Today at the acosta! convention in Ikebukuro, I truly experienced what it means to be sweltering and exhausted yet completely fulfilled. Because I bought my ticket late, only the general communal changing room was available, leaving me to sit on the bare concrete floor to apply makeup and change. I'm well aware of my mediocre makeup skills, and before heading out, I was fully prepared to fade into the background as an invisible nobody in the corner—after all, this event is packed with true masters.
This Dark Gothic outfit is honestly quite demanding to wear: the devil-horn headband atop my head and the bat-wing prop on my back created a heavy, substantial presence once fully suited up. The costume details are exceptionally intricate—the red heart choker around the neck, the asymmetrical collar with silver studs, the glossy corset cincher at the waist layered with cascading metal chains, and on my legs, Black stockings paired with thigh harnesses and glossy platform knee-high boots with multiple buckles. Because the weather was sweltering, standing inside the venue felt stifling after just a short while. Yet the layering of this outfit and its ability to sculpt body proportions are truly superb; especially during mirror selfies, the overarching silhouette photographed amazingly well.
I initially assumed my clumsy makeup skills would be completely lost in the crowd, but right after stepping into the hall, nearly thirty photographers queued up in succession to take my photo. I was totally stunned at that moment, but I still pushed myself to maintain the character's persona, opening up my poses as much as possible and delivering expressive gazes. Since the venue was genuinely sweltering like a giant steamer, to avoid heatstroke or fainting, I had no choice but to repeatedly apologize to the photographers still waiting in line, call a halt to the shoot, and rush over to the side to hydrate and cool off.
In portraying Tangtang for this Tangtang cosplay from NEEDY GIRL OVERDOSE, I did my best to channel that dark, subtly yandere disposition. However, constrained by the sweltering heat and physical drain, if my energy fluctuated or the finer details fell short of everyone's expectations, I sincerely apologize for any OOC portrayal. Participating in such a massive convention in Japan for the first time—starting out somewhat awkwardly changing on a concrete floor—the sheer enthusiasm of all the photographers offered me immense encouragement. Though this costume was stiflingly hot, should the opportunity arise next time, I think I'll prepare more thoroughly and return for another round of Convention photos on a cooler day.