preparing for the rain
Breakfast ends at 9am so even though I wanted to sleep in (since the parade was in the afternoon,) I dragged myself out of bed and downstairs for breakfast. It was simply rolls, crossiant and other breads, some instant soup choices of miso and corn, various onigiri and salad.
I grabbed what I wanted, placed myself in front of a window with my book to read and eat. The window show me one of the cosplayers' greatest fears: rain. However, it turned out to not be bad by the time of the parade, but it was certainly pretty heavy when I looked out. ^^; I borrowed an umbrella from the front desk and headed upstairs.
new friends and new nationality
I took a nap until 12pm and watched Pandora Hearts before really wrapping myself up in my cosplay. I left before 2pm and headed to the Osu Kannon temple, where the parade was going to be. I bumped into two Australians who were friends with Team Australia and tagged along with them for most of the day. The girl was Italy and the guy was Australia. Spoiler! lol
We followed the gathering of cosplays on the street and discovered the line for the parade. Along the way, I put on my cat ears, chains and bandage for my face.
Pics were being taken by paraders (like me ^.^) and bystanders. I'm happy to say, this was when a bystander came up to exclaim at me speaking English. He kept on saying that I was Japanese even as I claimed I was American. ^^; Were my short Japanese phrases of 'Chigauyo! Nihonjin ja nai! Amerikajin!' so perfect? roflol Yay! I'm Japanese to the Japanese!
The parade started and we had pics taken from all sides. It was alot of fun walking in the parade. The parade route is circular, taking us through the shopping district (which is like Nakano Broadway...and semi-enclosed mall) which actually loops around to end up back at the temple.
At the temple, everyone scattered to take cosplay pics. We headed to the top of the temple steps where they met a press dude who was following Team Australia so my acquaintances obviously knew him. Then, the contenders of WCS appeared to walk down the steps.
WCS appearance and stage show
France as Riku and Yuna from Kingdom Hearts II.
Spain as Lucia and Hanon from Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch. I totally yelled out Mermaid Melody when I saw them which turned Lucia's head. ^.^
Italy as Penelo and Van from Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings.
America as Ulala and Pudding from Space Channel 5.
Australia as Euphemia and Suzaku from Code Geass. Italy called out Euphemia's name which turned her head. Suzaku was too busy kneeling to hear. ^.^
Finland as Maxi and Amy from Soul Calibur IV.
Denmark as Himeno and Takako from Pretear. I mistakeningly announced that they were from Princess Tutu...but corrected myself afterwards. ^^;
Germany as Que and Ascule from Kiddy Grade.
Brazil as Alucard from Hellsing and Leon from Castlevania: Lament of Innocence.
Thailand as Lelouch from Code Geass and Melona from Queen's Blade.
Singapore as Yui and Mio from K-On!.
China as Lee from Tekken and Rock Howard from The King of Fighters.
Korea as Horohoro from Shamen King and Saber from Fate/Stay Night.
Mexico as Asuka and Rei from Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Japanese team will not be known until tomrorow. ^.^ How they can keep so a secret...I'll never know. Each team paused at the top of the stairs for a picture, then walk down to the middle for another pause before joining the throng at the bottom. After all the teams descend down the steps, there are massive photo taking before they continue to the stage at the right side of the temple grounds.
At the stage, each team is announced again to step on stage for more posing and photos. Alas, I was still at the top of the steps so my pics weren't very good. ^^;
After all the teams are on stage, there was a small performance by 3 members from what I believe to be SKE48. The song and dance was cute. ^-^
Each of the teams said something and the stage show portion ended which completed the WCS part of the day. However, many cosplayers still lingered on the grounds. Taiko drumming and other temple festivities took to the stage. (Afterall, the WCS is purposely held on the same day as the festival. ^.^)
photoshoots
BTW, I grabbed the above pic from the top of the stairs...so I didn't get a chance to run down and grab a good pic of Al...but awesome, ne? ^-^ Australia (the guy) gave me Bob, the koala that was hanging on his arm. Awww.... ^.^ I hung the cutie on my umbrella.
We went to the side where the WCS teams had boarded the bus. We waved farewell and good luck to them. I bid farewell to my Australian friends and found my French friends whom I met on cosplay.com. We had some photoshoots at the side of the temple. Various Japanese photographers took our pictures as well as requested for individual photoshoots. *blush* I really wish I was a better cosplayer. ^^;
I was the photographer for my French friends for a photoshoot along the steps and banister at the temple. Afterwards, we decided to call it a day.
We headed to the subway station where they changed in the bathroom. I just took off my bandages, chains and cat ears. We took the subway together to Fushimi station where we separated to our various destinations. I'll be meeting them tomorrow afternoon for the competition itself. ^.^
unwind
As soon as I got to the hotel, I returned the umbrella I borrowed. At my room, I took off my shoes immediately. Itai! I wore my new sneakers. They're black and doesn't have a thick sole like my other sneakers which I use for Ritsuka cosplay. However, they're a size 8 (and I have wide feet) and add on the fact that they're new, my feet were in PAIN for most of the day. >.< I dealt with it the best I could without limping. I'm still going to wear them to Comiket...I think. ^^;
I showered and went to the nearby convenience store to buy dinner: BIG curry ramen, water and melon icy.
I'm going to be sorting through my things and cleaning up for tomorrow. Checking out at 10am, and then I'll be at Oasis 21 for cosplay pics and the competition. No cosplay for me tomorrow since I'll be leaving tomorrow night by bus....
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