YEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAHHHHAHAHHAHAHA

I cant believe this actually happened, after 7 years of wanting to make this design and 2 failed attempts, I finally finished the custom non-binary alt Lagombi Armor set...plus Snowclad!

This design is so utterly delightful and adorable. I have to admit this costume gave me the run around and certainly after spending weeks waking up at 5 am before work to paint all those patterns, crafting this was was An Ordeal but I'm so happy with how it turned out! I'm also very happy that this costume ended up manifesting after all these years, theres something fufilling about having such a long-standing aspiration finally come to life!

This is my Gore Magala greatsword build! It took about a month and a half work time to make and paint back in spring of 2023. It stands over 6 feet and is even taller than the hammer! Weight-wise it’s top heavy as to be expected, but it’s manageable.

I am willing to sell it, but it’s going to be more expensive than the hammer! Lol

I got proposed to in monster hunter cosplay earlier this year at Sakuracon 🥺💖

Time to throw my props in the grass because I finished themmmmm

Although the cat paw sword isn’t perfect in my eyes I’m still happy with what I made and I’m very excited to bring it to my next con!

Shield is made out of EVA foam and the sword is PVC, foam clay and fleece

A woop woop woop woop Fun fact: I started this thing in 2020... right before the Big Global Awful Event, and only got to wear it almost two years later... I love how the Great Jaggi's colorful hide came out though!

Photography by sps.cosplay.photography on IG

Almost done making the fan case!

Somnacanth from Monster Hunter Cosplayer: @the_gnome_queen  // photo: quachstar.jpg

I’ve been cosplaying for 9 years and every time I choose a cosplay I like to add something new to my skillset. Sometimes it’s from a franchise I’m deeply familiar with and sometimes it’s just something that catches my eye. Somnacanth was an example of the latter. I saw the concept art for the armor and was immediately drawn in by how different it was. The colors, the design, and the potential to add my own details to the armor was what attracted me. But I don’t like being ignorant of the source material and I hadn’t played Monster Hunter in years, so I started picked up Monster Hunter Rise. What I love about the game is the creature and world design, as well as the ability to craft materials into your own weapons and armor.

Although the world of Monster Hunter doesn’t technically have magic, there are similar qualities to the experience. The Somnacanth Armor reminded me of something inspired by mysticism and the creature itself has almost supernatural qualities that I wanted to capture in the amor and details. I love finding new technology and incorporating it into my cosplays. With a recent project I discovered tiny LCD screens that play back eyeball visual effects with movement. I knew I wanted to incorporate that into the monster head prop. However, I had never used that technology before and so it took some time to learn and master the coding needed to customize that effect as well as the wiring involved.

One of my favorite aspects of cosplay is connecting with other creators and “talking shop”. Each year, NYCC draws extremely talented individuals to compete in the Crown Champsionships of Cosplay. I’ve been able to meet some truly amazing makers who are so giving and passionate about sharing knowledge within the cosplay community. NYCC was one of the first conventions I returned to in a post pandemic world and so it’s special to me in that way.

This was my third time competing in the Crown Championships at NYCC and while I had won a category in the past, this was my first time placing in the contest. It’s truly an honor (and so humbling) to be recognized by such inspiring judges and stand alongside other cosplayers who are at the top of their game. I’ve never travelled to a convention that hasn’t been within driving distance from my home. The chance to attend C2E2 for the finals and meet other cosplayers from around the country and the world is thrilling!  I hope to make the Monster Hunter community proud!

Something I really love about cosplay is seeing people’s reactions to something I’ve worked so hard on. With my Somnacanth Armor I was especially proud of all the details I added. From hand beading to lighting sfx and foam smithing to 3d modelling I am floored when people get to see the details I’ve added. There’s nothing more gratifying than someone saying “look at this…but then look at this….and then there’s this!”

I love sharing knowledge about making things. When someone reaches out with a question about how I did something, or how they can learn a new skill it feels good. I hope my passion for this craft and community comes across in what I share.

Cosplay has given me the opportunity to have a creative outlet among a group of likeminded people. Growing up, my father always taught me that age is just a number and if you love something you should embrace it. He passed away just before I started cosplay as a hobby and so I threw myself into it to deal with my grief. I was initially reluctant to share my hobby with those in my everyday life, but as I learned more about myself through crafting, I became more confident and proud of my creations. I realized I wanted to be the person that younger me would be proud of.

I know a lot of people find them creepy, but I really just love gnomes! I’m totally dating myself, but I grew up watching a cartoon called David the Gnome. Gnomes have always kind of followed me throughout my life. Friends and family give them to me as gifts. They’re all over my house in small and large ways. I even have two gnome tattoos!

Wip of Astalos cosplay from monsterhunter

This is one of my favorite pics from my Yomogi shoot from earlier this year 🥺 I love Monster Hunter so much- 📸 by TheF1G! And I made the cosplay myself~

A commission I finished last year, an Avatar from Monster Hunter! For a commission of your own, message me on www.facebook.com/CommissionsByAmazonMandy Other social media: Instagram, twitter, tiktok: AmazonMandy Webpage/FAQ: AmazonMandy.com

lagombi is DONE oh my god.

this project was at first was downright cursed, then just a bitter slog, until finally at the end an utter delight and im so happy its done. I've wanted to make this set for SEVEN YEARS and had two failed attempts before this _(:3」∠)_

also this costume broke my vacuum

This is the Tigrex hammer I built about 2 years ago. It is just over 6 feet tall and fairly top heavy as to be expected of a hammer. It took a month of straight work to build and paint. The painting was my favorite part.

I’m still bringing it to my local cons, and have had many a hunter come stop and take a pic or two with me and it.

I am willing to sell it. It won’t be cheap. Lol

Cute lil turn around of my Azure Starlord cosplay. This was the last time wearing it before retiring it cuz she is falling apart now! 😩

I made everything with EVA foam, but the antlers are made with insulation foam board. The marble effect on the armor was achieved using an acrylic pour method! Also I never wanna make another slinger lol

I realized I completely forgot to post anything from DCC last weekend! Had a lot of fun competing in my Espinas armor. Didn’t place but I already felt like a winner the moment I stepped on stage. There were more awesome professional pictures taken that I may post one day.

(📷 top): @diesaur , wonderful as ever

(📷 stage): sevenblade cosplay cinematics, from the video that was posted online :)

Happy 20th anniversary to Monster Hunter, my favorite Lizard Fashion Simulator! Jokes aside, I got absolutely hooked by the MH4U demo back in the days and I owe the series a lot of fun times hunting in transit and grinding materials with friends late into the night. Cosplay wise Monhun is one of those series that seriously challenged my sewing and foam construction skills and I still look fondly back to those costumes years later! Here to plenty more good years! PS. I would love to hunt Tetsucabra and Nerscylla again Capcom pls

Photographer (photo 1): rcklsspic Photographer (photo 2): sps.cosplay.photography

I let these sit for a full day before rinsing them out in the shower, then I plan on ironing them while dry to hopefully help the dye set in better.

However, I'm really encouraged by how vibrant the fabric has stayed after rinsing, it's gorgeous in person.

I wore the sleeves for fun, and a breeze hit them just right and suddenly I felt lime I'd just stepped into Rivendell.

I highly recommend wearing billowy sleeves, you feel instantly 100% cooler.