaste, but they changed their mind for a black dress with beautiful blue butterflies all over. Once dress rehearsal was done, I got to relax for the rest of the night.

Day 1: Friday

Shiroku and I

|My first cosplay for the weekend was Katsuki Yuri from Yuri!!! on Ice. Now, for those who follow my Facebook and Instagram, they will know how much I love this anime. For those who do not, well.... let's just say this anime, for many reasons, is my number one anime. Later on in the next few months I might write a blog post about my Yuri cosplays and why I love this anime. For AM, I worked really hard to have the Gala Costume ready for AM. Early this Friday morning, I hired JFintity Photography to help take professional photos of my Yuri, which I am unable to do where I live. I do not have any of the photos yet, so keep an eye out on my Facebook, Instagram, and World Cosplay page.

As soon as the Exhibitors Hall opened, I bought my Reika t-shirt and Reika's History photo book. #becausereika 😉.

AM brought in a synthetic ice rink for attendees to skate on. It wasn't the best thing in the world. Hard to skate on and it looked cheesy, but I have never seen a convention try to rent a ice rink at a con before. So, I give them points for trying something new.  The rink was brought in for the Yuri!!! on Ice photo meet up with Reika.

The next hour would be the highlight of my weekend. I had sat down to put on my skates when I heard a voice of the German cosplayer, Shiroku. I have been a fan of Shiroku for two years and seen her performances on YouTube. However these past few months I started to talk to her through messages about her costume making and European conventions. I was excited to meet her at AM. When I heard her voice, I looked up and she sat down next to me with Reika. I nearly had a heart attack from excitement. I quickly introduced myself, and she instantly became excited when she knew it was me. She asked if I was still planning my surprise for Reika before she got up to let me sit next to Reika....... Bless this woman.

I was nervous!!!!

To go with the Yuri!!! on Ice theme, I had bought a pair of rings to "propose" to Reika with. Have to say, I was shaking inside. When I could finally get the courage to speak and get Reika's attention, I opened the box. Reika seemed so surprised. Of course, we both tried on the rings. The one I got her was a little small..... but I was still so happy she tried it on for a photo. We also did another photo of me going down on one knee, which is really tough to do on skates.


I also got a few photos of Reika with my Vicchan tissue dog cover. Her poses were so adorable that I couldn't help but blush. 

Not sure I would be able to have proposed if it was not for my crazy personality and with the help of Shiroku giving me her seat. 💓💞💕

The rest of Friday was getting ready for the J-Fashion Show. This was my first time participating. It has always been my favorite part to watch at AM, so to be a part of it felt really special. Though, I have extreme stage phobia. I was worried I would mess up big time. The brand I would be modeling for is Triple Fortune which are famous for their bonnets and other head pieces. Getting dressed and rehearsal before show time started at 6pm, but it took a bit for them to find someone to turn on the light. This set us behind since it is very hard to put make up on in the dark. A lot of behind the scenes was just getting ready and practicing our walks. There was some down time to eat some snacks and relax with the other models. It was also interesting to see the brand designers work hard to prepare their models. The other brands included Putumayo, Ateiler Boz, Metamorphose, and Angelic Pretty. Reika and Kaname were also models for the fashion show. I could not seem to spot Kaname, but Reika was wearing Putumayo and she looked so sexy. She looked like one of those famous Korean drama actors. During my down time, I talked to Shiroku some more. Mostly chatted about random things because I was very nervous about being a model and also had no idea what to talk about. She very sweet and her English is amazing.

I have to thank my awesome friend, Alex, for sending photos of me on stage to share with you all. Due to some issues, I did not have anyone to film or take photos of the show while I was in it. However, Alex was on the staff this year and was in charge of documenting anything J-Fashion at AM. She rocked at her job and I am so glad she sent me some photos!!! 💝 Also thanks to her, my backstage experience at the show became my second fave moment. She really knows how to get in my head and tease me.
                                   
                                                                      The only time you will probably see me as a girl 😆.

Day 2: Saturday
Saturday started with another photo shoot with the same photographer, but it would be of Ryan and me. Ryan had commissioned a cosplay from me. He paid me to make him Jaswant from Arslan Senki. With that commission, I brought my Narsus for the first half of Saturday. It was a lot of fun to working with JFinity Photography and having a cosplay partner for photos. I really wish I had a photo to share of Ryan; he looked so amazing as Jaswant! So please keep your eyes out for those photos!!!

At 1pm, I switched out of Narsus for one of my Lolita outfits for the @Home Maid Cafe Event with Reika and Kaname. I always like to try to look nice for the cafe event; mostly because it makes it more comfortable if I get chosen to play a game or have a special photo with. While we waited in line for the cafe event, I ran into one of the models from the fashion show. Her name is Sophia, she is a hijab cosplayer and a Lolita. She is so pretty! She had on a Sailor Moon cosplay and looked so beautiful.

During the cafe event, I was not picked for the games, and I did not win a photo with the Reika and Kaname like I did last year. What I did get to do was ask Kaname to sing the Spider-man Theme song. It was pure gold to see Dulce and Tiffani blush and giggle. I really enjoy teasing my friends when it comes to something I know they will blush about. Dulce has a crush on Kaname, so whenever I get the chance I enjoy interacting with Kaname to get her to blush. This was Tiffani's first time meeting Reika and Kaname as well. The event ended with a group photo, which I am still waiting to get.

I really do enjoy the cafe events. They feel a lot more personal, and I love that I can ask any question. After the event, Reika was at her booth for autographs with a selfie. I also got to see Twin Cosplay, the winners of the 2015 World Cosplay Summit. I am really sad that I was not able to get a photo with both members on Twin Cosplay, but I did get to see the details of the costumes in person. There was so much work that it took my breath away!!!

Sophia and I

Reika with Twin Cosplay

After getting my autograph and selfie, I returned to my room to switch into my next cosplay which was Chat Noir. By far, this was my most received cosplay. I had little girls and boys asking to take photos with me and older girls asking to take a photo with me. It really surprised me since I wasn't sure Chat Noir was my best made cosplay. Alex took a break from work to walk around with me, where we ran into Sophia again dressed as Ciel from Black Butler. This made me excited since I love Black Butler! This woman was becoming my favorite cosplayer of the weekend (not counting Reika).

Saturday night ended with watching Akira's band, Disacode, with Alex. I think she is very proud that she turned me into an Akira fan. I really do love Disacode's music. I got to hear my favorite song by them, "Nameless Hero"! WOOT!!!




Day 3: Sunday

Bambi

The last day!!!! *crying* It went by way too fast!!!! My cosplay this day was Dazai Osamu from Bungou Stray Dogs. I had another photo shoot with JFinity Photography, and my partner was the lovely Bambi, who cosplayed Chuuya. Bambi is a cosplayer I met online throught the Anime Matsuri Group Page. We became quick friends with our interest in Uta no Prince-sama, YOI, and Bungou Stray Dogs. This was a very tricky photo shoot since Chuuya is actually shorter than Dazai, but I am about the same height as Bambi. Bambi had to kneel and squat a lot. I think the funniest moment was when we were doing a fan service pose where we both are looking into each other's eyes. Bambi noticed my eyes were changing color from green to hazel, which was freaking her out. She said it was awesome but kind of caught her off guard. I knew my eyes changed colors, but this was the first time someone saw it happen in front of them. So pretty cool! Also, I enjoyed finding ways to make her blush for the camera. She's a great cosplayer and will totally become world famous if she keeps it up. A staff member also caught us mid-photo shoot and took some photos, which I have posted on my fan page. You got to love the crazy that goes on to get photos done.

Alex and I

 
After our photo shoot, I had another cafe event with Reika and Kaname, but, this time, it was with the Swallowtail Butlers. These guys are so handsome! Even though I was dressed as a guy, I felt like I was being spoiled but felt like I really needed to sit straight at the same time. They gave off the vibe of 'must sit perfectly'. Reika and Kaname spiced it up by asking us some questions after we asked them questions. It felt so personal and I loved it!!! I hope AM continues to with these cafe events. Maybe they should mix it up and try a different guest next year.

After the cafe event, I ran into Alex again. We spent an hour walking around, chatting about the future, how much fun we had at AM, and how exhausted we both were. She then found me something I had been looking for all weekend and could not find one. A Yuri!!! On Ice t-shirt that says "I'm the pork cutlet bowl the enthralls men." I love it soooo much!

AM ended with an interesting night into Monday morning. I ran into a new friend who was a model for AM last year and a back up this year. Her name is Rue and she is also a cosplayer; but I didn't get to see her cosplays in person this weekend. We meet up in the Hilton pool where we talked about the Fashionable Tea Party, our cosplays, the loves of our life (for me Reika and for her Yugene Fay), and some cosplay goals. After getting done in the pool, she treated me to a meal (Thank you again!) and spent the rest of the night 'til 3 A.M., hanging out in the lobby and elevators of the Hilton. Who cares about sleep? I am sad I did not get a selfie with Rue, but hopefully next time! She is awesome!

Cons: One of the issues I had this year was timing for events; a lot ran late, but it was not as horrible as 2014. Most events were delayed by 30 to 40 minutes. Some improvements still need to be done, but I always seem to have more positive moments than negative overall.

In Summary: Once again, thank you, Anime Matsuri, Alex, Sophia, Rue, and my roommies. Also, thank you to Reika for always making me smile even over the weirdest but adorable things!!!!!! I hope to see you all next year!