Returning home to attend Fes 9, I completed my Aozaki Aoko cosplay on August 9 and switched into the newly customized Okita Souji cosplay on August 10. Just coming off post-con withdrawal from Fes 10, another busy schedule began immediately. The timeline for this trip was very tight, with all gear prepared in advance—especially this new Okita costume. Its craftsmanship and texture completely met expectations; the fabric isn't cheap or flimsy, and the neckline piping and waist knotting are executed cleanly, offering great drape and a sharp, structured silhouette when worn. Beyond the costume, pairing black over-the-knee socks (Over-the-knee socks cosplay) with open-toed sandals worked surprisingly well, clearly flattering the leg lines. Although putting them on and taking them off was a bit tedious, it was totally worth it for character fidelity.
The entire weekend schedule was packed. With different characters across the two days, I handmade some freebies in advance—self-made cards and postcards printed with character avatars—hoping to leave a fond keepsake for friends at the venue. I originally planned to take the sword group on a holy pilgrimage to Asakusa, snap some Japanese-style background photos, and design custom postcards, but the Fate/Samurai Remnant (FSR) merch I ordered shipped way too slowly, causing me to miss the schedule, so the plan had to be shelved with regret. Now I just hope to receive generous shares from fellow masters at the event; it would be wonderful if someone could hand me some FSR goods to fill the gap.
Cosplay is genuinely hard physical work: you have to factor in fabric textures, prop weights, on-site lighting, and the crowdedness of the venue. But once all the prep is done and I look at myself in character in the mirror, all the recent hustle feels completely worthwhile. Now I just hope everything goes smoothly at Fes 9, allowing me to fully showcase the unique traits of both outfits, and that everyone enjoys the freebies I prepared.