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!

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

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

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

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

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

…as Ace from One Piece…

…with Sanji (I think?) close-by.

Banshee-voice Nefeli-chan and Stella.

Niovi as a Neko-girl…

…and very becoming of her too! Nyarrrr…

Dear Mai-chan, sexy, perky…

…and an Eastern Summer breeze all around.

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

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

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

…sporting very detailed SiSeN attire and make-up…

…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?).

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

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

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

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

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

…even occasionally provoking some overboard reactions – ahem!

As soon as members of the Akatsuki showed up…

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

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

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

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

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

“Now THAT’s an insult puppet boy!”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Mmmm, he will be mine, at last…”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

..mighty hentai master KrizD!

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

There were also completely new faces…

…some of them especially… transfixing.

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

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

Eri-chan with Ghost Notes.

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

The Akatsuki Effect – Reaction 1: “Kyaaaaaa”!

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

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

Cheeky Chicks: Keru & Aya.

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…

…Bloody & N8…

…plus Mai and Aya…

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

…Thanh…

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

…with Tomodachi & Keru…

…plus Johanna Sakurai…

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

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

Rita-drops…

…back from the UK just for the party.

The SiSeNs with Thanh.

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

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

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

…and at least one guy hit on Constantine!

Celebrities by then rarely seen: Milk…

…with (boyfriends notwithstanding) eternal girlfriend Louiza.

No, PLEASE prove me wrong…!

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

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

…by my method of counting (in kegs).

“Oh, THAT explains things…!”

Seeing as Jeannie was there…

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

…can you blame me?

Though she may not come to the parties often anymore…

…she has a tradition of being a head turner…

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

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

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

…plus thrice the under-age unalwfulness! Kinky…

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

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

Though time passed and the photos rolled…

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

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

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

Vegetasmate was yet another firestarter, being sassy…

…sexy…

…and cute in quick alternations.

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

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

…even though they were featuredin limited photos here.

(Not for lack of trying, mind you).

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

…that of a sleepy diva…

…who’s eyes seemed to say…

“It’s oh, all so tedious dear…”

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

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

…another job well done by our hostess…

…although not before Flexxy set up some more photos…

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

…with Kami…

…plus Sakurai Jo…

…plus her friends Maria and Christina and Somnium…

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

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

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

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

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.