The Reboot and Cosplay Sequels?

OK, so now that we're at the end of the Cosplay segment of the blog, I have two things I need to discuss: the reboot and any possible sequels Cosplay could have.

First, the reboot.

It’s no secret I was disappointed in the way the original story had gone, which was why I had to reboot it. Plus, there were too many subplots that weren't working and characters that showed up and took over the story. Nobody wants those. I mean, NOBODY wants a character who isn't the main protagonist to take over the story.

That’s why I had to pull the plug on the story.

Second, I had to restructure the story in a way that it makes sense. (At this point, I’m still trying to rebuild the story.) That way, no unwanted surprises can come unexpectedly, as it did with the first story.

However, I will do my best to make sure that the story will be ready for publication next year.

As for any possible sequels, I know I've said that there won't be any possible sequels to Cosplay, but then I wondered about Nicholas's family legacy and how it was affecting him. I’m sure that maybe he would try to do something about his family and redeem the family name, but it won't be in a sequel.

Maybe I might be able to pick it up in a side story, as opposed to a full-blown sequel. (I don't want to ruin anything by turning Cosplay into a series or literary franchise; it wouldn't work, nor would it be good for the story. besides, not all stories need sequels.) But who knows.

I'll start with the story "Notorious: The Ballad of Candy Cane Brenner" on October 17, 2016.

The 19 Best Animes in History

OK, are you feeling nauseated from the last list? Here's 19 BEST anime movies ever!

1. My Neighbor Totoro
2. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
3. Grave of the Fireflies
4. Spirited Away
5. Castle in the Sky
6. Princess Mononoke
7. Akira
8. Kiki's Delivery Service
9. Porco Rosso
10. Howl's Moving Castle
11. Ghost in the Shell
12. Paprika
13. Perfect Blue
14. Lupin the Third: The Castle of Cagliostro
15. Whisper of the Heart
16. Cowboy Bebop: The Movie
17. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
18. Tokyo Godfathers
19. Ponyo

I suggest that when you find the time to watch these brilliant movies.

Source: http://www.flickchart.com/Charts.aspx?genre=Anime&perpage=100

The 19 Worst Animes in History

There's a rule out there that says for every good movie made, there are 9 others that totally suck. The same thing applies to anime. With that in mind, here's a list of the worst anime moves ever!

1. Sea Prince and the Fire Child
2. Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Movie
3. Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals
4. Dragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy
5. ALL the Pokemon movies! (yeah, they're ALL *THAT* bad!!!)
6. Tekken: The Motion Picture
7. Patlabor Movie 3: WXIII
8. Urotsukidôji I: Legend of the Overfiend
9. Little Norse Prince
10. Naruto the Movie 3: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom
11. Highlander: The Search for Vengeance
12. Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle
13. Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie
14. Iron Man: Rise of Technovore
15. The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury
16. Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly
17. Digimon: The Movie
18. Sailor Moon Super S: The Movie
19. Tekken: Blood Vengeance

So, *don't* even think of watching these movies if you want to keep your sanity. I'm just saying.

Source: http://www.flickchart.com/Charts.aspx?genre=Anime&order=desc&0perpage=20

Anime vs. Cartoons: Which is Better?

If you find yourself debating with your friends about if anime or cartoons are better, pay attention, as you're about to learn the differences between anime and cartoons:

Anime:

• made mainly in Japan
• visually distinct features for characters
• "limited animation" for movement
• centers mostly on life issues; may contain sex and violence
• lasts between 22-25 minutes per episode (though movies are longer)

Cartoons (especially the American-made cartoons):

• made in America
• facial features not relative to the rest of the body
• made to make people laugh
• varies from 5 minutes to an hour

Well, if anyone decides to bring up the debate about Korra or the Last Airbender being anime, that's another topic for another time.

Source: http://www.diffen.com/difference/Anime_vs_Cartoon

The 7 Best Cosplay Twitter Feeds to Follow

If you're serious about cosplay and you want to follow some of the best coplsayers on Twitter, here they are:

1. Holly Conrad – @Holly Conrad
2. Cosplay Blog – @cosplayblog
3. SCG Official – ScGofficial
4. Cosplay Gen – @CosplayGen
5. Meagan Marie – @MeaganMarie
6. Elffi – @ElffiCosplay
7. Maridah – @maridahcosplay

Source: https://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2014/09/feed-your-feed-11-cosplay-twitter-accounts-worth-following.html

How to Cosplay

So, you think you got what it takes to be a cosplay, don't you? You want to dress as your favorite character and hit the streets? Well, not so fast, bub; there's some rules that you have to follow when it comes to cosplaying. Let's go over the rules, shall we?

1. pick your character. (choose carefully!!!)
2. find a way to get your costume. (budget time and money wisely!)
3. how will you make your costume? (study your favorite character's style of clothing.)
4. same goes for hair and makeup.
5. try on the costume. (make sure everything fits. practice as many times as you need.)
6. when you're ready, hit the streets!
7. more important, have fun!

Nicholas learns quickly that many people, even those who aren't Japanese, enjoy cosplaying. Cosplays are popular, especially at conventions. Cosplaying isn't limited to anime, as anyone can dress as their favorite character from any book, movie, or TV show.

I'll return with another blog post.

What is Cosplay?

According to dictionary.com, cosplay is the art or practice of wearing costumes to portray characters from fiction, especially from manga, animation, and science fiction.

When Nicholas becomes a member of the Anime/Cosplay Club at his high school, he learns that people have been cosplaying for years, even if he hasn't heard of it. When he starts performing in skits based on various cartoons, he learns that not only must the skit be accurate, but the costumes are accurate as well.

Also, Nicholas learns that many of the cartoons he watches on TV contain missing parents, as most Japanese children lost their parents during world war II. he also discovers that not everyone in the school is into anime, so he takes great pains in hiding his interests from the other students.

The story is mostly about him learning about the different subcultures of Japan, which include cosplay. He also learns to love anime and mangas, both of which seem off limits to non-Japanese people. As he describes his fascination with cosplaying, he learns about himself in the process.

Yet here's another part of the story:

When Nicholas was younger, a few people tried (and failed) to get him interested in Pokemon. (He also refuses to watch the TV show and movies based on the game.) when he voices his objections to his classmates, they scolded him for not being interested in Pokemon and claimed that his parents are beating him because he didn't like Pokemon. (The same thing happened when he expressed his disgust for Harry Potter, but that's another story.)

As I end this blog post, I know that Nicholas will be able to survive in his new school, even if it is resorting to joining a Japanese group.

Cosplay, the Novel

Oddly enough, I'm going for a double hitter this month, which means TWO stories will be featured on this blog. The first story is called "Cosplay! The Novel", where a boy ignores his own heritage and embraces Japanese subculture.

This story might also be interpreted as a warning against cultural appropriation.

To start, Nicholas Blue Prater (yes, his middle name is Blue; don't ask!) moves with his family from Owasso, Oklahoma to Pacific Grove, California in 2003. As he battles the worst of all evils (often called high school), he discovers anime and cosplay via a sympathetic classmate.

That's when most of the trouble begins.

As Nicholas and his new friends explore Japan's many subcultures and attend many anime conventions and festivals, Nicholas unknowingly turns his back on his own heritage (much to his family's chagrin). As well, Nicholas also embraces his inner nerd and discovers role-playing, which makes him a target for the student council (which frowns upon role-playing and anything not having to do with being part of high school).

As he goes about his year in high school, Nicholas discovers the dark side of anime and wonders what his friends are watching on TV. He also discovers that one of his ancestors committed a grievous crime, one that history ignored and tried to bury. He must face his worst fears when his family confronts him about his many interests.

OK, so I haven't finished writing the story, but that's why I have this blog; to help me finish the story. Unfortunately, I don't see this story having a sequel in the near future, but that's for a later post.

Let's get this month started!