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Rob Lantz' life was changed around the time of the first Katsucon in
1995, when he saw a Lupin III movie and thought it would be a great idea
to create a costume for the new event in Virginia Beach. Little did Lantz
know that he would spend much of the next four years dressing as stylish
thief Arsene Lupin III at conventions around the East Coast - including
Neko-Con. |
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Lantz recalled that he worked for two weeks to find his Lupin III outfit,
starting with a lime green jacket ($5 at a Salvation Army surplus store).
That was followed by a yellow tie (Goodwill store, price undisclosed).
Things got strange when Lantz borrowed a friend's Darth Vader mask, took
one of his own motorcycling leather jackets and a black sheet from his
bed (don't ask) and created a Vader costume. At the Katsucon I cosplay
contest, Lantz started his skit as Vader, then removed the outfit to show
that Vader was Lupin III in disguise - and brought down the house. Since
then, Lantz has graduated to a red jacket, shown at the Neko-Con karaoke
contest. |
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Lantz' friends told him he looked like Lupin (judge for yourself by
viewing this doll). Carefully growing his sideburns, Lantz took up the
role. That led to more Lupin cosplay for Lantz, including stints as MC's
at Neko-Con and Katsucon in 1998. When he's not at conventions, Lantz watches
strange anime such as Blazing Transfer Student. |
