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!