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University of Otago student Shannon Jackson dresses as Madoka Kaname, a character from a Japanese animated series. It is one of many costumes she has created for previous Armageddon Expos. Photo by Peter McIntosh.
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Usually she's just another Jane Bloggs, walking up the street
to university lectures.
But when Shannon Jackson (20) is in costume, she transforms
into one of the most recognised faces on television.
The University of Otago Japanese and linguistics student is
one of an estimated 6000 people from around New Zealand who
will dress up as their favourite sci-fi movie or cartoon
character this weekend when they attend the Armageddon Expo
in Dunedin.
Miss Jackson said she was unwittingly introduced to
Armageddon Expos when a friend took her to one in
Christchurch, and since had gravitated to the events.
''I like making things and dressing up, so it was only
natural that it was going to be a hobby.''
She spends hours making elaborate costumes by hand, and has
won awards at conventions around the country.
However, Miss Jackson assures people she is not a hardcore
Armageddonite.
''I'm disappointingly normal outside of expos. You wouldn't
recognise me in jeans and T-shirt.''
Her flatmates were very supportive, even when she took up
half of the lounge with her sewing machine and material.
She has spent the past two weeks creating a new costume for
this weekend's event at the Edgar Centre, but said yesterday
it would be staying under wraps till today.
Despite the Armageddon Expo running for 18 years, founder and
organiser Bill Geradts said it would be the first official
expo in Dunedin.
He said the event would include a great mix of stallholders,
cosplay, anime, trading card tournaments, Dell computer
displays, eating contests, and a Dragonball Z
Kamehameha challenge.
- john.lewis@odt.co.nz
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