Sunday, November 19, 2017

Q&A Interview with Kinpatsu Cosplay



This week’s MMOsite League of Legends Cosplay Spotlight is an interview with Kinpatsu Cosplay, an award-winning cosplayer who has cosplayed more than her fair share of League of Legends champions and loves anime, gaming, and cats.

Where are you from?

I'm from Johannesburg, South Africa

How did you become interested in cosplay?

I went to my first convention in 2011 which was the first time I'd ever seen cosplay in my country. I was immediately interested in it because it was just a combination of so many things I loved.

How long have you personally been cosplaying?

I have been cosplaying for five years now.

Which LoL champions have you cosplayed so far?

Whew okay so I've cosplayed Riven, Jinx, Syndra, Katarina, Ironscale Shyvana, Officer Vi, Kayle, Star Guardian Janna, Star Guardian Ahri, Thresh, Rengar, Blood Moon Diana, Dark Elementalist Lux, Slayer Jinx, two versions of Kindred, Xayah, and Arcade Miss Fortune.

That's a lot of champions! Which one has been your favorite?

My favorite League cosplay is Syndra.

Who is your favorite champion from the game to play?

I like to think I can play Jinx. She is the most fun to play but I'm probably best at playing Kayle.

Any future plans for other LoL-cosplays?

Yes! I'm working on another one right now!

What's the convention scene look like over in South Africa? Are there many to attend?

We have about three to five big conventions that happen each year. We don't have as many as the United States and Europe but it grows and gets bigger each year!

What are some of your hobbies outside of cosplay and video games?

Unfortunately I don't really get time to do much else! But that's okay because gaming and cosplay are more than enough for me.

Okay so what other games do you play aside from LoL?

Heroes of the Storm and Overwatch are the other main games I enjoy playing at the moment!

Do you have any advice for first-time cosplayers just starting out?

Don't be scared to try new things and push yourself! And if you do fail don't get discouraged because that's how you learn and the next time you do it, it will get easier!

Where can fans see more of you?

My website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter: @KinpatsuCosplay.









Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Q&A Interview with Tiffany Witcher



Cosplayer and voice actor TWVoices is featured in this week’s MMOsite League of Legends Cosplay Spotlight. Tiffany Witcher is a disabled east coast cosplayer most noted for her video game cosplays and being an advocate against cosplay bullying. She has even been featured in the Summoner’s Showcase. I spoke with her about cosplaying and of course League of Legends in general.

Where are you from?

I'm from Washington D.C. but I currently live in Toronto, Canada.

How did you become interested in cosplay?

Going to many conventions and seeing people in costume. I wanted to do it but at the time I couldn't due to lack of funds.

Is cosplay expensive to get into? 

I believe it's how you make it. You can make cosplaying expensive to get into or you can start small and do a budget-based cosplay to get the feel of it.

How long have you been cosplaying?

Six years now.



Which LoL champions have you cosplayed so far?

Oh that's a lot. Classic Karma, reworked Karma, Illaoi, Safecracker Evelynn, Genderbend Ryze, Bard, Genderbend Coperate Mundo, Battle Bunny Illaoi and more casual ones as well.

Who is your favorite champion from the game to play?

It really depends on the mode, I'm a support main so I enjoy playing Rakan, Sona, Karma and Soraka. Now if we're talking URF mode then I love playing Sona, Karma, Illaoi and yes Teemo.

What do you think are some of the challenges of cosplay that most people don't realize cosplayers face?

Besides being a POC cosplayer, I also suffer from Lupus. I don't get to move around or have as much of a presence at conventions because my body hurts and I feel fatigued a lot. Being a black cosplayer is also hard due to the constant harassment I have received for cosplaying a character out of my skin color without also altering my skin color such as my Steampunk Sailor Mercury.

What was the first cosplay you have ever done?

Lana Kane from Archer.

So you are also a voice actor?

Yes, I voice act currently for dozens of indie games and animations. One day Riot senpai will notice me!

What is one character you'd like to cosplay the most but haven't been able to yet?

I want to cosplay Illaoi more; she's just an amazing character all around and I love being her. I've only been able to cosplay her once.

Outside of cosplay and gaming what are some of your other hobbies?

Of course I do voice acting but I also sing as well.

Do you have any advice for beginning cosplayers?

Cosplay for yourself and have fun doing it. Try not to listen to the negativity of others and always try to be respectful in the community.

Where can fans see more of you?

My website, https://www.tiffanywitcher.ca/

Monday, October 9, 2017

Q&A Interview with Kyahri

Photography by The Shadow Dinosaur


I interviewed Kyahri for this week’s League of Legends Cosplay Spotlight. She and I talk about some of the difficult parts of cosplaying and she also shared some advice for people who want to start getting into cosplay but are naturally shy.

Where are you from?

I am from Glasgow, Scotland but am currently living in England.

Photo by Riot Games
How did you become interested in cosplay?

I started watching anime again. I hadn't seen it since I was younger and watched DBZ and Sailor Moon on TV and then my friend took me to a cosplay meet back in 2010 and I thought it was so cool that people dressed up as their favorite characters. That soon started my love for cosplay and I began attending conventions.

How long have you been cosplaying?

Since 2010 technically but I hand-made my first cosplay in 2013 which was Ahri from League of Legends.


Which LoL champions have you cosplayed so far?

Ahri was always my favorite champion so I cosplayed her Default, Dynasty, and Pop Star skins. I have also cosplayed Dryad Soraka. Once Jinx was released I went Jinx crazy and have been cosplaying her ever since. So far I've done Classic, Mafia, Star Guardian Jinx as well as my own fan versions!

Who would you say is your favorite champion from the game to play?

I am a filthy support main and my favorite champs to play are Morgana, Zyra and Nami!  I also love to play Ahri and Jinx but can't say I'm terribly good at them…

Photo by David Kane Photography

Do you think there are any champs that are currently legit OP?

I’m going to tell the truth, I haven’t really played LoL as much since Xayah and Rakan came out so I’m not very up to speed with what’s OP right now. I will always hate Yasuo and Vayne, though!

What is the most difficult/complex cosplay that you created by hand?

I personally don’t think I’ve made anything too complex compared to other cosplayers; I just like to slowly learn new techniques and try perfecting them. Recently I’ve been trying to make my own patterns for cosplay and that can be quite challenging. Examples include my Aqua from Konosuba where I spent a lot of time patterning and making sure all my seams were nice and Star Guardian Jinx where I made the pattern from scratch and I also found that very difficult. I’ve also started making her rocket launcher which has been quite hard for me as I’m terrible at making props, haha.

Photo by Progenitor Photography

What's the biggest convention you have ever been to?

Biggest convention I’ve been to is London MCM Comic Con in UK. I haven’t been to many cons but I would like to travel abroad and visit some of the major conventions around the world.

Any advice for someone who wants to get into cosplay but doesn't know how to start or may think they are too shy?

Starting cosplay can be a scary thing especially for a shy person! I’ve always been terribly shy and had problems with anxiety but I feel that when I’m in cosplay as a character I really love, I become them and I feel much more confident. I feel that a lot of people have started viewing cosplay as really competitive and elitist and some people feel like they 'have to' cosplay something to impress others and it takes away the fun of the reason you want to cosplay in the first place!

So my advice would be to choose one of your favorite characters, visit your first convention and have fun. If you are having fun then that's all that matters. There are so many wonderful people who go to conventions so even if you attend it by yourself, by the time the con is over you will have made so many new friends. If you are not good at sewing or making things then there's nothing wrong with buying costumes either. I’ve bought and made cosplays and although making your own cosplay can be really rewarding, it is also very stressful so sometimes I end up enjoying myself a lot more in a costume that I bought.

Photo by GAK Photography


What are some of your hobbies outside of video games and cosplaying?

I don’t have a very interesting life outside of cosplay. It is my main hobby and pastime. If I’m not working on that I usually just end up watching anime or TV. I'm a pretty lazy person.

Where can fans find more of you?

Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter: @Kyahri

Photo by Dajathwi Photography

Sunday, September 10, 2017

Q&A Interview with Natalia Kat

Photographer: Mederos Media

Back by popular demand is the MMOsite League of Legends Cosplay Spotlight. This week’s interview is with Natalia Kat who not only cosplays League of Legends champions but many other characters from various video games and anime. I sat down with her to talk about the game and the art of cosplaying in general.

Where are you from?

I live in Ontario, Canada, but my background is Polish.

Photographer: Lightning Double Dash Baron
How did you become interested in cosplay?

I don't even remember how it exactly happened. My friends and I were the only nerdy girls in grade school. Back in the day being nerdy wasn't considered cool - especially if you were a girl. When we first heard of conventions being a place where nerds could gather together and dress up as their favorite characters, we tried it out and ended up going back every year after that.

How long have you been cosplaying?

I technically first started to cosplay maybe ten or eleven years ago, when my friends and I attempted to cosplay Di Gi Charat characters for Fan Expo. Then I bought a Haruhi Suzumiya cosplay with my savings, and wore that for a few years. But I didn't start taking it more seriously until maybe four or five years ago, and I had more money.


Which LoL champions have you cosplayed so far?

So far I've cosplayed Morgana and Frejlord Ashe. League of Legends characters are good choices when you want to start challenging yourself with making cosplays. I really want to make Janna and Lux eventually too.

Who is your favorite champion from the game to play?

My favorite is Morgana. I main support and she's probably the most fun for me to play. I also enjoy using Nami, though!


Photographer: Novii Photography

What has been the biggest challenge for you thus far as a cosplayer?

Before, it was simply being able to afford everything. All of the different tools, supplies, contact lenses, wigs, shoes, fabrics, makeup, con tickets, and hotel costs REALLY add up. But we do it because we love it, and we will find ways to be able to keep at it. I would hunt down fabrics from discount bins, use foam instead of worbla, buy base clothing pieces from thrift stores, use coupons, borrow wigs, share supplies, etc. Now, it's just finding the time to do anything. I work full time as well as multiple side jobs, and constantly have to travel between two cities. I still make cosplays and love doing it; it just takes me way more time now. And if I find a cosplay I love for a good price, I'm totally open to buying it.
Photo by Sean’s Photography


There's been some debate lately about whether or not cosplay has become too "sexy" or whether some people enjoy it for the "right" reasons. What's your opinion on this?

I'm not even sure why this is a debate, as it's kind of ridiculous. Sexy cosplay is also cosplay. I've seen plenty of "sexy" cosplays that also took a lot of time and effort to make, with armored parts and weapons. Instead of blaming cosplayers who enjoy dressing sexy, how about we consider the audience that continues to demand it and enjoy that type of content? If a more detailed cosplay makes you feel accomplished and happy, then go ahead and do it! And if you enjoy a sexy character and are confident in cosplaying them, then that's also fine!


What is your favorite convention memory?

Probably Yeticon 2016. I got to go to a pool party, a rave, go zip lining for the first time, and many other attractions that were included with the ticket. It felt more like a resort or vacation with friends than a regular convention. This year, I went back and got to have my own booth, present my first panel, and even win a cosplay award. I do not really like Fan Expo, but last year I was there as media and it was pretty cool. I got to attend the weekend for free, and do an interview with a lead actress from a TV series. I was also forced to attend a lot of panels to write articles about them, and until then I never realized how fun celebrity panels can be. Jack Gleeson (who played Joffrey on Game of Thrones) was a delight.


Are you a fan of video games other than LoL?

Of course! I'm always playing multiple games at once. Right now I'm playing/finishing up The World Ends with You, Chrono Trigger, Radiant Historia, Persona 5, Danganronpa, and Final Fantasy IX. Off the top of my head, I would say that my favorite series are Zero Escape, Phoenix Wright, Fire Emblem, Zelda, Pokemon, Animal Crossing, Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons, Danganronpa, Persona, and Professor Layton. Mainly RPGs, visual novel mysteries, or adventure games.

Outside of games and cosplay, what are some of your hobbies?

I enjoy binge watching horror movies and historical documentaries/TV shows, reading mystery novels, drawing (I'm starting to get into drawing digitally as well), listening to metal or classical music, and thrifting/collecting vintage furniture pieces. I also like to try new things every month or so, and am currently taking samba dance classes. I'm hoping to get back into singing and horseback riding again too.

Where can fans find more of you?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/NataliaKatCosplay

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliakittykat/

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nataliakat