Posted by Happy Cosplay Friday! This week we are proud to present our interview with Keiko Cosplay. Keiko Cosplay is a dutch cosplayer with undeniable skill in her field. She crafts cosplays on everything from DC to anime. With these skills it’s a real pleasure to listen to what she has to say on how she cosplays and the cosplay world in general.
JR:How long have you been cosplaying?
Keiko: I have been cosplaying for 2 years, well a little bit more, like 2 years and 4 months! I started cosplaying at the age of 18, in the summer of 2015.
JR:Do you cosplay or crossplay or both?
Keiko: I only do cosplay, because my face is too girly to be a crossplayer and I prefer female costumes and outfits over male ones. I have seen so many good crossplayers on Instagram and facebook before and I admire their makeup skills!
JR:Most cosplayers consider there to be three main categories of cosplay, tv, movies, and video games. What do you consider yourself to specialize in?
Keiko: Well, judging on those three I would say movies, because I’ve cosplayed Chucky, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy and the Joker, & video games, because I’ve cosplayed Kairi (kingdom hearts 2), Chloe (life is strange), Hatsune Miku (vocaloid) and I’m currently working on a Xayah (league of ledgends) cosplay!
But those are definitely not the three main categories when it comes to cosplay! I’ve seen and done a lot of anime related cosplays, actually most of them are based on anime’s I’ve seen as a child or recently! Next to that I also think comics is a big main category when it comes to cosplay. I’ve mentioned Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy before, but those cosplays are based on the comics and not one the movie(s).
JR:Do you think cosplay is easier in a group or separate?
Keiko: That depends, making and planning a cosplay is easier to do on your own. Crafting, sewing, dying, styling etc. Takes a lot of time. When you decide to do a cosplay alone, it’s easier to take the time you need to make a beautiful cosplay, of your favorite character, which you love; but, when you’re in a group, you have a certain deadline for a cosplay and in some cases you won’t even be able to choose your favorite character. However, cosplaying in a duo or a group is fun; you can take group pictures and have a fun time at a con together.
JR:What do you consider your most memorable cosplay to be?
Keiko: At this moment I would say my Poison Ivy, because I’ve worked very hard to finish this cosplay in time. I had to sew over a hundred of autumn themed leaves onto a body suit, make a couple of gloves with the same leaves and the same colors and make some boot covers for my shoes (again with the same leaves). I was proud of the outcome & even competed in a cosplay catwalk competition. So many people cheered for me at that moment; I was so happy to hear that so many people likes my cosplay! I sure was heartwarming. Next to my Poison Ivy, I consider my Black lady as one of my most memorable cosplays. This project was a hard one and I actually managed to style a wig for the first time! I was so happy with the way it turned out! I even got the chance to shoot with several great photographers, I felt so lucky that day at the convention!
JR:Do you think cosplay changing as you go to different locations?
Keiko: Well it’s not really cosplay that changes when you go to a different location, the people and the cons are very different. I am from Holland myself and I attend mostly Dutch & Belgium conventions. There are big differences between those two countries; for example, Conventions in Belgium are WAY cheaper than the ones in Holland. Next to that, the Belgian community is way bigger than the Dutch one, but the Dutch community is growing as well. But both Dutch and Belgian conventions are fun for sure! I would love to attend a conventions in the UK and Germany in the future. Already I have met a lot of people from those countries and they’re really lovely.
JR:What is your cosplay pet peeve?
Keiko: Well my number one pet peeve about cosplay nowadays is that most of the people post naked, almost naked or boudoir pictures of some characters. The sad thing is that they get so much more attention while a lot of cosplayers put so much effort and time into a beautiful cosplay for their favorite character and they don’t get attention at all. In the end they don’t even do it for fun, the only thing those “cosplayers” want is attention or money even when it comes to patreon. I think it’s sad that people turn non sexual characters into lingerie models like it’s a natural thing to do. Those characters would never wear something like that and lately it’s all I see on my Facebook and Instagram wall. Some of them are even under 18, that’s definitely not okay!
I wish people would just put some effort into making a beautiful cosplay (or buy one if they can’t make one) instead of buying lingerie and take a picture just like that.
Appreciate cosplayers for their costumes and not for their body! That’s what cosplay is about in the first place; be the character you love.
JR:If there was one animal you would compare yourself to what would it be and why.
Keiko: This is actually a hard question; I would say a dog because I love dogs so much, but I am not the type to obey people just like that.
JR:What cosplays are you currently working on?
Keiko: I finished my Harley Quinn hammer a couple of weeks ago so currently I am working on my Xayah cosplay. She is a character from league of legends and I planned this cosplay together with my boyfriend who will be my Rakan (It’s a couple in the game). This cosplay has so many elements, It will take a lot of time for sure. I am currently working on her dress, it has 16 layers in the front of the top part and 18 in the back. Let’s not even talk about the skirt! Next to the dress I have to make fluffy ears, a hood, a cape in the shape of feathers (which will be the wings), stockings, a belt, armor, bird skeletons, bird feet and battle feathers (which light up) to complete the look. Next to that I have to style my wig and find the right lenses. So yeah, that’s still a lot of work!
JR:What was your first convention?
Keiko: My very first convention was Elfia 2013, without cosplay. With cosplay it was Abunai 2015. Those are both big Dutch conventions!
JR:What was your last convention?
Keiko: My last convention was F.A.C.T.S! 2017 fall edition in October. This one is in Belgium.
JR:What is your next convention?
Keiko: My next convention will take place in Brussel next year February; Comic Con Brussel.
JR:What does cosplay mean to you?
Keiko: Cosplay is a very big part of my life. I’ve met my boyfriend through cosplay and we support each other a lot. Next to that cosplay keeps me busy most of the days (next to my school work); literally because making a cosplay takes a lot of effort and time. It makes me happy to see people hype when they see me or when I like a picture and comment on one of their pictures. It makes you more creative and cosplay modeling helped me to get more experience with overall modeling, now I do both!
To see more of Keiko’s cosplays, visit her social media at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LittlePrincessKeiko/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keikocosplay/?hl=en
And as always,
Have a geek filled day!
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