Happy Friday, everyone! As promised in yesterday’s feature, we have THREE cosplayers to talk about today in order to get you all set for the weekend, which will be full of, you guessed it, more cosplayers!
MadamZeti/Simpai Dolphin Cosplay
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MadamZeti/Simpai Dolphin Cosplay has been on the cosplay scene for the last 3 years. After her friends told her about anime cons, she decided that she wanted to cosplay when she started to attend them. You can check out her story below.
How do you decide what you’re going to cosplay?
I usually have cosplans written down and I like to buy my items ahead of time so that I can work on piecing them together down the line.
What cosplay are you most proud of? And yes, it’s absolutely ok to say ALL.
All of them honestly.
What’s a cosplay moment that you remember fondly?
My Carole Stanley cosplay went viral during the character vs cosplay trend on Twitter.
Hey, it’s time to take a break from making that cosplay or buying it off your wishlist, what are you watching/playing/reading to unwind?
I’m either playing The Sims 4 or Dead By Daylight.
Speaking of unwinding, who are your comfort characters? Who are you going to when you need a pick me up?
GGK. I love her SOOOO much and she’s a great performer on Carole and Tuesday.
If you could live in a fictional universe where would it be and why?
Animal Crossing so I could live on my island forever.
Do you tend to cosplay the character/creature/entity as is or do you put your own spin on them? Any particular reason why? And yes, it’s perfectly ok to say “because I like to.”
I like to do my own spin. I want to cosplay a character but also add my own personality or flair to it.
It’s cruel to ask what your favorite cosplay is so what are your top three (at most)? Are they the ones being featured or are they different ones?
Esmeraude, Killua, and Rei Hino. The Killua cosplay is featured.
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What do your 2021 cosplans look like? If you’re trying to keep it secret OR you have no plans, that’s fine!
I want to get more into crafting for my cosplays!
In an alternate universe where money and resources are plentiful, all your bills are paid, and you’ve got nothing but time, what dream cosplays are you doing?
Sailor Galaxia and Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon! I LOVE their designs!
In yet another alternate universe, conventions are safe to return to, so where are you headed?
BlerDCon!!!!
What inspires you to stay active in the community, especially in these trying times? If you haven’t been active that’s fine, too!
Seeing the different trends and seeing other cosplayers be creative in their own way inspires me.
What does #28DaysOfBlackCosplay mean to you?
Being able to express our creativity and our blackness in all of its glory!
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It’s March 1st, 2021, what would you like to see happen after the 28 days are over?
I want to see Black folks who want to get into cosplay be inspired to do so once they see #28DaysOfBlackCosplay.
How can the community (people, events, etc.) do better to represent you and other Black cosplayers?
I believe the cosplay community, in general, should be authentic with their representation of Black cosplayers and not just use them as a token or only during #28DaysOfBlackCosplay.
Any tips for newcomers who are waffling on whether or not they should cosplay?
Start small and never be afraid to ask around for advice if you feel stuck.
What are you looking forward to in 2021? It doesn’t have to be cosplay related, it can be anything.
Getting more rest, staying healthy, and reducing my stress levels.
Social media time! Tell us where we can find you! Give me as many links as you want. Twitter? TikTok? Patreon? I want it all!
You can find me on TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram!
Yonn (The Yonn Don)
yami. #blacktober #31daysofcosplay pic.twitter.com/BU9YIekrEM
— tengen’s 4th wife. ✨ (@theyonndon) October 7, 2020
Yonn (The Yonn Don) has been cosplaying since 2014, and like a lot of us, got inspired after attending a local convention. Did I say attending? That’s kinda accurate, but she was also there working, taking on a small gig to make some extra money while in college. After seeing cosplay, she decided to join in and has been inspired to do so every since. You can check out her story below.
How do you decide what you’re going to cosplay?
These days I do anime hair tutorials for 4c hair so if they have cool hairstyles I gravitate towards them, but any character I think is cool and/or underappreciated is my go-to.
What cosplay are you most proud of? And yes, it’s absolutely ok to say ALL.
I am absolutely proud of all of them, but specifically my Temari & Mirko cosplay. I say Mirko because it was my first time constructing a bodysuit by myself. As for Temari, she’s a comfort character & doing the hair tutorial for her inspired my “Anime Hairstyles for 4c Hair” series currently on Tiktok.
i did the hair tutorial why not the actual cosplay? temari bby ❤️ #blacktober #31daysofcosplay pic.twitter.com/DP3DeFrrNc
— tengen’s 4th wife. ✨ (@theyonndon) October 8, 2020
Hey, it’s time to take a break from making that cosplay or buying it off your wishlist, what are you watching/playing/reading to unwind?
I’m definitely playing ACNH (Animal Crossing New Horizons) or Mario Kart 8 on Switch & watching shows like Jujutsu Kaisen, Re:Zero, and My Hero Academia to unwind!
Do you tend to cosplay the character/creature/entity as is or do you put your own spin on them? Any particular reason why? And yes, it’s perfectly ok to say “because I like to.”
If possible, I liked to use my natural hair or aspects of Black hair I deem fit. For example, I made Tengen Uzui’s white jeweled headband into a white jeweled durag.
It’s cruel to ask what your favorite cosplay is so what are your top three (at most)? Are they the ones being featured or are they different ones?
Android 21 (not pictured but I’m very proud), Temari & Menchi!
gourmet hunter menchi 😋✨ pic.twitter.com/9F3Jg0P3FV
— tengen’s 4th wife. ✨ (@theyonndon) September 25, 2020
In an alternate universe where money and resources are plentiful, all your bills are paid, and you’ve got nothing but time, what dream cosplays are you doing?
I actually have acquired the sole dream cosplay I’ve wanted to do for years, which is Emilia from Re:Zero. Basically, cosplaying full time is the dream!
What inspires you to stay active in the community, especially in these trying times? If you haven’t been active that’s fine, too!
Knowing that there are younger people (or even people older than me!) who look like me + have the same hair texture as me looking at me as representation. I actually get teary-eyed whenever someone tells me they no longer are scared of cosplaying as a Black person because they see me or a hair tutorial of mine.
What does #28DaysOfBlackCosplay mean to you?
It means giving Black cosplayers the proper spotlight that is not normalized in the cosplay space and a reminder to continue giving proper spotlight when the 28 days are over.
It’s March 1st, 2021, what would you like to see happen after the 28 days are over?
That people will continue to keep Black cosplayers in mind instead of reducing their notice to 28 days or traumatic events in the Black community!
How can the community (people, events, etc.) do better to represent you and other Black cosplayers?
Give people proper credit. So many Black cosplayers lose motivation to innovate because other creators (no matter their race) refuse to give inspiration/idea/dance credit.
Any tips for newcomers who are waffling on whether or not they should cosplay?
Test it out! Dressing up isn’t reserved for Halloween but please don’t feel pressured to become popular/famous!
Social media time! Tell us where we can find you! Give me as many links as you want. Twitter? TikTok? Patreon? I want it all!
I’ll make it easy for you and drop my Linktree, which has all of my links listed!
Rodneil Mitchell (Ash Ketchum/Miles Morales)
Rodneil Mitchel, who also goes by Ash Ketchum/Miles Morales, has been cosplaying for a couple of years now. He enjoys embodying his favorite characters and showing his love for them through cosplay. You can check out his story below.
How do you decide what you’re going to cosplay?
By picking who I like or finding things that the characters I’m playing wears.
Hey, it’s time to take a break from making that cosplay or buying it off your wishlist, what are you watching/playing/reading to unwind?
Watching Infinity Train or reading on the history of Black Film.
Speaking of unwinding, who are your comfort characters? Who are you going to when you need a pick me up?
Pooh!
It’s cruel to ask what your favorite cosplay is so what are your top three (at most)? Are they the ones being featured or are they different ones?
All the ones that are featured.
Photographer: Gabe
In an alternate universe where money and resources are plentiful, all your bills are paid, and you’ve got nothing but time, what dream cosplays are you doing?
Samurai Jack (from Samurai Jack) and Deku and Todoroki (from My Hero Academia).
In yet another alternate universe, conventions are safe to return to, so where are you headed?
Momocon.
What does #28DaysOfBlackCosplay mean to you?
I’m new to this but I’m enjoying just being me.
Social media time! Tell us where we can find you! Give me as many links as you want. Twitter? TikTok? Patreon? I want it all!
You can find me on Twitter and Instagram.
_
See everyone tomorrow, bright and early, or, you know, whenever you wake up and click on the feature, lol.
(Image: MadamZeti/Simpai Dolphin Cosplay, Yonn/The Yonn Don, and Rodneil Mitchell/Ash Ketchum/Miles Morales)
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Published: Feb 5, 2021 12:30 pm