[Shadowverse World Grand Prix 2018] Cosplay Photo Report and Interview of Official Cosplayers

Your Otaku Friend in Japan

The collectible card smartphone game Shadowverse held its esports tournament, Shadowverse World Grand Prix 2018, at Chiba’s Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Hall 1 on 15 and 16 December 2018.

Shadowverse is a digital card game that offers more than 1500 beautifully illustrated cards and holds its own esports tournament. Players from all over the world can compete as the game is currently offered in Japanese and 8 other languages as of December 2018.

The 24 best players from around the world came to Japan to compete and win a prize of 1 million dollars, which is the highest domestic prize an esport competition winner can obtain.

A giant Bahamut was greeting visitors and competitors and panels of the 10th card pack ‘Jukkazekketsu’ placed at the venue. The event even prepared photo corners, where official cosplayers became characters from the game, and also offered collaboration foods and merchandise. The winners of a four-person flight tournament, which participation was free, received real promotion cards.

This article includes a photo report of 10 cosplayers and special guests from abroad (8 class leaders and 2 card characters). Our friends at Anime!Anime! also interviewed two cosplayers- Akira Itsuki as card character Silva and Uramaru as class leader Luna.

Akira Itsuki as Silva

Akira Itsuki as Silva (@itsuki_akira)/ Photographer: Hanmo

―― Do you usually play card games?

I love them, but I don’t get any better [laugh]. I feel that card games are quite difficult, because of the flashing and reasoning you have to think fast. However, Shadowverse is fun to play because I like the illustrations.

――Silva, Ardent Sniper is a collaboration character card with Grandblue Fantasy and is pretty popular because of its great abilities.

Even though the pressure of cosplaying a strong and active character like Silva is big, I am happy and motivated to do my best in portraying her.

―― What were the most important points you had to keep in mind?

Definitely the make-up. The most important this is making the face like the character. I had to plan on how to be similar to the character. And second is the body making. As the days of the event approached, I tried to eat healthy meals and tone up my body by going to the gym I usually train at, because my stomach would be visible in this costume. The big gun is not as heavy as it looks, but because I work out I can lightheartedly carry it on my shoulders, which broadens the ways of posing.

Uramaru as Luna

Uramaru as Luna (@uramaru_y)/ Photographer: Hanmo

―― What impression do you have of Luna?

I love the gap between her outer appearance that seems to be a very cute girl, and also her scary side that says ‘Die and become my friend!’. It feels very fresh, as I have hardly ever cosplayed this type of characters.

―― What are the main points of this costume?

The quality of this costume is very high. I have never worn such a voluminous skirt before and even the wig was made into a bun hairstyle. I would be happy if some lovely photos were taken.