Category: Cosplayer Interviews

Cosplayer Interviews–Zahnpasta

Kevin

Today, we’re honored to have Zahnpasta, a talented cosplayer from Deviantart, join in our cosplayer interviews. Zahnpasta is rather addicted to cosplay, which does not just mean a great hobby. This outgoing girl had started her wonderful journey in 2009 with full support from her family. To some degree, we can say she is from a cosplay fan family. Again, thanks Zahnpasta for interview. Ok, let’s share her story together.

    1.Please Introduce yourself first?

    My name is Caroline, I’m a 20-year-old student living in Germany. I’m cosplaying for 3 years now and mostly from video games, since gaming is one of my greatest passions, besides cosplay.

    2.What does cosplay mean to you?

    Cosplay is a great hobby, sometimes even more. As much as I love playing video games, I love dressing up as the character from the game. I always try to find the perfect location for the character and try to recreate the atmosphere of the game in my photos. I hate to make the costume, I get frustrated so easily, but I love being in character, taking photos of it. It’s like being a little child, seeing your favourite superhero on TV, thinking “Man, I want to be like him.”. Cosplay is a perfect change from my everyday life.

    3.What was your first cosplay?

    My first cosplay was Roxas from Kingdom Hearts 2. I really loved the game and had a friend who made Sora to go along with me. The cosplay was completely handsewn, since I didn’t have a sewing machine back then.

    4. Does your family support your cosplay?

    Yes, they support it. My grandpa is helping me with sawing out props, my dad often suggests new locations for photoshoots and my brother even cosplays with me from time to time.

    5. What is your most memorable cosplay experience?

    Back in 2009, when Abessinier , Maryru and me were cosplaying Sephiroth, Cloud and Zack together for the first time. Zack is the character I can identify myself with the most, I met my two best friends in that cosplay and we still cosplay it from time to time. Hanging out together, being in character, teasing each other – these are the best memories I connect with cosplay. ♥

    6. What are your 2011 cosplay plans?

    My plans are: Tidus from Final Fantasy X, Popuri from Harvest Moon, Noélle Bor from Trinity Blood, Alex Mercer from Prototype and Ezio Auditore da Firenze from Assassin’s Creed.

    7. If possible, which anime/manga/game do you want to cosplay most?

    I really want to cosplay “Ghost” from Call of Duty, but it’s too expensive for me at the moment. The weapons and equipment have to be authentic and I would have to buy most of it.

    8. Do you make costumes yourself or buy them?

    Usually I make everything myself, except when the character wears a pair of jeans or any other piece of clothing you can find in your closet. It doesn’t matter to me if it’s bought or not, it has to look original.

    9. Any other cosplayers you like?

    I have so many cosplayers I look up to, one of them is actually one of my best friends, Abessinier. I adore her cosplays so much, she looks amazing in every single one of them, no matter if it’s a girly cosplay or something manly like Dante, she can pull it off.

    Fev is also one of my favourite cosplayers, her craftmanship is epic and she is very nice and helpful.

    10. Do some changes happen to you after cosplay?

    Of course! Before I started cosplaying, I was very shy and didn’t talk much to other people. Going to conventions, meeting people with similiar interests and getting compliments did really boost my confidence. Cosplay also motivates me to lose weight, nothing works better for me than knowing “I want to cosplay that revealing character next month? I should better work out a little.”

    11. Any advices you wanna share with cosplay newbies?

    Don’t be shy, ask for help! Most cosplayers are very nice and helpful. Be able to take constructive critisism and improve yourself, but don’t let you get down by flaming idiots.

    12. When will you stop cosplay ?

    As soon as I stop having fun.

Cosplayer Interviews–Imari Yumiki

Kevin

We’ve been doing interviews with fancy cosplayers all over the world recently. And today we have Imari Yumiki, a passionate girl ( i thought she was a boy….OMG)  from United States. I don’t know her, haven’t met her, but I can feel her enthusiasm for cosplay, and even for life through her words. Imari Yumiki, glad to have you here! 🙂

1. Please Introduce yourself first?

I am Imari Yumiki, a everyday normal person who loves cosplay, anime, videogames, figure collecting, conventions, and has a never ending love for animals.

I am also a dedicated user of ACParadise.com which is a great cosplay website for fans all alike. I highly suggest it if you don’t have an account to get one! They cover all sorts of conventions and masquerades all over the USA, they also do cosplay events with industries at conventions where you can have fun promoting your favorite series! It’s open to all internationals and local USA to join to share their cosplay works.

ACP is my main cosplay page where everything is updated first when I get my photos from conventions. It also has my upcoming cons/plans. I do have other social networks and other websites I update but this is always my number 1 main.

2.What does cosplay mean to you?

Cosplay is one of the biggest hobby in my life, I have done it for many years now and I am never tired of it. It’s something where I can dress up and portray a character for a day. All the work I put into cosplay just to portray the character as best as I can with wig, costume, make up, and learning how to be in character is just a lot of fun. It touches my creative side in every way possible and I am happy to have this as one of my main hobbies. I do not see Cosplay as a serious business thing at all, it’s suppose to be having fun and doing what you love that counts the most. I don’t feel people should try to see this as a competitive hobby because cosplay is all about the creativity play all together.

3.What was your first cosplay?

Haha, it was such a long time ago, my first cosplays would be from Yu Yu Hakusho. Even though I only started to going to convention events in 2005 for the USA. I’ve been cosplaying longer than that, mostly at international events in the past.

4. Does your family support your cosplay?

Yes they do. My sister, Eve aka. Everon, takes majority of my photos for my cosplay. It’s nice to have someone who loves taking photos that is so accessible. :3 As for my parents, they believe that the creativity I get from all the cosplay making + wig/make up is a very good healthy hobby. They support my doings and do not believe it’s a waste of time. So they are perfectly fine with me doing what I love because they know I am clear minded and just having pure fun.

5. What is your most memorable cosplay experience?

Being able to meet all the wonderful people through cosplay events and conventions. It’s always something I am grateful for. All the experiences I have had through cosplay has build what I am today, it is a part of me that will always mold me into a person with different experiences through my life.

6. What are your 2011 cosplay plans?

If you follow my ACParadise.com page you can see all the new costumes I have been doing for 2011 so far. There are many more coming this year that is just too much to list, if you are interested I usually post sneak peak on all my social network pages. However the ratio seems to be tilting back where I am doing a lot of female characters this time around vs. the big ratio of male characters hee hee. I will keep my balance though, it’s so fun to cosplay things I really want to do this year though!

7. If possible, which anime/manga/game do you want to cosplay most?

I really want to do something that is full body and mask covered, like Beelzemon from Digimon and Vampirdzhija Vjedogonia from Nitro+. (Yay Nitro+! It’s my passion to cosplay from my favorite artists/company works! I admit I am a big Nitro fan just like I am Harvest Moon fan haha. I’m such a nerdy gamer.) Cosplaying full demon/devil like character is something I really want to try!

8. Do you make costumes yourself or buy them?

I make all of my cosplays, all the way from simple to complex, patterning/sewing/crafting/etc. Usually I will state which pieces I don’t make myself if there is any. I also style wigs and make props, the reason I love cosplay so much is because I can be so artsy and crafty. Constructing your own costumes and being able to wear them afterwards is a big happiness of mines.

9. Any other cosplayers you like?

All of my friends are very inspirational to me and people who have a strong passion for cosplay. I respect everyone who puts their very best and just having fun with cosplay.

10. Do some changes happen to you after cosplay?

I’ve learned to be more outgoing a bit and not clam up. Although I am still shy and sometimes run out of things to say, I try my best in talking to others and keeping up a conversation. But if anyone who has talked to me felt I just stopped talking, I apologize because most likely it’s just me shying and clamming up after I have lost a train of thought. (^^0

11. Any advices you wanna share with cosplay newbies?

Cosplay Idea – In choosing what cosplays to do, I suggest choosing things you love, either series or character. The emphasis on the portrayal of character is much better when you love the character your doing. Sometimes if your interested in the costume due to artwork that’s ok too, just look into it to get more of the feel for the character.

Cosplay Choices – If you sew or learn to sew to make costumes. Never worry about trial and error, it happens to everyone. If there is never mistakes, you will never learn through the process. Don’t ever feel you have failed if you just make a mistake, it’s always ok to improve in the future. If you are buying your costumes just remember, your doing what you want to. It is ok for people to buy costumes and wear them in public as long as you are having fun doing what you want. Just as long as you never lie you made your costume, there is nothing wrong with buying outfits to wear. Credit properly to the ones who should be credited.

Tips – Whether your a competitive type masquerade or just cosplaying for fun. Always remember to respect others because not everyone is the same as you. Some people may put up a different view on cosplay and why they do it just let them be. If you do it for fun then never let anyone change that. There is nothing worse then letting yourself fall into someone’s way of thinking. Just like life, cosplay community is still a social community. Not everyone will get along but you will also meet many wonderful people who do, just have fun with it.

12. When will you stop cosplay ?

It really depends on how life changes, anything can happen in life but I like looking toward the positive of everything. Everything and anything is possible in life but no matter what I want to try my best looking at it positively. As long as I have time, I will always continue cosplaying and taking photos.

Cosplayer Interviews – Akane Yueyuki

Kevin 2 Comments

I initially found Akane Yueyuki by her music, According to profile on Blogger, Akane feels interested about really LOTS of movies, music and books. In her word, she aims to show her artwork to the world. Joining in cosplay in October, 2010, she was ever the only one cosplaying as Maka at Animangaki. Here, Akane Yueyuki joins in our cosplay interviews to share her cosplay experience and tips. Thanks, Akane Yueyuki, XD.

1. Please Introduce yourself first?

Umm….ok….I’m really bad at this but here goes! I’m Akane Yueyuki, currently 18 going on 19 years old. Just started cosplaying in October last year and loving it! XD

2. What does cosplay mean to you?

It’s a way for me to express myself freely with friends…and just to enjoy life! ^^

3. What was your first cosplay?

My 1st cosplay was Maka Albarn from Soul Eater. She inspired me too much that I feel I MUST start cosplaying!

4. Does your family support your cosplay?

Yes, more or less….surprisingly….I thought they gonna kill me when they found out…but until now, they are still quite supportive.

5. What is your most memorable cosplay experience?

My 1st photoshoot! I never knew doing silly poses with others can be so much fun! Haha~

6. What are your 2011 cosplay plans?

Soul Evans from Soul Eater, Panty from PSG, Syaoran frm TRC and Maka Spartoi Version…all confirmed! Hehe ^^b

7. If possible, which anime/manga/game do you want to cosplay most?

I love anime the most…but for now, nothing strikes my interest…I’m still waiting for another anime that can make me overcome my love for Soul Eater…XD

8. Do you make costumes yourself or buy them?

For now, most of my costumes are bought (I don’t have a sewing machine T~T). But I do make my own props and parts of my costume, like my Maka boots…I love them so much…hehe…

9. Any other cosplayers you like?

Oh…there are so many epic cosplayers everywhere….but I have no particular interest on anyone for now…^^

10. Do some changes happen to you after cosplay?

Plenty…I learnt how to make up, make props, pose for photos, and much more. Now I have MUCH more knowledge on a lot of things compare to before!

11. Any advices you wanna share with cosplay newbies?

LOL! I’m still a newbie myself. XD But for all cosplayers just starting out, just have fun, mingle with everyone, ask A LOT…you’ll be surprised how nice and amazing cosplayers are! ^^

12. When will you stop cosplay ?

Dunno…I guess maybe when I have no more time for it…I hope not though…XD

Cosplayer Interviews-kimikotan

sado44 1 Comment

kimikotan is a really sweet girl, i contacted her for guest post in our blog, because i found she made cosplay costumes herself ( she dream one day to start her own fashion line !!) , and also wrote useful cosplay tutorials in her blog . Today kimikotan join in our cosplayer interviews to share more about her cosplay life ,XD.

1. What does cosplay mean to you?
Cosplay has become more than just my hobby. It has become a way for me to show the world what can be made out of fabric, clay, and ordinary objects.

2. what’s your first cosplay?
My first cosplay was a wa-loli kimono I made for a school project. But I suppose that is not an official cosplay so Miku Hatsune would be my first cosplay.

3. Your family support your cosplay?
Surprisingly my family does. Now I make cosplays for my siblings as well as friends when I can. My mom was also the one to get me a sewing machine as well as fabric for a long time. Now my parents just bug me that I don’t finish cosplays fast enough xD

4. What is your most memorable cosplay experience?
This would be the first time I went on stage 2 years ago… it was a small stage and a small competition but… it was very fun =D

5. What’s your 2011 cosplay plan?
Oh… 2011 cosplays… This is a huge year for me as I’ll be competing in more competitions. Cosplay gets expensive and I’ve found out that either you win competitions to get money or do commissions. I kind of want to do a little of both~



6. If possible, which anime you wanna cosplay most?
I would love to cosplay not anime characters but game characters. Game character designs seem more challenging and usually involve some type of armor and gravity defying parts. Sounds fun no?

7. Notice you make costumes yourself,any suggestion for making costumes?
Plan. Plan. Plan. I started off just winging a lot of my stuff but now my sketchbook is full of measurements and in-depth drawings of how to lay out the fabric to how the pattern connects together. Also its great to have a friend to confine in, if I didn’t have anyone to talk to about my cosplays I think it would become very boring >.<

8. Any other cosplayers you like?
I admire many cosplayers out there but mainly 2. Both are actually my brother’s friends. I’m not sure of their cosplay names but one has become a masquerade judge and the other lives in another state but makes her cosplays so flawlessly. It’s really inspiring.

9. Do some changes happen on you after cosplay?
Other than me being able to finally become crazy and have some fun? Not really? xDD

10. Any advices you wanna share with cosplay newbies?
It takes brave people to cosplay, I mean honestly… dressing up and going out to cons? Or even having your pictures taken, its a fun experience ~

11. When will you stop cosplay
Never!! Hopefully I can continue making cosplays for my kids whenever that time may be. So that will be like.. indirectly cosplaying!


Cosplayer Interviews-Monika

sado44

Monika, another talent cute girl i found in deviantart .Today , Monika join in our cosplayer interviews category to share her cosplay history ,tips and advices .Thanx Monika, XD

1. Please Introduce yourself first?

Hi! My name is Monika, more commonly known as London2191. I’m an 18 year old high school student and I love cosplay! I’ve been cosplaying for about 5 years now and I hope to continue it through college. I’ve done a lot of costumes from anime/manga to video games, but I really want to try doing more sci-fi/fantasy and pop culture costumes these coming years.

2.What does cosplay mean to you?

For me, cosplay is an amazing and unique way to express my creativity. It’s also fun to be able to act and dress like someone else for a day!

3. what’s your first cosplay?

My first cosplay was Temari from Naruto—I was a pretty big anime nerd back then, haha

4. Your family support your cosplay?

My mom is surprisingly supportive of what I do and I’m really grateful for that. And being asian, my dad disproves of it, but he does take an interest in what I do especially when it comes to prop making (the perks of having an electrical engineer for a father!).

5. What is your most memorable cosplay experience?

Every cosplay experience is memorable for me because I’m not the type of person who goes to 5-10 cons a year. For me, it’s 9 or so days out of the year that I can cosplay so I cherish every moment of it.

6. What’s your 2011 cosplay plan?

I’ve already created two costumes this year (Yukari Hayasaka from Paradise Kiss and Rainbow Dash from My Little Pony). As of now, I have a Little Sister from Bioshock planned as well as Belldandy from Ah! My Goddess and Sansa Stark from HBO’s new fantasy show Game of Thrones.

7. If possible, which anime you wanna cosplay most?

I’m not too big on anime, but I really enjoy manga and video games. If possible, I would love to cosplay Hoshina Airi from MeruPuri or Ashe from Final Fantasy XII.

8. Do you make costumes yourself or buy?

I make all my costumes. I love being able to wear something I’ve made and am proud of! The joy of cosplaying is taken away, in my opinion, when you’re not able to wear your own creations.

9. Any other cosplayers you like?

If you mean cosplay friends, definitely! I have a lot of close cosplayer friends and I enjoy cosplaying more when I’m able to cosplay with friends.

10. Do some changes happen on you after cosplay?

Definitely! Cosplay promotes a very close and unique community of people through which fans can share their love of anime, video games, etc. It’s something that has taught me that being weird isn’t so bad after all, haha. I’ve also learned so much from a lot of talented costumers that make me strive to be better at my craft.

11. Any advices you wanna share with cosplay newbies?

Keep going! Cosplaying has taught me so many valuable skills (especially ones that look really good on college applications!) and the friendships and memories that come with being a cosplayer are amazing!

12. When will you stop cosplay ?

I have no clue, haha. I feel like I may stop or at least come to a slow pace a few years after college, but who knows? Maybe I’ll transition to more adult costumes (opposed to Japanese school girl characters, haha), but I’m not sure. Life can take you anywhere and it’s too hard to predict what you’ll be doing in the coming years. Cosplaying is definitely an amazing hobby I don’t want to give up anytime soon, though!