Nov 7, 2016 | Cosplay, Events, International Cosplay Contests, Japan, Travel |
As the days before we didn’t got any Schedules, so we needed to guess at which time we need to wake up in order to be in time for the red carpet. During the breakfast someone told us, that we needed to be ready at 11:30. So we had about 1 hour too much and were eating our breakfast slowly and played some Pokemon Go in our room.
During changing we already saw how they prepared the red carpet and got very excited.
After changing we met in the 2nd floor of the Hotel with all the other teams and participants.
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| Out costumes at the red carpet |
Had a nice chat with everyone and lined up in our appearance order. Because some of the participants needed more time for changing, the first starting number of Block A only participated at the red carpet walk one time and not 2 times (actually no one told us there will be a second round, but we got the information when we needed to go out).
After getting a lot of ice spray, the next teams went down to the lobby, met their students, who were holding your countries sign and went out.
This year was the first year, that the red carpet had two ways. Normally it was only one way ad you waited at the carpark until you where supposed to go back for the second round.
This year you walk out of the hotel, to the end point and back again into the hotel.
Because no one told us that we were kind of confused, because we though we needed to pose into both directions
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| At the side of the red carpet |
At the first way, you posed for the visitors of the World Cosplay Summit and at the way backed you were supposed to pose for the press people.
After getting, how the red carpet walk should be, we walked the first way down and posed after getting announced by the host.
Luckily we practiced posing, because you didn’t had the time to talk about it.
It was very good to know, which pose Chiko was using, because it was no time for checking her pose and getting in your own one.
Our student always told us where to pose and always counted down “1, 2, 3 go” in order to contain the flow of the parade.
At the end of the first way, the most important press people where waiting.
You needed to step on a small platform and posed for the press.
Went down and walked the way back.
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| Posing for the press |
Afterwards you want back into the Hotel and waited downstairs for the next parade with the traditional Japanese dances. They had their own parade before our red carpet walk.
At the end of the first way we had a group picture with the Japanese dancers in front of the press people. It was a bit sad, that half of the A Block teams were missing.
And it was not easy to stand in the hot burning sun until everyone got his place and picture.
Some of the Cosplayers already fainted at Meiji Mura and Laguna, but this time it seemed to be much worser than the other events.
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| Group picture |
After walking back the way to the hotel, we showered, grabbed our stuff and waited in the Lobby for our organizers.
We had a lot of time so we chatted a bit with visitors, participants and staff.
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| Having food |
Nov 3, 2016 | Cosplay, Events, International Cosplay Contests, Travel |
After we woke up and went to breakfast we finally got our Schedule for the rehearsals.
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| Concert hall |
Block B started with the rehearsals, while Block A had their rehearsals in the afternoon/ evening.
The WCS intended to bring our props with a small transporter to the concert hall (the place where the championship was held).
The main problem was that if you use the transporter, you only have about 45 minutes to build up all your props and to be ready for the rehearsals.
Of course this was impossible for us.
It was also not allowed to be at the concert hall prior than 1 hour before your rehearsal time.
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| In front of the concert hall |
So we were forced to build up our most time consuming prop at the Hotel and to bring it by ourselves to the concert hall.
We are very happy that Mo, Laura, iris and Patrick helped us to carry stuff. If not we would’ve never been able to carry everything to the concert hall.
We could put our stuff into the changing rooms. They were very big and had some mirrors, chairs and tables. We shared our changing room with the sweeties from Mexico, Philippines and Portugal.
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| Changing room (Championship day) |
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| Our square |
For our props we got a taped square with our number at the backstage area where we could build up our props and leave them there.
I could see why it wasn’t allowed to be more than 1 hour before you rehearsal starts at the location. There was just no place. Our changing rooms were much bigger than the place for the props.
We finished building up our props in time thanks to our wonderful organizers but most of the teams didn’t showed up in time or weren´t finished.
We had our rehearsal at our designated time, because we where pushed in between the other starting numbers.
We had 10 minutes to explain our prop setting, put everything up, to make our skit and to take everything from stage. Some teams managed to rehearsal their skit 2 times; we only managed it 1 time.
But because you had a second rehearsal of your block (how it will be at the finals) afterwards we could at least practiced our skit 2 times on this stage.
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| Our stage setting |
Sadly they didn’t got all our files, although they confirmed it. The video file and the English file was missing. So we needed to get the files again on USB stick.
After all rehearsals we practiced the “introduction” of the teams, the lining up and the award ceremony.
They also explained how to move to stage and what to do if you get an award or have been chosen for the 2nd stage. Sadly they changed some things at the actual award ceremony.
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| During rehearsal |
We needed to put our props in our changing rooms or into the lobby of the concert hall, because it wasn’t enough place to leave our props at the designated area for Block A and B at the same time.
When we put everything into the changing rooms, Patrick helped us to make our Props more stable. We had some difficulties to transport our gate, which was not really stable… I also had the problem that the handling of my umbrella fell off. But luckily we brought wood glue and a lot of other stuff for every case to the concert hall.
After repairing our props (and secured them to death XD) we went back to the Hotel, had a look at the Oasis area and had some dinner, while Patrick was grabbing the USB stick and went to the concert hall again. Thanks so much ToT.
Afterwards we could rest.
Nov 2, 2016 | Cosplay, Events, International Cosplay Contests, Japan, Travel |
Because some teams went to Tokyo and some to the special monitoring sightseeing tour we could enjoy a free day.
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| Practicing in the park |
In the morning we went to the park and practiced and went for lunch to the penguin café with our student and our organizers Mo and Laura.
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| Penguin Cafe |
I will make an extra blog about this café because it was just an amazing experience (at least for me).
So ill will skip the review about it here (but it was great! I loved it!!!!!).
After some shopping at Mandarake and Animate we went with team France and some other organizers (also Patrick and iris) to the Aeon mall to get some more food and to go shopping.
We bought some discounted Yukatas and I got a big fat penguin!
In the evening we went to the Pokemon park with some Alumnis and friends.
It was amazing how many people went there just to play Pokemon.
We had a lot of fun and could catch some good Pokemon.
Japan is truly the heaven of Pokemon compared to Germany.
Every few meters is a Pokemon stop and rare Pokemon are popping out everywhere.
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| left: In Germany, Right: In Japan |
After some dinner we went with Team Italy, Team Brazil and Portugal to Karaoke and had a loooot of fun.
I liked the all you can drink service. ^_-
After not getting any schedule for the next day we went to bed and had some rest.
Oct 31, 2016 | Cosplay, Events, International Cosplay Contests, Japan, Travel |
For the first half of the day we have been split into 4 groups:
-> 10 teams who visited the Nagoya city hall and the Major and the Convention bureau.
-> 10 Teams who visited the Department of transportation and the Nagoya Castle.
-> 10 Teams who are doing their visit or monitor tour the next day. The countries who participated the first time at the World Cosplay Summit went to the ministry of foreign affairs in Tokyo and spent the whole day there. I heard they also had time for a short visit in Akihabara.
->The remaining few teams went to a special tour with the World Cosplay Summit and made sightseeing in other cities.
The groups have been set before departing to Nagoya. The wrong time schedule for the day was given to us directly after the Karaoke party the day before.
I am not sure when they noticed it was the wrong one.
But we got the right one luckily in time.
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| With our cute Finish twins in the Lobby *o* |
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| In the bus |
Already dressed up in our costumes we went to Lobby and waited for the other 8 teams. Finland already waited there. The other teams came 10 to 20 minutes too late, so we needed to rush to the city hall and the staff were searching for the others (they really panicked…).
When we arrived there we went out of the bus and have been greeted by the employers of the City hall who clapped and waved.
That was kind of interesting. We were told to go out to smile and to wav back.
After going to the 5th floor we were sitting in a kind of circle. Every country got a small table and a sign and two chairs.
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| The visit at the city hall. |
We sat down and the Major, dressed up in an “Owari no Seraph” costume, made some jokes and hold some speeches.We also got some small presents.The teams were introduced one by one with their name, country and Cosplay.
When your country name has been called, you had to stand up to wave into one of hundreds cameras, smile and sit down again.You have to tell the World Cosplay Summit which costume you will wear at which event. You are not supposed to change your costume, because they announce your costume and character for each event you participate. They also give out lists for the press.
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| Standing up and waving |
Japan changed their costume without notice and it caused trouble. Afterwards the staff was kind of upset, because it was a very embarrassing thing what happened in front of several cameras, journalists and of the Major. After some speeches, we made two group pictures.
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| Group picture with the Major |
One in the 5th floor and one in the room were “Owari no Seraph” took place.After about 20-30 minutes we went back to the bus and waved again.Until we couldn’t see the employers of the city hall anymore.
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| At the Convention Bureau |
Next destination was the Convention Bureau.
We went up there and sat in a small room together with the other teams.
The employers all dressed up in One Piece costumes and welcomed us warmly.
After about 15 minutes we went out to make some group pictures and got a handkerchief as a present.
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| Group picture |
We drove back to the hotel and changed into normal cloths, because we were invited by the chain “Sagami” for lunch.
It was a traditional Japanese high class lunch with a lot of different dishes. It was really good and delicious! We could sit together with our both Indonesian sweeties and I got all the meat XD.
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| Food at Sagami with Team Indonesia |
After getting just too much good food we went back into the bus, played Pokemon and arrived at Brother.
We went into a room with a big screen and watched the introduction video of Brother.
Afterwards we were free to explore the exhibitions. They had exhibitions of sewing machines, of the products they produced until now and also an experience room where you could try out the products of Brother.
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| Joysound system at Brother |
Actually Brother makes the Joysound Karaoke system.
You can guess were we have been…
Patrick told us he couldn’t see us, but he heard us very very clearly. XD
After some Karaoke with the other teams we went back and had some free time.
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| Karaoke!! |
The Omotenashi students prepared a a room where the representatives could try on Yukatas and experiences traditional Japanese tea.
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| With Team Canada |
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| During the tea ceremony |
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| Tea ceremony |
We also got some tasty Takoyaki and it was a great experience.
Brothers also put some of their embroidery and scan/ cut machines there. We embroidered some of our T-Shirts and had a great time. 🙂
We also went shopping and explored Nagoya.
It was a nice day.
Oct 30, 2016 | Cosplay, Events, International Cosplay Contests, Japan, Travel |
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| Meiji Mura |
Meiji Mura was the second outdoor event we went to.
Meiji Mura is an outdoor museum, where a lot of famous building from the Japanese Meiji area can be explored. The special thing is, that they are build up in original size and you are even allowed to go in and explore more.
If you like architecture of have traditional Japanese costumes, it is a great location for a photo shooting.
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| Pictures at Meiji Mura |
We didn’t have any changing rooms there so we changed into our costumes before going into the bus.
We knew that the trip will be about 1 hour, so we decided to go for comfortable costumes, of course with a fan!
When we arrived there we’ve been split into groups of 4-5 countries and went in small groups from the bus through the entrance to a small stage on after another.
It was a very hot and the sun was burning down. That’s why they tried to keep us in the air-conditioned bus as long as possible.
Actually no one told us, what will happen next and that we need to go up to a stage and answer questions. But I guessed that because this event has been hold last year in the same way.
When we arrived at the stage, we went up when they called our country and name and posed in the middle.
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| At the stage of Meiji Mura |
Afterwards they asked us some random questions and made a group picture. After the group picture we had some free time to explore Meiji Mura by ourselves.
Our students were accompanying us and brought us to the famous Omu rice place to get lunch and aircon.
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| Picture we took |
After lunch we strolled around, took some pictures and had some fun with the other teams. It was quite nice and really interesting. It is definitely a great location for photo shoots. They even had a really beautiful fake church.
I also liked the traditional candy store and bought ice cream and some penguin
The problem was that it started slowly to rain. Actually something I really appreciated, because it was hot and the rain cooled everything down.
Japanese people don’t like rain. Even after a small single drop they out their umbrella or look for a roof. In Germany rain is totally normal and if it rains even an umbrella won’t help you…
The meeting point for the group picture with all representatives where at the other side of the park. So we needed to walk a bi in order to get there. The problem was that the rain just got stronger and stronger and just after a while we looked like we were swimming.
We didn’t mind but started to panic, because we needed to wear these costumes for the courtesy visits the next day again.
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| Meeting point |
When we arrived at the end meeting point, only half of the teams arrived and everyone was looking shocked when they saw us (we really looked like we just jumped into the pool…).
Most of the missing representatives there waiting somewhere inside or got stuck in other locations. Only the stupid Germans went there slowly in the middle of the heavy rain. The group picture was canceled and it took a while to collect all the missing representatives.
They brought us with small busses to the entrance and to the bus in order to change (or to get dry). Because afterwards we went to Joysound.
A Karaoke chain in Nagoya, which has several branches.
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| During the Karaokeparty with Team Phillipines |
We had a small room (compared to the number of people) with a lot of food, drinks and a small stage where the people could sing.
I had a lot of fun with the people and really enjoyed singing with them.
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| Gift exchange with Team Russia and Kuwait |
Next to the Karaoke party it was also gift exchanging time.
We brought gifts for all representatives, Alumnis, WCS staff and organizers.
But actually we couldn’t find everyone, because it was crowded, loud, dark, we didn’t new the faces (without cosplay) and had only about 1-2 hours to get dinner, exchange gifts, drink something and to have fun.
We were searching for the teams like crazy and tried to give them our presents. In exchange we also got a lot of nice presents, like self made cookies, tea, key chains etc. . Some of them are really really cute and I will treasure them! Thanks for these awesome and cute presents!
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| The gifts from all the other teams |
Sadly we missed out Team Singapore…. We are sorry Team Singapore but we couldn’t find you guys… And because they were always in the other bus we just missed every chance to give the present to them ToT.
We knew it could be difficult to keep on track which teams already got presents, so we made a list, where we could check which teams we already gave presents or not.
After eating a lot, giving the people the presents and having fun we went back to the hotel. Dead and happy after an awesome day.
Oct 26, 2016 | Cosplay, Events, International Cosplay Contests, Travel |
We got a very late entrance number, so our craftsmanship judging was in the late afternoon/ evening.
Next to the judging you are also busy with interviews, making your introduction video, weighting and measuring your props etc etc. Because we got our judging in the evening we started with our introduction video.
Introduction Video:
You have about 20 seconds to introduce yourself in your own language. To tell which team you are, your name and something about yourself or your country. The introduction video will be played during the championship right before your performance.
Because this year you have the Semifinals and finals you were supposed to make 2 different videos in case you manage it to get to the finals.
We didn´t know that and practiced only one video. So we just thought about something the day before.
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| Recording and translating |
You really have 20 seconds, not more not less.
This makes it sometimes very difficult to time your introduction.
We needed 3-4 tries for our 1st video and 2 for our 2nd.
You only have about 10-15 minutes to finish you video and to translate everything for the staff.
After finishing the videos, you have to tell the staff what you said during what phrase. Normally they translate it for you into Japanese. But I translated it directly for them.
Interview:
After filming the video you went to the interview room. I heard that the last year the interview was a paper, where you write down your answers and that it was verbal the year before that.
This time we got a laptop and a word sheet with questions.
I think you got about 15 questions? (Not sure anymore) Mostly about the Cosplay culture and fans in your country.
They told me, that this sheets are used for study and research purpose. Not for introducing the Cosplayers.
Chiko had some problems with their PC, because it always turns into Korean. She also wasn’t used to the English keyboard. Some of the other participants had the same problem. It took more time than the WCS calculated and caused some delay (although we were one of the first).
Weighting and measuring:
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| Props |
Normally you are weighting and measuring directly after the technical meeting or craftsmanship judging. But this means you have about 2 minutes to get your costume off and weight it. Because it wasn’t possible for us and we had some spare time till the judging we went there earlier.
Normally you need to build up your whole stage props. But because we made pictures at the rehearsals of the props standing next to each other we only needed to put out one “plate” and the WCS stuff calculated the measurements (our props are made our of square plates).
We already put all our stuff into luggage’s, so the staff could put our props on the scale at once.
You are allowed to have 40 Kg max with all your championship stuff. We were at about 23-25 Kg. So even with the luggage´s we were under the 40 Kg mark.
Some teams were near the 40 Kg mark and needed to put everything out.
This took some time and we were happy that we were done after 2 minutes.
Getting ready:
Our video appointment was at about 12 am and our judging at about 18-19 pm.
That’s why we had a lot of time to get ready and got some lunch with Iris, German Alumni and organizer. She also showed us where to go and helped us in any matter.
She was a really great support!
Official pictures:
Afterwards we had about 2 hours to get into our costumes. While getting ready Iris got us a Porenta (the Pokemon you can only get in Asia). <3
When we finished changing we went into the waiting room in the 2nd floor until the room for the official pictures was free.
They had a small studio with a white background for the official pictures. The photographer was a famous Cosplay photographer in Nagoya.
We took some pictures and checked them. Afterwards we went back and waited for the costume judging.
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| Pictures and judging |
Costume judging:
I was so nervous…. This was worser than the championship day.
I needed to go to toilet every minute and drank mass of water….
The judging is in a big room there the Organizers of the other teams (not your own organizer, he has a break) are judging your costume. This means you have about 28 Organizers sitting there, plus translator, plus filming crew, plus WCS stuff.
You have 10 minutes (5 per person) to present your costume with your power point, which you sent them a month ago. They ring the bell once after 8 minutes, twice after 9 minutes and 3 times after 10 minutes.
If 10 minutes are over the staff translates a short version of your presentation into Japanese (some organizers only speaks Japanese) and they have about 10 minutes to watch your costume and ask you questions.
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| Construction report |
We had so much stuff to present. 3 costumes, 2 props, 3 small handprops.
I wrote the presentation already 1,5 months ago and just tagged it into my brain because I cannot read with colored lenses. So I was very afraid that I forget what to say and waste precious presentation time. The other thing was that the organizers looked so exhausted that most of them didn’t smiled. The Australian organizer Kenny saved me… I swear. And when the WCS staff asked if there were any questions, barely some asked anything (we got 1 question), so I panicked more and more. Someone told me that they judged since morning and were just dead after listening to 24 teams.
So I kind of understand know, why they looked so tired (more than disinterested).
But at this moment I just panicked…. (I though OMG our costumes were just too boring ToT)
But yes, it’s normal they barely ask questions and they are interested in your costume and listen to you. They are just really really tired.
After dying several times during my presentation, it seems like I showed them my panties. Yes I barely remember what I did cause I was too nervous…
But my organizer told me they were talking about, Germany showing their panties (it’s a show of panty so it’s ok. XD I made it for this purpose, because I moved a lot during my skit.).
Technical meeting:
The last part was the technical meeting.
We talked about the stage setting, how to handle the props and about the light rider.
They asked us some questions about the prop setting, I asked them some questions and than we went through the light rider.
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| Light and setting rider |
Hane san (in charge of the stage) asked me some questions regarding our light rider and confirmed that we didn’t use original voices or pictures.
This was the most comfortable part. You were just sitting there, listening and just correct them if they misunderstands something.
After a long long long day, we went to an Japanese Pub with all the other teams and went dead into our bed.
We could finish the next step, costume judging.
