(cos)WED: YOKO X AOI Cosplay
Written by: Riri (@lillyums)
This week's Cosplay Wednesday features a cosplayer from California, YOKO X AOI Cosplay. Her cosplay is Asuna Yuuki - specifically the wedding dress from the video game, Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragments. I haven't played that game, but I am a fan of SAO myself. In the anime, Asuna is the heroine and partner of the main protagonist, Kirito, and is an incredibly kind and helpful young woman with a strong drive to survive. Her emotions may take over at times but she means well and is loyal to her friends. She makes a strong female supporting role next to Kirito. Check out how Yoko brought her to life!
Cosplayer: YOKO X AOI Cosplay (FB, IG, Twitter)
Cosplay: Asuna Yuuki from Swort Art Online: Hollow Fragments video game
Variant: Wedding dress from the game
Photographer: Aoi (Anton Dove)
1. How long have you been cosplaying?
I've been cosplaying for almost 7 years! I started out in 2011 at Fanime and my most recent convention was SacAnime back in September.
2. Why did you choose to cosplay this character?
I chose to cosplay Asuna Yuuki, because she's intelligent, can have a fierce but also soft personality, and she's extremely talented in fighting & swordsmanship. Her being in a relationship with Kirito, the main male character, doesn't change her resolve in being strong. She's also raised in a strict family, much like me. Her confidence and strong resolve are both truly inspiring.
3. How long did it take you to complete?
About two months. There were days where I worked nearly non-stop, and then, there were also days where I needed a break because I had to re-evaluate my approaches to the design or overall appearance.
4. Any difficulties when constructing the costume?
I've never made a proper ballgown or wedding dress before but I did work on a couple of similar projects before. The real difficulty is when not only is the cosplay going to be consisted of layers, there are going to be components that need to be worked on separately but with end results that will bring the whole look together and still be accurate to the given references.
5. What do you love most about cosplaying this character?
Cosplaying Asuna allows me to feel pretty but also empowered by the desire to fight for what I believe in! It makes me feel like I can help make a difference, and it serves as a reminder for me to be always be strong.
6. Where did you debut this costume? If you haven't... where do you plan to debut?
SacAnime 2015.
7. What's next? Cosplay related of course...
I'll be making another Sakura Haruno cosplay from the anime and a couple of cosplays from other video game titles and old school anime!
Wow that is such a stunning gown! Great work, Yoko!
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