AX 2009 Photo Post & Journal (aka ramblings) -- IMAGE HEAVY POST!!!
As the subject says this is my little photo post of my day spent at AX 2009. It was held in the same convention center as it was last year (LA Convention Center). But they had it set up a little weird compared to last year cause you ended up doing this weird ass tour to get your passes. Instead of just walking to one end of the convention center then the other you ended up going to one end, went outside in this weird kind of figure eight shape, then ended up circling around then walking to the other end to get the shopping and fun stuff.
For some reason my shoes, which were the same kind as I wore last year, were killing my feet in LA. Walking outside in the sun made my feet feel like they were on fire, they over heated, and basically was all sorts of not good things. Because of the new set up to get your passes and the fact the people I went with weren't slowing down at all when I said my feet felt cooked, I ended up leaving my camera in my bag until we got to the exhibition hall. Which of course lead to me missing some really awesome cosplay costume picture opportunities *face palm* But oh well.
I seem to remember I missed out on that aspect last year too. There was only one costume I really kicked myself not getting a picture of cause my camera wasn't out yet and it was this WICKED Emperor Lelouch (Code Geass). The costume looked hand made and just...wow. Way better then Lelouch actually looked in it in the anime XD
But anyways, like I did last year I'll post pictures, and add in some ramblings/observations through out. I'll do a separate post to show my swag, just to keep this from being really image heavy.
So my teaser image isn't a cosplay, but instead the Funimation booth.
The picture on the board that I focused on is Tamaki and Haruhi from Ouran High School Host Club. Personally I think Ouran High is wonderfully fun. It's one of those anime that can make me laugh no matter how upset/depressed/pissed I am. It's silly but has a nice under tone of seriousness, the manga series gives me the same feeling. So I was actually really happy to see that they were one of the highlighted anime on Funimation's booth.
Speaking of booths, it was kind of weird. Funimation was really the only major US anime distrubitor that had a booth at the convention. Last year there were more DVD publishing companies, this year...not so much. Although there was definitely a decrease in vendors this year compared to last - which I know is because of the economy and what have you. But in a weird way I didn't mind too much. Some booths I missed (like the mass wall scroll one I spent too much money at last year wasn't there) but with the exhibition hall being more on the empty side the convention actually put the artist alley at the end of the exhibition hall. I realized going through my pictures I didn't take any pictures there - I was too busy drooling over all the artwork and spending money *face palm* I LOVED the artist alley though. I spent a lot of time there just looking at everything. And it was so much fun because a lot of the vendors there were all sitting around with sketch pads and books they were working in as people came and went. I really do admire people that can draw and draw well.
So here we have a side shot of someone playing CC from Code Geass. This year I asked more people to actually pose for pictures but there were still moments, like this one, that I didn't bother them. As I kind of expected (and half hoped) I saw a number of Code Geass cosplayers this year. Most of them were CC - and a varying of outfits which was nice - and a handful of Lelouch/Zero's, less of the minor characters. But it was fun catching them all none the less. I got more CC pictures then anyone though :P
And another CC from Code Geass. This was the first one I saw with her Cheese-kun.
Link from Zelda. I saw a few Zelda cosplayers this year, but this was the best as far as I was concerned.
Euphy from Code Geass - this was the only Euphy that I ran into and she was SO nice when I stopped and asked her for a picture. The thing that caught my attention honestly was the wig. I saw her from behind and knew who she was immediately. I gave her props too for being in an Ashford school uniform instead of princess wear.
Of course when I saw a Mello and Matt (Death Note) I had to ask for a picture. Especially one that did post-bomb Mello :)
Lelouch, aka Zero, from Code Geass. It doesn't really show in the picture but this cosplayer had in a set of fancy contacts that made his eyes look like he was using geass. Which was awesome :D And why I asked for a picture.
Um...no idea who or what anime. But they were posing for other people and it looked, interesting so I took a picture XD If someone knows, please let me in on it.
Actually I'll admit right now that I was expecting to know more of the cosplay anime's this year. I've been into anime longer then I was last year and have gotten into so many fandoms...and saw TONS of cosplayers that I had no idea who they were *face palm* Go figure.
Okay I fan girled like hell with this one :D Watanuki!!!! With Mokona!!! And the pipe fox!!! *hearts* I stopped these two as they were walking by cause I was just so giddy. The girl I'm fairly certain is Sakura from Cardcaptor Sakura, and Watanuki is obviously my xxxHolic. I actually saw one other person cosplaying Watanuki but he walked by really quick - and didn't have the kick ass accessories like this guy :D So yeah *happy dance*
Now, these people, win Loyal's vote for best cosplay costumes of the convention - least for the day I was there. Sebastian and Ciel from Kuroshitsuji - or Black Butler for the US translation. Just...wow. I got really lucky and stumbled upon them when a huge crowd was taking pictures, so I joined in XD I saw a few other Ciel cosplayers before I really had my camera out, but this is just steller. I wish I had a ribbon or something I could have given them.
Honey from Ouran High School Host Club. I saw quite a few Ouran cosplayers around the convention. But for some reason I decided to stop the Honey. I think the bunny prop did it ;) I saw a few Tamaki's, a couple girl version Haruhi's, and one Kyoya for sure. Then just some people wearing the Ouran uniforms. Would have been fun to see a whole group of them together.
This is another group that I have no idea what they are from. But they were posing and I kinda liked the pose, so...snap :)
Chi and Freya from Chobits. This wasn't a posed picture but I think it turned out pretty well :)
Another CC from Code Geass, this time in the R2 outfit (which is my favorite). I saw a few cosplayers in this outfit. Again without my camera being out *face palm*
For a change of pace I finally saw in person the Vampire Knight sheets that were sold in Japan. Way too expensive for me to buy. So I took pictures instead. So this is the Zero one (which is friggin hot *g*).
And the Kaname Vampire Knight sheet.
Now I'm into the crappy photography section, but what can you do when people are moving? :P So this is another CC from Code Geass. I mainly took this picture cause this was the only person I saw wearing her season one outfit.
Another bad picture but this is the backside of a Suzaku and Lelouch cosplayer duo from Code Geass in their Ashford uniforms. I found it kind of funny since they were looking at yaoi books ;) I actually saw a Suzaku in his Knight of Rounds uniform as well but I never could catch up to the speed walker to get a picture :P
And you know, last year and this year I seem to miss the Resident Evil cosplayers from the front. And they walk too fast to catch - especially when I got home that night and had two huge blisters on my feet :P But this Resident Evil RPD Swat Officer had a full out police riot shield. Which you can kind of see in the picture - but yeah...crappy picture :P
So that's it as far as the pictures go for me from the convention. I took some pictures of various Code Geass wallscrolls and art cards that I liked but didn't want to own. And I have some crappy people moving too much pictures. Compared to last year this year was more...subdued. And I know it didn't help that my feet hurt early on rather then later in the day. I think our group (me and two other people) were there less time then we were last year, but less vendors and seeing what we wanted to aided to that. I ended up missing one thing I planned to go back and buy (it was sold out by the time I got back there) but its okay cause I know I can get it else where if I really decide I want it. But I still had fun. I spent most of the convention by myself, my friends were off with each other, and I just kind of...wandered :) But I think that turned out well, I got to meet a Watanuki, Sebastian & Ciel, and the wonderfully sweet Euphy. What more could I really ask for?
So yes, if you got this far I give you props. Thanks for dealing with my rambling, as always *g*
Swag picture post to come soon. And I might upload some my iPhone photos from my day in Long Beach, since that actually has a geeky thing I can talk about too :)
For some reason my shoes, which were the same kind as I wore last year, were killing my feet in LA. Walking outside in the sun made my feet feel like they were on fire, they over heated, and basically was all sorts of not good things. Because of the new set up to get your passes and the fact the people I went with weren't slowing down at all when I said my feet felt cooked, I ended up leaving my camera in my bag until we got to the exhibition hall. Which of course lead to me missing some really awesome cosplay costume picture opportunities *face palm* But oh well.
I seem to remember I missed out on that aspect last year too. There was only one costume I really kicked myself not getting a picture of cause my camera wasn't out yet and it was this WICKED Emperor Lelouch (Code Geass). The costume looked hand made and just...wow. Way better then Lelouch actually looked in it in the anime XD
But anyways, like I did last year I'll post pictures, and add in some ramblings/observations through out. I'll do a separate post to show my swag, just to keep this from being really image heavy.
So my teaser image isn't a cosplay, but instead the Funimation booth.
The picture on the board that I focused on is Tamaki and Haruhi from Ouran High School Host Club. Personally I think Ouran High is wonderfully fun. It's one of those anime that can make me laugh no matter how upset/depressed/pissed I am. It's silly but has a nice under tone of seriousness, the manga series gives me the same feeling. So I was actually really happy to see that they were one of the highlighted anime on Funimation's booth.
Speaking of booths, it was kind of weird. Funimation was really the only major US anime distrubitor that had a booth at the convention. Last year there were more DVD publishing companies, this year...not so much. Although there was definitely a decrease in vendors this year compared to last - which I know is because of the economy and what have you. But in a weird way I didn't mind too much. Some booths I missed (like the mass wall scroll one I spent too much money at last year wasn't there) but with the exhibition hall being more on the empty side the convention actually put the artist alley at the end of the exhibition hall. I realized going through my pictures I didn't take any pictures there - I was too busy drooling over all the artwork and spending money *face palm* I LOVED the artist alley though. I spent a lot of time there just looking at everything. And it was so much fun because a lot of the vendors there were all sitting around with sketch pads and books they were working in as people came and went. I really do admire people that can draw and draw well.
So here we have a side shot of someone playing CC from Code Geass. This year I asked more people to actually pose for pictures but there were still moments, like this one, that I didn't bother them. As I kind of expected (and half hoped) I saw a number of Code Geass cosplayers this year. Most of them were CC - and a varying of outfits which was nice - and a handful of Lelouch/Zero's, less of the minor characters. But it was fun catching them all none the less. I got more CC pictures then anyone though :P
And another CC from Code Geass. This was the first one I saw with her Cheese-kun.
Link from Zelda. I saw a few Zelda cosplayers this year, but this was the best as far as I was concerned.
Euphy from Code Geass - this was the only Euphy that I ran into and she was SO nice when I stopped and asked her for a picture. The thing that caught my attention honestly was the wig. I saw her from behind and knew who she was immediately. I gave her props too for being in an Ashford school uniform instead of princess wear.
Of course when I saw a Mello and Matt (Death Note) I had to ask for a picture. Especially one that did post-bomb Mello :)
Lelouch, aka Zero, from Code Geass. It doesn't really show in the picture but this cosplayer had in a set of fancy contacts that made his eyes look like he was using geass. Which was awesome :D And why I asked for a picture.
Um...no idea who or what anime. But they were posing for other people and it looked, interesting so I took a picture XD If someone knows, please let me in on it.
Actually I'll admit right now that I was expecting to know more of the cosplay anime's this year. I've been into anime longer then I was last year and have gotten into so many fandoms...and saw TONS of cosplayers that I had no idea who they were *face palm* Go figure.
Okay I fan girled like hell with this one :D Watanuki!!!! With Mokona!!! And the pipe fox!!! *hearts* I stopped these two as they were walking by cause I was just so giddy. The girl I'm fairly certain is Sakura from Cardcaptor Sakura, and Watanuki is obviously my xxxHolic. I actually saw one other person cosplaying Watanuki but he walked by really quick - and didn't have the kick ass accessories like this guy :D So yeah *happy dance*
Now, these people, win Loyal's vote for best cosplay costumes of the convention - least for the day I was there. Sebastian and Ciel from Kuroshitsuji - or Black Butler for the US translation. Just...wow. I got really lucky and stumbled upon them when a huge crowd was taking pictures, so I joined in XD I saw a few other Ciel cosplayers before I really had my camera out, but this is just steller. I wish I had a ribbon or something I could have given them.
Honey from Ouran High School Host Club. I saw quite a few Ouran cosplayers around the convention. But for some reason I decided to stop the Honey. I think the bunny prop did it ;) I saw a few Tamaki's, a couple girl version Haruhi's, and one Kyoya for sure. Then just some people wearing the Ouran uniforms. Would have been fun to see a whole group of them together.
This is another group that I have no idea what they are from. But they were posing and I kinda liked the pose, so...snap :)
Chi and Freya from Chobits. This wasn't a posed picture but I think it turned out pretty well :)
Another CC from Code Geass, this time in the R2 outfit (which is my favorite). I saw a few cosplayers in this outfit. Again without my camera being out *face palm*
For a change of pace I finally saw in person the Vampire Knight sheets that were sold in Japan. Way too expensive for me to buy. So I took pictures instead. So this is the Zero one (which is friggin hot *g*).
And the Kaname Vampire Knight sheet.
Now I'm into the crappy photography section, but what can you do when people are moving? :P So this is another CC from Code Geass. I mainly took this picture cause this was the only person I saw wearing her season one outfit.
Another bad picture but this is the backside of a Suzaku and Lelouch cosplayer duo from Code Geass in their Ashford uniforms. I found it kind of funny since they were looking at yaoi books ;) I actually saw a Suzaku in his Knight of Rounds uniform as well but I never could catch up to the speed walker to get a picture :P
And you know, last year and this year I seem to miss the Resident Evil cosplayers from the front. And they walk too fast to catch - especially when I got home that night and had two huge blisters on my feet :P But this Resident Evil RPD Swat Officer had a full out police riot shield. Which you can kind of see in the picture - but yeah...crappy picture :P
So that's it as far as the pictures go for me from the convention. I took some pictures of various Code Geass wallscrolls and art cards that I liked but didn't want to own. And I have some crappy people moving too much pictures. Compared to last year this year was more...subdued. And I know it didn't help that my feet hurt early on rather then later in the day. I think our group (me and two other people) were there less time then we were last year, but less vendors and seeing what we wanted to aided to that. I ended up missing one thing I planned to go back and buy (it was sold out by the time I got back there) but its okay cause I know I can get it else where if I really decide I want it. But I still had fun. I spent most of the convention by myself, my friends were off with each other, and I just kind of...wandered :) But I think that turned out well, I got to meet a Watanuki, Sebastian & Ciel, and the wonderfully sweet Euphy. What more could I really ask for?
So yes, if you got this far I give you props. Thanks for dealing with my rambling, as always *g*
Swag picture post to come soon. And I might upload some my iPhone photos from my day in Long Beach, since that actually has a geeky thing I can talk about too :)