#apparently a version of the photo with armstrong has been memed

[wolfprintsinthesnow]

Nina (Chimera) - Fullmetal Alchemist

First, let me preface that I have only created three mascot costumes to date as I write this (out of well over 20 cosplays).  I only create them when the character I am trying to portray is more suited to something other than a simple human in fancy clothes.  Sometimes, a beast requires something just a bit more to cosplay.  Also, mascots are expensive and time consuming.  Far cheaper if you make one yourself, but they still run several hundred dollars minimum.  They are more than a workout to wear and often do require some level of fitness and mindfulness while wearing to not get injured or suffer heat stroke.  They are a huge undertaking and challenge, but the rewards when you succeed make it worth the effort.  I am not part of the furry fandom, though I do respect those who are.  It's not a fandom I choose to follow and cannot answer questions regarding it, though it is where many mascot building resources reside (and most in that fandom aren't creepy, which is no different than almost every other fandom, so be nice).  I'm just a cosplayer who sometimes likes to take on a challenge.

With that said, I am a huge fan of Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.  Years ago, when first watching FMA, before the manga completed, one of the most striking and heart-wrenching scenes is that of when Edward and Al are talking to Shou Tucker, the "Sewing-Life Alchemist" who is known for having created the only ever talking chimera.  In the absence of Shou's daughter, Nina and dog, Alexander, Edward puts deduces their fate.  Nina's own father did the unthinkable, simply to see if he could because the science was there; ethics be damned.  Forbidden work that cannot be undone.  My friend who makes mascots challenged me at some point to try making one, so she had someone to walk around with.  So, I ran with the challenge and decided not to just do a partial mascot, but to attempt a quad suit on the first go.  I decided on Nina as my subject matter.

It was a huge challenge and departure from my usual cosplays.  Sculpting out of faux fur and foam, creating hinges, and working with electronics.  All of these were new skills for me at the time that had to be researched, learned, and some trial and error.  The eyes are LED and there is a small, CPU fan in the nose for circulation and air flow, each running off a 9V battery.  The jaw moves when I talk, though not as responsively as I would like.  The frame of the head is plastic canvas and foam.  There is a hinge at the ankle of the PVC pipe stilt legs.  The mane and tail are horse hair.  The tail is actually a horse tail on a belt I use at Renaissance festivals and happened to be the sorrel color I needed.  I just poke it out through a hold in the proper location.  The paw pads and nose are latex and are from Dreamvision Studios.  The teeth are made of sculpey and the tongue is craft foam.  Visibility is through chiffon fabric at the tear ducts in the head.  The costume isn't heavy, but it is a test of stamina to wear.  You feel like you are in a sauna within a couple of minutes of zipping it up (almost instantly if the weather is quite warm).  You MUST drink water CONSTANTLY, so the moving jaw helps with staying hydrated as well as for realism.  I have a friend walk around with me at all times as a handler.  This helps to make sure I don't overheat, provide an extra set of eyes, and also for safety.  You can't always hear everyone clearly around you in the crowd and visibility is low in this kind of cosplay.  Some spectators forget there is an actual person inside and may either run into you (this has happened at least once with the person running straight on into my head, almost shoving the bottom of the head into my throat).  Luckily, considering the character, no one tries to 'sit' on her.  People are disturbed and creeped out by the cosplay, as they should be.  I did get a small child in a stroller who was super happy and excited to see me and insisted on hugging my nose though.  Ah, the innocent children....

The reception has been amazing when I've worn this cosplay.  The cries of "Ninaaaaaaaaa!" "Nooooooooooooo!" "Whyyyyyyyyyyyy?!?!" are delicious and, while no one else can see it, I am usually giggling madly inside when I hear them.  It means I did my job.  One year, my friend who decided to visit Anime Boston from Michigan, walked around with me as Shou Tucker.  Finding a little girl Nina cosplayer was priceless as well as finding a Hohenheim cosplayer (I can't find the photo at the moment).  I've had the opportunity to show pictures of Nina to Vic Mignogna which was pretty exciting.  Sadly, I could not bring Nina to NYCC to show in person.  It's simply too crowded at that con and I would not want to risk injury in such cramped quarters if someone rammed into my head wrong in a cosplay with such limited visibility.  

The legs now creak and one leans to one side.  Unless I have a good reason to fix them and bring her back out and ‘fatten her up’ a bit, she is most likely retired.

Alex Louis Armstrong is Contradan Cosplay

Kurama is my friend drag0feathers who challenged me to make a mascot.

Shou Tucker is my friend Dennis.

#my cosplay #cosplay #nina fma #chimera fma #chimera #fma #fma brotherhood #fullmetal alchemist #fullmetal alchemist brotherhood #contradan cosplay #my friends #apparently a version of the photo with armstrong has been memed #I am evil (not really) with my cosplay choices #all the feels