A Bleach cosplay contest was lauched at our site in January. Mason Monds, from USA, is one of the winners who get our free Bleach costume. He was sponsored with the Bleach Kisuke Urahara Cosplay Costume. Below are the cosplay photos shared by him. Thank you, Mason.
The interview below also can help us better know Mason Monds.
1. Since cosplay becomes more and more popular, how do you think about the good things and also bad things on this performance art?
I think there are a lot of great cosplayers out there that want to keep this art form alive. I also believe that the more a person puts into their cosplay the better it will show. In the same breath, there are people out there who just run to the local store and toss on whatever item related to an anime and then call it cosplaying. I am aware that not everybody is crafty or has the money to make or obtain a decent cosplay but there should at least be some sign of effort. I really enjoy watching others get in cosplays regardless of if I know the anime or not. This is art and with art always comes critiques.
2. Do you consider yourself a “cosplayer” year round, or only when participating in certain activities?
I would consider myself a year round cosplayer. If I could always be in cosplay I would. There is nothing more fun to me than dressing in a new cosplay or walking around in my current cosplay and getting the attention and looks like what is he doing?!Lol I love cosplay and will probably be buried in my outfits!
3. Going to a venue with many people to watch you in costume and simply taking a photograph, which one is more meaningful?
Both are very meaningful. It is true a picture is worth a thousand words. But when you have somebody come up to you and ask for a photo with you or of you or get yelled at from people calling your characters name holds a dear place in my heart! Every time I am in cosplay and somebody knows who I am or supposed to be makes my heart melt. There really is nothing better than being there live. But photographs last forever! 😀
4. Is the creation of the costume or characters more valuable than the actual acting or vice versa, or is it a mix? As well, how much of the do-it-yourself mentality is admired? If someone just bought their whole costume, are they still a true cosplayer?
I think that if somebody buys the whole costume they are still a cosplayer. Not everybody has the ability to sew and make a new cosplay. As for me I am not talented enough to make my cosplays but when I go and see somebody who did make theirs I give them more respect than I would expect to get from mine. That takes a lot of talent and time. Those cosplayers are truly deserving of a title of amazing cosplayers.
5. Which contest theme do you mostly want to see at Miccostumes.com?
I would like to see some Deadman Wonderland or some more Soul Eater personally. But I don’t think that was the question. Theme for me would be battle or posed scenes to show the action of the character.
