Misaka Mikoto Mania

It's no surprise that I've become a big Mikoto fan since my last blog layout update... So you know I've got a few Mikoto goods lying around the house.

The first one is of course the Mikoto messenger bag by Cospa. Quite a pricey one, but hot damn it's worth it! Mikoto looks big on that bag! Lots of compartments and lots of room for a messenger bag. There's also another set of interesting strap with a clip on it for extra support. I was puzzled about how it worked. I had to look at the product picture again...


Next up is another Cospa product... I'm a Cospa addict, I tells ya! This time it's the shirt that was released early in 2010. Gorgeous Mikoto with lightning around her. The only thing missing are her knee pits...

I also ordered a few microfiber mini towels. They're randomly packed and I was glad all of them had Mikoto on it at least ^^;

I'm already using one of them as a wipe for my glasses. Since it's a towel I could just wash it if it gets dirty :P

I don't buy single CDs much but since the Limited Edition for Future Gazer was still available, I thought I'd pick it up and see what's on that DVD they included. I didn't hear anything unique with Future Gazer, but after a while I started to like it. Not as much as Level 5 Judgelight though ^^;

Of course I gotta have the Good Smile Company 1/8 Mikoto! I almost didn't order this actually... I don't know what came over me. Thankfully there was still time to preorder since it was going to be released soon.

I really love the box! Got the title on the transparent side for a nice effect.

I knew she had the magnetic sand sword, but I didn't know where her extra hand was... Very well hidden under the base.




Loose socks are cool!


No panchira here since Mikoto wears shorts under her skirt ^^;

But hey I got a shot of her knee pits! Lovely.

Instruction for a simple hand replacement procedure for her... Yet there are none for the complex MegaHouse cast-off figures. Something's wrong here.

As cool as she looks with her sword, I still prefer without it.

Sword and knee pits


The seam on her hair is too prominent though... It bothers me just a little. It depends on the angle you see her anyway.

I bought one of these tesla dome lamp thingies a long time ago and I thought, "hey, that would be a cool background for the Level 5 Electro Master! Looks cool even when there's still light out.

But looks epic when it's in the dark! You don't see her details much, but damn, she looks cool here!

She's now the new resident of my computer desk. Nyagato had to move somewhere else for now ^^;

Up next is the main event! The talking Railgun clock featuring Mikoto and Kuroko! I was going back and forth whether to get it or not since it's expensive. Of course I have it now after quite a lot of deliberation and I figured I could use it somewhere... *cough*atwork*cough*

Here's a list of what they say. They both say something at 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock. Other times they take turns.

Batteries included!
I turned the hour and minute hand to the optimal time of 10:10. If you didn't know, people who sells clocks usually turn it to 10:10 so that it looks like a smiley face. 2 batteries for the voice and one for the clock.

And what's a talking clock without showing you what they say, right? ^_^

Lastly... One more thing inside my Mikoto bag...




Gotta have that Mikoto dakimakura, yes? She's quite the cutie here ^_^


Mmmm... Loose socks!

The sexy side is her in that cute polka dot swimsuit... But it looks like the materials been cut real short now! YOWZA!

That's it for Misaka Mikoto Mania! I regret that my madness runs only this deep... I mean, I don't have the Azone doll, nor the hoodie... They were just too pricey =_=; Oh well, but the figma is coming soon! AWESOME!

♥ Kazeki

Ryeain:
Kazeki, I've been 'stalking' her awesome cosplays way before I started cosplaying. I'm certainly impressed by her cosplays, always bringing it to a higher level. Her cosplay of Fatima from Five Star Story really did blew me away with the suit and even more epic headgear... and she did portray Fatima very well*lovelove



✩ INTERVIEW SECTION ✩

Ryea: What is COSPLAY to you?
Being able to bring a 2D character to the real world.


Ryea: When do you first started to cosplay?
2005


Ryea: How many characters have you cosplayed so far ?
-2005-
Komachi Mikumari - Samurai 7
Athrun Zala ; Zaft uniform - Gundam SEED *borrowed from Roxanne*
Soi Fong ; battle and taichou uniform - Bleach
Seth Nightlord ; ROM III novel cover - Trinity Blood

-2006-
Miranda Lott ; Exorcist uniform version - D.Gray-man
Dizzy ; battle form - Guilty Gear XX
Seth Nightlord (tea seller) - Trinity Blood
Athrun Zala; Akatsuki no Kuruma - Gundam SEED special OVA ending
Athrun Zala/Alex Dino - Gundam SEED Destiny *borrowed from Fenix*
Maya - Magna Carta Crimson Stigmata

-2007-
Soi Fong ;Captain version - BLEACH
Agito - Air Gear *borrowed from Sizer*
C.C. - Code Geass
Firi - Lamento ~Beyond the Void~
Ion Fortuna (Court Version) - Trinity Blood *borrowed from Skye*

-2008-
Dawn/Hikari from Pokemon : Diamond & Pearl
Shirayuri Hime - Zone 00
Sailor Star Healer - SailorMoon : Sailor Stars
Sharon Apple - Macross PLUS
Mercedes - Odin Sphere

-2009-
Sheryl Nome (Iteza gogo Kuji don't be late)
Kimihiro Watanuki - xxxHolic *costume borrowed from ElderG*
Kasumi - Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach
Chie Satonaka - Persona 4
C.C. (Mutuality artbook) - Code Geass
Meg - Bakuretsu Tenshi
Velvet - Odin Sphere
Gumi Megpoid - Vocaloid
Fatima Hugtrang - Five Star Stories

-2010-
Mita Makoto - Sweet Pool
Lady Gaga (Pokerface)
DEADMASTER - Black★Rock Shooter
Anti-Spiral Nia - Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Nia Teppelin (timeskip version) - Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Shimohira Reika - GANTZ
Beast - Kuroshitsuji



Ryea: Which is your favorite character that you've cosplayed?
Mercedes, Anti Spiral Nia, Fatima Hugtrang.


Ryea: Which is your first character?
Komachi from Samurai 7. Definitely too old for her now lol


Ryea: Which characters are in your future cosplay list?
More Magna Carta, I can't get over Hyung Tae Kim.


Ryea: Do you make your own costume & props ?
Costumes are usually tailored/modified but my props are made by Jarold and I.
I have awesome friends like Rain, Stick and Jac'kee that always help me out as well.



Ryea: What is your favorite part when cosplay?
Seeing a prop completed, wearing the full costume for the first time and I get very strange satisfaction when it comes to editing photos, I guess it's because I consider it the final touches of my cosplay.


Ryea: Any good/funny/memorable experience when you cosplay?
Persona 4 - waking up at 3am to get ready for a long road to Sekinchan.
C.C. Mutuality - Got to cosplay with the amazing Kanasaii and Lenneth pair. I felt like the luckiest C.C. ;_____;
Deadmaster - Shiroin, my photographer, sunk his leg into a giant pit of mud during the shoot!!!
Gumi/Miki - Vocaloids drowning in the swimming pool is quite a sight.



Ryea: How and what have you think you've improved from since you started cosplay?
Definitely improved in every aspect from prop making to make up and of course *~editing photos~* BEFORE & AFTER


Ryea: Do you salute/idolize any cosplayer?
Omi Gibson http://en.curecos.com/profile/?ch=168966
HRM http://en.curecos.com/profile/?ch=20651
-aira- http://ja.curecos.com/profile/?ch=72312
Kanasaii http://kanasaiii.deviantart.com/
LennethXVii http://lennethxvii.deviantart.com/
Cvy http://cvy.deviantart.com/


Ryea: Any tips to share ?
Study, research, work smart, enjoy!


Ryea: Do you think as a 'qualified' cosplayer, it's a must to do everything without the help from professionals ; costume props and others?
If that's the case, a lot of us wouldn't be "qualified" enough to cosplay.
Some people just have strengths on certain aspects while others don't.



and 3 random questions :

1) Which convention do you like most in Malaysia?
Comic Fiesta

2) How much money do you spend on Seth Nightroad.. the outfit is such AMAZING piece!!
Thank you! I spent about RM1.5k, it pales in comparism to the Trinity Blood team that debuted at CF2010 though, that team was AMAZING.

3) What do you do in events?
Meet old friends and new ones. I don't really have much stamina for events though.
I do better in photoshoots.



Thank you so much Kazeki !!~

✩Itismoi

Ryeain:
Movement. This is what I always sees in his photos. Bringing the characters as if in motion and alive. Love it !
Inscense - my favorite shot, the flow of this photo is captured beautifully.
Different attempt can be seen and he does improved a lot!! *thumbsup



✩ ITISMOI ✩



Ryea: What type of camera do you use in capturing those awesome photos?

Canon 350D, an old dslr camera that i bought about 6 years ago. I am so accustomed to it that it feels like i am not holding anything when i shoot. Sometimes i use my brother's film camera Canon EOS 300.

28mm and 50mm prime lens. I like wide angle lens because it forces one to be close to the subject, encouraging more interactions.



Ryea: What makes you to continue in photography with passion?

Looking at other people photographs and felt that "hey that is one way of looking at things" The unique and sensitive vision and eye of another photographer motivate me to seek my own.

The smiles of cosplayers when they look at the photos i took.



Ryea: Which is your most satisfied/favorite shot so far?

Well to me there is no favorite or best single shot. However there are certain photoshoots that i feel i have achieved something, like Honey and Clover, Mikuo and Ruki, Mori Girl, Sheryl Jamming and Kasuga.


Ryea: Which photo you've taken is the most challenging to you? why?

Every shoot has its own challenge. It is always challenging to tell a story through an image.


Ryea: What aspect do you think that you have improved a lot since you started photography?

First will be relationship with people though it still needs more improvement. I am introspective person who is often lost in thoughts in the inner world. Photography also trains me to observe more of the outside world.


Ryea: What's your goal achievement in photography?

To find out more about myself. A famous photographer once said "Every photo one made is a self portrait." The kind of subject matter one choose, the feeling the photographs evokes, actually tells more about the person taking the photo. Cosplay photography wise, sometimes it tells you how the photographer interpret the character he is shooting.


Ryea: Who do you look up to or inspires you?

Takashi Homma for his nonchalant style at taking tokyo landscape and teenagers.
Mika Ninagawa for bringing out the youthfulness and sweetness of girls.
Rinko Kawauchi for her observation of ordinary objects and natural phenomena.
Glen LuchFord for his cinematic lightings.
Hybridre for her take at cosplay photography.



Ryea: Any advise to those are new starter or interested in photography?

Ask yourself "Is it the camera gadgets that motivate you more or photography itself?" There is nothing wrong being a collector of gadgets but the interest in the act of photography itself will bring you a long way.


Ryea: Lastly, what do you think about Let's Cosplay this blog?

Great site to read more about fellow cosplayers and photographers thoughts that you cant find in other sites.


Thanks Itismoi !!~