It’s always been fun for me to build costumes and dress up as my favorite characters and I do it every chance I can. In August 2019, I went to a convention,
This convention was primarily directed towards gaming, so I figured this would be the best place to wear this cosplay. Most people at the first con I brought Ravio to didn’t recognize who the character was, and while that absolutely is not the point of cosplay, I figured he was better suited for a convention where he would be more identifiable. This was that con.
I eagerly woke up, went to work, and then headed back to my parent’s house where my cosplay awaited. I was so ready to cosplay as my favorite Lorule shopkeeper! I had spent a few hours the day before remaking my fleece hat to mimic Ravio’s bunny hood and I couldn’t wait to try out the new green contacts I had bought specifically for this cosplay. All I wanted to do was dress up and have fun, and that was exactly what I did.
I had planned from the start to join the cosplay contest. I usually do. It’s always fun for me to show off my own work as well as admire that of the other contestants. Whether I win or lose, it’s always a good time, so no regrets. This time I’d be accompanied by two of my friends which made it all the more better.
The show went on and we all went up together. My two friends were called up to the stage first and I went right after. No matter how many times I do this, I still get nervous. Being in costume usually does help a lot as I attempt to stay in character, but admittedly, Ravio was always a little more difficult for me to verbally portray. I’m a goofball alright, but where Ravio comes off as charismatic and adorable I feel like I just come off as a dope.
The judges asked me questions about the process of making my cosplay, which was the easiest part. The challenge of creating a costume is one of the things that makes it fun, so I could easily go off about that for hours. Then they asked me why I chose Ravio. Instead of just shamelessly plugging my article (like I am now) about why I love Ravio and that being the end of that, I ended up talking about
The cosplay contest ran long, about two hours over. My friends and I were tired, myself especially having been awake since six in the morning. However, I’m so happy we stuck it out to the end. They began to announce the winners and I didn’t expect much to happen. They started with special winners, and as it turned out, my friend who was cosplaying Battle of Bikini Bottom Spongebob won for best performance. Would you really expect any less from a guy who
I was so happy for my friend, beaming with pride for his accomplishment. He had just begun cosplaying, so for him to earn a reward so early on in his cosplay journey was truly a shining moment. Then they began to call the final three places. As I mentioned, whether I won or lost, I had always had a fantastic time. My friends and I had met so many great cosplayers just sitting in the audience, chatting about gaming all through the night together like we’ve known each other for ages. That alone would have been worth joining the competition.
They called the name for third place. It wasn’t me. Second place was announced. Still not me. I was just sitting there in the audience with a silly grin on my face, thinking to myself, “Oh well, it was fun just to be part of it all!” First place was called. I heard my name. I had won the contest.
I gasped, shrieked, then ran down the stairs like a maniac, still in shock from the news I had just received. It made sense to me, I did hand make every part of the costume, so why did it still feel so surreal? I had won contests before, but it was still so unexpected. There were so many other fabulous cosplayers I thought for sure would have beaten me. Winning just wasn’t on my mind that day.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m so grateful that I did. It’s always such an honor to have your work recognized by such talented people; it just wasn’t the reason that I was there. I really just wanted to spend time with Ravio, and if that was the only thing I got out of the day, that alone would have been worth it.
