The second cosplayer I was able to actually meet and spend time with was Alexander. He is also nineteen and is from New York City. For Alex, it was evident upon meeting him that he was shy and at times hesitant. After reading his answers over and over again, it wasn’t a surprise that Alex had geared his answers towards utilizing cosplay as a way of connecting with people.
Tell us about yourself: I love video games of all genres (except sports, unless its Mario based), I love anime, I love manga more and of course I love cosplay.
Why do you cosplay?
I cosplay because it’s an art form, it’s fun,it helped me get out of my awkward shyness shell,but I’m still very awkward and shy anyway. I’m also an actor, so cosplay for me is another form of acting, it is a lot of fun and it’s great way to interact with people who hold similar interests with you.
What is your favorite cosplay that you’ve done so far?
My favorite cosplay,that’s a difficult question, it is tied between a original heartless from the Kingdom Hearts series concept I made and Yu Kanda from D.Gray-Man, I pick both because I loved the kingdom hearts series and anytime a cosplayer comes up with an original design for a cosplay whether its from an already existing universe or something they built from the ground up, they are that much more attached to the cosplay, or at least that’s how I feel.
If you could pick one dream cosplay, what would it be?
I don’t believe in dream cosplay, I see them as cosplays I haven’t done yet, but for the sake of the question, my dream cosplay is Fang from Fairy Fencer F.
What makes cosplaying so worth it?
I think it’s because of the social gathering and interaction, then
there’s the chance to show your work if you made the costume, or it’s a chance to talk to people who cosplay from the same series as you. A lot of people say it’s an escape, but I like to blend cosplay into my everyday day life, not like a career, more like a hobby, since there’s always a group getting together to cosplay.
How was NYCC 13′?
I enjoyed the con till it hurt, I got to me the creator of one of my
favorite youtube series,made plenty of new friends and it was the first I’ve been to in about a year.
Do you make or buy your costumes?
I make my costumes but I bought my first one.
How long have you been cosplaying?
It’s coming around to almost two years now.
Any other conventions that you are currently anticipating?
Katsucon, AnimeNEXT and Otakon, there are others but those are the ones that are considered “big” cons.
Do you have any advice to first-time cosplayers?
Let loose and have fun with it. It’s not school work or a job (you can
turn it into one if you want though) and get pictures of yourself and other cosplayers. There are memories in each of those pictures, remember that.
What was your cosplay line-up for NYCC 13′?
I had three costumes, Makoto Naegi from Dangan Ronpa, Guy Cecil from Tales of the Abyss, and lastly my original design for a heartless from the Kingdom Hearts series. Truth be told, I couldn’t finish my Guy Cecil Cosplay, so I went as Yu Kanda from D.Gray-man. I picked that one because my dad like that outfit the most, remember if you want to make a cosplay, start ASAP and slowly work on it, don’t procrastinate.
How do you feel when you’re in cosplay?
Like I do any other day of the week, because I let myself become self-conscious, I won’t be able to have fun, and since I got passed that, I’m able to walk up and down my neighborhood in full cosplay (which is actually a serious achievement).
If you’d like to see more of Alex’s cosplays, here’s where you can find them: http://worldcosplay.net/member/Gamer/
More than ever, this year’s NYCC has taught me, and many others the value of cosplaying. For those who were once unable, it has given them the ability to be true to themselves as humans. It has given them the opportunity of using a creative outlet from stress of daily life. Some would consider it an escape but it’s not. To many it is a hobby, a way of life, a second skin, a haven and a way to show off their talents.
Photos shot by Danielle Alicea
Photos Edited by Melissa Ojeda
Video Shot by Danielle Alicea
Video Edited by Michael Moreno
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