OUTPOST: UCC

Friday, 18 March 2016

Universal Cosplay Convention 2016 Attracts Dangerous Villains (and Some Heroes Too!)

by contributing writer Michelle Chee.

This year’s Universal Cosplay Convention (UCC) was held once again at The Place, in One City, Subang from March 5th to 6th 2016. This is the second time UCC is being organized and the first time that it lasted for two days straight. UCC actually grew out of the annual Cosplay Ball event, which was a sit down dinner get-together for cosplayers in the Klang Valley. This is the reason why UCC has always incorporated a Cosplay Ball that takes place after the daytime activities.

So much to see and do, where do we even start!

The theme this year was ‘Celebrating Villainy’, and with that we expected a lot of villains to show up, with their more heroic counterparts in tow. To be honest, we were not at all disappointed as the selections of both were pretty impressive.

UCC's layout.

Outpost Productions, which is one of the supporters of UCC, opened a booth this year featuring a selection of new and pre-loved NERF guns for sale, as well as some of its quality costumes, both new and used. Right in front of the stall, a small obstacle course was set up for visitors to play ‘Eggs on a Spoon’, with a small prize offered for those who successfully completed the challenge.

The outpost booth when all its shy crew members disappeared, except one.

Ye olde obstacle course by Outpost Productions.

The event hall was really spacious with a lot of room for visitors to move about, and there was even an area complete with tables and chairs for cosplayers and their friends to rest and hang out. What was even more comforting was the fact that the rest area was positioned in front of small food stall set up by the One City Hotel staff, offering both light snacks like sandwiches to full meals of fried rice with chicken.

A musically inclined visitor taking some time out to practice his skill in the rest area.

Can your resist these mouthwatering sandwiches at the makeshift cafeteria?

The event was livened up with the presence of two guest cosplayers from Japan, namely Mr Tatsumi Inui and Ms Kotori, who conducted the Cure Cosplay Collection competition on Day 2. The competition’s aim was to find the best cosplayers from contestants who were given a chance to parade in their costumes and pose for both guest cosplayers, who were also the judges. Both of them also took some time to give comments on the local Malaysian cosplay scene, and offer some words of advice.

Mr Inui mingling with some fans.

The Cure Cosplay Collection participants, all in a row.

Of course, and event celebrating villainy would not have been complete without selecting the ‘Villain of the year’. Although the preliminary stage was judged in the old fashioned way, the finalist were literally made to battle it out with an actual physical one on one match involving fats suits ( duly provided by us, the happy people at Outpost Productions). The match was fun yet nerve wrecking, as both finalists attempted to knock a plastic water bottle from each others’ heads. The fat suits were a real hit as spectators roared in laughter every time both contestants clashed, since they resembled large mounds of wobbling jelly.

Villain of the year finalists in a ‘Calm before the storm’ moment.

Intense nail biting action worth betting on!

In the end, Danieal Aidid, who was cosplaying the Joker from Batman, emerged victorious and was lifted up in the air by friends and supporters after his win.

Danieal Aidid @ Dee Joke , ‘Villain of the Year’ winner.

The venue saw its fair share of cosplayers, representing a wide variety of genres from western comics and movies, to Japanese anime and games.

Friendly cosers posing away, including a very familiar Sith Lord!

Cosplayer Manni Corbone in her original creation, which looks a little like a Skeksis from The Dark Crystal.

Deadpool joins the party by showing off his ample derrier!

While waiting for the night’s Cosplay Ball to start, visitors were entertained by a variety of fun activities, like a voiceover game, a life sized snakes and ladders game, a dance-off and performances. Some people took the chance to browse around the numerous doujin booths available, and on the upper floor, there was a figurine display by the folks over at the Hobby and Collectible community, as well as the DC Comics Fan Club Asia.

Guys representing DC Comics Fan Club Asia.

DC comics collection on display.

As day turned to night, some of the attendees got ready to attend the annual Cosplay Ball, anticipating a night filled with good food, good friends, good dancing, and even more fun activities! Here’s to another successful UCC, and more to come!

Monday, 19 January 2015

Universal Cosplay Convention 2015

A Brief History

The Cosplay Ball is the brainchild of veteran cosplayer, costume designer, and owner of Costurera Haberdashery (a custom costume design and event management label), Venus Lim. Initially meant to be a private party among friends to usher in the New Year back in 2010, word soon got out amongst the community about how fun it was, and it grew into an open event for cosplayers and public alike. For a nominal fee, attendees are entitled to door gifts,a buffet dinner, activities, lucky draws, and the much anticipated Glow in the Dark Concert. The Glow in The Dark Concert is the highlight and mainstay of Cosplay Ball, and features popular acts from the cosplay scene where everyone sings and dances into the night to welcome in the New Year. The Cosplay Ball has previously been held at Sri Petaling Hotel and Bukit Jalil Golf and Country Club Resort.

UCC

Universal Cosplay Convention 2015 (UCC 2015) is a natural evolution of Cosplay Ball. To cater to the growing interest of the public, it was decided that the Cosplay Ball will be expanded into a full day event. Rebranded as Universal Cosplay Convention (UCC) with the Cosplay Ball as one of the highlights, UCC 2015 will be held on the 24 January 2015 at The Place, One City USJ.

UCC 2015 is a daylong event and is divided into Day and Night segments. The Day event is open to the public and entrance is FREE. It will be held from 10am to 8pm and will feature doujin and merchandise booths, snack stalls, and figurines exhibition. There will also be a cosplay runway and singing competitions, with cash prizes and more up for grabs.

UCC will also be featuring two cosplay workshops; Cosplay makeup workshop will be conducted by Akihiko from Penang, a veteran cosplayer and makeup artist from the North. The propmaking workshop will be conducted by Lyron Aquino, a veteran cosplay from Philippines. Lyron Aquino is one of the international guests that will be featured in this event. Workshop tickets are priced at RM10 each.

The Cosplay Ball is the Night event and highlight of UCC 2015. A ticket only event (Tickets are available at RM65 or buy two tickets for the special price of RM100), Cosplay Ball starts at 6pm to 11.30pm. This will be the fifth iteration for Cosplay Ball and the biggest one yet. There will be a buffet dinner, Prom King and Queen Award, activities, lucky draws and of course the Glow in The Dark Concert.

For the first time ever, this years Glow in The Dark Concert will feature a combination of local and international performers such as renowned lightsaber choreography group FAST, rock band The Crestfall, all girl acapella trio Harmonia ACG, up and coming singer Johan Yusof, stage veteran Huei Chan and a special performance from Venus Lim herself. On the international front, Serene and Sabrina, a popular girl duo from Singapore and Aokikuri, former member of JKT48 of Indonesia will grace attendees with singing and dancing performances.

In addition to One City as a Presenter, UCC2015 is also supported by Platinum Sponsor VBG, Partners Outpost Productions and Boomstick Studios, Activity Partner Knight Connections which will be bringing WIXOSS and Force of Will to visitors, Official Beverage Oishi Green Tea, and Media Partner Animavericks.

Ball tickets RM65 per pax, or RM100 for 2 pax. Free entry to convention during daytime.

How to get Cosplay Ball tickets:
- purchase directly from Costurera Haberdashery, Cheras.
- purchase online and collect during event from 10am to 1pm ONLY.
Email banking receipt, name and contact number to us at: unicoscon@gmail.com
Banking info: CIMB Costurera Haberdashery 8600411036

Here is run-down on the event itinerary: