First worn: Fanime Con 2001
Animal Magnetism was a huge cosplay fad around this time, but I actually had a good reason to do this costume. At Fanime 2000, a friend of mine asked for a sketch from Tomoko Saito, who among other things did the art for Animal Magnetism, and she drew a picture of Pochi for him. I saw her drawing catboys (Buchi and Kuro!) for some other girls, and I was also really into catboys at that time, so she definitely sparked my interest. I was wearing Officer Jenny, and to my surprise she said she really liked my costume and asked for a picture and my name. Then when she did her Fanime report for Dengeki Daioh manga magazine, she drew a picture of me in my Officer Jenny cosplay! I was really flattered, loved her art, and wanted to show my appreciation, so I made Pochi. It helps that it’s a simple costume and that I could use my own hair. At Fanime 2001 I ran into Tomoko Saito again when I was dressed as Pochi, and she took a picture with me and said I was like a real life Pochi! So I was very happy. π