Name: AkatsukiSky
Location: Montréal, QC, Canada
DeviantArt: http://twilightsaphir.deviantart.com/
World Cosplay: http://worldcosplay.net/member/AkatsukiSky
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AkatsukiSkyCosplay
Tumblr: http://akatsukiskycosplay.tumblr.com/
Photographer(s):
Mike Kowalek,
Novii Photography and Kevin Chan Photography.
1. What does cosplaying mean to you?
Cosplay gave me a sense of self-confidence I never had when I started a couple of years back. It was the first time I was proud of something I accomplished. I’ve also always been an extremely shy person, but wearing a costume at my first convention, I felt really at ease, so looking back on it, it is a very important part of my life. And of course, it’s how I met all my actual friends, mostly, so I’m really glad I decided to start this hobby.
2. What was your very first cosplay experience? What inspired you to take up the craft?
It was Otakuthon 2008, in Montreal. I went as Kairi from Kingdom Hearts 2. I remember finding out about cosplay when I was randomly browsing online. I learned about conventions, and then discovered that there was one in my town. It was automatically settled with some friends, and we decided to go and make a costume for fun. I never stopped.
3. If you could select a favorite costume that you have worn, which would you choose?
This is always such a hard question, because every costume has their good moments and memories to them. If I had to choose right now, I think it would be Subaru from .hack//SIGN. This was one of the first anime I’ve ever watched, and nostalgic projects are the best, really. I decided to put extra efforts in this costume, and I had an amazing partner to tag along, so it’s really special to me.
4. And, if you could select a favorite costume that you’ve seen someone else wear, what would that be?
Oh my, I don’t know? There are just so much amazing cosplayers and even more amazing costumes? I guess if I had to pick, every Zelda costumes by Akuriko Cosplay are quite amazing. She makes an absolutely gorgeous Zelda and her craftmanship is incredible.
5. What is an upcoming costume that you’re currently working on?
I’ve just finished the last costume I was planning this year actually, which was the Hunter class from Ragnarok Online. Right now I’m taking a small break while I decide on what to do next.
6. If you had unlimited funds and resources, what costume(s) would you create?
At the moment, I must say it’s not so much the funds as the skills that I lack. But if I had all the skills, time and resources possible, there’s a big dress for Sakura from Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle from an artwork that I really want to make. Having fancy materials that I generally can’t find would be amazing for this too.
7. How do you prepare yourself, mentally and physically, for an upcoming convention/event?
I guess the only answer here would be that I don’t? Lately I always finish my stuff too last minute to have any time to prepare, which really isn’t good because then you are stressed out and lack sleep and don’t enjoy the moment as much as you should. That is something I need to work on.
8. At the end of the day, in your opinion, what is the best part about cosplaying?
Nothing is better then the good time you spend with friends. I always try to make a video compilation of the things we film during a con, it’s always nice to look back to it later.
9. What advice can you offer to those who are aspiring cosplayers?
If you are not having fun, stop doing it. I think it’s something a lot of cosplayers seem to priorise as an advice but having fun really is an important part because at the end of the day, this is a hobby. At some point, not so long ago, I realized that I was not having fun whatsoever sewing my costumes, taking part in projects and wasn’t enjoying conventions altogether.
So I took a break, I did other hobbies I liked, decided to concentrate on other things and left cosplay behind for a while. And when I felt like it, I started again, and now I’m enjoying it again. So keep the fun part in mind!
To learn more about AkatsukiSky Cosplay, check out her DeviantArt page: http://twilightsaphir.deviantart.com/, or check out her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AkatsukiSkyCosplay
If you or someone you know would like to have a gallery featured on Geeks World Wide, please email Casey at gwwcapescrew@gmail.com!