Zapper Zaku cosplay

This is my second cosplay that I've made (and the first time making a gundam robot).

I worked on it off and on since October of last year and didn't finish it until the morning of the first day of Megacon.
It is by no means totally complete because there were so many things I wanted to do with it and I was rushing to get it done.

The costume is mostly made out of cardbord that I added a layer of Wonderflex to make it stronger. I then covered it with fun foam, paint and fabric to make the details. It was very hard to do but I'd like to make another one in the future 'cause I like working with cardboard better (I'm kind of sewing challenged).

I decided to make this costume after finding out that there was a whole second season of SD Gundam Force out there that never made it to the US. I love that show! It seems to get a bad reputation with the hardcore Gundam fans for being too childish but it was a kiddy show after all. Even with listening to just the Japanese version ( unfortunately, with no subs, either) and going on the information I found online, the second season was very fun to watch. The story plot gets a little more serious and darker while still having the humor of the first season.

I picked Zapper because he's what really drew me to the show. He comes back in the second season as SDGF's brainwashed (kind of) janitor. He's crazy!

I was going to add Zapper's cannon that goes on his back and I actually did start it but there was no way I could manage to walk around with it by myself. I had a hard enough time just walking around.

I am really greatful to the lady and her daughter who helped me out and I really wish I could have done something special for them. I also thank the contest/ photography staff who allowed me to repair my costume because it got damaged on my way to pre-judging. I couldn't have made it through the costume contest without nice people like that!

I wasn't really expecting it (since there were so many awesome costumes!) but I did win a judges award.

This has certainly been an exciting experience that I won't forget any time soon!