Cosplay interviews! A regular feature on Animetion where we talk to UK cosplayers on what motivates them and showcase their cosplays in a picture gallery.  Here we talk to:

Name: Rik Booker (a.k.a Anime_Angel)

Q: When did you start cosplaying and how long for?

I've been cosplaying since the opening of the first Tokyotoys shop opened in Telford in 2007.  I started off with Naruto wearing an Akatsuki coat and did more cosplays from there. 

Q: What attracts you cosplay?

I like doing it for popularity I guess.  Apparently I never did have attention or friends, so I cosplay to make friends and attract attention.  Which is why I always find new ideas for cosplay and explains why I wanted to do Misa Amane (from Death Note - ed.).  Since not only I am in love with her but I knew straight away that when someone sees a Man Misa walking around, I am bound to have someone walking upto me and ask for a picture or something. 

Q:  What has been your favourite cosplay?

Q: Most memorable moment whilst cosplaying?

Well I had a trip while walking on stage as Misa at the September Expo, no postcards am afraid but am alright lol.  Well I guess I am not 100% good walking in high boots when it comes to walking on unsturdy slippery stairs, but I think everyone is going to remember it for the rest of there lives lol. 

Q:  Have you had any cosplays go wrong/encountered problems whilst making cosplays?

Yup.  Whilst making the Misa costume, I got so frustrated with the PVC I am not working with that stuff again!  But still, I managed to make it though.  I also had problems making the wig for my Amy costume from Soul Calibur 4 which went wrong.  I tried to make the curls but I kind of made them too heavy so I'll have to use the wig as it is.  Until I get round to fixing that problem I'll be crossplaying as Amy at the upcoming MCM London Expo this October (25th-26th October - ed.). 

Q:  Have you ever regretted cosplaying?

With all the attention I am getting, how can I regret it?  Without cosplaying or crossplaying, I don't think I'd would have got the friends I have now.   In fact, because of cosplaying, I met a few friends who helped me get to MCM London Expo, as they let me stay in their hotel.  Even though they already had four people in the room, they let me in anyway.  So I can never say I have regretted cosplaying. 

Q:  Have you ever done group cosplay? If so how did you find that experience?

I was in one at one time, it was very great and exhausting, because I was Ichimaru Gin in the Bleach group at the MCM London Expo in May 2008.   I kind of got a painful face after all that smiling (Ichimaru has a constant evil smile in the series - ed.) but it sure was great though.  I am also going in a Yu-gi-oh Group in May next year, either as Yugi or, if I can't make the wig (which is more likely to happen lol) I'll be crossplaying as Dark Magician Girl since she is my favourite card.  Also I do like to do cosplays that attract attention or that nobody has ever done before.  At Japan Ex next Year (if there is one, I heard there should be , a friend of mine is going to put together Buso Renkin Group and I'll be doing Captain Bravo in it. 

Q:  What cosplays are you planning?

Well I am pleased you asked me this, as I am going to go with one of your ideas and do Misa in the strait jacket (Yes, Animetion did suggest this - ed.).  Don't know how I am going to make it, might buy a strait jacket off eBay and then modify and roughen it up.  But yeah, I am definitely going to do strait jacket Misa. 

I am also gonna do either Yugi Mutou from Yu-Gi-Oh or, if the wig fails, I'll resort to Dark Magician Girl.  Also I am going to do Alucard from Castlevania for the Expo Ball and thinking of doing Shanoa (from the upcoming game Castlevania: Order of Ecclasia), as well as Justice from Afro Samurai.  I will only do them when the time comes though, same goes for doing Hsien Ko from Darkstalkers.

Q:  Do you have a dream cosplay?

Hmmm, well my dream cosplay (which I know I can't do) has to be Guyver.  Because got admit, he is so cool, but since that can never happen, I'll have to find one that I can make and do. 

Q:  Do you have one piece of advice that you would give to cosplay virgins?

Cosplay is the way to find a great person to spend your life with.  It got me my first girlfriend (before breaking up lol), so I am sure the virgins can lose their virginity with cosplay as long as it is at an event! 

Q:  Do you have an account with the website Cosplay island?

Yup, I am on there as Anime_Angel.  That is where I like to show off my cosplays and plans and all.  I prefer it over at cosplay.com though, due to the community in it (even though I never posted in the forums lol).