Tell me about the outfit you are wearing – who are you cosplaying and how did you decide to pick this particular character?
I am cosplaying as Sexy No Jutsu Anbu Kakashi, the reason I chose to cosplay as Kakashi is because back in summer of 2008 my best friend and I decided to cosplay from Naruto for AX 09. She knew I was going to be Sasuke, and suggested I should cosplay as one of the Anbu Black Ops. Since Kakashi is one of my favorite characters I decided to cosplay as him, but I wanted to do a SNJ version because I could be a little more creative with my costume.
Tell me about the process of making your outfit – was it easier or tougher than you imagine it to be ?
I drew out the concept sketch a few months later, and started to work on it a few months before AX09. Since I was a little low on funds, I used fabric I had left over from past commissions for most of the costume. I used the pleather I had left over from 2 Assassins Creed commissions for my top and skirt; the black top and shorts were made from a Zolo commission; and the red scarf was left over from a Kenshin commission. I used the same pattern I made for my Catwoman costume for the top as well. I did buy 1 yard of black knit for the gloves and shoes, but most of this costume was made with left over fabric. The mask was bought white, because the store I went to was out of the painted ones, so my friend Gabby painted it for me while I worked on my costume. For the shoes, I made socks out of a rib-knit I bought and glued them to sandals I bought at the dollar store. I drew the Icha Icha paradise book in Adobe Illustrator since I couldn’t find the book in local Anime stores and I wouldn’t be able to receive it in time for AX.
Any interesting stories from people’s reaction to your outfit at the con ? ^^
I don’t have many interesting stories, except that while I was in my Anbu costume, I asked a Tamaki cosplayer and a Dante cosplayer if I could kiss them on the cheek and take a picture haha. Neither of them said no. ^_^
How did you get started cosplaying and what got you interested ?
Back in 2007, a friend of mine asked why don’t I go to Anime Expo? To which I said what’s that? So she explained what it was all about and I decided to go. My other friend and I went together and I created both of our costumes: Link & Kenshin. After our experience at AX, we were hooked and we vowed to go next year. In 2008 we searched for more cons to go to and found out about Mikomicon, Anime LA, Yaoi-con… and others. We can’t make it to the farther cons like Fanime and Sac-Anime… and etc… but we hope to go one day. From there I started creating costumes for myself and others by opening my online commission business in summer of 2007.
What are the con did you first attended and what’s your favorite con that you’ve attended so far and why ?
Anime Expo 07 was my first con. My favorite con is a tie between ALA and AX. Anime Expo because of all the great people you meet and all the great cosplayers I get to take pictures of. I also ask them how they created parts of their costume. Plus I luv acting like a fan girl with all the other cool cosplayers. ^_^ I like ALA because of all the local cosplayers I get to meet. It’s great to know that you are not the only one in your city that cosplays XD!
What does cosplay mean to you ?
Simply having fun. It’s not about being popular or famous… it’s just about meeting new people, letting your guard down a little and getting to see that there are other people who are just like you. It’s also nice to just escape reality for a few days.
If you had unlimited funds/technology/time, what is your dream cosplay ?
Samus from Metroid Prime, I would go all out with LCD lights, armor, helmet… everything! It will be done one day… my most ultimate cosplay!
