Before WCS 2006 I had provided a number of links to short videos about the event that run on TV year round. (I was calling them tidbits, remember?) These short videos continue and I will give the links and a little intro to the videos from August.

To view the video clips, click on the links provided below and scroll down the page looking for the symbol that looks like this:

Make sure to scroll to near the bottom of each page and click on the above symbol which you will find on the left. 

The videos have been numbered from the beginning and I will start listing those numbers here as well for clarity.

#18) The first video aired on August 3rd and is an overview of the representatives from Brazil, Singapore, Thailand, Italy, Spain, China and Tokyo (Japan A). You can access the video by clicking here!
Scroll to near the bottom of the page and click on the above symbol which you will find on the left.

#19)  This video aired on August 10th and is basically a super short version of the championship itself. It starts with a great view from the crowds and then cuts to the different groups preparing before getting up on stage. It then moves on to the performances of Italy, Singapore, Germany, China and Brazil respectively. It shows a little of backstage afterwards too. You can see Maurcio is looking very emotional and teary eyed while his younger sister is beaming from behind him. That moment was so short but really very special... Click here to watch the video!

#20)  The third video in August aired on the 17th and was an in depth look at the Japan B team, the web representatives; "Barbara".  Their preliminary entry video can still be seen here (click on the play button to see the video) and in it they indicate that their performance will be focused on the "Quick change" or the skill of changing costumes and roles quickly on stage. The web representatives did exactly what they said they were going to do and did it with flare.  There is a shot of them receiving the Second Place award and afterwards you can't hear what they are saying when back stage but their message was a good one. Cosplay is an art that originated in Japan and they wanted to demonstrate an important skill or "waza" in the art. Watch the video here!

# 21)  The next video was run on August 24th and is of the Italian team who came in third place. The clip starts in Rome and shows Alessandro and Alexia beginning to piece together Alessandro's costume of "Night" from the manga "Arms".  You can see a detailed model and after the flying Lufthansa airplane you can see the final product on the WCS stage. Very impressive. There is a shot of their performance and then you can see them receive their third place award. Finally there is a backstage interview with the pair and you can see Alessandro's costume peeling from the prespiration. I will never forget when I was crouching off stage watching the award ceremonies, Alessandro was standing in a massive puddle of his own sweat. I am amazed he didn't pass out from dehydration! You can see the video clip here!

Here is a shot that I took at that moment with my cell phone. The puddle did not come out very well but believe me, it was massive!

#22) The final video clip for August was aired on the 31st. This one is of the Japan A team, the representative team from Tokyo. The video starts out by showing only a couple of the Gandam Mobile Suits that were in attendance, there were a total of 8. According to Goldie who was in the Japan A team Gandam Suit, there is a builders club in Japan and there are 20 active suits throughout the country. The video goes on to show their performance as the Suit lumbers on stage, poses and Aoi Sakuya runs off stage for a quick change. Their performance finished with an impressive burst of steam from the suit itself. Watch the video here!

Next week I will have more video clips for you, stay tuned!

Ed