Catch Up with Kitsune Kid!

Kitsune Kid cosplaying as Wartortle.

Kitsune Kid cosplaying as Wartortle.

We got a chance to catch up with cosplayer, Kitsune Kid (formerly known as KO Cosplay). She was a guest at the last year’s Anime USA. See what she has to say about cosplay & more!

What got you into cosplay?

I was watching anime with a bunch of friends in college—Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann to be exact—and they said I should cosplay Yoko. I took their advice and wore my first cosplay—some parts made and some parts purchased/commissioned—to my first convention and had a blast. I knew I had to make more costumes. The rest is history!

What is your favorite cosplay to date?

That’s a tough question to answer. I love Angewomon for the final product and all the work that went into her, but Suicune has a special place in my heart since it was a great chance to show off my creative skills since it was an original design. Crimson Viper takes the cake as my favorite cosplay to wear, though. :)

What is your advice to cosplayers new to the scene? What about when making their own cosplays?

My best advice is to pursue things you love and to start small. If you try to make a costume of a character you don’t love, all the labor won’t feel worth it in the end. Cosplay can be a pretty painful process, from burning yourself with an iron to the long hours of all-nighters to make the deadline. I always recommend that newbies should start small, because while taking on big projects can seem challenging, they can also be very overwhelming and discourage new cosplayers from continuing the craft. All the skills associated with cosplaying (sewing, propmaking, wig styling, hair cutting, applying makeup and prosthetics, 3D printing, etc.) will be skills you build off as time continues. Start small and build up!

Who are some people that you look up to as role models?

Some of my cosplay role models include Malindachan, Vampy Bit Me, Volipin Props, and Kamui Cosplay!

What was your first cosplay? What have you learned since that has stuck with you the most?

My first cosplay was Yoko Littner from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. I’ve learned so many invaluable lessons from making cosplay and cosplaying, however I would say the most important thing I’ve learned is that you must do things because you love to do them, regardless of what others may have to say about it. In the end, you’re doing it for you, not them. :)

An Interview with Anime USA 2014 Guest, Joshua Hart of J. Hart Design

Joshua Hart of J. Hart Design cosplaying as Misstitched Alice at Anime USA 2014

Joshua Hart of J. Hart Design cosplaying as Misstitched Alice at Anime USA 2014

Have you heard about Joshua Hart of J. Hart Design? He was a guest of the past Anime USA 2014. Check out his advice for fellow cosplayers and more in this interview.

What got you into cosplay?

Prior to my first convention, I always loved going to the Maryland Renaissance Festival; and, I absolutely treasured playing dress-up! When I was thirteen, I began to teach myself how to sew and alter clothing for these festivals. I would sew all of my renaissance garb by hand, and my free time was spent researching new sewing techniques. I began cosplaying in high school with many of my theatre friends. When they asked me to join their Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children group for Otakon 2005 in Baltimore, MD , I was immediately thrilled and excited to participate.

What is your favorite cosplay to date?

This is an extremely difficult question to answer. All of my costumes are my children; I love them equally. But, if I absolutely had to choose, I would pick my Trinity Blood group, made in 2009 for Otakon’s Hall Costume Contest. While these costumes are not to flashiest, nor the best constructed, they hold a very dear place in my heart because these were the first costumes where I felt confident and proud to showcase my work. These costumes were far above my comfort zone, and I learned so much by making them.

What is your advice to cosplayers new to the scene? What about when making their own cosplays?

The main piece of advice I can give to novice cosplayers is to be proud of your accomplishments, and to refrain from comparing or judging yourself against other attendees or friends. Whether you compiled your costume from found/purchased pieces or created your costume from scratch, you have expressed passion and creativity. These are both admirable and commendable traits worthy of praise.

Who are some people that you look up to as role models?

I have always admired any talented individuals. But, my work has always been shaped by Christian Dior, Coco Chanel, Zac Posen, and Alexander McQueen. While they each have their particular styles, I have always admired their sense of proportion, silhouette, and minute detailing. I have pushed myself, over many years, to produce garments that are crafted as beautifully as their garments. I am still hoping to achieve this goal.

What was your first cosplay? What have you learned since that has stuck with you the most?

As previously mentioned, my first costume was Cloud from Final Fantasy: Advent Children for a large group with my friends. Looking back, the finished costume was a mess! But, the experience, creativity, and comradery has stuck with me ever since! Over the years, I have learned that patience is the key to a successful, finished product. I can guarantee that sewing is time consuming, stressful, fussy, and expensive. But, by calming your frustrations, you will work more efficiently, skillfully, and cautiously. This will result in a better looking garment, and a happier, more confident cosplayer!

Anime USA Announces 2015 Con Chair, Kat Sartafi

Anime USA Convention Chair, Kat SarfatiWe’re pleased to announce our new Convention Chair for the year of 2015, Kat Sarfati. Sarfati has been working for Anime USA since 2009. She has over 8 years of professional experience with educational non-profits. Her own journey to fandom began as a child growing up with science fiction and anime; she was introduced to anime when she saw Sailor Moon on television after school.

Sarfati got involved with fan-hosted conventions in 2005, starting with Balticon and then soon after, Anime USA and Katsucon. She has held positions in convention security, programming, staff registration, and more. In 2014, she served as the Director of Personnel for Anime USA. Sarfati looks forward to serving our members as well as our staff to the best of her ability. If you have any comments or suggestions, please feel free to reach out to her at chair@animeusa.org.

In 2015, we will be expanding on our children’s programming to include fun Halloween-themed events and more Please join us Halloween weekend, October 30–November 1, 2015.

Anime USA 2015: Exploring Japan

Greetings from the future! Save the date for Anime USA 2015

Greetings from the future! Save the date for Anime USA 2015

Save the date for Anime USA. Join us on Halloween weekend, October 30–November 1, 2015.

We’ll be exploring Japan and all of its glory. We’ll go from Mount Fuji to the Tokyo Imperial Palace and beyond! We’ll take a look at the magnificent cities, tea houses, trains, and the diverse landscape, as well as the history of tourism in Japan. More details coming soon!

Head to Anime USA 2014 with Uber!

uber_DC_anime-conference_email_600x700_r2Need a ride to Anime USA 2014? Uber’s got you covered! Sign up at www.uber.com/go/AnimeUSA now and get up to $30 off your first ride. Make sure you use promotion code, AnimeUSA.

Download the app to request a ride within minutes:

iOS
Android
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This offer is available to new Uber sign-ups only. This offer is not valid on uberTAXI.

A Con Chair’s Guide to Parking at Anime USA

After many years of parking in Washington D.C.—and at conventions in general—I have my developed my favorite ways to deal with the limited spaces and high cost of parking in the District.

First, the easiest method to save money for those parking for the whole weekend or for those at least parking long enough to be departing over the weekend, is to use the D.C. Metro. Metro parking garages are free to park as long as you depart anytime after Metro closes on Friday night and before Metro garages open fee collection on Monday morning. Knowing this, you can choose to park at one of the larger Metro garages and take the train indirectly.

However, if your like me and are traveling with a considerable amount of gear, you will need drive to the hotel first, pull to the front valet area, tell them that you need to check-in (this will give you about 45 minutes) and leave your car at the front while you unload. Then, once your done, drive back to one of the larger Metro garages, park (for the weekend) and use Metro to get back to the hotel—and back to your car when you leave. This isn’t completely free as you will need a Metro ticket to Woodley Park Metro station (the hotel’s Metro stop on the red line), and the return trip fee from which ever garage you choose to park. If you plan on at coming to D.C. more than one time in your life, consider purchasing a SmarTrip® card; this will make using the Metro considerably easier. Although I have never had a problem with any of the other larger Metro garages (while parking over multiple days), only 3 Metro garages are designated for multi-day parking: Huntington, Franconia-Springfield, and Greenbelt, so keep that in mind if you want to play it safe.

This other alternative option is also risky, but if you play it right, you may have both a close parking spot and save money doing it: street parking. Street parking is either controlled by meters or by zone passes. Both are only in effect at particular times of particular days. If you do enough exploring and a little research, and have a bit of luck, then you can find a sweet deal. Many of the streets around the hotel area have availability, albeit limited, just be careful to properly read all signs around the area to make sure that you will be OK for the time that you are planning to park and that you know how much and what form of payment is required. If you want a guaranteed street parking, garage parking, or other alternative parking spot, check out Parking Panda.

The last option, if you want lower cost (than our $22 a day special hotel rate), or if the parking at the hotel is full, is to use a parking app—we recommend Parking Panda. Many of you probably have a smartphone or a tablet. Downloading an app for parking, especially one that caters to the D.C. market, will be indispensable if you want something concrete closer to the hotel and for whatever reason other options are not available (or affordable). I’ve used a parking app for Android when I am looking for a garage near my destination (in D.C proper). If you don’t mind walking and/or taking a short ride, there are plenty of lower cost garages within approximately a mile of the hotel (just not so much on the closer side of that).

There is also an overflow lot at UDC which is only one stop away on the Metro red line ($20 a day), which is already listed in our Parking options.

Check out this comprehensive guide with information about the Metro and Union Station (in PDF form)

See you soon!
Tim Garman
Convention Chair, 2013, 2014

Anime USA 2014 Schedule

We’re pleased to share the official schedule for Anime USA 2014! We’ve brought together an amazing group of musicians, voice actors, fashion designers, artists, cosplayers, educational guests, DJs, vendors, maids, and hosts to bring you an Anime USA like never before. We’re thrilled to bring back Kaya, along with the US premier of Schwarz Stein. Eyeshine will also be performing a great concert for you. We’ve also brought in fashion designers Mika Takeuchi and Kristin Costa to show off their newest designs and fashion historian Kass McGann help celebrate our fashion theme.

We know it wouldn’t be Anime USA without some of your favorite parts of con, including AMVs, the Formal Ball, Masquerade, Dances, Game Room, Artists Alley and Dealers Room. Our maids from My Cup of Tea Maid Cafe and our hosts from Ikeman Paradise Host Club have been waiting all year to spend time with you. So step forward with your camera or strike a pose and get ready for Anime USA 2014.

View the official schedule and make your plans for Anime USA 2014!

See detailed descriptions of the panels here.