World Cosplay Summit 2016 – Part 12: Day 8 1st stage

Nov 9, 2016 | Cosplay, Events, International Cosplay Contests, Japan, Travel | 0 comments

After going to the Aichi Arts Center we had some food and some nice chat with the other participants and changed slowly in our costumes.
We also checked our props and just waited until it was our turn.


I don’t really know what happened but for some teams it seemed to be very stressful and they where fighting a lot. So we tried to help them as much as possible with tape, sprays and everything we had, because we still had a lot of time.

I guess the biggest problem was that the staff wasn’t able to handle the props carefully. Some of them broke. We also got that problem at the 2nd stage.

But before going on stage, the staff told us that we have been nominated for the Brother award. We were really really happy, because that means we were one of the top 4 costumes!
They told us to go into a very small room, where the Brother staff checked our costumes (for about 1 minute). That means even if you are 4th place during the costume judging, if Brother likes you costume you still have a chance to get this award.

We were really surprised to be one of the top 4, because we saw the costumes of the other participants and knew that they where top notch.
With our props backstage
When it was our turn we moved our props from square to square (first to our number, than to the standby square and than directly to the stage and than on the stage) and set them up on stage.
Sadly the staff forgot our whole setting, so Chiko needed to correct it on stage. It took some time and was very difficult, because we needed to put them up while the stage was pitch black.
Sadly they also mixed up our files. We prepared an English skit for the 1rst stage, because we knew that most of the judges (the organizers of the A Block) are mostly English speaking people. I am not sure if you could see it, but Chiko needed to react immediately. I also was quite confused.
During the skit we made some mistakes during the umbrella dance and the sword fight. But it didn’t really matter, because we know we could give our best.

After our performance the host was asking us some questions and we went back to backstage.

After going to backstage we had about 3 interviews (I forgot to mention we already had 2-3 before backstage) and went back to our changing room until the walk through the stage begun.

Stage interview

During the WCS you always have at least one camera following you. They are also filming at the bus or when you are going (for example) to the Pokemon park. I got pretty much used to it directly after arriving at the airport, that they are filming you and asking you questions.

I had the feeling some teams felt very uncomfortable, because sometime they filmed you at the most stressful or embarrassing moments or wanted an interview.

Backstage interview

Even during changing or doing make up (of course they asked beforehand) they filmed us.

After that really long day finally the walk in and award ceremony begun.
We just walked through the stage, posed in the middle and walked away from the stage, lined up backstage and went to the stage again.

Stage walk

The staff forgot that during the practice barely anyone had their costume on.

Because the B Block was standing behind the A Block we needed to change (B block to the front, A Block to the back), they forgot that we didn’t had much place due to the costumes and also changing the places was difficult.
If you won an award, you step to the front (or fight you way through the first row) got the sponsor board, smiled and went back to your place.
The funniest thing was, that no one knew what the special prices mean (of course everyone knew the Brother and Nico Nico award).

When the Nico Nico award was announced I was freaking out again because I never expected to be one of the candidates for the Nico Nico award. I know that Germany never was good at skits. I was so happy!
When I saw that people really voted for us at the end vote I felt so happy! Thanks, really thanks for all your support!!!

Awards and Nico Nico

Chiko and I were so happy! For us this was everything we wanted. We knew we were top 4 of costume and top 2 at Nico Nico. At this point we knew whatever comes; we are satisfied with what we could reach. We knew we gave our best and the people liked our worked.

After getting all the awards they announced the top 16 teams for the finals at Sunday.
First of the A block and afterwards of the B block.
You were supposed to step into the front and waved and step back.
Afterwards the B block moved to the front and changed places with the A block.

Group picture

Sadly we weren’t chosen for the finals, but we didn’t care.

For us it was fulfilling enough to know, that the people liked our work.
But when we went backstage everyone was running around hectically.
We just went there and stood around with our organizers.
We also started packing our stuff until someone told us to gather at the stage.
The staff thanked us for the cooperation and told us the schedule for tomorrow, as well what the teams are supposed to do.

She explained that there will be the Osu parade, where the finalists don’t need to participate. And that they reserved tickets for the teams who have not been chosen for the 2nd stage.
She also told us, that everyone should come in Cosplay, because there would be a kind interview from Nico Nico (not sure if I understood it right…) and all the teams should go up on stage for a group picture.
After the briefing they told us that due to a counting mistake two teams haven’t been chosen to be at the 2nd stage, although they were supposed to be.

With Team Korea
Chiko and I were just thinking, OMG maybe we still have a chance??
And yes, due to a counting mistake Team Germany and team South Korea could move to the 2nd stage. I was so happy! I already planned my day and were looking forward to see all the performances and know I could also participate by my own.

You cannot imagine what a great honor it was and how happy we were!
They really asked us if it’s ok to include the two teams who have been chosen mistakenly.
Actually why did he asked? Of course it was! It would have felt really bad if they would kick out teams because of me…
Afterwards they started the appearance order lottery for the stage.
We were number 17th.

After changing, grabbing some food of the backstage buffet, we went back to the hotel and slept or tried to sleep. Because I was so nervous and excited that I barely could close my eyes.

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