Sakura Syndrome Cosplay (06/06/2009): Cross-play, Old Friends & Sasuke Galore

Hello, hello good people! I hope summer is treating you well and the Sun gently cooks you instead burning you to a crisp (I fall into the latter category – 5 years since I last went to the sea and now I am shedding as much skin as a nest of snakes). It has been quite a lot of time since the last update, a period of silence which would have amounted to 2 months next Thursday. Some quick updates and clarifications before we move any further:

(1) Terribly sorry for having been out of touch but, given my workload (the last book I translated, “The Universe: A Biography” comes out in November by Metaichmio Publishing), the last party of the season in collaboration with Akai Panda’s Namida and featuring Aya-chan as a guest DJ was all I could manage and even then, barely.

(2) If you couldn’t reach me by any means during the first 10 days of August, the reason is very simple: limited network on the first island and no network whatsoever (internet, cell phone, anything at all) on the second one.

(3) If you have a hard time finding me now, it’s because I sleep a lot (seriously, the people I went on vacation with were dead-set on going around the whole frigging islands, sometimes more than once) and because I am not often on the main PC, since I work on my novel using my new ACER notebook (yay!): practically, that means I am in the living room (where it’s cooler, since I have no air-conditioning) typing away, lost in thought among tons of  reference material and the mobile set to silent.

(4) Very important for people asking me questions concerning the pictures I post here (especially you, Cassiel, and sorry I have been out of touch): I am currently at a stage in my life when I have work more often than not, work which demands I spend 6-12 hours on the PC daily, until every project is completed. While working, that translates into practically zero time for photo editing and between projects, I really need to detox myself from being in front of the screen; hence my posts have been gradually increasingly erratic and off-schedule and hence it is very difficult for me to fulfill requests about individual photo sets being sent before or after being posted here. I am really afraid you will have to live with that reality for now. Secondly, when I post the pictures, you will have noticed that I mention at least once who is cosplaying what, be it by first name, nickname or whatnot. If I don’t, the reason is very simple: I do not know who is doing the cosplay, or what the cosplay is and sometimes neither, so there really is no point in asking me about those things if they are not already on here – I simply DO NOT know. I always appreciate being informed on those blanks, however.

(5) Though it may take time, sometimes an absurdly long time, things WILL be posted eventually, so keep checking back: it’s really only a click away.

On to today’s feature, this was a cosplay party organized by Sakura Syndrome’s Somnium in Tenebris, featuring Akai Panda’s Glastenen and myself as guest DJs. As is the case with all the lastest parties (i.e. all those hosted at Da Sein), cosplay or not, the attendance was staggering, easily filling both the interior and exterior space, occasionally even unto the street beyond.

As always, Somnium had planned the party well in advance and asked if I was interested in joining in, remaining true to a discussion many months prior, which is deserving of an elaborate tip of the proverbial hat. As you well know, VJing still remains largely alien to me (lest you forget, Namida was the one who amazingly took care of that last time), so I sent her my playlist early on and she saw to it that there would be acompanying video material. Besides, she had brought along very interesting new releases for sale (such as Seileen’s first album and GPKism’s latest release, albums by Takuya Angel, SaTaN etc.).

Contrary to last time, she did not have the time to worry about people coming in late, since those attending started arriving at 21:00 sharp. Enough of my chatter then and on with the show!

Flexxy: “We cannot leave before you take a picture of the three of them together!” Speed: *sigh*.

Flexxy: “Then, how about this?” Speed: “Yes, yes, alright. Can we go eat now?”

Flexxy: “Wait Speed! Just one more!” Speed: “Um, OK, muy retardando…”

…plus George Tsagios! (“Flexxy! Enough is enough – I am starved!”).

…plus her friends Maria and Christina and Somnium…

…plus Sakurai Jo…

…with Kami…

…with my (friendly) Nemesis, the NGE-kid…

…although not before Flexxy set up some more photos…

…another job well done by our hostess…

In (quite a bit of) time, the party moved towards its end…

Even Evil Lolita made a cameo appearance, dark and bubbly as ever.

“It’s oh, all so tedious dear…”

…who’s eyes seemed to say…

…that of a sleepy diva…

Tomodachi was in the mood for a different role that night…

(Not for lack of trying, mind you).

…even though they were featuredin limited photos here.

Of course, everyone’s favorite loli pair paraded around…

Helen as Misty from Pokemon, who I unfortunately spotted just before she was leaving.

…and cute in quick alternations.

…sexy…

Vegetasmate was yet another firestarter, being sassy…

(One of my favorite pictures for an entirely different reason – focus on the eyes).

Lucy-chan’s Sasuke was voted among the winning cosplays: “So long and thanks for all the sn– err… fish, I meant.”

…the (unruly) crowd showed no intention of dispersing just yet.

Though time passed and the photos rolled…

Well, I do not know this lad but he IS a happy camper…

Not to mention the third version who… oh, you get the idea!

…plus thrice the under-age unalwfulness! Kinky…

An ode to perversion: Sakura and twice the Sasuke she can stomach…

…visit the cosplay parties in Easy Subjugation and look for Tsunade.

…and especially with Naruto characters. For those who do not know or remember…

…she has a tradition of being a head turner…

Though she may not come to the parties often anymore…

…can you blame me?

…I just HAD to devote some pictures to her exclusively and really…

Seeing as Jeannie was there…

“Oh, THAT explains things…!”

…by my method of counting (in kegs).

No, really lassie, cut the man a break – it’s only a couple, really, just…

Didi: “Huuun, you had enough drinks already…” Ploutonas: “Speed, she’s on my case all night – I just had a couple of beers…!”

No, PLEASE prove me wrong…!

…with (boyfriends notwithstanding) eternal girlfriend Louiza.

Celebrities by then rarely seen: Milk…

…and at least one guy hit on Constantine!

…some girls commented on how gorgeous a man Demetra was…

Cross-play Extravaganza: actually, coming to the party…

(Don’t ask me about their photos with Kyoshiro – you don’t want to know…).

The SiSeNs with Thanh.

…back from the UK just for the party.

Rita-drops…

Taking a break from Flexxy, let’s turn to… Motorhead’s Lenny??!

…and Niovi (SOMEONE needs to get out more).

…plus Johanna Sakurai…

…with Tomodachi & Keru…

…with (left to right) Milk, Louiza, Aya, Didi, Xander, KrizD, Dead Steam Alive and Kami…

…Thanh…

…with Somnium of course (is it just me, or does he look way chibi-Fle-chan here?)…

…plus Mai and Aya…

…Bloody & N8…

Not sure why, but Flexxy had a publicity whore syndrome that night: he absolutely HAD to be photographed with nearly everyone (this picture was taken by bending upside down – don’t ask), such as…

Cheeky Chicks: Keru & Aya.

Little Ladies: Lucifer (shy as “always”), Ayami and Mai-chan.

The Akatsuki Effect – Reaction 2: “Hey, crazy-lookin’…”

The Akatsuki Effect – Reaction 1: “Kyaaaaaa”!

A duo we haven’t seen around since the Final Fantasy Cosplay: Child Prey and Aurora.

Eri-chan with Ghost Notes.

…and some of the more unsusual ones (manners, Eri no Otouto!).

More of the usual suspects (the One Piece / Naruto troupe – sorry for the fuziness lads and lasses, but the lens was filthy)…

…some of them especially… transfixing.

There were also completely new faces…

Of course she wasn’t the only one (hey, spreadthe love, right?)…

..mighty hentai master KrizD!

…as Somnium spent time in the company Ero-tatsujin…

Meanwhile, Glastenen was visual k-ing away at the decks…

…and before you know it, the place is Full House+!

…Flexxy of course, here with Ravente to the left and Keru to the right…

…(btw, ease up on the make-up dude – you come out as a ghost)…

…Thanh with… well, no idea, although the blonde one could be Poetic Tragedy…

…Kami (I think I heard the words “male loli” – saints preserve us!)…

Ooo-K, things are turning a bit too personal over there, so let’s see who else was present: Xander…

Sasuke: “Mmm… sooooft (man, if I knew she would turn out like this, I would have hit on her like a 100 episodes ago!)”.

“…I have his mini-version to play with…! Sooo cute.”

“But until the operation and the post-op is done…”

“Mmmm, he will be mine, at last…”

Sasuke: “OK, that IS interesting. Schedule an operation with Sasori later.”

“…think about it: with the puppet implants I could *whisper* CENSORED.”

“Sasuke darling, he might be right you know. Besides…”

Itachi: “Do not be so snot-nosed! Sasori can make them even bigger AND they will hold firm forever!”

Sasuke (Shippuuden version) to Itachi: “Get your freak away from her! Do you know how many episodes I waited for them to grow?!”

Sakura: “You really ARE hopeless – just shut up and pose.” Sasori: “Ah, I also have a suggestion for two other replacements…”

Sasori: “Mmm, soft. Are you sure you do not want that changed with a wooden one?”

“Now THAT’s an insult puppet boy!”

“Laugh all you want woman – I am still prettier than you!”

“Pffft! You have replaced your vital parts with what?!! Like… ALL vital parts? Bwaahahaha!”

…or their potential partners, both literally and figuratively (Sakura vs Dark Seraphim as Akatsuki’s Sasori).

…things escalated to violence pretty quickly, be it between bothers…

…(Six-Winged-Angel as Itachi from Naruto)…

As soon as members of the Akatsuki showed up…

…even occasionally provoking some overboard reactions – ahem!

Once again, the Naruto afficionados made great impressions (Piwi with Lucy-chan as young Sasuke)…

…although I seriously doubt Asuka was ever this cute (actually, in the anime she’s a mean bitch).

Mika-chan as Asuka Langley Souryuu from Neon Genesis Evangelion…

“OH.MY.GOOOOD!!!” (well, things HAVE evolved while you were gone, Jeanie dear – glad to have you back).

Gender-bending to the max: funky and goth, dark and colorful who is what ?!

…to the point that I was asked at least thrice whether N8 is a boy (have you people never watched the Olympics or at least weight-lifting?).

…sporting very detailed SiSeN attire and make-up…

…as well as well-loved freaks N8 the Gr8 and Bloody…

…tired loli Aya-chan (the Final Exams had taken their toll on her)…

As tme wears on, more familiar faces gather, such as Vegetasmate (and… Sophia, I believe?)…

…and an Eastern Summer breeze all around.

Dear Mai-chan, sexy, perky…

…and very becoming of her too! Nyarrrr…

Niovi as a Neko-girl…

Banshee-voice Nefeli-chan and Stella.

…with Sanji (I think?) close-by.

…as Ace from One Piece…

Kretinos (yes, that is actually his nickname – no creative license on my part)…

Dragonbunny and an old friend we had not seen in ages, Joanna as Sakura (Shippuuden version).

First of many Sasuke: Er-chan as the Akatsuki version (a.k.a. the Spoiler Sasuke).

From the very beginning, arrivals were stunning: Constantine and Demetra dressed… as each other!

Let the party begin! (Somnium behind the decks and George Tsagios, who came all the way from Salonika to attend – cheers mate!).

Well, after that I practically kicked Flexxy out so we could join the others for a very late dinner (or extremely early breakfast, if you count meat as breakfast), after yet another tiring and extremely fun party, with loads of beautiful cosplays and various J-fashion attires. I still owe you the Akai Panda / Nozomi Ongaku party, which I will post before the month is out (THAT much I can promise) and a short while later, it’s business as usual for the first event of the season on the 12th of September, once more by Akai Panda. However, more on that and other events in days to come.

Before I leave you to get ready for a Trash Movie Night with friends, here’s my playlist from that night’s party:

Playlist – 2009-06-06 – Hall of Heroes

01 – .hack G.U – Opening Demo

02 – Shadow Skill – For My Pride (TV ED 1)

03 – Berserk – Berserk Forces (TV ED)

04 – Wolf’s Rain – Stray (TV OP)

05 – Shadow Skill – Born Legend (TV OP)

06 – Fullmetal Alchemist 2 – Again (TV OP 1- TV Size)

07 – Ken Narita – TEMPEST ~Natsu no Arashi~

08 – D.Gray-Man – Gekidou (TV OP 4)

09 – Bleach – Velonica (TV OP 9)

10 – Murder Princess – Hikari Sasuhou (OVA OP)

11 – Naruto Shippuuden – Hero’s Come Back

12 – Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai – Naraku no Hana (TV OP)

13 – Texhnolyze – Guardian Angel [Xavier’s Edit] (TV OP – TV Size)

14 – Kaya – Walkure

15 – Vandread 1st Stage  – Trust (TV OP)

Cheers me lovelies,

Speedgrapher

P.S. I corrected the settings and now you can comment each photo individually, if so inclined.