[Cosplay] Once in a lifetime -一期一会-
What’s goin’ on? I mean, I am starting to be nervous because glad things have happened to me too much since this year. Last year I was in despair because of too much misfortune, but now my life has been recompensated. I am so happy now, and my heart is full of joy. Well, about a year ago I had a photoshooting with the professional photographer, Jun Takahashi who has taken some cerebrities such as Robert De Niro, Shidou Nakamura, Toshiaki Karasawa, or Yuko Takeuchi. I just thought such a wondeful meeting would never ever happen, but…it actually happened again. Last Saturday morning, I got an e-mail from him. He told me that there were still some rooms for models so that I could join the photo session on Sunday. Basically, he doesn’t take the same model more than twice, but…why? Why did he do such a glad thing? I am so honoured, there is nothing to wish for. Oh no, I could even cry! So I immediately grabbed the costume, and headed to a certain studio in Harajuku…The character I cosplayed was him.
He is Heiwajima Shizuo[平和島静雄] in Durarara!![デュラララ！！]. I think so many of you know him because this anime is still on the air. Also it is one of the most famous and popular anime this season. Actullay I didn’t follow this anime, but my cosplay buddies suggested that I cosplay him because they wanted to do this anime. Hey, he apparently looks like a shady guy. Like a host at the nightclub or a bartender. However, as I knew about him I started to like him. He is the scariest man in Ikebukuro so that most people are scared of him. Though he is gentle most of the times, he can’t control his temper when he gets upset. Even he pulls out a vending machine and throws at an enemy. I am not that powerful, though(笑). The reason why he always wears a bartender uniform is that…yes, I like him. Anyone has a story, of course such a scary gangster. Oh no, I love him now.
The session was so fabulous. Most of the staff in the studio still remembered me although a year passed. When I came in, they said, “Ah that cosplayer!” or something like that. The executive said, “I still remember you because your performance was interesting. And you are the first male cosplayer. We have taken a lot of cosplayers, but none of them did anime characters…so you are very first, even now.” Mr. Takahashi said, “I like how you are in the character when I see you through the lense.” The session had just fifteen minutes. Every time he took a shot, it made me feel alive. I burned my soul in the photos, really.
By the way, my cosplay buddy is going to do Orihara Izaya who Shizuo really hates. Please wait for a week. We are actually planning to do a photoshooting together. Now there is only my Shizuo, sorry!
SHUUUUUUUUUUUUUTUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUP!!
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!
理屈じゃねぇんだよ、人を信じるってことはな。
Series: Durarara!!
Character: Heiwajima Shizuo[平和島 静雄]
Cosplayer: bangin
Photographer: Jun Takahashi
Japanese words of anime fans, by anime fans, for anime fans 
仲魔 said,
March 23, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Amazing…!
So it was twice in a lifetime after all, that’s really great! In English we say “lightning struck twice” for when once-in-a-lifetime events happen again like this. So, even if something impossible or unlikely happens to you from now on, you can’t be surprised because you were struck twice. 🙂
bangin said,
March 24, 2010 at 11:04 am
I don’t think there is alternative in Japanese to say lightning struck twice. Oh then, should I change the title, too?
Heinsia said,
March 23, 2010 at 4:46 pm
This is great!
I like Shizuo too, you did a good job xD I’m looking forward to next week ^_^v and plz no BL between Shizuo and Izaya 😛
bangin said,
March 24, 2010 at 11:05 am
Thank you.^^
Don’t worry, we won’t do BL because it is going to be a photoshooting in public.
Inktrap said,
March 23, 2010 at 5:43 pm
So awesome! I love the poses you come up with. They truly bring the character to life!
bangin said,
March 24, 2010 at 11:05 am
Ahaha～arigatou!! But I wanted Izaya.
Hinano said,
March 23, 2010 at 6:26 pm
あああこのアニメ見なくちゃね！
イケブクロにとまったのにもったいないｗｗ
いつもの素晴らしいコスプレ【☆;:*:;☆ｵﾂｶﾚｻﾏ☆;:*:;☆ 】>c=(*･ω･)ゝ
bangin said,
March 24, 2010 at 11:06 am
池袋に泊まってたから、デュラララの聖地巡礼が出来てたね！
この週末はコスプレ三昧だったよ＾＾
muskrat said,
March 23, 2010 at 10:43 pm
Congratulations bangin-san!! See, aren’t you glad you haven’t quit cosplay ^3^?
Hahaha, you’re pretty good at getting Shizuo’s frown down! And that crushed can is an especially nice touch.
Yeah, I agree that he’s such a likeable character – in fact, I’d probably go as far as to say that Shizuo is actually adorable :s Ahhh, if you could find a Selty to cosplay with, I’d be so happy *__*!
bangin said,
March 24, 2010 at 11:11 am
Thank you very much, and yes I feel…that way. If I had quit cosplay, I would have missed this chance.
I think Shizuo is good-hearted though he is shady. I had a crush on him when I learned why he always wears a bartender uniform.
ponytale said,
March 24, 2010 at 3:30 am
❤ awesome! I can just imagine that office chair flying across the room XD and I love the crushed can (before and after) shots too. I agree with muskrat… I find Shizuo adorable as well.
Bangin-san, if you do give us BL fan-service of Shizuo and Izaya pls give lots of warning for Heinsia's sake XD XD
Having Selty would be cool too. Looking forward to your cosplay next week!
bangin said,
March 24, 2010 at 11:14 am
There was almost nothing to use in the room, but when I saw some chairs and a can of beer, I asked the photographer to use them as a prop. lol
Although Shizuo and Izaya hate each other, BL fangirls do not think so, right? lol
ponytale said,
March 24, 2010 at 12:45 pm
That’s a brilliant touch and made perfect by your in-character cosplay ❤
I think the fact that they cast Kamiya Hiroshi and Ono Daisuke as these 2 characters feels like BL fan-service already XD
bangin said,
March 25, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Yeah, HiroC and OnoD are a perfect pairing. Who can resist? lol
Emelia said,
December 14, 2011 at 1:36 am
Yeah, the BL is probably due to the casting… but as a fangirl myself (*pauses to hang head in shame before continuing*) I know how they work…. Shizaya (Shizuo + Izaya) became a pairing mainly because fans simply find them attractive and their relationship is amusing. They don’t expect the two to ever get along, they just get personal enjoyment out of it. 😀
By the way, you’re a fantastic cosplayer. You look really attractive under the cosplay, too ! Ehehe XD America just doesn’t do cosplay the way people in Japan can. I would love to go to a big con in Tokyo someday…
But really. This cosplay is amazing. Nice work!! 😀
bangin said,
December 14, 2011 at 10:19 am
Thank you very much, but this is my first time cosplaying Shizuo, you can see more pics here.
Emelia said,
December 14, 2011 at 11:07 am
Uwaa, kakkoi~~ 😀