Become Final Fantasy XIII's Serah on the cheap

6:00 PM on 12.08.2009   |   Josh Tolentino

It's usually pretty tough to cosplay, even as one of the reasonably "realistic-looking" characters of the modern Final Fantasy title. Besides of course trying to look as ethereally pretty as the characters in the cast, more often than not their costumes are hideously outlandish despite sometimes having been designed by real-life fashionistas.

But then again, there are always exceptions. In Final Fantasy XIII's case, the exception is Serah, the little sister of musky-smelling protagonist Lightning. Not only a graceful wielder of the Absolute Territory and an uncanny lookalike to Bible Black star Imari Kurumi (seriously, just drop the tie and black vest, and switch the side-tail over), she also wears an outfit that looks marginally wearable.

Noticing this, 2ch has provided would-be cosplayers with a perfect shopping guide, finding budget-chic analogs to Serah's setup straight out of the catalog for Japanese retailer Shimamura. And it really seems to work! From the pic below, it would only take a few minor alterations to get the look down pat, and all for just a shade above a hundred bucks!

Thanks, Japanese internet! It's a perfect beginner's cosplay guide! Now all we have to do is see this on some emaciated waif at the next Comiket, and the mission is complete. Alternatively, I will also accept that the guide be followed to conduct Bible Black cosplay, with the accompanying hot ritual orgy. 

[LiveDoor via Kotaku]