Cosplay Chronicles: Part 1 !

October, 2024

Author

Scarlett
October 01, 2024

My Journey as Artoria ! ☆

As some of you may already know, I'm a huge fan of Artoria ! I first got into Fate series a few years ago, and all thanks to a single figure. I wasn’t into figures at the time, but when I saw Artoria in her full, gleaming armor, ready for battle, it was like a switch flipped in my brain. It completely blew my mind.

At the time, some of my friends were deep into Fate/Grand Order (FGO), so I got to know the game and its characters through them, even though I didn’t dive into playing it right away. They were massive Muramasa fans, and naturally, their enthusiasm rubbed off on me. Even though I wasn’t fully familiar with the lore back then, I got swept up in their excitement and started becoming a fan, too.

Fast forward a few years, when I finally got around to watching the Fate anime and exploring the visual novels—it was hilarious because I didn’t understand anything at first. Terms like "Master," "Servant," or the whole Holy Grail War concept flew right over my head. The only characters I really knew were Artoria and Muramasa, which totally confused my friends—they were like, "Wait, what?! How do you only know those two?!" 😂 To make it even funnier, at the time, I didn’t realize that Muramasa was, in a way, a version of Shirou’s Servant. And when I finally met Archer and learned his backstory, I was absolutely shook. It was one of those lightbulb moments that deepened my appreciation for the series on a whole new level.

Over time, Fate became more than just a series for me; it became a way to connect with some truly amazing people. Among them were Sofi and Yoha, two of the most dedicated Fate fans and talented cosplayers I’ve ever met. They didn’t just pull me deeper into the series; they transformed the way I saw cosplay. Watching them enjoy the Fate series wasn’t just inspiring; it was truly magical. They didn’t just wear the costumes; they became the characters, breathing life into them in ways I had never seen before.

Their dedication to cosplay was unlike anything I had seen before. It wasn’t just about wearing costumes or looking like the characters—it was about embodying them. Sofi and Yoha showed me that cosplay is more than just what i thought. It’s about devotion, craftsmanship, and the love you pour into bringing these characters to life. They taught me that cosplay is a team effort, where everyone is welcome, and the only thing that matters is your passion for the character. Whether or not people recognize the character you’re portraying, as long as you’re having fun and sharing the experience with friends, that’s what makes it truly special.

My first cosplay photoshoot and group cosplay experience was with them, and I couldn’t have asked for a better companions. Every time they needed an extra person for their cosplay projects, they always called me to join in ! 😂 Even if I didn’t know much about the character, they made me feel like part of the team. I love being that third wheel in their cosplays, and honestly, it’s so much fun learning about new characters along the way.

What’s more, Sofi and Yoha aren’t just passionate—they’re incredibly knowledgeable. If you ask them anything about Type-Moon lore, they’ll always have an answer. They can talk about it for hours, and their conversations are filled with jokes, references, and deep insights into the storylines and characters. I never get tired of listening to them yapping about anything. Their passion is so contagious, and their dedication to the things they love is one of the things I admire most about them.

Once I gave in to my love for Artoria and decided it was finally time to cosplay her, it all started with a single picture I saw on Pinterest one day. That picture literally changed my life forever. It was the perfect depiction of Artoria, and it made me feel like I couldn't cosplay her unless I could reach that level of detail and beauty. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, and from that moment, I was determined to do everything to make my cosplay the best it could be !

Finally, I took the plunge and bought my first Fate costume. My dress form Miccostume arrived on November 9th, 2023, and my armor from Antharel came in on November 23rd, 2023. I was beyond excited! I even made my own cape, and I managed to finish everything just in time for an event in December. Seeing the full cosplay come together for the first time was so satisfying.

Since then, I’ve made several key upgrades to improve the costume, including:

  • New middle skirt (still not sure what to call it, but it looks great!)

  • New metal sword for a more realistic look

  • New crown to better match Artoria’s iconic design

  • New wig for a more accurate style and color

However, there are still some changes I want to make to perfect the cosplay:

  • New black corset to replace the current one for a better fit

  • Fixing one of the gloves (it needs a little attention to match the original design)

  • Adding velcro to properly connect the armor skirt to the new corset for a more secure and comfortable fit

Every little improvement gets me closer to that dream version of Artoria, and I can't wait to keep refining it!

Picture of me and michigard.cosplay !

(This is the latest picture i have of my most recent update on my Artoria costume)

This picture holds a special place in my heart! Not too long ago, I had the incredible opportunity to meet one of the most talented and genuinely amazing people I could ever imagine—Agus. I'm not usually the type to strike up conversations with new people, especially at conventions. Like when I first started in the cosplay scene, now i just feel more comfortable sticking with my small circle of friends. But Agus changed all that. He came up to me one day, completely out of the blue, and started sharing all his incredible projects with me. I was absolutely captivated. His passion and creativity were infectious, and I found myself unable to look away as he described all the cool things he was working on.

Agus is truly one of a kind, and I now consider him one of my closest cosplay friends. He owns a cosplay prop store, and let me tell you—it’s absolutely fascinating! The craftsmanship and dedication he puts into his work are incredible. He made the crown for my Artoria cosplay, and he also crafted a miniature Grail, which he later gifted to me. That Grail now sits proudly on the stairs of my house, and it makes me smile every time I see it. I should probably upload some pictures of it soon because it’s just too cute and funny!

One of the most memorable moments for me was when Agus, summoning all his courage, asked me to be his partner in a photoshoot. It was such an honor! He introduced me to an amazing photographer, Jose , who’s not only incredibly talented but also a wonderful person. The entire experience was surreal, and I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity. The photoshoot was magical—working alongside Agus and Jose felt like a dream come true. Their passion and commitment to their craft pushed me to elevate my own cosplay skills, and I’m so thankful to have had the chance to collaborate with them.

Agus didn’t just help me grow as a cosplayer—he showed me how beautiful it is to form genuine connections with people who share your passions. His kindness, creativity, and friendship have left a lasting impact on me, and I can’t wait to see where our next projects take us. Whether it's a new cosplay prop or another photoshoot, I know we’re going to continue creating amazing memories together.

This whole experience reminded me that stepping outside of your comfort zone can lead to meeting some of the most incredible people. I’m so glad Agus took that first step to talk to me because now I can’t imagine my cosplay journey without him.

Some of my Artoria cosplays I’ve done so far:

Artoria Pendragon: This was my first attempt at cosplaying as Saber, and I couldn’t have been prouder of the outcome! I made the coat myself, and the armor was crafted by Antharel. A friend lent me her wig and sword for the debut, but a few months later, I finally bought my own, and I’m thrilled with how my updated version looks! There are still a few improvements I want to make—like getting a new black corset, fixing one of the gloves, and adding velcro to properly connect the armor skirt to the new corset—but I love how far it’s come.

Artoria Pendragon (Alter - 3rd Stage): This was actually my very first Saber cosplay! Sofi was kind enough to lend me her Saber Alter outfit when we went to a con at the Jardín Japonés 🥺💕, and that’s the day I met Yoha for the first time! It was such a memorable day. I even drove back to Sofi’s place still in my cosplay, with Yoha taking pics of me playing “uber driver” from the back seat! We ended the night with sushi, and it was honestly one of the best girls' nights I’ve ever had. I really hope we can do it again soon.

Artoria Pendragon (Master Version): This one was super spontaneous, literally planned the night before a con, but it turned out to be so much fun! I already had the fuku (school uniform) but had to sew a new red scarf since the original was light blue. The real last-minute miracle was the sword. 😂 You’ll never believe it, but I made it from a small broomstick I had at home, wrapped in pieces of my brother’s old jeans that I cut and shaped to fit perfectly. I even used an accessory from my Ganyu cosplay to mimic the lace detail on Saber’s sword holder! A friend drew the Servant Command Seals on my hand with a Sharpie at the con, and another dear friend Bella lent me their school bag. I’m so grateful for those little details—they really pulled the look together! 💕

Artoria Pendragon (Rider Alter - 2st Stage): I haven’t had the chance to do a proper photoshoot for this one yet, but I’m definitely planning to! It’s such a cute version of Saber Alter, and I can’t wait to show it off.

Artoria Pendragon (School Uniform - Fan Art Version): OMG, one of my absolute favorite versions EVER! My dear friend Motoko, who is one of the most talented people I know, created these amazing school uniforms for us to wear together at a con. The craftsmanship was so on point, and we both looked adorable. I can’t thank her enough for making this cosplay so special!

So, from this point on, I’ll be updating this newsletter whenever I make any improvements, get new costumes, or finalize new cosplay plans! 😊

Artoria cosplays I HAVE, but havent had the time wear yet:

Artoria cosplans:

Looking back, I realize how much my love for Fate has grown, not just because of the characters and the stories, but because of the amazing people I’ve met along the way. Cosplay has become more than just a hobby—it’s a way to connect with friends, create memories, and share in a passion that brings us all closer together.

If you were maybe wondering, YES! I do own the figure I was referring to at the beginning of this newsletter! 🎉 It is, in fact, one of the Saber figures I treasure the most since it’s my very first one! Having this figure means a lot to me, not just because it marks the beginning of my love for Artoria, but also because it embodies all the memories and experiences I’ve gained throughout my cosplay journey. Every time I look at it, I’m reminded of the joy and inspiration that led me to bring this character to life. It’s definitely a cherished piece in my collection!

This is the FIRST picture i took when my armor arrived and I tried all together for the FIRST time !

So, here’s to many more cosplays, photoshoots, and late-night chats. I can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds. And to Sofi and Yoha—thank you for showing me what it truly means to bring a character to life.

Reply

or to participate.