Akakioga
Long Beach, CA
Social Media Info: Facebook
How long have you been cosplaying?
Going on about 4 years!
What was your first convention?
Anime Expo 2006
What was your first cosplay?
Deep Dive Riku: Kingdom Hearts 2
Do you feel you have a cosplay expertise? If so what would it be? (i.e. props, sewing etc.)
Sewing and wig styling!
What have been your least and most expensive cosplays?
Least expensive: Kiki from Kiki’s Delivery Service. Most expensive: Symmetra from Overwatch
What is your favorite convention to attend?
Colossalcon
What is your dream convention to attend?
Katsucon
What is your dream cosplay?
Pharah from Overwatch
What do you hate about cosplay?
I heavily dislike how hard it is as a black cosplayer to be recognized for all the hard work we put into our cosplays. It’s so heartbreaking. We are either considered the ‘black version’ of a character or are completely shunned away because our skin color doesn’t match the character we’re cosplaying. It is very frustrating that we can’t cosplay and celebrate characters we love and adore without getting hate for something we cannot change. I have always believed anyone can cosplay what they want no matter what skin color, race, gender, size, ect they are. As long as you have fun, that’s all that should matter!
What do you love about cosplay?
I love getting to meet new friends and people I follow online at cons all the time! Cosplay has the amazing ability to bring people together because we all share that common interest of nerdiness. Cosplay for me is such a big part of my life that even though it comes with negatives, it is immediately outweighed by the positives. I have made more friends, more lifelong connections through cosplay than I ever had on my own. Cosplay really does bring people together and we all end up being one big nerdy family who looks after and cares for each other. It’s such an amazing experience I think everyone should be able to be a part of it! Besides, who doesn’t want to dress up and be someone different for a day!? 😀
Tell us something cool!
I just graduated with my undergrad and am now a full time counseling masters student! Counselor by day, cosplayer by night!
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