#the golden guard cosplay

[acetrainerfoley]

Been slowly putting together a cosplay of Hunter/The Golden Guard and I’m really happy with how it’s coming along!

(Should preface that I bought both the Golden Guard mask and Flapjack plushie from the awesome Mystery Shack shop! So if you want either of them, check the shop out! It was worth every penny. 🙂)

[causeimanartist]

Return of the bad but sad boy

[jackieuniversecosplay]

I saw your messages about my Flapjack staff but have you seen my handmade one?

[sennedjem]

Felt like the right pic to post after watching the finale.

Cosplay by me, photo by @theshatteredsilhouette

[forward-type-represent]

https://martha-835.ludgu.top/m/GMrh8Ca

[acetrainerfoley]

My wig for my Hunter (Owl House) cosplay finally came in today so I’m breaking it in kinda sorta

[jackieuniversecosplay]

I really-really like this mask

[sennedjem]

Debuted my Hunter cosplay at Katsucon this weekend! This is my first major cosplay build in three years, since Katsucon 2020 actually, so it was definitely a struggle at times to get back into the creative mindset. I honestly wasn't sure I'd get him done in time, but I managed, and I'm really proud of the end result!

Photo by @theshatteredsilhouette

[that-ari-blogger]

A New Face (Separate Tides)

During its second season, The Owl House had hit its stride and wasn't slowing down. This is my favourite season, and that isn't an unpopular sentiment.

Separate Tides is the opening episode of this season, so it needs to recap the previous goings on and themes in a cohesive way for new viewers, and take the series in a different direction that stays loyal to those themes and plotlines. I think this episode does that well.

But this isn't a summary blog, this is a blog where I find something needlessly specific and gush about the implications of that something.

So... The Golden Guard is so ****ing cool.

Let me explain.

SPOILERS AHEAD (The Owl House, The Harry Potter Series)

I've mentioned in the past that The Owl House uses archetypal storytelling to a truly masterful degree. It takes tropes and meets them on a superficial level, then twists them in a way that adds depth and makes the series unique.

For example, the series is directly drawing inspiration from the works of Robert Galbraith, with Willow being the bullied kid with a passion for herbology, and Amity being the school bully who definitely has a crush on the main character. Both take the archetype and shake it up a bit, as is the way with parody, but the baseline is there.

This leans into the themes of being your own person rather nicely, as it makes the deviations from the archetype more important.

I took great pains to point out that Luz is the only character who doesn't fit the mould at all. She has no analogue and is her own person completely. She has nothing to restrict her.

However, leaves the analogue for the actual protagonist of Galbraith's books. Obviously, not every character from the series is parodied, but the chosen one main character seems like a weird one to miss out on.

I would argue that Mr Potter does have an analogue, Hunter Whittebane (Or Hunter Noceda or Hunter Demonne or even Hunter Clawthorn. Whichever name you prefer, its the same guy).

He is a child soldier, raised by his uncle and manipulated into giving his life away for the cause by an old wizard. He bears a scar on his face, and is technically half witch, half human.

Although we don't actually see any of that in Separate Tides. Instead, we are introduced to the Golden Guard, a character who is suave and cool and confident.

The first time we actually see this character is in the final scene of the previous season.

"Worry not, Kiki. We'll be keeping an eye on the inhabitants of the Owl House."

The Golden Guard is a goon, an elite goon, but a goon none the less. He is simply a character whom Belos turns to in order to get the job done.

But, I find the use of vernacular here interesting. Belos doesn't refer to the Golden Guard with any name, or even as a separate entity from himself. Not "he will be watching them" or "this is the Golden Guard, I trust him to get the job done". This character is referred to as "we". He and Belos are connected. This character is simply Belos' eye.

Then, in Separate Tides, it is established that, when Lilith fell from grace, she was replaced by the Golden Guard.

"He always got special treatment because he was the genius teen prodigy. But he's really just a brat."

So, this is a child, but a gifted child. Lilith is dismissive here, but not of the Golden Guard's skill, just his personality. This is someone for whom things come naturally, allegedly, and who has never had to work for his abilities. Allegedly.

"Unfortunately, you won't have the chance."

The Golden Guard's first line is just cool. He is calm and collected. He is in control. And he has just easily captured one of the protagonists.

I also love the little fact that he has spent the entirety of this voyage in a dimly lit room, eating crackers. The room has nothing to do in it except books. So, he was definitely just sitting there, reading, and had to improvise when King burst into the room. He's a bookworm with an ability to think on the spot.

I'm saying this guy would definitely play Pathfinder or D&D if he was given a chance.

Anyway, the Golden Guard's actual introduction comes fourteen minutes into the episode, and it immediately sets this guy up as a threat. He's martially competent, magically adept, and fully in his element. This is a character who revels in control, just like the Emperor.

And that link to Belos is interesting. Because forgive me for asking, why would an Emperor's elite goon be a child? As in, there has to be a connection to Belos beyond what meets the eye for the Golden Guard to be anywhere near where he is.

We don't get told that here, but we do see that this character's skillset is kinda similar to Belos', in theory. He's commanding, and he gets people to do what he wants. But in practice, this isn't Belos at all. This is someone trying very hard to be like Belos, but coming at it from a different angle.

I do, however, think that the Golden Guard's greatest strength as a goon is revealed subtly in this scene.

"The Emperor ordered me to slay one. I'm just following orders."

We've seen through Lilith in the previous season that Belos covets blind loyalty, and that is what the Golden Guard offers him. He doesn't know or care why the Emperor does what he does, he just follows orders.

Essentially, the Golden Guard is a traditional Disney villain at this point. He is fun, bisexual, charismatic, and a physical threat. The Golden Guard we get introduced to is enjoyable to watch, and it sounds like Zeno Robinson is having a blast voicing him.

However, there is one element of the Golden Guard that we get introduced to in this episode that might fly under the radar. The Owl House is no stranger to masks, and people putting on a show to get the job done, but when we are first shown the Golden Guard in this episode, he is taking it off.

The intro sequence of this season features three characters who are under Belos' command. Lilith, The Golden Guard, and Kikimora. It then unmasks them, with Lilith becoming apologetic, and Kikimora becoming more aggressive. But the Golden Guard sits between them, removing his own mask to reveal... a single purple eye.

The eye is the window to the soul, of course. But there is something to the manner in which this is happening. Kikimora has been angered to the point of lashing out, and Lilith has been brought low with remorse. The Golden Guard, however, is lowering his own mask and staring directly at you with an air of "I'm doing this of my own accord. I see you, you see me, your move."

I wonder if agency is going to be a theme with this character.

Final Thoughts

I love Hunter so much it is obscene, and there is a ton of ambiguity about him right from the bat. What is his stake in this? Who actually is he? And why does he have a purple eye?

As for the rest of this episode, Luz's guilt is starting to be expressed. In my opinion that is for the first time, but I have heard it said that this isn't a new character trait for her.

And Lilith... *sighs* There is a sentiment online as to the expedience of Lilith's redemption arc. Some people like it, others think she should have been "punished" more, and I would like to take a third rout.

I don't believe in punitive justice for fictional characters, and I certainly don't believe in telling writers how they should write. I do, however, think that it could have been slightly more interesting if the consequences of cursing Eda were explored more psychologically.

In any case, however, the series we got is the series we got, and I think it is perfectly fine, if not better, as it is. I don't see a point in getting angry online over what could have been.

Next week, I am looking as Escaping Expulsion and boy, do I have thoughts about Odalia Blight. So, stick around if that interests you.

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[ikol-cosplay]

HUNTLOW RIGHTS 👏👏

Willow: Susanhookcosplay (IG)

Both cosplays made by me

[acetrainerfoley]

More Hunter cosplay progress! Forever in my sunshine boy era, tbh. : P

[catalyststudioart]

Anime Frontier

So im going to a con in December and I just wanted to show what I was wearing! I had to draw them bc 1. I don't have them made yet and 2. I visualize things better when I draw it so here they are! My friend is going as Titan Luz and I'm going as Titan Amity (not Canon obv) based off of a drawing I saw. I'm not going to put it here because I don't know the artist and don't want to discredit them. I'm almost done with the cosplay so once I finish it, I will post it here! The other outfit will be a Hunter themed one. I'll be wearing his wolf shirt, pants I will make designed after his apron, my shoes I painted to be Hunter themed, my Hunter bracelets, earrings, and clips that I bought, as well as my Hunter ita bag, which will have my 2 Hunter plushies I got from Sabsackstore. I'll be wearing it all bc I am meeting his VA, Zeno Robinson there, and I'm just way too obsessed with Hunter :)

[jackieuniversecosplay]

New blog - new me. So let's start with something epic like our performance with Shady at OwlCon! Hunter cosplay - Jackie Universe (me) Belos cosplay - Shady Dark

[baron-of-gold]

My first cosplay!

[causeimanartist]

Did you make those cosplays yourself?? If so you didn't have an art block, you shifted your focus to other mediums???

Hello! Late response lol, I did mostly make* my cosplays!

*The palisman were 3D printed by FishboneLynx on Etsy, I just had to paint them! I got the "magic staff" from Meijer lol, it's actually a garden tool

The Golden Guard mask, the Emperor's Coven pin, and Amity'a necklace all came from The Mystery Shack (online fandom store)

My incredible mother made the white cloak and I made the crescent moon charms!

And everything else was either from my closet (belts, boots, dress, black pants) or I bought at Target (blue suit and pants) or TJ Max (pink leggings and white button down)

-

All that being said, I definitely still have art block though. It's getting a little better I'm fighting it and anxiety at the same time. It's like, I want to draw but when I pick my iPad to draw I can feel my chest tighten up with dread and the more I struggle to get a sketch out, the more I start to panic. Fun times lol

It was fun channeling some creative energy into the cosplays though! I've been cosplaying as a side hobby for a few years. I want to cosplay as Danny Phantom and I have plans for Rei from Free! (Throwback lol). I have a lot of fun in the cosplays and a decent about of people wanted photographs which always makes me feel accomplished!