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

Q&A Interview with Sa'irai Cosplay

This week’s MMOsite Cosplay Spotlight shines on Sa’irai Cosplay, a fairly new cosplayer from overseas that is also a League of Legends fan. I spoke with Sa’irai about how she got interested in cosplay and found out something many people don’t know about her.

So where are you from?

I am from the Netherlands.

How did you first get into cosplaying?

I haven't been cosplaying for that long! I started last December, actually. I got into it because I have been a gamer for about seven years now and many people online talked about cosplayers. I went to search for it and decided to go to a convention and try it out for myself!

Picture by Bfiles.nl

Who is your favorite League of Legends champion?

Miss Fortune, I think. After that is probably Katarina.

Which champions have you cosplayed thus far?

Only Red Card Katarina so far but many to come!


What other champs do you want to cosplay?

I'm planning on cosplaying Janna and Star Guardian Jinx very soon.

What's the number one champion that you HATE being matched up against in LoL?

Probably Sivir or LeBlanc because I always lose track of who the real one is and end up killing her replica.

Favorite video games other than LoL?

Aion, Blade and Soul, and Black Desert Online.

Ah so you're an MMORPG player then? What about World of Warcraft?

Yes I am. I have tried World of Warcraft but I didn't like it as much. Probably due the graphics but it has been a long time so that may have changed.

Picture by Bfiles.nl

What would you say has been the biggest challenge you've faced as you learn more about cosplaying?

Props are the biggest challenge to me right now. I'm always so afraid to start on them because I’m worried I’ll ruin it and lose money on materials.

What are some of your hobbies outside of gaming and cosplay?

I love drawing, reading, and swimming.

Tell me something about yourself not many people know but fellow nerds might find interesting.

I'm actually a sports person too! I don't only game, I love to go to the gym and run. It kind of balances out being extremely lazy and gaming so much.

Anything else you'd like to add?

If you want to get into cosplay, totally do it! Watch Youtube videos and go to a convention near you at least once. It is a lot of fun and a complete new experience. If you have any questions about it you can totally reach my Facebook page Sa'irai Cosplay and ask me anything!

I hope you all have a great day!

Q&A Interview with Malice Cosplay

Photo by Tetsuya Cosplay

This week’s MMOsite Cosplay Spotlight is Malice Cosplay, an amazing and versatile cosplayer I met on a League of Legends cosplay Facebook group. I sat down with Malice to talk about the game and the art of cosplaying in general.

Where are you from?

I'm from Québec, Canada.

Photo by David Ngo

How did you first get into cosplaying?

I used to wear a lot of random stuff as a kid and wear costumes. My friend brought me to a small cosplay con in 2013, and if I’m not wrong he told me to put my Halloween cosplay on and that was my Alice Madness dress. I had a lot of fun. After that I looked for tutorials to do my own stuff and ended up following a lot of cosplayers that still inspire me today.

Who is your favorite League of Legends champion? 

My favorite champ is Lulu! I love her she's so darn cute. I used to play her all the time. I also love to play Caitlyn and Jinx. My favorite champs for the design are Syndra and Shyvana. They are both my cosplay dream.


Which champions have you cosplayed thus far?

Bittersweet Lulu, Dynasty Ahri, and Snowstorm Sivir. I rushed Vel’Koz for a con right after his release. I also rushed Alistar to duo with a friend.

Any plans for future LoL cosplays?

I'm working on Syndra now, FINALLY! I tried years ago and wasn’t happy so I put it aside for awhile. I feel like I have more skills now and it’s time to use it. I really want to take my time and be happy with the result.

Favorite video games other than LoL?

I love solo games like the Tomb Raiders and DmC: Devil May Cry. I play a lot of games with my friends. Sometimes what’s important isn’t necessarily the game itself but who you play with!

Photo by Novii Photography, costume by Hi, Stranger Creations

What is the most challenging part of cosplay in your opinion?

To not give up. That’s probably the most challenging for me anyway, hahaha. With my busy life sometimes it’s hard to get some motivation to work on a costume especially when things fail. I always fail some part and have to re-do them because I’m not happy but that’s how we learn and get better.

What about the most fun part?

The final product. It’s so satisfying. When you go to a con and people recognize your costume and like it. You can tell yourself, ''Hey I made it. I finally made it and it was worth it!'' To be part of a group, be proud. We wear uncomfortable costumes, heavy wigs, contact lenses, and high heels. We suffer, we don’t sleep enough, don’t eat enough during a con, sometimes wondering why we are doing it and after all that we still can't wait for the next con.

What is the furthest you have traveled for a con?

I went to Katsucon. We went by car and it took us 15 hours to get there. By the end I didn’t even know how to sit anymore because nothing seemed comfortable. But the con was beautiful and it was such a good weekend!

Photo by CP Photographie, Setting by Lexa One Photographie,
Makeup by CandyKiller

How does cosplaying for a convention differ from cosplaying specifically for a photo shoot?

I think conventions are way more stressful and painful than a photo shoot. There's a ton of people everywhere. You forget to eat; people bump into you (sometimes your costume even suffers from it). You can be a statue for hours because everyone wants a picture with you. You're dead after a day.

For a photo shoot, you can take more time. You know the pictures will usually be better than the one a stranger will take of you eating your sandwich at the con (without asking permission of course it always happens!)  It's usually friendly and more relaxed. You can take a break if needed (something you can barely do during a con). You can use more accessories, huge props, which you don’t always want to carry around during the day.

I love both but they are completely different experiences.

Outside of video games and cosplaying what are some of your other hobbies?

I love to dance. I dance all the time even though I never took any dance classes or anything. I love a lot of different styles and I try to learn some dances I see on video clips and movies since I’m young.

Picture by Martin Labbe Photography, Setting by Lexa One Photographie,
Makeup by CandyKiller

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

I just want to tell people who want to cosplay or start cosplaying that they really should do it for themselves first. Even if you want a fan base or wish to eventually make a living out of that, people can feel it when you do a cosplay for yourself. It shows through on pictures. We are always more proud of stuff we do for ourselves than costumes we do to please others. Take your time; we are always learning and we are always improving!

Where can fans find more of you?


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaliceCosplay

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

Picture by Don Dolce Photography