Lingerie Slayer

Halloween is my favorite holiday, always has been. The costumes. The theater. It’s fun! It’s also an avenue that has allowed me to be creative my way. When I found out about cosplay? I was enamored. In high school I would remember watching cosplay compilations from popular cons on YouTube. Glued to the screen in awe. At some point I brought the idea of cosplaying to my mother and the rest was history.

I went to Fan Expo Philadelphia in 2022. I was cosplaying Sora from the Nightmare Before Christmas world. I got the key blade and mask from Spirit of Halloween. Clothes I already had. It was fun and I liked the way it came together but being in that corset for so long was uncomfortable.

Blerdcon

Three days full of embracing being a Black nerd, a Blerd.

I went with two good friends and thoroughly enjoyed the time we had together.

I don’t have many cons under my belt. There were two I went to before this one, both located in Philly. Attending the weekend of Blerdcon instantly threw me back into my con beginnings. My love for costumes and theatrics.

Lemme take you back to when the anime and cosplay love began. It’s high school. The big three are Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece. Kids are hitting the Naruto run in various ninja headbands.

There was a con in Philly (might have been the fan expo because I’m pretty sure we were at the convention center) and I really wanted to go. The first cosplay I ever did was Sakura from the Naruto Shippuden era. I don’t think it was on the market at the time, but that was the costume I wanted. Looking back I think my mother didn’t understand. As I recall her stoic expression that shifted to confusion while trying to explain anime and cosplay to her. She didn’t necessarily understand, but she helped me get that cosplay. There was a woman on my grandmothers block that made clothes. She was known for making prom dresses. When I showed up with my mom, she also looked at me a little confused when I explained what I wanted, but took on the job nonetheless. My mom could have looked at me and told me to figure it out, but instead she found someone who could make my cosplay dreams come true. Looking back on this as an adult, I believe this was her showing support. Knowing that I was a little different and allowing me to embrace that. My first cosplay was custom made for me, thats crazy. (Tbh, she always did. I went to school with tutus under my skirt and converse to my knees. And I was a scene kid.)

Now she didn’t take me to the con, instead I went with a friend and her mom. And I’m thankful she was there because sometimes people at cons can get weird. There was an Alucard (Hellsing) cosplayer. This person (white male) towered over me and this leads me to assume they were an adult. Or surely older than I at the age of 15. Without asking my name, without saying a hello, they smiled and uttered the words. “Sakura, can I bite your neck?” I remember looking at this person with an expression of disbelief on my face and shaking my head. I’m sure they got the hint because they briskly walked away. I remember thinking that was weird as hell and then going back to enjoying myself. Or trying to enjoy myself.

I remember walking through what was left of vendors and hanging with some con-goers after. But that Alucard memory is the first thing that plays in my head when I think about my very first cosplay con experience.

(Present me speaking to this weirdo: you weird nasty, bitch. I was a child and you really fucked up my experience. As a young Black girl I was already being hypersexualized and you made me uncomfortable. I just waned to be a kid. And have fun. And you made it weird. You fetishized me. Fuck you.)

Antyways…

Why did I choose Sakura as my first cosplay?

She’s strong. And smart! By time Naruto Shippuden came around, she had stepped into her power. Home girl was punching boulders. With just a glove on her fist. Young me was widdit. Real simple, nothing too drastic. I would love to bring that cosplay back, but I have no idea where my original cosplay is, and I highly doubt I can fit it. So I would have to make it all over, which I wouldn’t mind but it’s not really on my radar right now.

I had to hit you with the lore to bring you up to date.

For Blerdcon I brought out Raven (Teen Titans) and Mitsuri Kanroji (Demon Slayer). I was able to attend a few dope panels, I got some comic books for $1, finally got a chance to meet some amazing people in person, went out to the party on Saturday night, and just had a damn good time overall. One of my favorite panels was ‘Fear of a Black (Nerd) Planet: Cosplay as Liberatory Praxis’ by Dr.Shardé Chapman. Being a new educator, it’s refreshing to see other Black folks bring their full personality into their work. Especially when they find a way to include their nerdy interests.

By time Sunday came around I just wanted to be cozy and browse what was left from vendors. No cosplay from me, just comfy clothes. I was spent and ready to get on the road, but we all wanted to see everything that there was still left to see. That ride back home was a little bit of laughs at first and then silence because the girls were tired. I enjoyed my first Blerdcon. And my friends did too! So much that we already have our hotel and tickets for next year.

Some photos from Blerdcon 2025

Otakon

Truly a last minute booking. Nothing planned out. Just another con that was close (girl, that drive was 3 hours) by. I was not in the mood to “con crunch”. Just wanted to have fun and see all I could see for my first time. I drove for this one. Hit some traffic, but that was no big deal. We arrived late in the day on Friday so the priority was grabbing those passes. We were able to walk around artist alley a bit. Only made it halfway through before we needed to make some food moves.

Parking was a bitch. I completely underestimated how packed nearby parking garages would be. The hotel we stayed in was nice and only a street up from the convention center (where said con was taking place). I ended up parking in a nearby parking garage and surprisingly the price was cheaper than what I would have been paying at the hotel originally. Once THAT was figured out, we grabbed some pizza and went out to an afterparty.

Saturday

We were Sims. It was so cute. Only had a few panels we were interested in and they were pretty spaced out time wise. Grabbed manga that was 20% off. Both titles that Junji Ito has worked on. I wanted so much more, but didn’t feel like carrying it around the con. Geeked out over folks dressed as the SCP Foundation task force.

Went out this night. Police presence was too noticeable. FBI. Secret Service. Out in the open just waiting to make someone’s life hard. Why you need the national guard out in broad daylight is beyond me. Actually, it’s not beyond me because I know this is being done to further the regime of white supremacy. I don’t drive into Washington often but I notice the heightened surveillance. George Orwell would be absolutely sick.

Sunday

Grabbing those last minute purchases. I had my eye on the sword of Mitsuri Kanroji. And thanks to a lovely cosplayer dressed as Haru (Beastars) I was put on to the fact that not all vendors had the same price. I spent Saturday looking around so that I could get in and get out for our last day. I sure did miss out on some items, but now I know.

Some photos from Otakon 2025

Comin Home

Stopped for ramen before we left and it was delicious. Some of the best ramen I’ve ever had to be honest.

I left the con feeling inspired. I already had a list of cosplays I need to get off, and I just moved one up on the list. They aren’t in a specific order, but I feel I gotta put some of my OG loves first. I can tell you these con experiences have made me happier.

Already planning my Blerdcon 2026 lineup.

That Monday back was nothing but rest and relaxation. And now I have to get around to making birthday plans. I say this on the 19th with nothing set in stone. Last minute planning? Procrastination? Birthday ran up on me? Who knows.

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Are you an anime/manga fan? Do you cosplay? Let me know in the comments. It’s always a pleasure to have you here reading the thoughts that come out of my head. I had so much fun in these cosplays and I can’t wait to see what else I can do.💕