Monday, July 1, 2024

How to dress as one of Aqours (One More Time. Promise)

It’s official. The Aqours era of Love Live is coming to an end. Aqours’ 9th Anniversary will feature “finale” concerts and the Yohane the Parhelion compilation film. It’s sad to see it end, but it’s been a great run.

Aqours 9th Anniversary Project visual
Aqours 9th Anniversary Project visual

The Aqours era of Love Live is ending and it’s sad to see it go. But before it does, it’s time for one last cosplay. Whether you’re getting ready for a big anime convention or still struggling with “post-SIF syndrome,” here’s a guide to cosplaying some of your favorite Aqours heroes:

As Chika Takami - Chika Takami is the leader of Aqours, and for one last time, you can be her! To start with, you’ll need a medium-length orange wig, and to complete the look, you’ll also need to replicate her hair accessories, including a yellow ribbon and a small green one. If you’re able to get that far, you can pretty much wear whatever outfit you want. Chika’s a second-year student whose family runs an inn. She’s also a big fan of μ’s.

As Riko Sakurauchi - If you want to cosplay as Riko, then you’ll need a crimson-colored long wig with a few specks on the right. That’s the easy part. As for the outfit, I’ll leave that up to you. Here’s a little bit about her, so you can get to know the character. Riko Sakurauchi is a former Tokyo resident who now lives in Uchiura. She is a second-year high school student who loves to draw and likes to stay indoors. She is part of the Aqours group of school idols.

As Kanan Matsuura - If you're looking to cosplay as Kanan Matsuura, you're in luck. You just need a simple long blue wig and a ponytail, although I would also recommend a wetsuit since diving is one of Kanan's favorite pastimes. You can pretty much choose whatever outfit you want as long as you've got the hair and wetsuit. Good luck, and have fun!

As Dia Kurosawa - Dia Kurosawa may have not wanted to be part of the school idol group, but she has grown into a great leader. It's hard to imagine the student council without her. Also, I am always amazed by her confidence on stage. She really came out of her shell! If you're cosplaying as Dia, you really need a long black wig. If you've cut your hair, definitely invest in a wig. But otherwise, you can wear whatever you want as long as you have the right wig.

As You Watanabe - You Watanabe is a second-year student and a very good diver who would be a great addition to any swim club. If any ladies out there don’t want to commit to a full You costume, a sandy wig might do the trick. Just make sure to cut it to the right length. Then, once that’s good to go, feel free to put on whatever outfit you want. Be warned, though, there are worse things in life than running into a You Watanabe cosplayer in a skintight racing swimsuit.

As Yoshiko Tsushima - Yoshiko Tsushima is a first-year student who prefers to be called Yohanne. For those who want to cosplay as Yohanne, the hair can be difficult. Yohanne has somewhat long, royal blue-ish hair, so it can be super tricky to find the right shade of blue for the wig. Even more challenging is the round part on the right of Yohanne's hair. It might take a while to get right, but it will be worth it! Once you have the hair, you can wear whatever outfit you like. Yohanne also dislikes mikan fruits.

As Hanamaru Kunikida - Hanamaru Kunikida is a first-year student and the daughter of a family of shrine keepers. Although she's a member of a local choir, she loves to read and gets dizzy easily. To become Hanamaru, a simple long toffee-colored hairdo should do the trick and the rest is up to you.

As Mari Ohara - Mari Ohara is a half-Japanese senior student with a fun and independent personality. She’s the daughter of an Italian-American father who had his hands full with the hotel businesses, and she likes to do things at her own pace.  Cosplaying Mari is a very challenging task because it’s hard to replicate her hairdo due to the odd-looking style at the top of her head. You definitely need a blonde hairdo, but you can choose your own outfit if you can figure out the hair.

As Ruby Kurosawa - Are you looking for a last-minute Aqours cosplay? Ruby Kurosawa is a great choice! She's a first-year student and a good friend of Hanamaru. She may be prone to crying, but she's good at sewing. You won't have to worry about finding the right outfit either. Just get a red wig and pigtails. That's all you need to become Ruby!


Aqours heroes, once and always, and now forever in our hearts. 

I'm so glad the Aqours era of Love Live is going out with a bang. I know it's the end of an era, but I can't wait to see what the new era brings. I'm a little sad that it's over, but I'm so excited to see what's next. I'll miss Aqours so much, but I know they'll always be in my heart. 

If you could choose to be one of the heroes, who would you be? Sorting out the costumes is the next objective for you all. Once you've done that, it's showtime! With the help of your buddies, you'll be able to show what Aqours is all about.

Let's Do The News! (July 1, 2024)

                     

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- A 4.6 quake rattled parts of Rizal, Oriental Mindoro, M4.3 in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, and M4.3 in Balut Island, Sarangani, Davao Oriental.

Sofitel Manila has officially closed its doors for good. According to the management, the permanent closure of the hotel is due to its unsafe structural integrity.

- France's far-right National Rally has made big gains in the first round of the parliamentary election, exit polls suggest. Celebrating her party's early success, Marine Le Pen says "democracy has spoken" as she declares President Emmanuel Macron's camp "practically wiped out". Macron is calling for a broad alliance against RN ahead of next week's second round

Reform UK candidate Liam Booth-Isherwood has disowned the party, following what he called “reports of widespread racism and sexism”. The party's leader, Nigel Farage, earlier told supporters that his party has had "a few bad apples", but they are "gone" and "we'll never have them back".

- A FUUTO PI anime movie is coming this November 8th and this movie features Kamen Rider Skull with Kenjiro Tsuda reprising the role from the Kamen Rider W TV series.

- TOEI announced Kamen Rider Gavv, the sixth Reiwa Kamen Rider TV show. It airs on TV Asahi this September.

- The Kimetsu no Yaiba anime is spawning an Infinity Castle Arc movie trilogy.

- The Love Live franchise celebrates Aqours' 9th anniversary with "finale" concerts as well as the Yohane the Parhelion compilation film coming soon.

- A new movie from the Monsterverse franchise from Warner Bros. and Legendary is coming this March 2027, according to reports.

- This year's NBA free agency and trade has commenced.

- Angel Reese has set a new WNBA record for her 10th straight double-double.

TTFN.

2024 NASCAR Cup Series - Ally 400

Nashville is the next stop for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series with the Ally 400, wrapping up the month of June with intense oval racing action at the heart of Music City.

Beginning with Denny Hamlin's pole position. Hamlin secured the pole position by setting the fastest lap during the qualifiers. His #11 Joe Gibbs Racing Camry led the field to the green flag. The race featured intense three-wide battles on the track with drivers jockeying for position. A sudden rainfall caused a delay during the race but thankfully, it didn't come to a premature end. The green flag was back out after the rain delay and the action resumed.

2024 NASCAR Cup Series - Ally 400
Screengrab from NASCAR

In the end, Joey Logano wins the Ally 400 of the NASCAR Cup Series! NASCAR races are full of unpredictable moments, and the Ally 400 was no exception!

The next race at the streets of Chicago, Illinois for the Grant Park 165 this July 7th.

ABB FIA Formula E S10 - Portland ePrix

The streets of Portland, Oregon, are the penultimate stop for the ABB FIA Formula E's 10th-anniversary celebration.

Screengrab from Formula E

Antonio Felix Da Costa of Porsche made headlines in the Pacific Northwest for two reasons. First, in the first part, Da Costa made a stunning upset when the championship leader Nick Cassidy's lead left in shambles after an accidental spin, giving Da Costa the chance for victory. Second, in the final part, following the incident that triggered a one-lap overtime, his latest victory over the Envision driver Robin Frijns, who is on his 100th race start, is enough for Da Costa to sweep the Portland race weekend. 

Da Costa's victory is a huge upset, and it's sure to shake up the championship standings. It's also a great story for the fans, who were treated to a thrilling race.

After Portland, Nick Cassidy leads with 167 points, while Mitch Evans and Pascal Wehrlein both scored 155 points. With these results, Cassidy is in an excellent position to take the championship, but there are still two races to go and he is not guaranteed a win. Anything can happen, especially when the drivers are as talented and competitive as they are in this league.

After an exciting weekend of racing in Portland, Oregon, we’re ready for the London ePrix finale! After Antonio Felix Da Costa’s upset victory over Nick Cassidy in Portland, the championship is still up for grabs. The London ePrix will be a two-part finale, and anything can happen. Will Cassidy take the championship, or will Da Costa’s upset win in Portland shake up the standings for good? Find out this July 20-21 and don’t miss it!

Sunday, June 30, 2024

My FH5 Log: Black Swan Moments

The McLaren Sports Series, ranging from the 570S to the 620R, showed off its amazing capabilities on the track and the road. I'm excited to try out the best of this series in Forza Horizon 5.


Every great story has its beginning so it's best to start with the first of the Sports Series, the 570S.


Premiered at the 2015 New York International Auto Show, the McLaren 570S, the first of the British sportscar company's Sports Series, marks its entry into the luxury sports car market. As the smallest in the McLaren range, it slots below the larger 650S. Even though it is the smallest McLaren in the range, it still comes with the same 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo engine as the McLaren family tree but true to its name, it produces 570PS of power and 442lb-ft of torque. Apart from the performance, the 570S features a full carbon fiber chassis, resulting in a dry weight of 1,313kg and a power-to-weight ratio of 434PS per tonne. Following its launch, the Sports Series features additional variants aside from the 570S such as the less-powerful 540C coupe and the more cruise-worthy 570GT, which comes with road-tuned dynamics and a glass roof.



Throughout its half-decade lifespan, the McLaren Sports Series has spawned its hardcore versions such as the 600LT and its final salvo, the 620R.

The McLaren 600LT is a special car that has been designed to be both track-focused and road-legal. It's the third Longtail McLaren since the legendary F1 GTR and the 675LT. It's based on the 650S and is built with an engine capable of producing 592HP of power and 457lb-ft of torque. The 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo engine makes it capable of going from 0-60mph in less than 3 seconds and on to 204mph. Apart from the performance, the 600LT is 220 lbs lighter than the 570S. Some of the weight-saving measures employed include the addition of the signature Ultra-Lightweight Forged Alloy Wheel, Carbon Fiber Racing Seats, and a fixed rear wing. The luxury amenities of the 570S have been stripped out in the 600LT.

The McLaren 620R is the swan song of the McLaren Sports Series. Only 350 units of this street-legal beast were ever made, but sadly, one of them was destroyed by the Philippine government. This is a shame because this car was a beast. The 620R was made to be a more powerful version of the 570S GT4 racecar. It has a 3.8L V8 twin-turbo engine tuned to output 620PS, which allows it to reach a top speed of 200mph. This car is an absolute monster, and it's a shame that one of them was destroyed. What a waste.




With the streets of Guanajuato becoming my personal laboratory, it's time to see how much progress the McLaren Sports Series has made from the 570S to the 620R. Roll the tape.


And now the results...

570S - 1m04.114s

600LT - 1m01.445s

620R - 1m01.028s

Although a close shave, the 620R is the alpha of the Sports Series range.


The 620R is the ultimate McLaren Sports Series car. It's a track-focused beast with a lot of motorsport-inspired dynamics. It's the best of the best, but the story isn't over yet. We still need to see how the 620R matches up against the McLaren GT, the Sports Series' replacement. Let's see what happens.


The McLaren GT is a 2019 replacement for the 570GT, and it’s completely unlike any other McLaren supercar because it uses a new monocoque body developed specifically for it. It’s a hundred kilograms lighter than its closest rival, and it even has enough boot space to fit a golf bag. Add in a 4.0L V8 Twin Turbo engine that produces 620PS of power, and you have one impressive ride.



Both the 620R and the McLaren GT have the same power output but because the 620R is lighter and more agile compared to the road-oriented McLaren GT, I'd expect to be easy work in this little experiment I'm conducting at the Playa Azul village. Anyway, let's get on with it.


And now the results...

620R - 1m14.825s

McLaren GT - 1m18.629s

Swish. Nothing but counter.


From the 570S to the 620R, the McLaren Sports Series showed off its Black Swan Moments on the road and on the track. There's no doubt that the 620R is the ultimate McLaren Sports Series car. It's a track-focused beast with a lot of motorsport-inspired dynamics. It's the best of the best, and although the story has ended, it's worth revisiting every time.

Even in the afterlife, the black swan's dance is eternal.

Good night.

F1 2024: Qatar Airways Austrian Grand Prix

The 2024 Formula 1 season continues at Spielberg for the Qatar Airways Austrian Grand Prix, ending the month of June with the biggest turning point of the season.

The race kicked off with Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and George Russell fighting over the lead while Charles Leclerc got hit by Oscar Piastri and forced to pit for a replacement front spoiler. Lap 26 saw Lewis Hamilton penalized for crossing the white line when entering the pit lane. As the race nears its climax, it becomes a dogfight between Verstappen and Norris.

Come Lap 65, the biggest turning point of the season became reality as Max Verstappen made Lando Norris taste agony after a collision that caused Norris' rear right right punctured and forced him out of the race. Verstappen's reign in Red Bull Ring was ended after he was slapped with a penalty.

F1 2024: Qatar Airways Austrian Grand Prix
Image from Formula 1

After a thrilling Spielberg bout, George Russell of Mercedes-AMG wins the Austrian Grand Prix followed by McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz.

After Austria, Max Verstappen of Red Bull Ring still leads the championship with 237 points, but the gap between him and second-place Lando Norris is now 81 points. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc is currently in third place with 150 points.

The next race of the F1 '24 season will be at Silverstone for the Qatar Airways British Grand Prix this July 7th.

WRC 2024: ORLEN 80th Rally Poland

The 2024 World Rally Championship continues with the ORLEN 80th Rally Poland, wrapping up the month of June with intense rally action.

Long before the start, Kalle Rovanperä was in charge of taking over Sébastien Ogier following his accident during Tuesday's reconnaissance, leaving him and his co-driver Jonne Halttunen with less than 48 hours to ready themselves.

As Ott Tanak drew first blood in the opener, Andreas Mikkelsen surged his way to the top during the Friday stages until Kalle Rovanperä burst through the top during the Saturday stages and continued to dominate until the final day.

WRC 2024: Orlen 80th Rally Poland
Screengrab from WRC

Despite having little practice moments after replacing the injured Sébastien Ogier before the race weekend, Kalle Rovanperä is the winner of the ORLEN 80th Rally Poland. He is 28.3 seconds faster than his fellow Toyota GR Yaris driver Elfyin Evans. Ford driver Adrien Fourmaux completes the podium with a third-place finish. 

The 2024 World Rally Championship season continues for the first-ever Tet Rally Latvia, which is based in Liepāja from 18 - 21 July.