NGE Misato: Decisive Battle

Neon Genesis Evangelion - Katsuragi Misato, mini-shoot at Manifest 2010 with Neil Creek.

This pose was inspired by a figurine I found when searching for reference pics. Ever since our Reborn shoot at Manifest 2009, I've wanted to use the stark, metal wall of the Showgrounds building for another shoot, and this was just about perfect!

It's not like Misato is my favourite character from NGE, but then again... I don't really have a favourite. All of them have their flaws and strengths, and I honestly do think that they're "human" enough that I can't really pick one that I admire 100%. That being said - I do identify quite a bit with Misato. She's caring to a fault, makes mistakes and takes responsibility for them, and carries out her duties no matter what. I want to be like her when I grow up XD

That still wasn't the deciding factor for why I cosplayed her, though. Manifest Sunday is traditionally the day that the cosplayers relax, and wear something that is much more comfortable than Saturday's outfit. With that in mind, I wanted something that had flat shoes, a nice warm top, and made of comfy stretch fabric. I also wanted to do something retro to match my Saturday outfit (Hououji Fuu from Magic Knights Rayearth), plus, the reaction I got from all my male friends when they heard I was planning to do Misato was very encouraging ;D

Construction Notes:

• The jacket and hat were made from furniture vinyl. I couldn't find any synthetic leather in time, and I saw a pretty sad looking cosplayer who made hers out of cotton drill (sorry, Val!), and I vowed that I would be as fabric-accurate as I could.


• Unfortunately, nothing would stick to the vinyl, so the shoulder panels and other patches are held on with safety pins. The patch on the hat was actually glued on with eyelash glue that I had to buy on the day I wore the costume.


• I actually used the same pattern for both jacket and the dress! I just skipped sewing the darts on the jacket, and lengthened the pattern to make it dress length.


• Estimated costs: Less than $100AUD, I scored the boots from a 50% off sale, which made them only $17! The most expensive fabric was the vinyl at about $20/m.
  
  • Firsts for this costume:
    
    • First time dying/tinting a wig - I couldn't find anything the right colour, so I tinted a purple wig darker using the Sharpie dye bath method.
    
    
    • First time working with vinyl - I broke three leatherworking needles D:
    
    

Photo credit: Neil Creek.
Rest of shoot: Neil Creek's Convention Gallery - Manifest 2010 Sunday.