Can you tell us your name and profession?
Amanda Post, full-time software engineer
Now, this is unique as the reason why we’re having an interview has nothing to do with your profession. Can you tell us what that is?
Well outside of my life as a software engineer, I have some other passions that I’ve spent a lot of time on — cosplay
Can you explain to people what cosplaying is?
Cosplaying is where people will dress up as their favorite characters from things like anime, video games, comics, or pop culture. It’s a way for people to express their passion for what they love, as well as meet other people with similar interests. One of the great things about cosplay is that anyone can do it — for any reason. There are cosplayers who craft all their cosplays from scratch and pride themselves on accuracy to the character, and there are cosplayers who commission or buy their cosplays online and love to act like the character they’re cosplaying. I usually do a mix of both. I’ve met a lot of my closest friends through the cosplay community!
When do people cosplay and where can we see them?
Well if you want to see cosplay content, there are thousands upon thousands of content creators on websites like Instagram — you can find them through popular hashtags like #cosplayersofinstagram or even just #cosplay. In person, anime/video game fans in and out of cosplay will meet up at conventions. Conventions come in all sizes, but some of the most popular in California include Anime Expo, Crunchyroll Expo, and San Diego Comic-Con. The larger conventions are where the top cosplayers go to show off their biggest and most intricate builds. There are other events at conventions, like cosplay contests, all sorts of panels, and many other fun events!
Which conventions have you been to?
So far, I’ve only been to conventions in Southern California, in order of biggest to smallest: Anime Expo, Anime Los Angeles (my absolute favorite convention), Anime Impulse, and Anime California (the first convention I went to). The great thing about attending conventions is that it’s super easy to make friends. When I made my first cosplay and decided to go to Anime California 2015, I knew no one there at all. I felt a little lonely for a while, but before I knew it, I had made several friends that I attend conventions with annually since then. People are generally super welcoming and friendly at cons!
Sounds like a place to embrace unique individuals and befriend one another over the love of cosplay! Who have you cosplayed as?
It definitely is! And oh man, I’ve cosplayed as a LOT of characters. It actually becomes somewhat of an addiction, deciding which cosplay to add to one’s collection next. I’ve probably done 15-20 cosplays, all from my favorite anime and video games. I’ve cosplayed Lux, Ahri, and Diana from League of Legends, and a lot of anime characters such as Himiko Toga, Zero Two, Makes Kurisu, and a handful more!
I imagine it takes a long time to get each look right. How would someone even begin to research or construct the costume of a character?
Well, the amount of effort that you’re willing to put into creating your cosplay can vary — the option for ordering online will always exist for most popular characters and a lot of more minor characters too. But if you want to craft your own cosplay, you can just start by searching the name of the character + “cosplay tutorial”, and chances are that someone has put a free tutorial out for that character. And if not, there are a LOT of general tutorials for crafting cosplay-related things. Kinpatsu Cosplay has a pattern and shops for really detailed tutorials, Kamui Cosplay has really affordable general cosplay how-to books, and there are always a ton of youtube videos available for free. So in reality, it’s pretty easy to get started, you just have to be willing to put in the time to learn and get good at crafting!
When you cosplay, I’m sure you receive a lot of attention. How do you manage to enjoy the event while people ask for pictures/want to chat it up with you?
Well depending on the intricacy, theme, and/or popularity of a cosplay you wear, you’ll get various amounts of attention at a convention. I personally love connecting with other anime fans over a mutual love for a character, and will always stop for photos or a quick chat. There are also general cosplay/convention guidelines that are publicized at conventions and on social media to protect cosplayers. For example, there’s the phrase “Cosplay is not consent”, meaning that fans, photographers, and con-goers should always ask for consent for whatever it is that they want, whether it’s a photo, a chat, or something physical like a hug. People will post infographics of when NOT to approach a cosplayer (ex. They are sitting down to rest or eat in a secluded area). Sometimes people are a little oblivious, but I know that their intentions are often pure, so I don’t mind it much. It’s always a wonderful feeling when something you’ve made makes someone happy.
How far do you travel to get to these locations? Is there a certain distance that you would deem too far? Considering you live in Southern California, the traffic must make whatever distance seems even further away?
Well my favorite convention, Anime Los Angeles, is in Ontario, CA. If you’ve never heard of it, it’s even further East than Pomona is. I’ve commuted 1.5 hours each way for 3 days straight to go to Anime LA. What I have realized is that it’s easiest to just book a hotel close to the convention, and then walk there. I would still commute to go, but the hotel experience proves to be more fun and more convenient. Plus, for conventions like Anime Expo (which is in the heart of LA), people will price gouge and charge $40 for parking. But people still do it, because they love attending conventions so much.
Do you see yourself quitting cosplay in the future or is it forever part of your life now
My interest in cosplay will always be there, but it’s usually just a question of how much time I have to craft or alter bought cosplays. I do know, though, that my love of Japanese culture, anime, and video games is a lifelong thing. I hope to be going to conventions at the very least as a non-cosplaying attendee for as long as I can.
Last question. Who would win? Goku or Naruto
Naruto, 100%
Thank you for your time senpai!
No problem :3
Writer’s comment
I met Amanda while playing at the arcades. I thought her name was Ashley but that name was too basic for someone of her caliber. Arigato desu senpai
