Articles
Here on Cosplay Island as we're hoping to bring you the best, most interesting and useful coverage of the UK cosplay scene. If we don't quite manage that we'll probably at least manage a passable approximation.
So here in the articles section we've got written and video reports of all the recent major UK cosplay events. We've also got a selection of tutorials written by some fantastically skilled costume makers.
If you've learned something interesting while working on your latest masterpiece and would like to share it with the community or have some other cosplay related articles you're burning to write contact us and we'll be happy to consider your article for inclusion.
15 Latest Articles
Included below are the 15 latest articles uploaded to the site. Use the tabs above to view the archives of specific article types.
Tutorials
Technique - Female to Male Crossplay
Tutorial by Annette Wilkinson (Odangochan) posted Thursday 12th June 2008
There are a number of things to consider when attempting an effective female-to-male crossplay. No matter how androgynous both you and the character you intend to cosplay may be, it is always important to make an effort if you wish to pull off a truly convincing crossplay. This tutorial will discuss a number of the things that should be taken into account to effectively masculinise yourself.
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Technique - Cosplay Photography: Think before you shoot
Tutorial by Nic Walker (nic0) posted Wednesday 14th November 2007
by Nic Walker
With the ubiquity of cheap digital cameras today, any given anime convention is awash with people photographing the costumes on display. Traipsing through the aftermath of conventions on forums and photo sharing websites one would be perhaps forgiven for being a little disappointed at the thought that goes into some of the photos on display. They can often be hurriedly composed, one-shot affairs taken more as a record of the event - a reminder of a costume - than an honest effort to record the quality of it.
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Guide - Essential Glue Review
Tutorial by James Funnell (Ilpala) posted Friday 15th July 2011
It’s pretty common to look on cosplay forums and see people asking basic questions about what glue to use for what. If you pop into a DIY store you will find a bewildering array of glues but really there’s only a few that you need in your cosplay toolbox and often they can be used for more than just sticking stuff together.
So here’s a rundown of your essential glues and what you should be using them for!
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Guide - Buying and Working with Wigs
Tutorial by Angela Hacket (Angelphie) posted Sunday 4th November 2007
by Angela Hacket
Wigs are often useful for costumes. They save you from cutting, dying or styling your own hair, allow you to create insane styles, and you can put one on and be ready to go instantly – it only ever needs styling once! Furthermore, you can sew, glue, and do all sorts of things to wigs which aren’t possible with real hair.
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Reports
Grand Cosplay Ball - November 2009
Report by Jonathan Cullinane (nert) posted Wednesday 7th July 2010
A chilly November night saw the Clapham Grand open its doors to a menagerie of colourful eveningwear for a second Grand Cosplay Ball!...
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European Cosplay Gathering - March 2011
Report by Sj bonnar (sjbonnar) posted Friday 4th March 2011
Sjonnar interviews Emily Bastian about Bunkasai and the European Cosplay Gathering; a new Europe-wide event with its final at JapanExpo in Paris....
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Aya Revolution - August 2009
Report by Jonathan Cullinane (nert) posted Monday 26th October 2009
Warwick Arts Centre finds itself decorated with a nostalgic mascot, as the AyaCon mermaid makes a glorious return!...
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AmeCon 2008
Report by Jonathan Cullinane (nert) posted Tuesday 9th December 2008
The UK's largest dedicated anime convention was back in town; bigger and badder than ever for its fourth run totalling nearly 1,500 people! We figured we should probably be there, so we were....
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AmeCon 2007
Report by Jonathan Cullinane (nert) posted Wednesday 14th November 2007
Nert takes a look back at the year's biggest anime convention. What were the cosplay trends? What the hell is Chair-chan? Find out here....
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Videos
Oxford Circus Crossing Openning
Video posted Monday 2nd November 2009
Nia reports on this cosplay themed event on a cold London morningWatch Video Online | Download Video (15.3 MB)
MinamiCon 17 2011
Video posted Wednesday 23rd March 2011
Highlight footage from Minami's masquerade eventMinamiCon 14 2008
Video posted Thursday 20th March 2008
Video coverage of the MinamiCon masquerade.Watch Video Online | Download Video (41.5 MB)
London MCM Expo October 2008
Video posted Sunday 15th March 2009
Kelly and Mark bring another great report from the ground of London's biggest cosplay event.Watch Video Online | Download Video (70 MB)
London MCM Expo October 2007
Video posted Monday 7th January 2008
Mark reports from the expo including interviews with MangaChild, Ashe and Sands and coverage of Saturday's masquerade.Watch Video Online | Download Video (155.6 MB)
London MCM Expo May 2008
Video posted Monday 30th June 2008
Kelly and Rachel bring us complete cosplay coverage of both expo days including interviews and masqueradesWatch Video Online | Download Video (119 MB)
Japan Expo 08
Video posted Monday 14th July 2008
Rachel reports from Paris to give us an inside look at one of Europe's biggest cosplay events.Watch Video Online | Download Video (103 MB)
Grand International Cosplay Ball 2009
Video posted Wednesday 3rd February 2010
Nia reports from the ball room floor bringing you interviews and footage of the actsAya Revolution Masquerade Intro
Video posted Tuesday 3rd November 2009
For Aya Revolution we put together a montage of great UK cosplay from the past few yearsWatch Video Online | Download Video (23.8 MB)