Strange Land Costuming

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Indulging my anime-freak side has given me some of the greatest costume ideas because of the freedom of design. Not being bound by gravity or physics and not having to worry about matching a particular fabric some costume department used means I have more flexibility in interpreting how to replicate the image.

You might also notice that most of my newer costumes are of male characters--this is where the term "crossplay" comes in. I've learned so much that I no longer feel bound by the limitations of hairstyle, size, or gender.


Magician of Black Chaos Yu-Gi-Oh	The monsters of Yu-Gi-Oh (anime and card game) can be very complicated, very beautiful, and very challenging. I don't know what possessed me to do MBC, but he is a fantastic monster and once I got started, I knew he could really be something. Six straight weeks of work brought him to life. Costume highlights: Bodysuit is real stretch pleather, in two parts connected only by the waist ring 86 gold studs in three sizes, 20 D-rings, and 2 functional buckles went into the straps Hat is made from Rigidwrap (plaster), newspaper, and two kinds of air-drying clay Staff really lights up! 3 LED lights wired inside plastic orb Awards: Best in Class, Journeyman - CONvergence 07


Wolfram von Bielefeld Kyou Kara Maou	I didn't like Wolfram enough to cosplay him when I started watching the series. That changed rapidly. I adored him, and knew I could do wonders with his sharply-tailored, nicely-trimmed nobleman's uniform. Costume highlights: All trim is self-made, not bias tape Tie tack is completely from scratch, with sterling silver beads and wire and Swarovsky crystals Awards: Hall Costume Ribbon at CostumeCon 25, 2007


Alastair/Amelda Yu-Gi-Oh	Yugi isn't the only character from the show that I do. I fell in love with Alastair's huge coat, giving me a reason to lose enough weight to show some skin in his half-shirt. He's fun to do because he's a bad guy, of sorts. And I look great in that wig! Costume highlights: Twill coat has added side gores for 18 feet of flare Shirt is custom dye-sublimated using color from screen capture Boot covers are real suede leather with heavy leather detailing


Dende Dragonball Z	To fulfill my ambitions of becoming a Namek, I chose Dende, the young guardian of Earth and keeper of the Dragonballs, knowing that I could easily pass for him in his adolescent size. This costume is fairly simple--a white robe with attached cowl (which I designed), a maroon vest and dark blue cotton pants. The challenge in this costume lay in the prosthetics and theatrical makeup. Costume highlights: Namek muscle-shirt worn underneath the robe Lycra shirt dye-sublimated with the precise colors and muscle patterns as seen on screen Image was designed from scratch in Illustrator and dropped in the correct Pantone colors from screencaptures Designed to go up my neck and included gloves (eliminating the need for makeup too far down my neck or on my hands) Green bald cap and ears are latex, which I learned how to paint through The Monster Lab Antennae was sculpted from Crayola Model Magic Awards: Second place, anime contest at DragonCon 2003


Kougaiji Gensomaden Saiyuki	Kou came about as a blatant attempt to do a rarely-done character complete justice. Many females love the character, but shy away from his costume because of the open jacket and no shirt. This costume gives me the chance to play with makeup and prosthetics, though my real reason for doing it is the detailed coat. Yes, as a matter of fact, I am not wearing a shirt. There is tape involved, but no camera tricks. Costume highlights: Jacket features mitred-corner technique on trim, and actual metal harness on shoulders Wig required three thick ponytails to be added into the base, using color-matched extensions


Genjo Sanzo Gensomaden Saiyuki	It took me a couple of years to stop being lazy and complete this costume. At first I went around without the armor and scripture, the robe down off my shoulders, but it is complete now. The wig also needed a couple of rounds before it came out right. Costume highlights: Rakusu (bamboo armor) is only plastic, hand-painted to look like bamboo Maten scripture is fabric paint on muslin - the characters are from an actual Buddhist sutra Full-length kimono-style robe is a buttery-soft microfiber fabric Awards: Hall Costume ribbon at CostumeCon 25, 2007


Pharaoh Atem (flashback version) Yu-Gi-Oh	When I began cosplaying Yami Yugi, I always swore I'd never do the Pharaoh, because I didn't like his white costume. All that changed when I caught sight of a different version seen in a flashback, a blue and red outfit. I combined the two versions, because I liked his other crown better. This costume was competed at AnimeCentral 06 with a group, performing "Walk Like an Egyptian." See us entertain on YouTube! Costume highlights: All fabrics are linen, save for the unique gold trim made of a satin material Arm and leg bands are Wonderflex, but neck bands and biceps are styrene plastic Crown is a combination of sintra and clay pieces, sewn directly into existing wig Broadcollar is one single sheet of sintra, hand-carved and sanded


Legendary Hero Yugi Yu-Gi-Oh	I am proud to claim that I am the first, and possibly only, person to ever complete and show this version of Yugi, from a 3-episode arc involving an RPG. The armor was difficult to make, but I love it to pieces. Costume highlights: Armor is sintra plastic, sanded and painted with Krylon Gloves and boot covers are a poly suede custom-dye sublimated at my workplace Duel disk is all wood, most pieces found as-is at Hobby Lobby, with a sintra arm guard Awards: Workmanship Medal, CONvergence 05 Best In Show, FilmCon 05


Yugi (Duelist Kingdom) Yu-Gi-Oh	This version of Yugi has special meaning for me because it was the Yugi costume that most caught my fancy. I'm quite proud of it as this is definitely one costume I put my heart and soul into. For more information on the wig and gloves, see the Props listing below. Costume highlights: School jacket is fully lined, with accurate sleeve straps and collar detail "Bondage vest" is nylon, buckles are found items but I had to make the belt tips Awards: Hall Cosplay Medal at AnimeIowa 2004


Yugi (Battle City) Yu-Gi-Oh	I used pieces from the two other versions of Yugi to put together Battle City Yugi, with some new jewelry and a proper chain for the Puzzle. Costume highlights: Screen accurate bracelets made of Foamies craft foam and studs, designed to hook solidly closed Chain is from the type used in playground swings The leather deck box on the belt was crafted by yours truly


Yami Yugi (DDR & Dungeon Dice) Yu-Gi-Oh	It was easiest at first for me to closet-raid and build Yugi's street clothes, his sort of goth-punk look with a black collar, black shirt, etc. I modeled it specifically on just two episodes of the anime, one of which features DDR so I call it "DDR Yugi." DDR Yugi has been upgraded now to have accurate jewelry and black vinyl pants. I've also completed the outfit he wore in the Dungeon Dice Monsters arc (see picture on far right below). Costume highlights: Bracelets are Foamies painted with acrylic for false studs (DDR version)


Yugi Pajamas & Kuriboh Yu-Gi-Oh	I've also completed Yugi's star pajamas and delight in wearing them around bedtime at conventions. The picture on the left shows me with Kuriboh, one of Yugi's prominent monsters. Costume highlights: The stars on the pajamas were hand painted using fabric paint Kuriboh is a Strange Land Costuming original since official plushies don't exist


Props Yu-Gi-Oh	To complete my Yugi outfits, I needed to make a few props. Among them are the dueling gloves and Millennium Puzzle. I also did Yugi's wig myself and in the process, learned about wigs and wig styling. The completed wig was made by splicing together three wigs, then coloring the black parts with Sharpies. It was styled first with hairspray and hair glue then set permanently with shellac and clear-drying caulk. Costume highlights: Dueling glove is spandex, stiffened craft felt, and studs Millennium Puzzle is Sculpey


Hiei (Black outfit) Yu Yu Hakusho	After falling in love with the series and the character, I ended up making for myself a total of four of Hiei's outfits: the standard black tunic lined in red with a white cowl seen here, the Black Dragon version (a black sleeveless, ripped up shirt and black pants--not pictured) and the two Dark Tournament versions shown below. Costume highlights: Every piece of each version is made by me, including pants, leg armor, and belts Yes, that is my real hair


Hiei (Dark Tournament) Yu Yu Hakusho	After the Spring 2003 Ring Game was over, I converted most of my Imrahil costume into Hiei by simply changing the trim and sash, and lining the tabard with red. Eventually, I also did a battle damaged version of the Dark Tournament outfit for fun.


Mystic Gohan Dragonball Z	Until such a day as I can find the resources to do Supreme Kai from DBZ, this Kai outfit worn in the Buu saga has to tide me over. The shirt is linen and the coat is rayon (it was the only color match I could find). Costume highlights: Plastic corset boning is inserted into the trim around the shoulders to keep the shape Boots are soft converted bedroom slippers (see boot tutorial on this site) The fusion earrings were made by yours truly


Goku Dragonball Z	I did this simple sleeveless top and pants set in order to have a comfortable costume at DragonCon. At first I didn't pick a specific character to imitate, I only wanted the outfit accurate to the ones worn in Dragonball, but adding a fake-fur tail and the correct props turns me into kid Goku. Costume highlights: The Turtle-Hermit emblems are hand-painted in fabric paint on cotton, which was appliqued onto the shirt Blue boots are converted bedroom slippers (see Boot Tutorial on this site)

Disclaimer: Star Wars is the property of Lucasfilm, Ltd. The Lord of the Rings is the property of Tolkien Enterprises, the Tolkien Estate, and New Line Cinema. "Moulin Rouge!" is property of Bazmark and 20th Century Fox. Dragonball Z, Yu-Yu Hakusho, and their characters and names are property of FUNimation, Toei Studios, and Yoshihiro Togashi. Yu-Gi-Oh is property of Kazuki Takahashi. Resemblance to their designs is coincidental, and no attempt is being made from this site to profit off copyrighted names. I'd pay good money for licensed costume patterns if they made them (hint hint). Don't sue me, I just sew what people tell me to sew.

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