Tag: Cosplayer Interviews

Cosplayer Interviews-Emily

Sherry

This is Emily, also known as Kitara88 or Alias Takashi. Starting her cosplay journey in 2003, she won the very first award in 2006! In her deviantart gallery, fabulous cosplay pictures can be found. I was surprised by her “Hachune Miku harasses” cosplay the most. Ok, let’s welcome Emily and share her cosplay story together!

1. Please introduce yourself first?

Hi, I’m Emily but I usually go by my user name of either Kitara88 or Alias Takashi. I started cosplaying since 2003 and still counting!

2. What does cosplay mean to you?

It’s something special to me because it helps me break away from reality. Also it’s fun being someone else for the day ^w^;

3. What was your first cosplay?

My first official cosplay was Lulu from Final Fantasy X. It turned out alright and I had some help from my aunt. I didn’t own a sewing machine at the time so I had to sew everything. Bad idea for a newbie to start off with a complicated cosplay. During the convention, my cosplay started falling apart X___X;

4. Does your family support your cosplay?

One of my sisters supports my hobby because she says it allows me to be creative …. But my mother believes it’s a waste of time, space and money.

5. What is your most memorable cosplay experience?

Hard to say because I have lots of memorable cosplay experiences. I guess the most memorable would be winning my very first cosplay award in 2006.

6. What are your 2011 cosplay plans?

My plans are/were Hachune Miku from Vocaloid and Stocking from Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt. For Halloween, I am going to cosplay as Fear Garden Rin from Vocaloid.

7. I really like your “Hachune Miku harasses” Cosplay,could you tell me more about it especially the huge miku costume,it’s really funny~

I chose Hachune Miku because she is rarely done and I fell in love with her hilarious expression. Mascots usually receive the most attention and they are usually popular during conventions. I tried to make my cosplay to resemble a giant plushie doll to make it adorable. It took a lot of time to make and it was really hard to move in but seeing/hearing people reaction was worth enduring that sauna suit.

8. Do you make your costumes yourself or buy them?

I make them myself. I buy certain parts if they are available like pants or bracelets. No necessary to make pants if it’s available. Unless it’s not sold in stores, I will make them from scratch.

9. Any other cosplayers you like?

I have several cosplayers that I like. I admire PikminLink and Lord Masamune, their cosplays are absolutely amazing. I also admire my friends and their cosplays but there are too many to name ^^;

10. Do some changes happen to you after cosplay?

Thanks to cosplay/cosplaying at events, I got to meet many wonderful people and became friends with them. I also tend to feel more outgoing and happier when I’m cosplaying.

11. Any advices you wanna share with cosplay newbies?

I say start off with a simple cosplay first. Don’t dive into a complicated cosplay at the start (like I did). Do lots of research on the outfit and character. Remember to have fun! 🙂

Cosplayer Interviews – Lionofdemise

Sherry

This is Lionofdemise, an American boy, who is interested in art, music, drawing, games, etc. In his words, Super Mario, Dead or Alive, Street Fighter, Dragonball Z, Halo and many more are his favorite games. Today, Lionofdemise accepted our interview. Welcome Lionofdemise and many thanks, XD. Now, let’s focus on his interview content.

1. Please Introduce yourself first?

Moshi Moshi. Wait I’m not on the phone lol.

Hello there, I am Lionofdemise. Or you can call me Q, XD.

2. What does cosplay mean to you?

Cosplay means to me, roleplaying, dressing up, acting like, anyone in the world, Dead or Alive, To me, it doesn’t just mean costume playing. It’s a way of people interact with each other, or even love. Yeah I said it, love.

3. What was your first cosplay?

It was Mario back in high school. I didn’t know it was cosplay back then. It was Spirit Week and it was, dress up as someone, like a Hero or someone fake. I honestly can’t remember. I showed up in overalls, a red shirt, and a hat. Ever since then, I love my Mario cosplay.

4. Does your family support your cosplay?

They have no idea what cosplay is. They just see it as dressing up. But they have no problem with it. It always makes them laugh when I randomly show up in my Mario Gear. And saying the same damn thing, It’s creepy how much you do look like him.

5. What is your most memorable cosplay experience?

Halloween (2010), I went to school in my Mario Raccoon Costume. I had the red ears, the tail, and just going around. Everyone fucking loved it! To this day, people still call me Mario. It was such a great day. I promised my school to return (i graduated) as Mario for Halloween.

6. What are your 2011 cosplay plans?

I wanted to do a cosplay that I haven’t seen yet. Super Mario Sunshine. I haven’t seen or know of people as Mario, with the FLUDD. So I decided to be the different Mario.

7. I noticed you shot a lot of cosplay as well, could you share some tips about cosplay photography?

Photography, nothing is wrong if you could take more than 1. What people forget, you need to take pictures of their feet, their shoes. They spend as much time on cosplaying their outfits with their feet and legs. And half the time, the lower body isn’t shown. Then you have an inch of gap on top of the person’s head compare to the frame. But there’s nothing wrong taking a close up picture as well. It’s about how you going to present the picture is more important. That why for me, photography is more than, click got it!

8. Do you make your costumes yourself or buy them?

Nowhere in the world, would you be able to buy a FLUDD. If there was, I would’ve so brought one ages ago lol. So I end up making the costume with a friend of mine, legatoblue4. He had no idea who or what the FLUDD was. Then I shown him an image of the FLUDD and what I wanted it to do. He stares at the picture then started calling me crazy, a loony, and a twat for wanting something so difficult to make. Then he smiles saying he is down for making it with me. So me and my best friend, worked together making the FLUDD for months before Acen 2011. But after the convention, I sent him a message of how thankful I was for his help. And I can’t wait for my next Mario Costume Crazy Ideas. And we already know what to do lol.

9. Any other cosplayers you like?

I enjoy a lot of cosplayers. And due to my Mario costumes, I have actually gotten to meet them at Acen. I met jmo1link, whose a pretty good Luigi. But the person I’m actually happy to have met is a guy inkylink, who is the best Dark Link I have ever seen on the internet. There is plenty of cosplayers I like I have seen on the internet. And yes, I do have a Luigi. A friend of mine from school. He’s a pretty good Luigi. Actually we are making a side project together about Mario and Luigi. All I can say is…Sequel to Luigi’s Mansion.

10. Do some changes happen to you after cosplay?

Changes maybe not as much. Like my FLUDD, me and my friend: legatoblue4: have decided to make the FLUDD out of Metal. Because during the convention, it got damaged. So it would be best to find a way to make it out of metal next time.

But changes to me? Not really. Just made me realize how much of an attention whore I’m really am. And I love it.

11. Any advices you wanna share with cosplay newbies?

You are going to fail once, twice, 3 times…50 times. But at the end of it all, it’s really worth it. Here’s an example:

I am happy the most when I see a small child, looks at me, looks at their parent and say, Mommy look. There’s a Mario! And if they asked for a Hug, it just melt my heart away to know. I’m bringing happiness to children. That make my trouble, my knowing how much money I had spent, all go away.

Cosplayer Interviews-Elffi

Kevin

Welcome to our cosplayer interviews. Here we are going to do an interview with a Finnish boy, named Elffi. He is also a clarinet player, 23 years old. Addicted to  handcraft from childhood, he enjoys making cosplay stuff and making new friends during cosplaying. Want more information about this amazing boy? Let’s share his story together!

1.Please Introduce yourself first?
Heya! I am Janne “Elffi” Rusanen from Finland and I’m 23 years old.
After my first trip to Japan (winter 2006-2007) I spent a year doing my service in the Finnish Defence Forces Conscript Band playing a clarinet. Currently I live in Vaasa and study Japanese language and culture at University of Stockholm.
I’m making cosplays as a hobby when I’v got some free time. My others hobbies are classical singing and footbag.

2.What does cosplay mean to you?
I’v always loved handcrafts since childhood. It’s a great hobby which teaches you a lot of new things. It’s also a great way to meet new wonderful people and make new friends. I especially enjoy making props.
It’s always wonderful to have a proper photoshoot and take hundreds of photos with a good background and poses. I also have to keep my body in a good shape, that’s why I love cosplay!

Elffi as Ichigo

3.What was your first cosplay?
My first cosplay was Kurosaki Ichigo in a shinigami costume. It was year 2006. I didn’t know anything about wigs so I just used my own hair. And I made the prop out of cardboard… It was way too small.

4.Does your family supports your cosplay?
I think they all like it a lot. It’s a bit rare hobby for a male, but they understand it. I’v also received some funding for my new costumes.

5. What is your most memorable cosplay experience?
Umm, maybe last winter when we won the WCS (World Cosplay Summit) preliminaries of Finland with my cosplay partner Shufu.

6. What are your 2011 cosplay plans?
I’m making 3 new costumes for the WCS Finals (Nagoya, Japan, in August)
Last weekend I made the first costume. Final Getsuga Tenshou Ichigo from Bleach.

7.Do you make your costumes yourself or buy them ?
I’m making everything by myself. It’s always fun to think new ways and methods on how to make something.

8. Any other cosplayers you like?
I dunno if anyone knows this one guy named farmer-bootoshysa on Deviantart. His costumes are absolutely amazing!
He might be the only one I adore.

9. Do some changes happen to you after cosplay?
Well, I always learn new things, that’s the best part I think.

10. Any advices you wanna share with cosplay newbies?
Please remember, that you can try and use any material in the world when making a cosplay.
Everything is accepted if it looks good! That’s a hard thing to remember sometimes.
Always think twice on what you are doing!

Cosplayer Interviews-Yunie

Kevin
Today I’m glad to have Yunie here. She is an experienced cosplayer who has cosplayed for ten years. Thanks Yunie for joining our cosplayers interview program. Ok, come and share her cosplay experience.

1. Please introduce yourself first!
My name’s Yunie, and I’m a cosplayer from Colorado. I’ve been cosplaying for ten years as of this September. I’m a history nerd, a gamer, and should probably stop collecting so many horror movies, heh! I own Cosplay Blog… with a Brain!, a cosplay blog, obviously. I also own my own cosplay site Engi no Shouzoku!, which I run with several friends of mine.

2. What does cosplay mean to you?
Cosplay is a basically costuming, which I enjoy for the creative aspects. My inner attention enjoys creating something that people want to get photos of. It’s been a way for me to make friends, express myself, and all around have fun!

3. What and when was your first cosplay?
My first cosplay was September of 2001 at Nan Desu Kan in Denver, Colorado. I made Mistress 9 from Sailor Moon with help from my mom. We sewed the top together and added the pearls, found a wig and the star, and purchased the skirt from Goodwill. 😀

4. Does your family support your cosplay?
To an extent, they support me. They like seeing what I create and that I’m having fun with it, but they view it as a waste of money. My dad also thinks that traveling is stupid and is almost paranoid about planes, but only when I’m flying on them.

5. What is your most memorable cosplay experience?
My most memorable by far was when I dressed as Sailor Moon from Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon for Anime Oasis in Boise, Idaho. I had this adorable little girl come running up and she was just absolutely thrilled there was a Sailor Moon there because there was a lot of bad guys and we needed to defeat them. So, we went around the con defeating the bad guys until she had to leave with her parents. It was fun and something I won’t forget.

6. What are your 2011 cosplay plans?
On my list to wear this year are Phoenix from X-Men, Princess Serenity from Sailor Moon, Dark Sakura from Fate/Stay Night, Rinoa from Final Fantasy VIII, Rydia from Final Fantasy IV, and Armitage from Armitage III. Currently, I’m not planning on making anything new due to money restrictions, but that could change.

7. Do you make costumes yourself or buy them?
I usually make costumes myself, but I have bought a few here and there. I always make it clear which ones are bought and never compete in them.

8. Any other cosplayers you like?
There’re tons of other cosplayers I like and many I admire for their work. One I tend to work with the most is Etaru, who is basically like my sister from another mother. <3 I also have the other cosplayers from my website and they’re all like a second family. There’s also Seiya Kou and Yaten Kou, both also in Colorado with me, and I adore them as well.

9. Do some changes happen to you after cosplay?
Kind of? I become more confident when I’m in costume and remain so for awhile afterwards. I have rather low self esteem, so when I cosplay, it gives me a boost. I also get depressed after con for a day or two, because I miss everyone I got to meet and hang out with, but it always passes. I also don’t want to sew for a month or two, heh!

10. Any advice you wanna share with cosplay newbies?
If you’re getting into cosplay, always start out on something easy and work your way up. The more comfortable you get in creating the simpler things, the easier it gets to make more difficult projects. And always wear make-up if you’re planning on being photographed, male or female. You will always look better, even if it’s just some light foundation.

Cosplayer Interviews-Ashley

Kevin

Today I’ m glad to have Ashley here and attend our cosplayers interview! Ashley, an outgoing girl, loves to hang out with friends and make some cosplay stuff. To her, role playing is not just a hobby. During her cosplay time, many things have been learned. Let’s share her fantastic cosplay world together! Ok, welcome Ashley.

1.Please Introduce yourself first?
Hello my name is Ashley. I go by rinchansflower and sometimes Ukraine.

2.What does cosplay mean to you?
Dressing up in fun costumes and hanging out with my friends. Cons are the few times during the year when I can see my friends from all over. We all get to express our love for our favorite series and catch up. I love getting the chance to make and create these outfits.

Ashley as Kotobuki Tsumugi

3.What was your first cosplay?
My very first cosplay was Yuki Cross from Vampire Knight. I didn’t make the costume, I had it commissioned. But after that it sort of ignited my love of cosplay and it made me want to learn to sew myself.

4. Does your family supports your cosplay?
My parents are wonderful, supportive people who love me. They don’t really get the whole cosplay aspect of my life, it’s a different world for them. While they’re not crazy about cosplay, they love and support me and that’s what matters.

5. What is your most memorable cosplay experience?
Probably some of the gatherings that I’ve been to. I can’t really name one in particular, but the best part about cosplaying is meeting other people who love the same series you do. Getting the chance to take photos with them, re-enacing some of your favorite scenes from it. I’ve met some close friends from gatherings.

6. What are your 2011 cosplay plans?
Right now I only have Claudia Auditore from Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood and Kamila from Ghost Trick planned. I’m not sure what con I’ll go to after Otakon, my list is way too big to narrow down right now. So I’ll just focus on those two for now.

Ashley as Kamila

7. Have checked your etsy shop, Honekoneko is really cute, so why you wanna make it,any special reason?
I just finished watched Panty & Stocking at the time, and I realized I had all the material sitting around. So I just ended up making a few of them. I have one for myself that I keep, whenever I make a plush I always make the first copy for myself and then whatever extra I might have I’ll sell off. But the doll in the series was so cute and I like having cute plushes!

8. Any other cosplayers you like?
Some of the cosplayers I love to death are Tofu, Leesers, HayabusaKnight.
Some of the cosplayers that really inspire me are Avi, Flowery and Miri.

9. Do some changes happen to you after cosplay?
I’ve learned how to sew, which is a major plus. But it’s given me the chance to meet so many amazing people and learn a whole new craft, while still continually learning more about it.

10. Any advices you wanna share with cosplay newbies?
Your first costume may not turn out to be the best, but that’s okay. It’s not about having the most amazing costume. You put your work into it, and you get better and better with each one. Find a good group of level headed friends to hang out with. They really help make your cosplay experience good.