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EOY 2007: I AM GUNDAM
This is the most awesome cosplay that I saw at EOY 2007: GN-002 GUNDAM DYNAMES from the now on-air Mobile Suit Gundam OO series.
GN-002 Gundam Dynames
This cosplay is impressive not just because of the details and accuracy, it stood about 2m tall towering over the rest like a real-life mecha. This wasn’t the first mecha cosplay I’ve seen in Singapore. Some months ago, I saw some mecha cosplayers at Orchard Cineleisure promoting the Michael Bay Transformers movie. Although they might score an ‘A’ for effort, they failed to impress because they looked more like Mechs from Battletech rather than authentic looking Japanese mechas. This Gundam Dynames is a winning example of how a mecha cosplay should be like.
The mecha cosplay meister is non other than Clive Lee (aka Mirage_cld). He’s no stranger among the local cosplay community. Clive is reputed for smithing well-crafted, realistic looking armour and weapon props. He’s also a pioneer in making mecha costumes. This incredible Gundam Dynames is a culmination of his years of experience in mecha cosplay.
Clive Lee aka Mirage_cld
Clive’s made his debut as was RX-178 Gundam MKII back in 2001 at Miyuki Animation Club’s (MAC) cosplay event. That was the start of his “G Projects”. He’d paraded at other cosplay festivals as Gundam Wing 0, Epyon, and GP-02 too. At EOY 2005, he was the Knight of Gold from Five Star Stories. Though noted for his mecha cosplays, Clive also cosplayed as characters from fantasy-themed stories too. Check out his gallery.
The challenges of being a mecha cosplayer did not end with the completion of the props and armour, I’m sure storage and transportation of the finished costume would have been a logistical challenge.
Dynames’ Torso
GN Sniper Rifle
And what’s sexier than a stripper taking off her clothes? A man putting on his armour. Putting on his armour wasn’t an easy feat. He needed assistance to put on his kit.
Sailor Fuku Girl assistant
His sailor fuku girl assistant only added more moé (萌) the MOÉ (燃え) factor.When Clive was gearing up as Gundam Dynames, he was surrounded by a crowd of respectful fanboys.
Respectful Fans
As we gawked at the spectacle, the process of putting on the Gundam armour looked almost ritual. The enactment of the suiting-up could have been a performance art.
Suiting Up
It took more than ten minutes for Clive to don his Gundam suit. Clive was rapt in concentration, like he was invoking the spirit of Gundam to become one with his soul. The Sailor Fuku girl could have been the Miko or priestess.
Gundam Otoko and Sailor Fuku Mecha Musume
We were mesmerised. The spectators waited with bated their breath for the ‘coronation’.
Coronation
It was a sacred moment, when the Sailor Fuku priestess crowned Clive with the Helmet of Dynames. Clive became Gundam Dynames. And then, she presented Dynames his birthright – the Sniper Rifle.
A Call to Arms
Gundam Dynames was complete. There were thunderous applause and cheers from the spectators, when Dynames raised his weapon in salute.
I AM GUNDAM!!!!
GN-002 Gundam Dynames
I would grovel at this Gundam’s feet. It’s nothing like I’ve seen before. Clive Lee’s mecha cosplay ought to be the pride of the Singaporean otaku community.
The Heroic Mecha
Hopefully, Clive gets to tour the world’s cosplay festivals in his Gundam armour.
Here’s looking at you, kid
The Lonesome Gundam
Although it’s a Mobile Suit, the mecha costume restricted Clive’s mobility. He could only make limited, careful movements so as not to damage his costume or to keel over. He’s walking on a raised platform. To move around, he needed a chaperon. Thankfully, the participants at cosplay events are civilised beings. I could have imagined troublemakers grabbing his rifle and then running away with it…or even worse, rip off Dynames’ shields.
Gundam Dynames:”WTF…?”
Sailor Fuku Priestess:”…”
There was much chemistry between the two (it could be my runaway imagination) when she helped Clive put on his armour. It was a rather tender and moé act. And then, I had an idea. I asked the Sailor Fuku priestess for a kiss…for her to kiss Gundam. I know it was a cheeky request, but it’s definitely going to make a Kodak moment.
Gundam Dynames:”…”
Sailor Fuku Priestess:”…”
I think both of them were taken aback by my request, but they gamely obliged.
doki..doki…doki…
It was a moment frozen in time, as the Mecha and the Musume drew close to each other at 5cm per second.
The Kiss
I didn’t know Clive was trying to form a mecha cosplay group – else I would have wanted to join him. Perhaps the coming year, for his next “Project G” recruitment I would enlist and build a Zaku or a Dom. Hopefully, there’d be at least two other interested souls so we can form the Black Tri-Star. For those interested to make your own mecha costume, Clive has posted part of a tutorial for making one.
