Last week I talked about one way fans show there appreciation for there favorite Japanese musicians and that is by creating fan web sites. This week I will talk about another way fans show there appreciation and that is through the art of cosplaying.

A subculture of Japan, cosplaying consists of anime, manga, music and video game fans dressing up as the very people or characters that they admire the most. Cosplaying can be found all over the world in countries such as the Philippines, United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Australia, Europe, China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan.

Everyone who takes part in cosplaying has a reason, whether it be just for fun, a showing of appreciation or a chance to pretend to be someone else. Recently I spoke to Rhiannon, a J-Rock themed cosplayer from the east coast who shows her appreciation for her favorite musicians by attending conventions dressed up as them.

JPE: Hi Rhiannon! Thank you for taking part in this interview with jpopexpress.com. What sparked your interest in wanting to do cosplaying?

Rhiannon: Heya and you’re very welcome!! Well I’ve always loved fashion and dressing up even when I was a little kid. Especially dressing up like someone or something else. I’ve always had a major love for music and fashion because of my family. My dad being a heavy metal singer and my mom supporting the way I dressed and actually influencing me to be more creative. Then when I started liking anime and learned about jrock it became more of a lifestyle. Personally I dress this way all the time, and for conventions and clubbing I throw in a mix of my favorite anime and jrock styles. Cosplaying is still kind of new to me, but it’s becoming more of a lifestyle than a hobby.

JPE: You like to cosplay as J-Rock musicians such as Miyavi, Reita from The GazettE, and Nana. Who else do you like to cosplay as?

Rhiannon: Re-l from Ergo Proxy, I almost look just like her and her personality is alot like mine ^^, Caroline from Paradise Kiss, Para kiss is one of my most favorite mangas/animes, Klaha from Malice Mizer, Camui Gackt, and I will be starting to do a little bit of bi shounen ones coming soon.

JPE: Some j-musicians such as An Cafe have their own clothing lines where fans can purchase similar outfits or pieces and dress up like the members. Do you purchase ready made items as well or do you make your own?

Rhiannon: Most of the time I make my own outfits. Layering and piecing together clothes, accessories, random other things lying around the house. A lot of clothes I get from thrift stores and over time it seems that I have collected a lot of really cool clothes. I would love to actually own stuff from jrock bands clothing labels and stuff but it’s hard to when you don’t have enough money! XP

JPE: How long does it usually take to construct a costume in general?

Rhiannon: Most of the time it’s like when I’m getting ready to go clubbing or djing. It takes a while because I really like to dress up, and be creative. If I’m really trying to do something like play off Miyavi, or an anime character it could take quite awhile depending on if I have the materials to piece together the outfit. Oh and accessories take forever!! I have sooo many of them. You have no idea how many things you can do with them, and how many outfits you can get together just by the accessories you put on.

JPE: In all goodness some people are easily fooled, have you ever been mistaken for the real person you are portraying?

Rhiannon: This is actually a really funny question. Just the other day while at a VNV Nation Concert (An Industrial/Electro/Gothic band), I actually got mistaken for Miyavi!! And I wasn’t even dressed up as him. It was kind of weird. These girls came up to me and were kinda acting fan girly towards me. Then I realized they thought I was him and actually asked me if I was Miyavi. And then about a month later, while at a club I go to, someone who knew them said they really did think I was him and swore it to her. I don’t have tattoos or anything, so I was kind of blind sided as to why they thought I was him. Although, it was a bit strange, it was definetly a compliment!

JPE: While attending conventions, does cosplaying bring you a lot of attention from con goers?

Rhiannon: Yes it does!! I’m a very tall girl as it is, so I am always being recognized by people I don’t even know. When I dress up it’s even way more. A lot of people think I’m a “trap” though, even though I’m not even sure what exactly that means. I get soo many pictures taken of me, even if I’m just wearing my regular day outfits. I’m quite shy, so sometimes I get kind of nervous when two or three people are taking my picture at a time. Sometimes out of cons people even think I’m in a band or someone famous.

JPE: Do you only plan to stick to cosplay as J-Rockers or do you ever plan to cosplay as Anime/Manga characters in the future?

Rhiannon: I like to cosplay as Jrockers a lot, but I do love to do different things. Jrock is just my specialty I guess you can say. I will be doing alot more cosplaying as anime/manga characters in the future. Just need more clothes, accessories, and time to get them together XD

JPE: Is there any J-Rocker in particular that you wish to cosplay as but haven’t yet? If so who?

Rhiannon: Kaya from Schwarz Stein, I think would be pretty awesome, Kaya or Hora. Maybe Dada from Velvet Eden. Oh and Die from Dir En Grey when they were visual still.

JPE: Have you ever taken part in cosplay contests at conventions?

Rhiannon: I’ve thought about it, but a lot of the cons I go to come up way too quickly and then you have to deal with signing up and stuff. If it wasn’t so difficult I might be able to. I would like to though. I was actually thinking of doing one of Miyavi’s music vids as a skit. That is gonna take some time though.

JPE: Again thank you for taking part in this interview! In closing, what advice would you give to someone who’s never cosplayed before but would like to start or at least try it even if just once?

Rhiannon: You’re very welcome!! In regards to advice. Definetly don’t try and be arrogant or try to be the best. No matter what, you can be whoever you want to. It just takes a bit of time. Also it’s really easy to dress up, and be creative. Don’t be scared to try something new. It’s alot of fun, and you can make alot of new friends too. Alot of people take cosplay as a job or something, I mean it can be, but to me it’s just being myself, and adding a bit of my favorite characters and musicians into it. Have as much fun as you can with it!!! And never think that you look silly, because to me people who dress ordinarily look silly to me ^_^ Thank you for the interview and to anyone who reads this trust me when I say that Cosplaying is very awesome!!

Coming next week to Around The J-World…

Meet another fan who expresses her appreciation in written form. See you then!