Gurren Lagann: Kamina

....No real progress yet, just setting up a thread to put updates/ideas.

One thing I am throwing out to the group for ideas on, is how to get my Sunglasses to stay in place.

I know how I'm making them, I can order a piece of 12" by 12" red transparent acrylic plastic off the internet, just trying to decide how to get them to stay on my face. Any body else see how other costumers have done it?

I'm thinking spirit gum. What I would do is glue a couple of small clear glasses nose pieces to it and glue it to your face.

FlyingStewardess wrote:

I'm thinking spirit gum. What I would do is glue a couple of small clear glasses nose pieces to it and glue it to your face.

I was considering Spirit Gum myself, but I was also kind of wanting to be able to take them on and off. I'm going to do a little bit more digging on like Cosplay.com, but if nothing else, spirit gum will work to hold them in place.

I'm actually sitting on the fence about doing this costume for Dragon*Con. I just don't know if I will be in good enough shape to pull off an accurate or passable Kamina, and after all the flak I and heckling I got in my Spartan (from people both at the con and on teh internetz afterward, mostly "gay/fag" and "fat"), I just don't if I feel up to doing a costume like this without being at my very best.

Cadet wrote:

I'm actually sitting on the fence about doing this costume for Dragon*Con. I just don't know if I will be in good enough shape to pull off an accurate or passable Kamina, and after all the flak I and heckling I got in my Spartan (from people both at the con and on teh internetz afterward, mostly "gay/fag" and "fat"), I just don't if I feel up to doing a costume like this without being at my very best.

No doubt that many people at the con (and certainly on the internet) calling you out were less fit than you

I don't think I'm doing a Gurren Lagann either, and there are several costumes I have in mind that are on the back burner till I get in better shape.

September is 3 months away, so you've got a little bit of time.

Cadet wrote:

I'm actually sitting on the fence about doing this costume for Dragon*Con. I just don't know if I will be in good enough shape to pull off an accurate or passable Kamina, and after all the flak I and heckling I got in my Spartan (from people both at the con and on teh internetz afterward, mostly "gay/fag" and "fat"), I just don't if I feel up to doing a costume like this without being at my very best.

You shouldn't let others' reactions get you down as far as costuming goes. Coming from the lolita community and seeing these words tossed about quite often I find that most ppl who shout such things are (A.) jealous retards or (B.) Young kids who have nothing better to do than be ass monkies.

With that said I still plan on doing Yoko. Seriously, I'm prepared for a lot of shit both online and off as far as Yoko goes. I'm not tall by any means, my tummy is a wee bit pudgy, my boobs are more or less exposed cept for a small percentage of said boobs, I may be called a butter face if make-up doesn't work out well, I have to be careful and make sure I get everything waxed and if my wig isn't atleast the right color...god forbid. Have you seen the Yoko threads on /CGL/ on 4chan? They're rather unforgiving. My stomach is in no way toned as much as a lot of the girls get theirs for this costume.

As far as you working out for the character..I think it's a good idea. I'm doing squats to make sure my ass doesn't look flabby and such. It's just a good idea to exercise and stay in shape but honestly if your doing the cape, stomach bandages, slacks, etc you should be fine and all they really will be able to see is your center torso.

Keep in mind you have a lot of things going for you than others who have done these costumes. Your not fat, female, using a flesh colored chest with airbrushed chest, your the right skin color, etc.. You'll be fine and I'm sure people who really like your version of the character.

Yeah James, you are the most toned person I know. I think that people's negative comments come from jealousy for sure. The only thing I would recommend if you're conscientious is to make the cape you can throw around yourself as an option. Also, If I were doing this costume for myself I'd be concerned about my own pasty flesh (I've personally never seen your chest, so I'm not saying you necessarily need this.) I've used this Jergens gradual tan body lotion product for my pale ass legs that works great (better than all that UV). It takes a few weeks to build up, and it looks more natural than the one day stuff and better for you than being out in the sun and getting a real tan.

Alright, 77 days, I'm going all out. Thinking about scheduling and packing, I decided it was either going to be No-Face or Kamina as my new costume for D*C. Since it seems there are not going to be any other Ghibli characters there, but Brandy is going to have Yoko, I have decided to focus in on Kamina and do him for D*C.

Good bye food, hello weight lifting....

Cadet wrote:

Alright, 77 days, I'm going all out. Thinking about scheduling and packing, I decided it was either going to be No-Face or Kamina as my new costume for D*C. Since it seems there are not going to be any other Ghibli characters there, but Brandy is going to have Yoko, I have decided to focus in on Kamina and do him for D*C.

Good bye food, hello weight lifting....

Food is good! No goodbye food...more like...hello oats, celery, water, tea, juices, healthy stuffs.

What weekend could you come visit again to work on costumes? I forgot and just got a planner so I can write it down now. We can have a cape burning party James! I'm gonna rough up my powergirl. Battle wear I guess you could say.

Cadet wrote:

Alright, 77 days, I'm going all out. Thinking about scheduling and packing, I decided it was either going to be No-Face or Kamina as my new costume for D*C. Since it seems there are not going to be any other Ghibli characters there, but Brandy is going to have Yoko, I have decided to focus in on Kamina and do him for D*C.

I should still be doing Ashitaka.

Quote :

Good bye food, hello weight lifting....

To echo Brandy, you can't get muscle without eating. I've started a high protein, low calorie diet to help get into shape for Dragon*Con.
To add to Brandy's list: brown rice, wheat bread, tuna, skinless-chicken, eggs, more oats, almost any fruit/vegetable, etc. Just make sure you aren't starving yourself.

When I said good bye food, I meant good bye non healthy food, I have done this before, you know:
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Trust me, you don't spend half a year training (but failing) to be a Spartan without picking up all the right eating tips and tricks.

Cadet wrote:

When I said good bye food, I meant good bye non healthy food, I have done this before, you know:
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Trust me, you don't spend half a year training (but failing) to be a Spartan without picking up all the right eating tips and tricks.

I need to know some good butt toning exercises. Gotta get DAT ASS for the costumes i'm doing.

Run up hill/up an incline/upstairs. Honestly, running up hill or at an upward incline tones your butt very fast.

Cadet wrote:

Run up hill/up an incline/upstairs. Honestly, running up hill or at an upward incline tones your butt very fast.

Have stairs will do.

I know, just trying to help, bro. Some people take things to excess which as Sonic would say is "no good".

I'm going to start a Fitness Club thread over on the Other board, we can discuss routines, progress, motivation, whatever.

I have some red and black fabrics that might work for Kamina, saving us a trip to a fabric store. I will get pics/find out what type of material they are, and post them here for feed back if it is thought that they might work, or if we a trip to the fabric store will be warranted.

Ordered some "Fluorescent Transparent" acrylic plastic today for the sunglasses.

What the hell do you think I'm wearing?!?!

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Cadet wrote:

What the hell do you think I'm wearing?!?!

I think you're wearing some bad-ass shades! Those are awesome!

Very cool.

Your glasses are bad ass btw.

Here are some cape updates. logo on back, main part of cape and collar should be finished tonight before I go to bed. I found the perfect pattern after much searching.

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It lays just the way the photos in the art book show Kaminas cape laying. Very tickled about showing off the finished product. Did I mention I banned myself from the internet after 11:00 to continue working on it. lol.

Might I say that last picture is one of the worst pictures I have ever taken. Enjoy it, Jake, because I'm usually "so photogenic".

MOAR PROGRESSSSSSSS!!!!

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Freezer paper stencil logo time. I should totally make a flog too if time allows.

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Mmmmmmmmmm boy. Just need flames and collar.