Japan Cosplay Interview: Hibiki Touya (with permission from her manager)
http://s0rome.deviantart.com/
1. How long have you been cosplaying?
Re: I have been cosplaying for about 7 years.
2. What kind of cosplayer do you consider yourself?
Re: A cosplayer who sometimes flunk on girl costumes.
3. Cosplay or Crossplay?
Re: Crossplay
4. Why do you cosplay?
Re: I just love to dress-up and act as the character of an anime series.
5. Is cosplay a hobby you could see yourself doing in 10 years?
Re: Yes.
6. If someone told you they hated your cosplay, what would you do?
Re: Nothing. I respect other people's opinion.
7. If someone told you they loved your cosplay, what would you do?
Re: I would be very happy about it. Really.
8. Homemade Cosplay or Bought/Commissioned Cosplay?
Re: Both. But I always choose Homemade because you can measure the right size of your body so you can get a perfect finished costume.
9. There is a lot of debate if Western/Asians should cosplay. Your thoughts?
Re: Everyone can cosplay. Depends on their choice.
10. Do you prefer to work alone or with others?
Re: Sometimes alone. Sometimes with my friends.
11. Do you have a current cosplay fav?
Re: Well, It's called Senbonzakura. A current cosplay project of mine.
12. What is your most expensive cosplay project?
Re: Well, there's none. All of them are affordable. I guess.
13. What is your least expensive cosplay project?
Re: None. The truth is, the balance of them are just as the same rate.
14. What is your favorite cosplay project?
Re: My Kaito cosplays.
15. What is a cosplay pet peeve of yours?
Re: "When girls don't bind when cosplaying male characters." This is just my opinion. Don't be mad at me though
16. If you could cosplay anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Re: Anywhere. But I could choose England, New Zealand, and Philippines.
17. What was your first convention?
Re: I forgot considering it was a long, long time ago. And I was still a bit of a beginner.
18. What was your last convention?
Re: Anime Expo 2011
19. What is your next convention?
Re: Otaku Cosplay Con 2012
20. What is your favorite part of putting on your cosplay?
Re:Wig and make-up.
21. What is your least favorite part?
Re: The binding and contact lens part.
22. Videos or photography?
Re: Photography. But I have a few videos.
23. Photoshopped or Unshopped images?
Re: Unshopped.
24. How do you view yourself as a cosplayer?
Re: Just a normal one. Nothing in particular.
25. What is cosplay to you?
Re: To me, it's the way to express my fondness of anime and manga. And I love dressing up too.
26. For costuming, there is also a huge debate about who and what can cosplay. Your thoughts?
Re: Same answer on number 9. But, in my case, those who are able to have the confidence to cosplay.
27. Do you have cosplays that are sometimes painful or uncomfortable? Are you willing to bleed for your art? If so, how much?
Re: Yes. And yes. But just a little.
28. Yaoi or Yuri in cosplay?
Re: This question made me giggle. I'd choose Yaoi.
29. How far into the character are you willing to go while in cosplay? At the end of the day, are you "YOU" or are you your "CHARACTER"?
Re: Well, in cosplay, I'd say I'll be in character while wearing it. But when I take it off, I'll just be myself.
30. Wigs or no wigs? Do you prefer to style your wigs, commission a style or buy them pre-styled?
Re: Wigs. And I style my own.
31. Contacts or no contacts?
Re: Sometimes it hurts. But Contacts is the key on having that anime eye look.
31. How do you save money for your cosplay hobby?
Re: I save by using old fabrics and sew it myself. And old cosplays of mine are sold in the internet.
32. When do you find yourself cosplaying? Is it something you stick with for conventions and events only?
Re: It depends. I would go out wearing a cosplay even without events.
33. Where do you go most often for photoshoots? Do you do photoshoots?
Re: I choose what's the best scenery for my cosplay but I could go where the sakura trees are. And yes, I do photoshoots.
34. By nature, do you have tendencies to be competitive? Do you feel that cosplaying or sewing is competitive to you?
Re: No. And sewing is really competitive.
35. What is your average budget?
Re: 7,500 ¥. But I save.
