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Cosplay interviews! A weekly feature on Animetion where we talk to cosplayers on what motivates them, plus a cool gallery showcasing their cosplays.  Here we talk to Norwegian cosplayer:

Name:
Theriza

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

I started at a cosplay party, sometime in the autumn 2007.  My first con was in November the same year, and I've been cosplaying ever since ^^

Q: What attracts you cosplay?

It's just so much fun.  You meet a lot of new people in a great community, and at the same time you can express yourself, be creative and just generally have a great time.

Q:  What has been your favourite cosplay?

I like all my cosplays, but if I had to say one it would have to be Halloween Town Sora (from Kingdom Hearts - ed.), because it's my best

cosplay yet.  Road Kamelot (from D.Gray Man - ed.) is close though.  It's so much fun to act her personality and I've got loads of great memories from it. 

My cosplays are getting better every time I make a new on though, so I suspect my next one will be my new favourite ^^

Q: Most memorable moment whilst cosplaying?

Being alone on stage in front of 2000 people, singing Road's song for the cosplay competition at Desucon 3.  It was the scariest, most exciting and most awesome thing ever!  Dancing Hare Hare Yukai with my friends on that same stage comes close too, and of course every con I go to is an unique experience.  It’s hard to choose the best from such a selection of great memories ^^

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

My keyblade broke while I was cosplaying Halloween Town Sora at Uppcon 09, and the wings were a pain.  Also, there are always some small problems with costumes/makeup/props when running around at a convention.  Of course there are always things on my cosplay I wish I had more skill to do better, but I try to learn from every time I make a mistake.

Q:  Have you ever regretted cosplaying?

Once, when we had a cosplay hiking trip on the Swedish border.  I didn’t bring any cosplays, because I wasn’t sure if the weather was going to be nice.  I didn’t want to ruin anything, but when I got there I wanted to cosplay so I improvised with some borrowed stuff and some of mine.  It looked horrible. 

I’m more likely to regret not cosplaying though ^^

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

I think cosplaying in a group is a lot more fun, so I often chose my costumes based on what series my friends are doing.  If not, I make sure to get to know some people cosplaying from the same series before the con. 

The biggest group I've been in was the Orgy:09, we were almost the entire Organization 13 and most of the Kingdom Hearts 2 characters.  It was epic!  Going as a group gives the best cosplay experience, in my opinion.

Q:  What cosplays are you planning?

I have a lot of plans, and even more "I'm definitely gonna do that sometime" costumes, but the one I have to focus on now is CC from Code Geass.  My next finished costume will probably be Pikachu, also costumes from D. Gray Man, Alice in Wonderland, Bleach, One Piece and Zelda are being planned.  Usually, I put a costume on my “want to cosplay-list” and see if I can find the time and materials to make it, unless I need it for a specific con.

Q:  Do you have a dream cosplay?

I don't have a specific dream costume, but my dream is to make a costume that is a bit more complicated than the ones I've made so far and make it good.  It would be cool to be one of those cosplayers that make people stare in awe at your costume...I still have a long way to go for that though ^^

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

Make your own costumes, it’s so much more fun.  Even if you can’t sew (I couldn’t sew at all when I started) you can get help and learn.  It is worth it.  Even if you buy your costumes, you should add a few personal touches to make it realistic.

Pay attention to detail, a few small changes can make a cosplay so much incredibly better.  Also, always bring needles, thread, scissors, glue, paint etc. when going to cons, don't let a broken costume ruin your day.  Oh, and have fun ^^

Q:  Do you have an account with the website Cosplay Island/other social networking sites?

I’m at cosplay.com, but it’s usually not very updated.  I use the page as a good place for costume help and resources ^^

The most updated is my deviantART - http://theriza.deviantart.com/

If you find someone named Theriza on an anime-related page, it’s probably me.  Don’t hesitate to contact me about anything at all. 



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