Good morning somewhatNerds! How have you been? I know its Monday and most of you don’t like Mondays but we here at somewhatNerdy try to make your Mondays more enjoyable. That’s why I like to start the week with my Cosplay interviews to set the tone of the week. There is nothing more inspiring than someone who loves a character so much they become a cosplayer and show their love of that character in public. I admire people like this, people who have that passion and are not afraid to show it. I’m rambling again aren’t I? Anyway, today we have a special treat because today’s cosplayer is from right here in the wonderful state of Louisiana. So let’s give it up for the local lovely and talented Firecloak.
1. Who are you and where are you from?
Hi, my name is May, and my cosplay alias is Firecloak. I’m from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
2. How did you discover cosplay?
I’ve been into anime/manga ever since middle school, but I didn’t look into cosplay until I found out a local anime convention, Louisianime. I dragged a fellow anime friend with me there, and I did a really simple cosplay of Mio from K-ON! I made my mom alter a black dress I already owned, and I ordered a wig. The costume actually did get a pretty good reception, and that’s probably why I’m still cosplaying 2 years later.
3. I really love your Rukia Kuchiki cosplay. What made you choose that character?
Rukia is my favorite character from Bleach, and I’ve always loved her strong personality. I’m also a huge IchiRuki (IchigoxRukia) shipper, and I really like seeing how much Rukia can lift Ichigo’s spirits up. There were a lot of times when I hesitated cosplaying Rukia, because Rukia is super short (4’8″), and I’m 5’4″. I eventually gave in to the urge though, when I marathoned the last season of the Bleach anime and got sucked into the IchiRuki ship again.
I also figured that since I’m Asian, and Rukia seems Asian with her black hair and peach skin, I can probably pull her off with my Asian features even if I am tall. I think I just hope to find a tall enough Ichigo to make me look short enough.
4. I know you have cosplayed other anime characters, which one was your favorite?
This is a tough one, but if I had to choose, it’d be Holo from Spice&Wolf. I can pull off her mischievous look and her cute look really well. It’s also my first group cosplay, and the first costume that I sewed.
5. Do you cosplay other genres?
I’ve done Batgirl before, though I bought the costume from a friend. I’m not knowledgeable about comic books at all, so I doubt I will do more.
6. What is your favorite way to show off a new costume?
Photos, photos, and more photos! I just love getting photo-shoots of my cosplays.
7. Do you do have other hobbies besides cosplay?
Photography. Other than cosplay photography, I also like to photograph animals (especially birds) and people as well. Ironically, cosplay is what led me to photography.
8. What are your plans for the future?
I plan on doing more group cosplays, because those are funner and allow for more photo poses. Now that I am more skilled in sewing, I can probably help cosplay partners with their costumes too (provided I have time)! I also hope to get couple photos for Rukia, Kikyo, and Erza someday too.
Asuna from Sword Art Online Ranma (fem) from Ranma 1/2 (with CheekerCosplay as male Ranma)
Kushina from Naruto (with Some Very Buttery Cosplays as Minato)
Kagura Sohma from Fruits Basket (with CheekerCosplay as Tohru) Utau Hoshina from Shugo Chara
9. Where can my readers see more examples of your work?
My Facebook is the first place I update, but I have a few other sites as well.
www.facebook.com/firecloak
www.flickr.com/photos/firecloak
firecloak.tumblr.com/ firecloak.net (coming soon!)
10. If you could work with another cosplayer for a photo shoot, who would you choose?
Oh, there are so many cosplayers I want to photograph! But then so many of them are across the globe. I’ll go with a local cosplayer that I look up to: Melfina Cosplay (Texas). I just love her smile and her costumes! I also asked her for advice on my Holo cosplay.
Photographer credits:
