Anime Expo 2013 Part III ~ Kaleidoscope *Happy Birthday Queen Kaya!!*

Hello Everyone!

Before I continue onto Saturday, let me first say I wish Kaya a very happy birthday today! July 17^th is his birthday, which I guess would be today by default if you consider the time difference. I hope he has a lovely day today. Happy birthday Darling! <3

Anyway so now onto Saturday, this had to be one of the best days (if not THE best!) day of the weekend. The first thing I gotta say is, three hours, three effing hours! That’s how long it took me to get dressed that day. Usually, it takes me less time, but I wanted to look my absolute best for Kaya, so I took special care in getting ready, putting on my Ophelia dress, and doing my makeup. I really wish I had gotten more pictures, though, BEFORE the heat and crowds got to me and ruined my appearance. XD But I’ve been inspired to finally do a photoshoot with this costume sometime in the next month or so before putting it up for good. I’ve decided to cosplay Kaya again next year, this time his Salome costume! But that’s for another entry.

I also want to thank my roomies for helping me get into my dress and lace my boots. I was the last to leave the room that day around 2pm, by that time the possibility of going to the second gyaru fashion show had become a lost cause. :( But I got a lot of imput and knowledge from going to the booths that weekend and from Abbie so now I feel more comfortable doing it in the future. ^.^

After nearly 30 minutes of stopping every few minutes for pictures (I’m not kidding) I finally made it to the con and freshened up for what would be a very special moment for me. Kaya’s autograph session was also with Moon Stream and it started promptly at 3pm, because I had a winning ticket at the Q&A on Thursday I would be assured an autograph and actually ended up as the VERY FIRST person in line! Behind me was this very nice mother and daughter who were also Kaya fans, they complimented my outfit and helped me calm my nerves as I was EXTREMELY nervous and afraid about meeting Kaya.

When I first met him back in 2009 he was wearing his Ophelia costume and performed in it, I thought he looked so beautiful and elegant in this specific costume and that’s why I decided to make it. But of course, everyone knows my insecurity issues where this costume is concerned, I prayed to God Kaya would not become offended when he saw me otherwise IDK what I would do! 

Through the curtain behind the autograph table, I could see his silhouette and bits of his skirt through the cracks of the curtain, finally, the autograph session started. Words cannot describe how nervous I was, but I was determined to keep calm no matter what! I murmured hello to him and then he said “Ah, Ophelia!” with the sweetest smile ever, I was very struck by his beauty. I felt like crying right then and there but I’m proud to say I maintained my cool the entire time while getting my poster signed and speaking to him. Of course, I was not nervous at all about meeting Moon Stream again! 

After that, I found a free spot and collapsed on the ground, fully overwhelmed but very happy, but I could not rest for long, I had to quickly return back to the Moon Stream/Kaya booth for the fan photo session. It was much more crowded than I thought with many people in line for Moon Stream, which made me happy. I didn’t have long to wait before I was my turn to meet Kaya again. My courage had returned and I had intended to ask Kaya if he liked my costume but before I could say anything he smiled at me again and said “Pretty, Ophelia!” He seemed very sincere too. In that moment I felt a great flow of confidence flow through me, unlike anything I ever felt before.

Now, onto a little fact about me: while I try not to look completely angry or miserable when I get my picture taken, I have never really smiled in any picture like I really want to. This is because I always feel self-conscious about myself and how I look, and I especially feel like my smile is very ugly. I’m always worried about how I look, so I can’t be truly happy, which is why I never really smile in pictures like I’d like to.

Well, there is a first time for everything. In a very rare moment of full self-confidence, I decided to put on a full, true smile for this picture. And you know what? I love it! I actually think I look cute here, though not as cute as Kaya, of course! XD After the picture was taken, he signed it. Amazingly, I managed to keep it cool and not lose it during this whole experience, but man, did I want to!

 As I walked out of the hall I felt one tear run down my face, only one. I could not believe that he actually liked my cosplay, I was so sure he would not like it or not even recognize it because of my size and my skin is nowhere near as pale as he was in the official Ophelia photos. That’s when I realized something: whenever Kaya speaks about how he does not care about the concepts of gender, race or looks, he means it truly! I always wanted to hold onto these beliefs, which is why I love Kaya so much and decided to cosplay him in the end. 

But in the past few years, I hate to admit I’ve lost sight of this belief sometimes when I’m feeling really down and inadequate about myself. Hell, I practically ripped up my Node of Scherzo Kaya cosplay because I was so ashamed of how I looked when I tried it on. Lately, I’ve been trying hard to believe again in Kaya’s concept of self-acceptance, and being able to meet him in my costume and seeing his positive reaction, while it may seem small, really helped me a lot with my confidence. In the days since returning to Baltimore whenever I’ve felt bad about myself I’ve been recalling that moment to myself and remembering that while I am not perfect, I know I am beautiful in my own way, just like Kaya. And that’s why I’m going to make his “Salome” costume for Katsucon next year.

I doubt he’ll read this, but I just want to say thank you, Kaya, for helping me realize this again and for bringing out a real smile in me. I will treasure this picture forever. Okay enough sentimental bullshit, back to my report! XD

I returned back to my room around the same time Abbie and some of the other roomies did. She suggested that we go to Little Tokyo that evening and I immediately said yes! Little Tokyo is made up of mainly Japanese restraunts and specialty stores along with a little center square with pretty scenery and stone walkways. It’s a very nice place and I took many pictures, mostly of the food I ate though! XD

The window of one such Japanese restraunt. The food displayed is fake of course, but it looks very good!

We went to a cute little macaroon shop, mango my favorite flavor. Yum! :-3

The papers on the tree are most likely wishes for Tanabata, which was the next day. If you do not know the story of Tanabata you should look it up, it’s a very sweet romantic tale! <3

Soon we went into the Little Tokyo mall which had even more shops. The first one we went into was the Fairytale Boutique! I had heard of this store before, a second hand lolita and kawaii fashion shop, and I decided if I did go to Little Tokyo that I really wanted to visit. I’m glad I was able to. It’s a very cute, glittering shop with a lot of beautiful things for sale ranging from lolita clothes and accessories to dolls and wall art. Even cute kids clothes! Me and Abbie both tried on faux fur lolita caplets, they were so pretty! Sadly there was a sign on the wall that stated that photography was not allowed so I could not take any pictures while in there. But it’s okay, just know that if you are ever in Little Tokyo Fairytale Boutique is a stop you must make if you love lolita or kawaii fashion in general. You will not be disappointed! ^.^

I was glad to be able to visit a real jfashion boutique; I hope that next I can go to the Harajuku Hearts store where Chantilly dresses are officially sold. But that’s in San Francisco and an entry for another day. Next we went to the two Jungle stores, one sold a lot of cosplay, jrock and cosplay lolita items and the other sold anime, manga and some jrock items too. Both where pretty cool, I just wish we could have taken purikura in the one store that had purikura booths in it; I did not realize they would be so expensive though! >_< Oh well, maybe next time.

Finally we sat down on a bench and rested while sharing some takoyaki. It was such a nice evening but I was slightly sad because tomorrow would be the last day of Anime Expo, but also slightly excited because I would also get to see David soon and go to the next Moon Stream/Kaya concert! XD

A slight repeat of my gal outfit for Friday, which I wore for Saturday evening too. I had some Demonia boots on earlier but…yeah…no way in hell for walking! XD

Dress ~ Honey (Sixh sub brand)

Vest and tights ~ Wet Seal

Bracelet ~ MA*RS

Necklace ~ Princess Melody (Brand by age-hime gyaru and MA*RS model Himena Osaki)

Hairpiece ~ Charlotte Russe

Bag ~ Loris

Wig ~ Farah “Vamp” by Gothic Lolita Wigs

Yours Jasmine

Anime Expo 2013 Part I ~ Transmigration

Hello Everyone! 

Well, I made it. Against all odds, I made it, and I could not be happier! I could not be more satisfied with how everything worked out in the end. This past weekend was practically euphoric.

Since 2009 I’ve always wished to go to Anime Expo but due to it always being so close to Otakon, I never really tried to go. However when it was announced that Kaya was going to be in attendance this year I knew that somehow I had to be there! I had been casually following Kaya’s music since 2006 but it wasn’t until I saw him at PMX 2008 with a bunch of other friends that I really became a fan.

I’ve already mentioned this before, but Kaya is one of my hugest inspirations not only in fashion but in life in general. Because, in addition to being very talented and beautiful, I admire how much confidence he seems to have in himself and how much people adore him. He certainly is worth all of that adoration. 

Don't know much about Kaya? Watch this PV and educate yourself! <3

Kaya was the main reason I went to Anime Expo but many other great things were going on that weekend too, including bands CELL and Porno Graffiti and also 2 gyaru fashion shows on Friday and Saturday. I’m beginning to get more into gyaru fashion now and one of my roommates was also a gyaru too! ^.^ I tried agejo for the first time at Anime Expo too but I will get to that in a little bit.

But I guess I will start as I always do, with the beginning Thursday morning.

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Ready to go, Shirayuki? <3

No sleep Wednesday night, as always, as if that was even an option! The only serious gripe I had all weekend was the fact I had to fly another airline other than Southwest Airlines this time around, NEVER AGAIN! Between my first flight being delayed and the fact I had to wait for another person to give up their spot on the plane, I nearly missed my transfer flight to LA from Philadelphia but I thank God that I made it. In Philly, I was seated next to a bunch of other people who were also going to the Anime Expo; that was nice, and I had some people to talk to for part of the flight. I was in high spirits, eager to see what awaited me in Lost Angeles.

My energy returned when I got my bags and boarded my shuttle. While on my way to the hotel, I passed by the Square Enix building and the LA Convention Center itself; I was shocked. It’s nearly three times the size of Otakon, maybe even larger! I was slightly afraid of what overwhelming experience I had gotten myself into, but I was also very excited!

Made it to my hotel! ^.^

Finally, I got to my hotel and met up with my roommates. I really enjoyed the company of all my roommates this time, especially my newest friend Abbie! She came to the room much later and quickly struck up a conversation with me, she’s so nice and had me cracking up all Saturday evening too! XD I’m also glad to have a friend now who seems to know a lot about gyaru style now that I’m getting more seriously into it.

 In any case, Kaya’s first autograph session was nearly an hour away but something in me knew I would not make it in time because I still needed to get my badge. So I decided to keep my Kaya cosplay for Saturday and did lolita for the evening.

Ready to go!

The line of doom! >___<

I was right about missing the autograph session, but ah well. I was lucky that I managed to catch the line just as it was “dying down,” but I was still there for nearly two hours. At least it moved quickly, and the process to get my badge was quick, too; I still had about 30 minutes before Kaya’s panel.

My badge!

When I got to his panel, I was given a ticket with a number on it. I didn't know what it meant but then one of the staffers explained to us all that the tickets were for autograph vouchers, if we got a ticket with one of the winning numbers on it, we would get a ticket for a guaranteed autograph with Kaya on Saturday. The panel then started, Kaya was announced and my heart nearly stopped. He was wearing his newest outfit; all black lace and leather, reminding me of something from his Schwarz Stein days and his signature winning smile. Oh, he looked so gorgeous! 

I wanted to ask Kaya a very specific question, but I was overrun with fear and anxiousness, so I just decided to enjoy the questions and answers, which were all pretty interesting and some very funny! Many times I was simply taken by Kaya’s smile and laugh which is…very distinct! Anyone who has heard it knows what I mean! I do wish I could have asked a question though but it’s okay. 

If I had gotten the chance though, I would want to know Kaya’s secret to self-confidence and being as beautiful as he is inside and out. I’d also like to know what other historical heroines he’d like to sing about in future music, but honestly, I’d probably ask the former rather than the latter.

In any case, when the panel was over, the winning ticket numbers were posted; I had one of the winning tickets after all! This meant that I was surely going to meet Kaya on Saturday! I was both nervous and happy all at the same time, mostly happy! XD I was really looking forward to that day along with Friday, the day of the concert.

The night was still young and I wanted to explore the con a bit more but I was tired and still jet-lagged. So after the panel I returned to my room for the night. The last thing I did that night was watch the fireworks with some of my roommates for the 4^th of July, and that was Thursday. It’s a wonder I managed to get any sleep that night because I was so excited about the next day to come!

My outfit on Thursday, I love my new Farah wig from Gothic Lolita Wigs! <3

JSK and shoes ~Bodyline

Bolero and necklace ~ Offbrand

Beret ~ Ashro

Tights ~ Taobao

Yours Jasmine