Could you talk a little to intro who you are

Chibified kitsunes desu! ^___^ It’s long, so most people shorten it to chibi/chibi-chan. xD
Or notoriously… Hentai Queen. You probably don’t wanna mention that in your blog. Haha.

Offline I’m known as Judith~ 20 years old and currently furthering my studies in Australia. Been there for almost 4 years.

How did you get started on doing cosplay

Started cosplaying in April 2005 at an Australian convention.

I had heard about cosplay through friends and forums but had never been to a convention before.

When I heard about Supanova (the Australian convention), I thought, yeah well, why not! I already had a costume on hand (Tenten from Naruto)

I had a great time although my costume wasn’t that great. So now, I strive to do better cosplays and get them as accurately as possible, costume and character portrayal wise.

What keeps you doing cosplay

Cosplayers would be lying if they said they didn’t do it for the attention. Because the moment you step out in public in costume, all attention’s on you. Who wouldn’t feel the teeniest bit of pride at the attention? I would. Haha. So, attention’s one.

But mainly for the passion. Because I love cosplaying and my cosplay friends have become like a second family to me. Cosplay’s become a part of my life and I doubt I’d ever be rid of it.

Any extraordinary experience?

Co-leading the biggest Bleach team (Kuroichou) by far with Ariki at Cosfest V. =3 That was my first time being a leader and it was awesome.

But mainly meeting Kuroichou. It was a joy working with them and I’ll treasure all our times together. Even now, we’re still a pretty close knit bunch. They’re my second family. Without them, I don’t know where I’d be.

Could you describe abit on what cosplay you’re doing for EOY?
Mitarashi Anko from Naruto..

She’s a special Jounin from Konohagakure no Sato (Leaf Village). She was one of the examiners in the Chuunin exam, noted especially for her choice of clothing.

At first glance, you’d think she’s just wearing fishnet, a skirt and trenchcoat. But according to the official databook, Anko wears a customized body glove made of metal mesh under her clothing.

So no free show for the guys. Haha. Plus, I took special care to make it so that I can take the trenchcoat off without flashing anyone. LOL.

How you’ve been getting/making the costume for EOY

Firstly I did the research of the costume. How it was designed, what colour the clothes were and what sort of material cloth I’d need.

But because I was studying overseas and tailors in Australia are expensive, my present co-leader helped me out by sourcing for cloth and bringing it to my tailor. All I had to do was provide the cash and research material.

Props wise like armour, I DIY-ed. Australia has great resources when it comes to craft. So it wasn’t too difficult. Plus a friend of mine who does commissions gave me some advice. That worked well. ^__^

What do you think about the cosplay scene in Singapore?

Hmm. That’s a bit tough.
A few years back it was a budding hobby and from what I gather, the people involved were really passionate about their cosplays.

But now because of the media focus, cosplay has taken a turn to become more of the “in” thing to do rather than doing it because you love it.

Which is why in my opinion and some others, standards have been dropping due to the influx of newbies who know nothing about cosplay and just do it to look “cool”, not knowing what they’re doing is really setting themselves up to be flamed.

The one on the right!

Group or Individual Cosplay?

Actually, the Bleach team at Cosfest 2006 (Kuroichou) was my very first cosplay team I had organised together with Ariki.

I’m participating in another cosplay team this EoY (this Saturday), this time I’m a member, not leader. xD

Although for Cosfest 2007, I am co-leading another Bleach team with Unlimystic.

From experience, however little, leading a team is quite tough and yes, tiring. But with the help of teammates pulling their weight, we all pull through ok. But all in all, cosplaying with a team is FUN!

I can’t say which is better, cosplaying in big groups, pairs or going solo. Because there are many pros and cons to them.

With solo, you won’t have to worry about your teammates pulling you down. Whereas, you won’t have anyone to help you either.

In a team however, you have to worry about teammates pulling the team’s standard down. But each cosplayer brings with them different qualities that can be shared with the team. Plus you form a special bond and friendship with them.

Photoshoots?

So far I have not attended any photoshoots but I am planning on on the 22nd December. Would love to have more photoshoots as well. So… my experience is zilch. But in my opinion, getting ready for a photoshoot would be like preparing for an event.

Getting everything ready the night before, making sure your costume is a-ok and such.

Hoho. I hope she doesn’t mind me using her forum sig

Could you talk a little to intro who you are
18/f/Singapore
( Nah, that’s ‘little’ enough rite? *wink* )

How did you get started on doing cosplay
A friend of mine was interested to try cosplaying and She dragged me to accompany her joining one of the major cosplay event at Singapore. At first I just did it out of curiosity ( and basically I like to try new stuffs as well! ) But in the end, I got hooked onto it as well.
What keeps you doing cosplay
It’s quite hard to describe it in words, but let’s just say that it’s very fun to cosplay! It’s something like entering a new world when there is always something new and interesting to experience. Not to forget getting to know like-minded people.

Any extraordinary experience?
There are a lot, but let me pick one.

Quite recently a fellow cosplayer helped me to get an invitation to the Gala Premier of a movie that based on a manga. I’m supposed to cosplay one of the main character from that manga. Initially, I thought it’s just some small events between friends so I didn’t prepare much. However, it turned up to be a huge event with a lot of celebrities coming and even with media coverage! Though I’m was quite ‘lost’ at the first time, it turned out to be fun. We got a chance to promote cosplay as well as the movie itself.

Could you describe abit on what cosplay you’re doing for EOY?
For this EOY, I’m going to just dress up instead of cosplaying. I’m going to dress up as a character from famous folktale, Little Red Riding Hood.

Apart from that, I’m considering to cosplaying something else as well. Actually I have few cosplay outfits that still in the making. However it’s all depends on whether I can finish any of it before EOY or not. Also depends on the situations.

How you’ve been getting/making the costume for EOY and how’s the progress
As I’m quite ( very to be precise ) picky, almost all of my outfits are custom made.
For this EOY, thanks to my mum who was helping me to get the Little Red Riding Hood outfits done with the help of overseas tailor. The outfit has been finished completely even though it’s still overseas. Of course there is a possibility that I need to alter it to make it more fitting. However, the final product is pretty much there.

For complimentary stuffs like shoes, hair accessories, and props I’m still searching for the suitable items. I already have few possible sources in mind. But because I still have around one month to go – I’m still looking for a better deal.

(ed. note…. booo… I asked this questions weeks ago, i know she has received her shoes and all already)

Do you spend a lot of time at Sgcafe.com?
A lot is quite subjective. Normally I spend around an hour plus daily. Sometimes it can be more than that depending on my mood. I usually access sgcafe at the morning before i start work ( i normally reach office around 30 minutes earlier ) and during my lunch break ( i got an hour break and normally i only spent half of it to eat ) If i’m not tired, i browse again after i reached home.

What do you think about the cosplay scene in Singapore?
I would say that it’s getting more and more happening here! More and more people know about cosplay. The number of cosplayers is increasing rapidly as well.

I hope this also lead to a better standard in Singapore cosplay scene.

What does your husband think about your cosplaying?
I think he’s very open about cosplaying as well as very supportive. He helps me with all my props and he always tries his best to support me at all the cosplay event i’m attending.
I think I can conclude that i’m very fortunate having family that’s very supportive and open minded.

Ed. note. Did I just ask Husband? Yes! She’s married!! Here are some photos that are taken by Stereobox, who is well… her husband.

That’s the end! Do look out for her and the Disney Group at EOY this year. Heard that they’ll be having a pinic somewhere at Expo in the morning at around 11. haha. *rumours only!*

For the first interview…. we have TaMA_ChaN! (that green guy on the left)

Could you talk a little to intro who you are

I am yuzhi aka TaMA_ChaN (perfer u call me tama)
I AM A GUY! 19 this year, currently a student
loves manga,anime,cosplay, otah~
ONLY DO COSPLAY WHERE MY FACE IS COVERED! (rule number 1)

Why rule number 1?

Personally i feel that i am “shy”…. and as “good looking” as i am, I don’t wanna scare people off~~

If you notice when your face covered, parts like ears,eyes,hair is covered (of cos la!!!)
so i wont NEED A WIG if the color was different from mine (mine is black) i may not need a COLOR CONTECT LENS too…save the money on props u see~~

How did you get started on doing cosplay

hohoho! (long story) ok … err.. since me and my brother SHINOBIBLEAHHH noticed there was a “cosplay” event. (COSFEST 05) Back then it was kind of weird and we wanted to take a look what is it about. Noticed that there were costumes from ANIME that we were really interested in. Wanna “dress-up” too but got the date wrong (we tot we missed it). BUT we did manage to go with our “virgin” cosplay.
Thats where we meet CHIBI_KITSUNES (aka boss) and some more dudes.. love them and contacted them in SGCAFE.COM

What keeps you doing cosplay

LMAO~ It wont be dumb to say to attract chicks since i am not a chick magnet but the real fun in cosplay is the friends, the company and the props…

Friends: we have some up and downs but nevertheless we have a true friendship born from NOTHING ^^ not shy to say ..they are sort of family ..

Bleach group from Cosfest ’06

Company: we have a small skit (as above), we meet up some times… talk about the scrip..bitch a little and scare the crowd!! we sometimes have sushi buffets together.. eat till the shop nearly close down~ oh yes!! we have chalet the day cosfest 06 and that was really the DAY OF MY LIFE …no joke!! we talk the whole night, play games and doing last min props… it was fun…wish that will never end.

they are like forever friends

Props:

the MASK IS LIKE 3KG !! so need to think how to come up with a stand …(secret )
me and my bro had a hard time to come with the scale of production… props are AS FUN AS COSPLAY i would like to say… cuts and burns are price of a hard work which is well worth it… we too have to source out tailors who will do 38 costumes in 2 months~~ we total have like 10 kg of clothes to carry around~

Link to photos of swords. (editor’s note: apparently not allowed to be posted elsewhere. haha)
Sword 1. Sword2.

Extraordinary experience?

LMAO~ ok we have a little plan after to do a naruto group.But the team leader sort of fail and left me and CHIBI or us… well quite sad… (ed. Doesn’t sound extraordinary, sounds more tragic. )

Could you describe abit on what cosplay you’re doing for EOY?

He is from NARUTO and is named tonbi taketonbo … he has only 1 line in the whole anime which is ….” Listen up, we are chunins that are chosen for this exam. Elites so to say,we wont miss a single thing you do. My strength is the proof” He is a chunin examer (2nd rank ninja) whose role is to fish out those who are cheating in the exam. A loner but loyal chunin to konoha village(his village).

The masked guy on the left

How you’ve been getting/making the costume for EOY and how’s the progress

For for costume we get our own tailor (location secret ) and props are mostly hand made… for example like the pic above,u wont be able to see through metal right so we need to figure out how it is done… that’s the magic between a good cosplayer and a BETTER cosplayer !! (how i do it? for u to find out~ )

What so secretive about the location of your tailor?

I want to feel like i am the only 1 that have it~~ (so bad rite??)

Due to bad blood, there are “spies” where leak out things like secret projects and props. Tailoring is also 1 of the major strong holds that it is important to keep within ourselves

She is only 1 person, if more people knew about her, the time needed to collect the costume may increase, as well as the price too.

What do you think about the cosplay scene in Singapore?

Generally it is fine where COSPLAY are more introduce to people like u~ (thanks) (ed. Awww) and cosplayers like us (try to drag friends into and passes the biaton to the next generation).

The younger onces are more active (15-20) and we are kinda old liao T.T
people still have miss conception that we are FREAKS, but we are only try to show the love of the character like u just understand what the character i am doing where u wont have a clue at first … i treat it like a “walking advert”

Good points about cosplaying

u make friends
u gain knowledge where u never would have learnt
u are expose to crowds where u removes your shyness
a skill of communicating with both friends and crowds
totally healthy activities..no hanky panky
u can wear it again and again
u can wear as a fashion (if u dare)
hell my mother also intrested…

Bad points?

takes time
of cos it uses some money…depends how much u want to go to (my vest ALONE is $SGD 250 but i love it )
it takes up space…(my house)

Thanks to Tama for taking time off to answer our questions and providing some insight to the mind of a cosplayer. I’ll try catching him at EOY

(any questions you want to ask him or other cosplayers?)

(I’m still having exams… so rest of the interviews will come AFTER my exams. haha)