We present todays moment of Geek Zen

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Just who will Team USA be competing against this year at the World Cosplay Summit? There are more international teams for 2009 than there ever has been and that means more awesome competition. Here’s a brief profile of three of the teams who will also be making the ultimate cosplay trip to Japan. Read the full story

Just who will Team USA be competing against this year at the World Cosplay Summit? There are more international teams for 2009 than there ever has been and that means more awesome competition. Here’s a brief profile of three of the teams who will also be making the ultimate cosplay trip to Japan.

Team Australia

Australia

Katherine Lee and Gabriella Lowgren are not new to cosplay. With six and three years of experience respectively, they plowed through the preliminaries to ultimately be chosen as Australia’s representatives at this year’s WCS. Their favorite series include Kazan, Fullmetal Alchemist, D.Gray-man, Naruto, Junjo Romantica, Soul Eater, Angel Sanctuary, Bubble Gum Crisis Tokyo 2040, Revolutionary Girl Utena, and Kingdom Hearts. Their winning costumes that won them their spot as Team Australia were Ed and Al Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist.

Team Spain

Spain

Laura Fernández and Bereniç Serrano both possess nine years of experience as cosplayers and it shows. With favorites like Nana, Cowboy Bebop, Slayers, The Rose of Versailles, Candy Candy, Revolutionary Girl Utena, Paradise Kiss, Nana, and Cardcaptor Sakura as favorites, they know how to create some elaborate and detailed costumes. They’re really looking forward to the competition in Japan this year, claiming it as “the highest goal a cosplayer can reach.” Their Rose of Versailles cosplays as Oscar and Marie Antoinette won them their place as Team Spain.

Team France

France

France won the championship in 2007, and no doubt Albanese Cecilia and Turpin Eva are eager to reclaim their county’s title. With six and four years of experience respectively, both girls are very excited to represent France for 2009. Their favorite series include titles from CLAMP and Sailor Moon—series known for insanely detailed costumes. 2008’s Team France was at Japan Expo earlier this summer to congratulate the new team, who won with their Magic Knight Rayearth costumes.

This year, the competition will take place August 1 and 2. GEN will be updating throughout this week with information about the competition, the teams, and our own Team USA so check back frequently for updates!

Get more information at WCS’s official web site.

Two of America’s best cosplayers will be traveling to Japan this week to complete in the World Cosplay Summit (WCS). But just what is WCS anyway? Read the full story

We present todays moment of Geek Zen

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Every cosplayer has heard it: the Japanese are superior in all things cosplay. Some even argue that we Americans shouldn’t even bother with cosplay since we will never be able to live up to Japanese cosplayers. But is that assumption actually true? I’ve been to a Japanese convention, and here’s my take on it.

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Bioshock hit Japan this month and with much excitement. The excitement isn’t just for the game, it’s for the creepy Japanese ad for the game.

It seems the majority of the US is freaked out by the ad, it’s simplistic and gets the point across. I just don’t get why everyone is scared by it. I guess it’s all that Horror survival video game desensitization.

Halloween isn’t a big holiday in most of Japan. But at the university where I’m studying this semester, a Halloween costume contest was held to remind us foreign students of home.

Here’s my video of Halloween - Japan style - featuring my university’s Halloween costume contest. Read the full story

WCS 2009 Team U.S.A.

In August 2009, cosplayers from around the world will gather in Nagoya, Japan, for a summit and competition to determine which nation boasts the best of the best in cosplay talent. Meet the 2009 World Cosplay Summit (WCS) Team U.S.A!

The WCS is still many months away, but preliminary rounds have already started in several countries. On Sept. 27 at the New York Anime Festival (NYAF), America officially selected who will represent it as Team U.S.A.

The winning cosplayers, Elizabeth Licata and India “Dia” Davis, were selected from among a host of impressive cosplay teams who performed at NYAF for the chance to go to Japan and compete. Read on to find out more about India and Elizabeth, their winning costumes and skit, and their hopes for WCS 2009. (You can also view their skit via a link at the bottom of this post.)

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