☆Xiao, Genshin Impact☆ 

Let’s set the scene: In the summer of 2021, our cosplayer Java says, “Man, if I ever get into Genshin Impact, I’ll definitely buy my costume. I NEVER want to subject myself to actually making any of those elaborate outfits.” Fastforward to the Java of today: who not only fell into the Genshin Impact-shaped hole, but spent the past year or so making THIS costume and currently has plans to make at least THREE MORE. 

I took an unintentional cosplay hiatus for a couple years during the pandemic. But mid-2022, when the world was really starting to open back up and I finally gathered myself enough to start going to indoor events again, my cosplay bug came back with a vengeance lol. Xiao was my first major build post-pandemic.

I started him in the summer of 2022 and worked on him on and off for a year. I really, really took my time on him and as of writing this entry, he could still be considered a work in progress. By August 2023, he is at his most complete, though there are still a few details and accessories that I’d still like to work on/include. I’d also like to try making his weapon at some point, although props are continue to be the bane of my existence lolol.

He was an exorbitant amount of work, but I’m so very happy with how he turned out and am proud of all the skills I got to use. I even learned a couple new skills while making this. It was a long year, but if anyone is interested in his process, I did have to make a build book for him to compete in a competition at a local convention. Xiao brought me an award in the advanced division for the seamwork category. I suppose I really did go off after two years of not creating anything.

Accessories: The Dangerous Ladies

Completed: Still a work in progress. First worn in August 2022.

Photo credits: Eidetic, Allison Stock, Father Mercury, & Arielle Jovellanos.

Awards: “Advanced Division -Seamwork Category” -LI Tropic Con 2023