My Cosplay Journey

It has been six years since I have embarked on a journey into the realm of costume play; six years of love and devotion for the characters I portray. If my recollection serves me right, I first heard of Cosplay back in 2004 or 2005 during which, I have not yet been exposed to its community, thinking the hobby was unavailable here. A close friend informed me of a hobby convention, namely HobbyCon, which showcases this particular interest in 2007; however, I was not able to attend it until 2008 when I decided to try Cosplay first hand.

Since I began my Cosplay adventure in 2008, it had never occurred for me to keep track of the number of characters I donned until a friend of mutual interest asked me recently. Subsequently, as of 2013, I have portrayed 18 characters altogether in six years. It is not my intent to gloat about the numbers considering the many talented costume players out there who have done more, sacrificing time and effort for their hobby, but I am proud of myself, nonetheless, to have come this far. Here, I have compiled a list of all the characters that I have personally brought to life, and hopefully, have also touched the hearts of each character’s fans.

2008

Character: Yuna, Final Fantasy X
Photographer: Charles Lai
Event: HobbyCon 2008

2009

Character: TinkerBell (V1)
Photographer: Edgar Gilingan
Event: HobbyCon 2009

(L-R) Videl, Buma, me, Joshua
Character: Sailor Moon, Sailor Stars
Photographer: Mas Light
Event: HobbyCon 2009

2010

Character: Wonder Woman, concept art by Josh McMahon
Photographer: David Shia
Event: HobbyCon 2010

Character: Inuyasha, Inu-Yasha
Photographer: Arthur Siowou
Event: HobbyCon 2010

2011

Character: Inuyasha, Inu-Yasha
Photographer: Bernard Tzing
Event: Private photo session

(L-R) me, Becky Rikku
Character: Usagi Tsukino, Sailormoon
Photographer: Revo Toys
Event: OtaFuse 2011

Character: Catwoman, Batman Hush (V1)
Photographer: Mien LionHeart
Event: HobbyCon 2011

Character: Rogue, Bishoujo statue by Kotobukiya (V1)
Photographer: Edgar Gilingan
Event: HobbyCon 2011

2012

Character: Catwoman, Batman Hush (V2)
Changes/Upgrades/Modifications: Belt
Photographer: Casoffia Azizul
Event: OtaFuse 2012

Character: Random mercenary, military cosplay
Photographer: Rendy Wong
Event: OtaFuse 2012

Character: Raven, DC Universe Online
Photographer: Pentium Tee
Event: HobbyCon 2012

Character: Black Widow, Bishoujo statue by Kotobukiya
Photographer: Yus Lukraz
Event: HobbyCon 2012

Character: Jill Valentine, Director's Cut (V1)
Photographer: Locksley Ng
Event: HobbyCon 2012

(L-R) Abu, me
Character: Cinderella
Photographer: Erina Erina
Event: OtaFuse Cosplay Ball 2012

2013

(L-R) me, Abu (Wolverine), Leon (Superman), Becky (Catwoman), Joanna (Wonder Woman), Max (Capt. America)
Character: Rogue, Bishoujo statue by Kotobukiya (V2)
Changes/Upgrades/Modifications: Wig and boots
Photographer: {credits to the photographer}
Event: Private function

Character: The Baroness, concept art by Adam Hughes
Photographer: Abu Rafi
Event: G. I. Joe: Retaliation movie screening

Character: Jill Valentine, Director's Cut (V2)
Changes/Upgrades/Modifications: Replica Beretta 92F custom 'Samurai Edge'
Photographer: Christine Lee
Event: Hari Belia 2013

Character: Pocahontas
Photographer: Go! Otaku - Event Photo
Event: OtaFuse 2013

(L-R) me, Becky Rikku
Character: Android 17, Dragon Ball
Photographer: Tika San
Event: OtaFuse 2013

Character: Velma, Scooby-Doo concept art by Travis Pitts
Photographer: Rei Robin
Event: Private photo session

(L-R) me, Dasaru
Character: Elizabeth, Bioshock Infinite
Photographer: Flanegan Bainon
Event: HobbyCon 2013

Character: Black Cat, Heroes for Hire
Photographer: Pandagraphy
Event: HobbyCon 2013

2014

Character: TinkerBell (V2)
Changes/Upgrades/Modifications: Costume and wings
Note: Had to use green 'glass paper' for the wings as clear is out of stock
Photographer: Abu Rafi
Event: Walk for Autism, 5th April 2013

1. 2008 - Yuna, Final Fantasy X
2. 2009 - TinkerBell (V1)
   2014 - TinkerBell (V2)
3. 2009 - Sailor Moon, Sailor Stars
   2011 - Usagi Tsukino in casual, Sailormoon
4. 2010 - Wonder Woman, concept art by Josh McMahon
5. 2010 - Inuyasha, Inu-Yasha
   2011 - Inuyahsa, Inu-Yasha (private photo session)
6. 2011 - Catwoman, Batman Hush (V1)
   2012 - Catwoman, Batman Hush (V2)
7. 2011 - Rogue, Bishoujo statue by Kotobukiya (V1)
   2013 - Rogue, Bishoujo statue by Kotobukiya (V2)
8. 2012 - Random mercenary, military cosplay
9. 2012 - Raven, DC Universe Online
10. 2012 - Black Widow, Bishoujo statue by Kotobukiya
11. 2012 - Jill Valentine, Director's Cut (V1)
    2013 - Jill Valentine, Director's Cut (V2)
12. 2012 - Cinderella
13. 2013 - The Baroness, concept art by Adam Hughes
14. 2013 - Pocahontas
15. 2013 - Android 17, Dragon Ball
16. 2013 - Velma, Scooby-Doo concept art by Travis Pitts
17. 2013 - Elizabeth, Bioshock Infinite
18. 2013 - Black Cat, Heroes for Hire

This will be all for now. Until the next time, I bid you adieu.