Well, yes, it is expensive- my costume won't even be fantastic
cause I'm making it myself...but it should be fun anyway.
I'm going as Yohko this year (from Devil Hunter Yohko) and 
even purchased a wig so I can do the hair...that with the
cost of materials for the dress probably ends up being 
close to $100... Don't know if I'll ever do it again, but
lots of people dress as anime characters at the cons.