Featured Cosplayer: HappyCosplayer

Cosplay is an exciting world where people can dress up as their favorite characters. Whether it is for a photo shoot, going to a con, or any other of the many reasons to dress up, cosplay is popular and done by many talented people. Epic Nerd Shit would like to start highlighting those exceptional people in the world of cosplay, with a series of cosplay features. This week we will talk to and highlight the work of HappyCosplayer. 

ENS: How long have you been into cosplay? 

HC: I’ve been cosplaying since 2013, and don’t foresee myself ever stopping.

ENS: How many hours would you guess, and on average how much money gets spent? Also, I know that a lot of times prizes or money are given out. Do you think that you personally, or others, do it for the prizes or more for the sheer love of the art? 

HC: More than most people estimate, and sometimes more than we cosplayers want to admit! It varies on the build, but the time spent on a costume is well worth the few hours worn at con. On average I spend anywhere from 10 hours to well over 50 hours on one cosplay build, with a budget that ranges from $50 up to $200. If your question is pertaining to masquerade and or other cosplay contests, I think most of us do it for the recognition. Of course getting a free badge to come back to con next year is great, though for me, just having my work and builds loved by others is very rewarding.

ENS: How many cons have you done if any, and what was the biggest?

HC: I attend on average 6-8 conventions a year. The biggest conventions I have been to so far have been ACEN and Anime Midwest, which average 10,000 and higher for each. I would love to attend Anime Expo in California, or even some conventions along the coast line in Florida. It would also be a great experience to attend a convention overseas in either Japan or Germany. That would be an experience of a life time!

ENS: Have you ever experienced and type of negativity like body shaming or unwanted sexual advances? If yes, how did it affect you?

HC: I have experienced these things while in cosplay, by both genders in fact. It made me feel unsafe, insecure about my body, and one comment in particular nearly caused me to leave the masquerade I was taking part in. But I am glad I stayed, because I ended up winning best prop. Had I of let the hurtful words get to me, I would of left. 

ENS: I always expected a type of unity at cons, and was shocked to see how some cosplayers were treated first hand. Would you mind sharing a specific experience or what was said to you. Also, in your opinion how often do you think it happens? 

HC: I've been inappropriately touched while in cosplay on a few occasions, and at the time I did not think anything of it because I was new and I just thought the individual was happy to see their favorite character, or they were just trying to be funny.
However I quickly released nobody has the right to come and grope my butt just because they ship their character with my own, or because I'm their waifu (a term used to describe men who chose anime or video game characters to be a significant other of sorts). In the situation of nearly leaving the masquerade, I was told by another contestant these exact words, "Does everyone in that show dress like sluts?" He was referring to my Black Gold Saw costume I made. He was also (very loudly I might add) talking about how if a person doesn't fit the body type they shouldn't cosplay a character, and looked at me several times while on his rant. This is one of many instances. I've had non convention goers catcall me and tell me I must be looking for some fun. It happens a lot. It's not a rare thing. I've even heard secondhand rude comments towards other cosplayers. 

HC: People need to understand there is NO cosplay rule-book. That anyone can cosplay, and that there is allot of negativity and harassment/bullying going on within the community itself. These topics like cosplay is not consent, equality in cosplay, and the rumor mill need to be addressed.

ENS: What is your thought process on picking characters to cosplay?

HC: I pick characters I enjoy, like Hatsune Miku! Vocaloid is another passion I share outside of cosplaying, I make covers using the software and do informative panels to help educate those interested about the product and characters. I also enjoy cosplaying slightly outside my comfort zone, it challenges me. And cosplaying characters people can’t help but hate is also fun.

 

ENS: Any other cosplayers that influence you? 

HC: I highly respect and look up to The True Auqaman and The Gothamite Knight, as they are both passionate and positive cosplayers who do lots of charity work. They cosplay with a purpose, with no intent or interest in being ‘Con Famous’. They are my senpais (mentor or senior), and have encouraged and inspired me.

ENS: If cost and time wasn't an issue, and you could cosplay anyone, who would you chose?

HC: If I had time and unlimited funds I would cosplay EVERY variation of Hatsune Miku, no joke. My wardrobe for her is ever growing, with 4 cosplays added to next year's list for her already. I would also do more full armored builds, because I like the challenge and learning new techniques and working with new products.

HappyCosplayer is the creator and Admin for cosplayingcommunity.com, where they do online and offline events such as monthly giveaways in partnership with facebook.com/JUSTCOSPLAYMOVEMENT, monthly discussions , watch anime series, and various cosplay support threads/fitness groups. Their offline events include meet ups at local conventions, photo shoots, giveaways, panels, and charity food drives.
They are doing a charity food drive at Anime Midwest in July, and Ramencon in September. Sponsors include Arda-wigs and Purple-Plum.  

HappyCosplay is  also the designer and creator of CollectibleCosplayerTradingCards, where she promotes and focuses on cosplayers worldwide, and features them in a list of collectable trading cards.

You can find her at the following:                      

facebook.com/happycosplayer
Instagram, Tumblr, Youtube: happycosplayer
happycosplayer.wordpress.com
Cosplay Amino App: HappyCosplayer