Visual & Oshare Kei

This would be my 2007 Visual/Oshare Kei Cosplay. The design of the outift (including the scarf, hair bow, vest, pants and skirt was designed and made by me. I came up with the outfit idea after doing some research on the style. I also made one outfit for my sister, as stated before. If I could find my old photos, I would be more than happy to share her version of this Visual/Oshare Kei style.

This was my very first Oshara/Visual look
So it was mainly a prototype.
It came out pretty good for a newbie.

To tie my love of jrock in, I attended X Japan's Concert at the Tokyo Dome in 2008. It was a good cultural experience to see where Visual Kei style and Jrock came from. Got to say, Yoshiki was AMAZING. I would definitely go back to see one of their concerts. During the concert, an intermission was held with H.Naoto; A fashion show was set up - displaying 2008 fall trend. It was quite a treat being able to see one of my favourite designer's line in person.

Click on the Photos to View in Full View~ ^^

Japanese Fashion and Music

There it was, Kat-tun, NEWS, Arashi, KanJani8, SMAP, Golf & Mike, TegoMasu, and etc. Searching through more japanese music, I fell upon Japanese Rock music. Now, if you were like me, born in America with Chinese Malaysian heritage - this type or rock was really weird. Let's just say, it wasn't pleasing for my ears. All the men looked like women and singing in this really odd way.

For some reason, I was intrigued.

As I looked farther into this style of music, I came to LOVE it. Some rock group sported the style like Oshare Kei or Visual Kei. Visual Kei is more dark punky while Oshare Kei is more happy punky. Both styles were very appealing. Of course, I took a lot of time getting to know this style since NO ONE in my hometown was even aware of such things (no exaggeration).

To my dismay, many people disliked Jrock - even Jpop. I got a lot of, "What's the point in listening to music you can't understand? It's so stupid" or "Haha, they just keep talking like gibberish. Blah blah." I felt like these people are all so close-minded. So, in the end, people in hometown stuck with the "mainstream."

For me, mainstream is too boring. too safe. So Not Me. I like to get intertwined in things out of the ordinary. Gives life an artistic twist. The reason I say "artistic" is because I feel like Jrock is a form of art - let alone, all music is art. Jrock, in a way, is a type of fashion statement. A lifestyle.

You have your Visual Kei, Oshare Kei, Gothic Lolita, Dandy, Dolly Kei, Sweet Lolita, Decora, Ganguro, Ko Gals, and much much more. The rock music in Japan is heavily twisted with fashion. And I love the combination. Not only do the groups define themselves by the music they write, but also the distinct and unique fashion they wear.

So, I sketched out a few Designs and made an Visual/Oshare Kei inspired look for my sister and me. My colors were Black with Neon Pink accents. My sister got Black with Neon Blue accents. I made the entire look. Some parts were hand sewn and some were just clothes found out-and-about in my home. ^U^

In my next post, I shall post some photos~ <3

The Big Bang

... I'm just kidding. During 9th grade (2004-2005) was where all these info about Japanese anime and culture came at me. It was really hard to tell what happened exactly. All I know is that this is where everything came together to build the foundation for "cosplay" in the future.

Still being intertwined in mainly American cartoons and mainstream television, my sister and I stumbled upon a channel on DirectTV which aired 3 animes: Mirage of Blaze, Saiyuki Reload, and Gokusen. We didn't care for Mirage of Blaze and we didn't understand the whole plot at that time, so we skipped it. Saiyuki Reload was actually a really good show. It didn't matter what episode we watched first because it still made sense. We really got caught up in Gokusen.

Gokusen was a really good series, but we both hated the artwork. I know, I know. They are mafias and delinquents - but, please, keep some sexy guys around! Prayers being kept, there is the character Shin. He is probably the most good looking guy in that class. Still, one hot guy was not enough for two sisters. And accidentally, my sister finds "Gokusen Live Action."

Gokusen Live Action was really good. All the delinquents were good looking (many came from Johnny's Entertainment). The leading female role Yankumi really looked like Yankumi from the anime. I'm pretty happy about that outcome. This really begins my journey into Japanese culture. And there it was, this beautiful boy standing in front of me.

Who is he? What's his name?

The search for this prince charming was my next task. He was part of the live action so I looked up all the characters and actors. And then... I found him: Kamenashi Kazuya. Kame is from Kat-tun, a boy group from Johnny's Entertainment. I fell in love with his solo song "Kizuna" that was used in the drama Gokusen. The song was beautiful and meaningful. Even if he didn't have that charm - the song was still a winner for me. It really touched me.

Instead of getting into anime, I became a huge fan of Japanese pop and rock music. It was really different to the pop and punk rock from America. I was intrigued by the new tunes. What was also different was the group of men singing and dancing together. To be honest, the only male groups at that time were "bands" not "boy bands." And to be realistic - it's not the first we have seen a boy band. Come on, Backstreet boys? Of course!

For some time, I got into Japanese music: NEWS, Kat-tun, Arashi, Ayumi Hamasaki, Utada Hikaru, One OK Rock, etc. But I also stumbled upon Jrock like Dir En Grey, X Japan, Gackt, Miyavi, An Cafe, Alice Nine, etc.

This leads into my next stumbling block of Japanese culture ^^
... and the end to 9th grade [a boy band crazed paradise]!

Code Lyoko

Code Lyoko perked up early in 2004. At first, I wasn't too into it as I thought the characters were a bit strange but also drawn very strangely. They had MASSIVE heads and super thin necks and bodies. Code Lyoko is an anime from France. Being sheltered from other cultures, I was really surprised at such good quality works from other places than America. I was automatically drawn to the plot and characters - all of a sudden, I was a HUGE fan.

Of course, it was obvious that I was drawn towards the character Yumi Ishiyama. The more sarcastic and dark character. The pretty geisha with deadly fans and telekinesis type powers in Lyoko. Definitely, my type of girl.

My school held a thing called "MORP." Basically "prom" spelled backwards. So, all the rules are backwards too~! The girls would ask the guys to this event. Instead of something super fancy, it's more easy-going and fun. For MORP 2004, the theme was "villains and heros." I thought it would be amazing to "cosplay" as Yumi Ishiyama in the Geisha form. I hand sewed a lot of the outfit, but majority of the items were random clothes at home put together.

Yes, I say Cosplay because... at this time, I found out about Cosplay during 2004 summer. I found out about this anime magazine called "Newtype USA." It showed you all the latest footage straight from Japan - so I was WELL informed about what was popular in anime.

I was a total NOOB, but I still gave it a shot. Let's just say... it wasn't good at all. TT^TT At this time, I wasn't really sure on what cosplay was - I just saw it as a new word for "dressing-up." Overall though, it was FUN! Especially with my friends doing goofy things too. =)

So yea, if I can dig up those old photos, I would LOVE to post pictures of my NOOB cosplay. This is probably where my small fire began as a cosplayer. But I really thought nothing of it at this time.

Teen Titans

For those who are older, you know the Teen Titans Original comic characters. Unfortunately, I only found out about them through Cartoon Network's cartoon/anime version of it. To say the least, I really loved Teen Titans. Who doesn't want to be a superhero?? 9th grade was a definite teen titans school year. haha~

After following the tv series, I fell in love with the character Raven. I was able to relate to her in so many ways that I didn't feel alone. 2003 (9th grade) was a really rough year for me. Finding out who I am and who I wanted to be was quite a frightening experience. I've come to find out who were my true friends and found out those who just back-stabbed me when they found out I was a bit "different." Family breaking apart. Hate. Just darkness.

So Raven was my outlet. Someone who I can release my pressure to by just watching her on tv being her stubborn dark self. XD And I really liked Beastboy, the happy-go-lucky guy. Reason? He brought her joy when no one else seemed to want to reach out to her. He's silly and bright and bubbley. It was then that I said, "My future boyfriend better be someone silly like him. So he can bring light into the shadows to find me."

After gaining a lot of knowledge about this show, I began to right fan fictions. I posted them at Fanfiction.net. I had a few followers and fans of my work, but as I got busier with school life - I stopped updating the story. (sad, yes) Through this website, I met this guy named Xavier. He was similar to me and we related in many ways. I just felt like we had this connection.

Unfortunately our friendship came to a sudden halt. His family wasn't doing to well financially and he had to move around to another state. And then to another state. All together he stops writing his stories like me. And he slowly disappears from logging on to chat. I was somewhat devastated when someone who I could relate to was... gone.

After that, I continued to do the normal everyday tasks. Did "dress-up" of Raven. I say dress-up since I didn't know cosplay back then. Created a Xanga to find people that I could relate to. And towards the end of 2003, things seemed to perk up. ^^ (only a little bit)

Blah~ the story continues and... another anime hits cartoon network: Code Lyoko.

Disney

Disney began to change as I grew older. It used to not show a lot of variety of cartoons. Rather it was more like "house of Mickey" or the "pluto and goofy show" and things like that. The original crew of Disney. Not only did Disney channel show the original works - but it also aired movies like "Suzie Q" - which many have forgotten or never seen today.

Suzie Q was a 1996 film and it aired at least once a month on Disney. It was my favorite movie at that time. As I grew older, the shows I love began to be taken off one by one - including this movie. It's like I'm the only one that remembers this movie. haha~ Suzie Q was about a girl who dies in a car crash into this ocean. As years gone by, these kids who just moved in decides to go fish at this nearby ocean. Instead of getting fish - they caught this bracelet. I don't exactly remember what else happened, but whoever has the bracelet in their hands - they can see Suzie - a ghost.

Good Old Movie. Definite Must Watch.

So as Disney changes, things like "Proud Family", "Lilo & Stitch", and "Kim Possible" shows up. Now, I think Kim Possible was an AMAZING show. You have your cliche villains and your teenage superheros. And being a young teen at that time - you can connect and hope to be like them.

I had a huge craze with Kim Possible. I have the figurines, walky-talky things, gadgets, and the whole outfit. I even dyed my hair an orange-brown color to fit the role. My friends, although thought I was retarded, joined in on the fun. We all gave ourself nicknames. I was Kim. My guyfriend I met in 7th grade was Ronnie. My school "twin" was Holo (for the hologram episode). My girlfriend who was a total fashionista was Monique. And Ronnie's good guy friend was Rufus. My other girlfriend who wasn't interested in this, but was crazy about elves, she called herself Mindy.

Even now, in 2010, we still call each other by our nicknames.

Now... only if I can find all my gadgets, i'll post pics soon!!! (to be cont..)

Anime Halt?!

Around mid 2001 to mid 2003, I went on a semi anime hault. I became super studious and didn't do much but study, to be honest. Because my parents studied in Asia and I'm a first generation in America... none of us really knew what to expect in the schools here.

In Asia, you go to school at 7 AM. You get out of class at 5 PM. You go straight to tutoring until 10 PM. Then you stay up till 2 AM doing homework. You sleep. And your day repeats. Tough life. However, everyone in Asia also knows American schools are less rigorous and very laid back. But how "laid back"?

My parents told me that my grades begins to count in Jr. High (7th grade). Being the first child, and according to some studies, I am usually self-motivated to achieve a high standard. So, I stuck my head in the books and studied really hard. I tested myself to make sure I know every answer possible.

As a result, I graduated 3rd in my class for my 8th grade graduation.

Of course, as I worked and studied so much - it became simple for me. I learned tricks to get good grades ( NO CHEATING!!!! ) and I gained a lot more free time. As space eased out, I began to enjoy some american cartoons as I have completely forgotten about anime. (sad, yes?)