Kotetsu T. Kaburagi from Tiger & Bunny

Debuted: Anime Matsuri 2014

Awards: N/A

Skit: N/A

Kotetsu is a married super hero and part of a reality television series in which a bunch of heros (and heroines) have to capture the bad guys and are rated with points for their efforts. The more points the hero receives, the better they are rated, and the higher rated they are, the more sponsors want to help pay for their expenses and paychecks. Kotetsu--being older than the other heros on the show--is no longer a crowd favorite, so he learns to work alongside his fellow heros and heroines to regain his popular status and help support his daughter.

 How I Made It

Kotetsu is an amazing guy and I chose to cosplay a rule 63 (gender-swapped) version of him because I really relate to his character. I bought the pieces I needed of this cosplay and then altered a few of them to make them more accurate to his design. I added pearl buttons to the tie. I took apart and restitched the vest so it was white on the chest side and black on the back. I stitched in new button holes for the vest once it was resewn, and added a faux pocket as well. I handmade his purple, tiger-eye bead bracelet, and his call bracelet as well (out of craft foam, velcro, and a neon green paint marker). I also hand-stitched belt loops into the waistband of the skirt to hold the belt that he wears. I made a Tiger and Bunny plushie, but only took Bunny with me and he was a huge hit at the convention!
Kotetsu is a really well-loved character and I was heppy with the responce I received while wearing this rule 63 version. I wasn't sure if people would be accepting of this creative version, but everyone seemed to really enjoy it!

 Images taken by Eric Wenske