Otafest 101: Cosplay Lookbook

By
Ailin Li
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2062

Aside from all the panels and contests that take place at Otafest, one of the major hit points is the amount of amazing cosplay that people bring in. Although it’s held in Calgary, people travel from all over just to attend this convention (which should give you an idea of how popular it is and defend us nerds). If you’re not quite sure what Otafest is, check out this survival guide and get some first impressions.

I was quite pressed for time and ideas this year, jumbled with indecisiveness, which ultimately led to me scrounging up a costume at the last minute. What I did mange to piece together incorporated a wig, glasses, and colored lenses from one of my friends to whom I’m grateful. For those of you who have seen the anime, I went as Kuriyama Mirai from Kyoukai no Kanata, though since I didn’t have the school uniform I just wore my maid costume (which I had from Halloween). The friend who lent me the essentials attended alongside me as Ai-chan so we could be more easily identified. Our close friends got the reference, and one girl at Otafest did as well and even took our picture. The momentary spotlight felt good.

We tried to recreate the scene where Ai-chan is fixing Kuriyama's hair at the Otafest Photo Booth.
We tried to recreate the scene where Ai-chan is fixing Kuriyama’s hair at the Otafest Photo Booth.
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A closer look at our entire outfits. So yes, neither of us were actually in “costume” but it’s the thought that counts and we had fun with it.
Can you say #selfie?
Can you say #selfie?

Now that we’ve all had enough of my face, I’m going to share with you my top 15 favourite cosplays from Otafest 2014. Keep in mind that there were hundreds of people and even though there may have been better costumes, these are just the people who I could conveniently get pictures of. In no way was this list easy to create and you might disagree with my opinions, but the main point of this blog is to pique interest and hopefully you’ll be persuaded to attend Otafest next year and see all the cosplyers for yourself! Begin the countdown.

The lovely Merida. Not Japanese, but it was still a pretty decent costume.
#15 The lovely Merida. Not Japanese, but it was still a pretty decent costume.
#14 The number of SNK cosplays this year were unreal but I think this one was one of my favourites. Captain Levi decked out in his cleaning gear, teehee.
#14 The number of SNK cosplays this year were unreal but I think this one was one of my favourites. Captain Levi decked out in his cleaning gear, teehee.

 

#13 Several Magical Girls were also spread out throughout the day, but they never got together for a group picture. Here is my favourite, Mami Tomoe.
#13 Several Magical Girls were also spread out throughout the day, but they never got together for a group picture. Here is my favourite, Mami Tomoe.
#12 BRS is by far the most confusing anime I have ever seen but the graphics are so beautiful and that giant weapon took her 2 weeks to make so she might as well be on this list.
#12 BRS is by far the most confusing anime I have ever seen but the graphics are so beautiful and that giant gun took her 2 weeks to make so she might as well be on this list.
#11 Digimon was the first real anime I watched as a kid so it will always hold a special place in my heart.
#11 Digimon was the first real anime I watched as a kid so it will always hold a special place in my heart.
#10 People have mixed feelings about SAO, but I quite liked it even though the second arc was quite unnecessary. Hopefully they can redeem themselves with this new season, Gun Gale.
#10 People have mixed feelings about SAO, but I liked it even though the second arc was quite unnecessary. Hopefully they can redeem themselves with this new season, Gun Gale.
#9 I haven't had the time to watch Legend of Kora, but Avatar was one of the only reasons I even watched Nickelodeon. Two Avatars, one picture.
#9 I haven’t had the time to watch Legend of Kora, but Avatar was one of the only reasons I even watched Nickelodeon. Two Avatars, one picture.
#8 I can't imagine how stuffy it must have been inside that Happy costume. Mascots make me slightly uncomfortable to this day, but I'm starting to warm up to them.
#8 I can’t imagine how stuffy it must have been inside that Happy costume. Mascots make me slightly uncomfortable to this day, but I’m starting to warm up to them.
#7 I love Studio Ghibli and I was just so impressed with this lady's interpretation of Totoro that I just had to include it. I need her to hook me up with a dress like that because she just looked fabulous.
#7 I love Studio Ghibli and I was just so impressed with this lady’s interpretation of Totoro that I just had to include it. I need her to hook me up with a dress like that because she just looked fabulous.
#6 Like I said, lots of SNK cosplay. These two took the cake over most others because of the meticulously crafted maneuver gear. Arts and crafts skills are over 9000.
#6 Like I said, lots of SNK cosplay. These two took the cake over most others because of the meticulously crafted maneuver gear. Arts and crafts skills are over 9000.
#4 I don't actually play Kaitlyn in LoL (I'm more of a support girl), but her costume was beautiful and so on-point. I saw her all three days and finally decided to get her picture on the last day. I'm very glad I did.
#4 I don’t actually play Caitlyn in LoL (I’m more of a support girl), but her costume was beautiful and so on-point. I saw her all three days and finally decided to get her picture on the last day. I’m very glad I did.
#4 This man was on stilts all three days and I even watched him play a very menacing rook in Cosplay Battle Chess. You could see the looks of terror wherever he went. Props to you, stilt man.
#4 This man was on stilts all three days and I even watched him play a very menacing rook in Cosplay Battle Chess. You could see the looks of terror wherever he went. Props to you, stilt man.
#3 I hope no one rage quits on me for this, but Jack Frost and Elsa are my forever OTP. I even got a hug from Jack Frost. This partner cosplay just made me happy on so many levels.
#3 I hope no one rage quits on me for this, but Jack Frost and Elsa are my forever OTP. I even got a hug from Jack Frost. This partner cosplay just makes me happy on so many levels.
#2 This costume isn't the most flashy, but whoever was inside just played the character so well. When No Face comes up to you, he sticks out his arms to reveal a handful of gold. Beside him was a buddy warning everyone, "don't take his gold!" I didn't see him break character once and the costume shape was just very perfect in my opinion.
#2 This costume isn’t the most flashy, but whoever was inside just played the character so well. When No Face comes up to you, he sticks out his arms to reveal a handful of gold. Beside him was a buddy warning everyone, “don’t take his gold!” I didn’t see him break character once and the costume shape was just very perfect in my opinion.
#1 Horologium won the top spot in my heart this year. The Lucy "inside" was painted by a panelist at Otafest, but aside form that the rest of the costume was beautiful. And I don't know if you've ever tried walking around in a box, but it's not the easiest thing. The art and attention to detail was amazing, and I think this costume was just one of the truest representations of the art and passion that goes into Otafest.
#1 Horologium won the top spot in my heart this year. The Lucy “inside” was actually painted by a panelist at Otafest, but aside from that the rest of the costume was also amazing. And I don’t know if you’ve ever tried walking around in a box, but it’s not the easiest thing. The art and attention to detail was amazing, and I think this costume was just one of the truest representations of the art and passion that goes into Otafest.

So there you have it, folks! Hope you enjoyed my Otafest 2014 Lookbook, and hopefully I convinced you to take a look for yourself next year.