EX staff writer Ken Cho strikes a pose as one of the Fushigi Yugi characters.




Totoro, Action Kamen, and the infamous Video Guy Al strike a pose for the camera.


Masquerade: Paper Faces on Parade

What do you get when you take the already chaotic ANIME EXPO Masquerade, add a $500 cash prize from Nikaku Animart, a $250 Viz Shop-by-Mail prize, and an additional prize provided by Kimono My House? You get the largest--and most arguably--best, AX Masquerade ever.
At 7:00pm, fans started lining up outside the door in anticipation. At 8:00pm, the supposed starting time, they were still standing there. And still at 8:30. By 9:00, however, the fans were entering in an orderly fashion and being ushered into their seats by all available staffers and volunteers so that the fun could begin.
After they were all seated, one of the staff announced that the masquerade would begin "in two minutes." The audience cheered in response. Several minutes later, however, it was announced that, "It's going to be a long two minutes."
After a few more minutes of patiently waiting, the costuming began. Some of the people chose to simply walk across the stage without saying anything, while some had a brief skit or speech to accompany their costumes. Many of the contestants used music to add to the mood.
The costumes included many familiar favorites--the Goddess sisters from OH! MY GODDESS, a handful of Sailor Senshi, Pretty Sami, Sharon Apple, and the like. Another memorable costume was a very elaborate Shirotsugu from WINGS OF HONNEAMISE. There was also an impressive group of Suzaku from FUSHIGI YUGI, including our own Maria Munoz and Ken Cho.
The costume contest also had its share of strange entries as well--the most memorable being the "cross-dressing breakdancing Street Fighters." This was a trio of guys who came out dressed as their favorite female street fighter characters and proceeded to stage a cross between a choreographed fight and some breakdancing. Audience reaction was mixed at first, but everyone soon seemed to just sit back and laugh. And you have to admit, it takes guts to parade around in front of a thousand people dressed as Cammy, especially if you happen to be a male.


The SD Gundam makes a stage appearance.		 The more serious costuming was also a spectacle, but for different reasons. When the Totoro came out from behind the curtain and shuffled across the stage in a very Totoro-esque fashion, the audience responded appreciatively. A similar response was given when Action Kamen, a super hero from CRAYON SHIN-CHAN appeared.
When the SD RX-78 Gundam was unveiled, however, the audience went wild with applause. This was a very painstakingly crafted costume--even the wings on the little Haro moved. It was undoubtedly the hit of the show.


The Sharon Apple Project members.		 Just when everyone thought the costuming was over, however, one special guest made her grand entrance. As the full-size Sharon "the Box" Apple rolled up the aisle, she was greeted by the entire room shouting in unison, "Sharon! Sharon! Sharon!" It was, quite literally, a live-action reenactment from the scene in the OVA, complete with the accompanying music.
After the arrival of Sharon, it was announced that she was not a competing costume. The audience was heard to comment things like, "I should hope not!" and "Good thing!" The judges then left to select the winners. The winners were as follows:

  First Prize:
RX-78 Gundam, Mark Salisbury
  Second Prize:
Totoro, Joshua Follick and friend
(worn by Joshua Follick)
  Third Prize:
Shirotsugu Lhardott, Kier Bass
  Best Presentation:
Action Kamen, Yoshito Kurisu

This was the largest Anime Expo Masquerade ever, and since this event has always been one of the highlights of the convention, the future seems to hold more numerous and elaborate costumes in the coming year.

--Charles McCarter