【Interview World Cosplayer Collection #028】 – Yosuke –
世界コスプレ☆これくしょん
Today’s feature! Yosuke from Singapore!🇸🇬
Yoroshiku!!^^
🦈 = Yosuke
・Please tell us the reason of why you started cosplay.
🦈:I first got to know about cosplay conventions through a classmate of mine, and eventually decided to attend a convention to see how it is like. I saw cosplayers dressed in the characters I recognised from the anime series I followed and got really excited. I thought I wanted to give it a go too! Later that year, I cosplayed Kanda Yuu from D.Gray-Man.
◾️ Kanda Yuu |D.Gray-man
・Please tell us your favorite anime/manga/game character.
🦈:My favourite anime character would be Rin Matsuoka from FREE! . I personally enjoy swimming, so when I saw the announcement of a swimming anime I was thrilled! I think Rin Matsuoka is a really charming and relatable character, I fell in love with him and I still love him very much till this date! haha
◾️ Rin Matsuoka |Free!
・Which character cosplay do you think is your masterpiece?
🦈:I think my Gintama cosplays have always been something that represented me, Gintoki Sakata especially. Aside from Rin Matsuoka, I have cosplayed multiple versions of Gintoki throughout my 7-8years of cosplaying. I really enjoy reenacting the funny expressions in the anime, I even practice those faces in front of my mirror at one point! I am just glad the glass did not shatter-
・Do you make your own costume or props?
🦈:Occasionally, but I do hope to work on more props and costumes in the near future. One of the props that I really enjoyed constructing was Final Fantasy Noctis’s Sword of the father. There were many intricate details which I struggled to replicate, but I enjoyed the process and learnt many new things. The outcome was rather successful too!
◾️ Noctis Lucis Caelum |Final Fantasy XV
・Have you ever took part in any Japan or oversea events? (If not, are you planning to go?)
🦈:Yes, I have attended events in Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan and Japan. Out of all the events I have attended, the 3 events I took part in Japan left the deepest impression in me. They are Comiket 93, Comiket 95 and Tonacos.
The cosplay culture in Japan is really different, and I feel refreshed and inspired whenever I attend an event there. There is something magical about cosplaying in Japan haha! As a personal goal, I wish to be able to booth at Comiket one day!
・Have you ever took part in any cosplay contest? (If no, are you planning to go?)
🦈:I took part in a cosplay contest back in 2014, and worked on a Gintama skit with my partner. It was embarrassing but we had lots of fun preparing for the performance. I recalled my attempt to do a cartwheel on the stage and it looked like a fish out of the water instead… it was rather memorable… I remembered my partner’s wig almost flying off her head too… Oh dear.
・Do Singapore have a lot of cosplayers? Would it be difficult if I want to start cosplay in Singapore?
🦈:There are a lot of cosplayers and events in Singapore. Compared to other countries, I feel that events are much more accessible and cosplay friendly for beginners who would like to hop on board!
◾️ Momo |- IDOLiSH7-
・If cosplayers want to cosplay in Singapore due to the religious factors, regionals factors, etc do they have to pay any special attentions?
🦈:When it comes to cosplaying in Singapore, the public has more tolerance towards such activity. There is a lot more freedom here.
We are allowed to shoot freely in public spaces unlike Japan, and it is only a responsibility to behave accordingly. Minor actions such as being mindful of our surroundings, not making too much noise, not leaving behind trash are all important as it will be a representation of the community regardless of who we are.
Religious landmarks should be avoided when doing a photo shoot, as I feel that it is disrespectful. While there are little restrictions on the choice of cosplay, sensitive costumes (indecent in public due to exposure, religious garments oriented etc.) should also be avoided in public spaces if possible!
・Do Singapore have any special props making techniques or tools? If yes, please share with us
🦈:In Singapore, some materials are difficult and expensive to get our hands on (e.g. wobla)
While I don’t think there are any special prop making techniques and tools, I think prop construction here can be interesting as many of us try to make use of materials from our surroundings. I have seen friends reuse the cardboard from cereal boxes and transform it into amazing designs. I also enjoy sourcing for recyclable objects for my creations as it is cost effective and also environmentally friendly.
・Please tell us your aim for the future.
🦈:I would love to improve the cosplays of my favourite characters/ explore new costume sewing techniques/ prop construction techniques/ wig styling skills/ my approach to creating cosplay photos/ attend more events/ visit more countries/ meet the people who have supported me/ meet the people I look up to… and honestly, the list never ends! There is just so much you can learn from cosplaying.
◾️ Todoroki Shoto|My Hero Academia
Thank you!