Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Q&A Interview with Ibukii

Photographer: JavisEan

Ibukii is a video game and anime cosplayer living in Germany who has been cosplaying since 2010. She is a huge League of Legends fan and has already cosplayed as many characters from the game including Katarina, Riven, Ashe, Sona, Janna, and Fiora. I recently sat down with her to talk about her nerdy habits and what it’s like cosplaying in Germany

How did you first become interested in cosplaying and who was the first character you ever cosplayed?

I met someone wearing Kakashi from Naruto in 2008. I asked where he bought his costume and he told me that he had made it himself. I was super impressed by that and I also wanted to cosplay. The first character I ever cosplayed was Elwyn from Shining Tears.

Tell me about some of the other characters you have cosplayed.

Photographer: JavisEan
Most characters that I pick are similar to my personality or are heroes of my childhood. I get my inspiration from video games, anime, manga, and movies. Some of the other characters I have cosplayed are Luna from Sailor Moon, Panty from Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt, Saeko Busujima from Highschool of the Dead, Sophitia from Soul Calibur III, and Baby Doll from Sucker Punch just to name a few!

Ah so you are also an anime fan?

For a long time I didn't watch any anime because I lost the passion behind it. One day my boyfriend told me that I have to watch Code Geass so I did. I loved it and it got me back into anime.


What are some of your all-time favorite video games?

Shadow Hearts, Final Fantasy, Zelda, Ratchet and Clank, Spyro, Tenchu, Dynasty Warriors, Crash Bandicoot, Valkyrie Profile 2, Tekken, Soul Calibur, BioShock, and of course League Of Legends!

Who is your favorite League of Legends champion?

Hmm my favorite… ugh that's hard! I really like a lot of them but I guess my most beloved is probably Janna! I love to play her. <3

What about most hated champion?

That’s also hard! Hmm… I think I actually hate no one. Sometimes Thresh and Blitz are annoying, but I wouldn’t say I hate them.
Photographer: 500px


What’s your current rank on LoL?

I am unranked at the moment. I was Platinum V before, though. I mostly play together with friends and my boyfriend. Sadly I am not that good anymore.

Any plans for future League of Legends cosplays?

Yesterday I started with my Classic Caitlyn cosplay. I also would love to do the Classic Janna skin. <3

Which of your costumes took you the longest to make?

I guess it was Sophitia from Soul Caliber III. It had a lot of little details and I also did armor for the first time.

What conventions have you gone to in the past and what conventions are planning to attend in the future?

The last one I visited was Gamescom in Cologne just recently. The next one is Connichi in Kassel. Both of them are in Germany. I have never visited a convention in another country but I plan to visit Anime Expo in 2015!

Photographer: B1NH Photography

Do you have any advice for people interested in starting to cosplay?

Start small! Trust me, every costume takes times. Search for tutorials or ask other cosplayers for help and advice along the way. If someone asks me anything, I always try to explain how I did something or help them otherwise.

Your profile on deviantART says you're from Germany. What is the best part of living there in your opinion?

Well, I can tell you that it's not the weather! I am also actually not from Germany per se, I was just born here and I am living here. I am actually half Turkish.

Outside of video games and cosplaying, what are some of your other hobbies that you like to do for fun?

I really like to cook! And nope, I don’t mean blue meth hahaha. I also like swimming and dancing. I should draw more, but I am too lazy…

Photographer: 500px
For more images be sure to like Ibukii’s fan page on Facebook.