Cosplayer Spotlight #16: Kitnichi Cosplay

by Nicole Luke


Introductions

Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m Kitnichi, I’m from Florida. I grew up wanting to become a singer but ended up going to school for Medical Records and Billing. Now I just like to make costumes and play dress up.

Cosplaying

AnimeSecrets Halloween Cosplay Contest 2013 - Entry 53 - Zinogre Armor from Monster Hunter Portable 3rd
Zinogre Armor from Monster Hunter Portable 3rd
Winner of Anime Secrets Halloween Cosplay Contest 2013
Photography by Ken Ad Photography

When did you start Cosplaying?
I started cosplaying in 2012.

What got you into cosplaying?
I was looking for things to do in my area and found out there was a convention at a local college coming up. So I learned how to sew, made my first cosplay and have been hooked ever since.

What is your favorite cosplay that you’ve made (or worn)?
That’s tough! It seems like my most recent one always becomes my favorite, so right now it’s Kirin armor from Monster Hunter.

How do you determine what characters you Cosplay?
I have to have some emotional attachment to the character – something in them that I can relate to. Sometimes I just like cosplaying characters that are so far from who I am as a person because it makes me feel like I can be anything I want to be.

Holo from Spice and Wolf Photography by BAM Photography
Holo from Spice and Wolf
Photography by BAM Photography

Why do you enjoy cosplaying?
I love cosplaying because it’s a creative outlet for me. I love crafting and meeting new people who love the same things I do. It’s just a bunch of fun!

Do you have any dream costumes you want to make or wear?
Too many xD I’d really like to do Princess Tutu, Belle from Beauty and the Beast, and Inori from Guilty Crown.

Out of all of your costumes, which was the hardest to fabricate?
Zinogre armor was the hardest to make. It took about 6 months to make, tons of research, new techniques and materials.

What are some cosplays you are currently working on?
I’m working on a few right now. Ai Astin from Sunday without God, Alice from Heaven’s Memo Pad, and Tsukumo from Karneval.

Which costume are you most looking forward to wearing in the future?
My friend and I plan to cosplay Princess Tutu and Princess Kraehe next year. I’m really looking forward to that!

Do you think you will ever retire from Cosplaying?
I never want to, but as I get older I may need to. Cosplaying takes a lot of energy out of me!

Have you ever considered wearing costumes outside of conventions, for your day-to-day life?
I would… but I’d get the craziest looks from people.

Do you tend to fabricate/make your own costumes or buy them?
I make around 90% of my costumes.

In the World of Cosplaying

fluttershy
Fluttershy from My Little Pony
Photography by Ken Ad Photography

How do your personal views (religious, political, lifestyle) affect your cosplays?
They don’t.

What kind of reactions do you receive for any alterations and reinventions of character designs and attire?
I don’t think I’ve really reinvented any.

How do you react to the attention your cosplays generate?
I’m really excited when people know who I’m cosplaying, and it makes me really proud of myself when people want to get a picture of my costume.

Have you ever felt uncomfortable in cosplay?
One cosplay makes me uncomfortable to wear to conventions because it’s quite revealing. I put the idea of cosplaying her to back of my mind but the character meant so much to me that I had to do it!

What are some of your favorite moments while cosplaying?
When people recognize who I’m cosplaying, because I like really uncommon anime and video games. It’s really rare to bump into someone else who knows the characters I’m portraying sometimes.

Kirin Armor from Monster Hunter Photo by BAM Photography
Kirin Armor from Monster Hunter
Photo by BAM Photography

Do you participate or have you participated in any cosplay contests (Convention, online, etc)?
Yes, I have done a few online contests, but mostly I join contests at conventions.

Have you won any awards for your cosplay? If so, what kind and/or where did you win them?
I won a Judge’s Choice at Fandom Con 2013, a contest on Anime Secrets, 2nd Runner up at Anime South 2013, and Best in Show at Sukoshi Con Destination 2014.

What was the first event/convention you went to?
Fandom Con 2012

What is your stance on handmade vs. store-bought cosplay?
I prefer to make my own because I love crafting things and it makes me really proud to see what I’ve accomplished. But buying cosplays is just as good as long as you have fun!

How do you feel about those who get into character while cosplaying? Do you get into character as well?
It’s exciting when people get into character, but I usually don’t outside of photoshoots, because I’m really shy.

Is there anyone you’ve always wanted to meet and have a photoshoot with?
I would love to meet RuffleButt Cosplay, because I look up to her so much, but for photoshoots I like to do those with my friends.

Personal Experiences

Black Rock Shooter Photography by Emerald Coast Cosplay
Black Rock Shooter
Photography by Emerald Coast Cosplay

What would you say are the positives and negatives of cosplaying?
The positive is that it’s a lot of fun and you meet so many cool people. The negative is that it’s really time consuming and kind of expensive.

How do you deal with negative and positive feedback on your costumes?
I always appreciate the feedback, good or bad. It helps let me know when I’m doing something right or if I need to improve in some area.

Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring cosplayers?
Never give up and have fun! Having fun is the most important thing to remember.

Outside of Cosplaying

Link from Legend of Zelda Photography by BAM Photography
Link from Legend of Zelda
Photography by BAM Photography

Do you have any hobbies other than cosplaying?
Singing, playing video games, watching anime, and surfing.

Do you have any helpers (pets) that often assist you?
Yes I do! My dalmatian likes to keep my fabric warm for me. She’s constantly keeping me distracted, though. Her cuteness always steals me away from working on things.

Is there anything you do outside of cosplaying that gives you ideas of what to do for a costume?
I get my ideas from video games and anime.

Final Words to the Readers

Always have fun, be patient and never give up. Cosplay is a really rewarding and exciting hobby.

For more information on Kitnichi Cosplay visit her pages below
:
http://www.facebook.com/KitnichiCosplay
http://kitnichi.deviantart.com/