Naka-Kon 2012 (Story Time!)

So this is way overdue. Naka was Feb 10th-12th at the Overland Park Convention Center. It was held at a new venue this year, and I have to say I really enjoyed it. The center was really well suited for the Con and the hotel was beautiful. I really hope they ask us back again.

TO START:

I pulled another all nighter for this con (you know that one thing I promised myself I wouldn't do..) Reason was I had to finish a friends costume, and my own. I'm really glad I pulled through on it on his though because it turned out pretty good and he seemed very happy. I helped him make a King of all Cosmos Cosplay from Katamari.

First thing we did was go to a called Pho Thai for lunch. To start this place was insanely fancy. I mean Koi fish pond, waterfall, and giant Buddha statue IN THE RESTAURANT. We wouldn't have been able to eat there if it wasn't for the fact that their lunch menu is decently priced. We made asses of ourselves and enjoyed some really amazing food.

Oh and I had coconut sticky rice for the first time. It is pretty much the most amazing thing I've ever tasted..

After our nice lunch we went back to the hotel to get ready. I wore Alice for the first night.

My friend Adam got into his Katamari cosplay I helped him make, but not before I tried his giant tube head on..

That's his cosplay. Pretty Epic huh? He made that awesome head, while I sewed the shirt, sash, and made his necklace and bear belt buckle thingy.

When we got to the convention the first thing I did was go meet Yaya Han. I was too nervous to talk to her at AX so this time I was going to introduce myself damnit! I promised myself I wouldn't act like an idiot but I did.. lol I got a picture with her, and an autograph. She seemed to eally like my Alice cosplay which made me so happy ^.^ I was so proud when I walked away. To receive good feedback from her was such an honor, she really inspires me. I was sure to get a picture with her. Before my friend took it I was like "don't look like an idiot, don't look like an idiot!!!"

Then of course I still derp faced. DON'T MAKE FUN OF ME! I was Nervous :'(

<----Story of my life

So here is a full picture of my Alice Silk Maiden Cosplay!
For all the work I did on it I didn't get that many people who knew who I was or more specifically knew the dress. They did recognize the Hobby Horse though lol figures.

I had a lot of fun talking to people and posing for pics in this. I went to Yaya's Q&A panel which was awesome, then entered myself in the hall Cosplay contest (since I couldn't enter Alice in the mains stage contest since it is not of Japanese origin). At about 7 or 8 I got tired from the heels and carrying big ole Edgar so I decided to go back to my room and change. I put on what I now lovingly refer to as my Rainbow Slut outfit lol. This is basically a simple school girl outfit and my all time favorite wig ever plus some combat boots. I wear this when I feel like taking a break at conventions from cosplay, but still want to stand out. The outfit itself isn't really all that "slutty" just an ongoing joke.
Anyway changing allowed me to get some cool pictures with cosplayers and friends and got mess around at panels without being in a cumbersome outfit.

Then it was ADVENTURE TIME!!!

He's the Hero Naka deserves..

I ran into my two Kigurumi friends Sonya and Red!!

Saturday was the big day for our High School of the Dead cosplays!

We all got ready and hit the con :) We joined the cosplay contest and won Judges choice from the craftsmanship judge WOOT! We were up against some crazy good costumes. Here's a few pics of the group..

Taken by Pfeifer Photography

The group with Incognito Cinema Warriors XP (ICWXP). Epic Mash up! HOTD and CORPS Zombies are like, "Dude WTF?"

Another decent pic of our group, but we are down two zombies. I was making an awkward face because I was eating pizza while people were asking for our picture. I gladly obliged and hid my pizza behind Willy XD

Taken by Jason Gevargizian
Haha you can't see me >.< On stage for the Cosplay Contest! The 5 of us went on first then our zombies attacked!!

Taken by Emma Morales
All of us + zombies!! OM nom nom nom...

Our HOTD group is..

Bethany (Me) as Saeko
Linda as Saya
Don and Lulu as Takashi and Rei
Willy as Hirano
Brandon as Red Shirted Zombie
Chad as Gym Class Zombie
Will as Businessmen Zombie

Award FTW!! After this things got silly...
I changed out of Saeko, put on my rainbow wig, and it was ADVENTURE TIME again!
My rainbow wig gives me special powers..

Epic Picture is Epic..

Freakin Willy lol <3 Sunday I goofed around in plain clothes and handed out Valentines to random con goers. I waited until closing cermonies and ended up getting this!!!

YAY all that work wasn't for nothing! I got best overall on my Silk Maiden Cosplay in the Hall Cosplay contest :)

Last thing to share is my con swag and gifts.

On my autograph Yaya wrote "Keep up the great cosplay!"

Naka is a very special convention for me because there are so many people in my life who attend since it is local. I had an absolute blast this year and I'm sure next years will be even better. Naka is growing and I'm very happy to hear that. Thanks everyone who made this so special for me! I love you all!!

-QK

(All pictures featured in this post unless noted differently underneath them were taken by Will Jeselnik. Thanks Will!)