A perennial classic, FFVII was Alena’s first JRPG. It was probably Mark’s 945th (he played ALL the JRPGs), and Laura was mostly here for Advent Children, but at least everyone was happy to cosplay from the franchise!
The first costumes, Turks with wheelchair!Rufus, was a hall cosplay set dating from around 2012-2013, while the release of the FFVII Remake trilogy a decade later prompted a new set of competition costumes. (We’re pretty sure they’re cursed, as things kept going wrong to prevent the costumes’ completion: COVID infections, a catastrophic tire blowout, the breakdown of four sewing machines within 48 hours, and more.)
An early version of Alena’s Wall Market!Cloud Strife first appeared at Anime Central 2023, when she and Laura MCed the Masquerade (Laura in a version of Aerith of which few, if any, photographs were taken). Vincent Valentine made a solo debut at Gen Con 2024. An updated version with garment alterations, a restyled wig, and new armor went to Anime Magic a few weeks later, where Alena and Laura (in the Cloud costume, sporting a new corset) entered the costume contest. Mark’s Genesis Rhapsodos did not join the party, due to an unfortunately-timed illness (cursed, I tell you!).
Awards:
- First Place, Professional Division (Rebirth Vincent) – Gen Con 2024
- First Place, Group Division (Rebirth Vincent 2.0 & Remake Wall Market Cloud) – Anime Magic 2024
Characters:
- Laura as Rufus Shinra (Advent Children)
- Mark as Tseng (Advent Children)
- Alena as Vincent Valentine (Before Crisis)
- Alena as Vincent Valentine (FFVII: Rebirth)
- Laura as Cloud Strife (FFVII: Remake, Wall Market version)
- Special guest PansyChubb as Elena
