Cosplay Interview: HezaChan

Here is another wonderful Cosplay Interview for your reading and viewing enjoyment.

This time we have HezaChan who resides in the wonderful Midwest of the United States. I first caught sight of her when I was researching cosplayers who did Masamune Shirow characters. AnnaPuma from Dominion Police never looked so great in my opinion.

If you missed it, she was also one of the cover cosplayers for OTACOOL 2.This edition featured cosplayers from around the world.

Like always, why am I taking up space on this blog. Lets get a move on to the interview and take a look at the stunning cosplays by our featured cosplayer:

What is your name, where do you reside and what is your age (optional as I know it is not nice to ask a lady her age)?

Hi, my name is HezaChan [Wisconsin,US] and I am 26 years old.

What first started you on the road to cosplay?

My mother always made wonderful costumes for me when I was a little girl for Halloween. I always loved dressing up on that holiday. As I grew older I liked doing crafts and artsy things, and loved watching all sorts of animation.

When I got into Middle School I started watching Sailor Moon and other Japanese Animation. I became friends with a girl named Valerie who was into the same things I was into. We were like the only two people in that whole school who likes anime.

As we grew up and went to high school together, she notified me that there was going to be an anime convention that was going to be in Cincinnati. We both decided to dress up as our favorite characters at the time even though we weren't sure that others would be doing the same. When we got to the convention we noticed others dressing up as well. I then came to realize that there was a name for it -- "cosplay". I also made lots of new friends, and then I became hooked.

How do you choose which characters you will Cosplay?

I often choose characters that I can relate to in some way. But as of lately, I take into consideration the design of the character as well as their personality. I may love a characters personality, but not necessarily like the outfit they are wearing, so I look into alternative outfits that character may have that suits my tastes better.

I have to say that both you and Jia Jem do one stunning set of Puma Twins Cosplay from Dominion Tank Police. Since this is an ‘older’ anime, how did the two of you pick them to cosplay?

Jia actually had asked me to cosplay this with her out of the blue. She had picked out the characters. I know she is a fan of the series, and just the overall designs of the characters. I couldn't say no when she had asked me to cosplay these badass puma sisters together!

I didn't remember too much about Dominion Tank Police other than it had aired on the Sci-fi channel when I was younger. I didn't get to watch too much of it back then, but when she asked me to cosplay as AnnaPuma, I researched the hell out of it, and also borrowed my friend Chuck's copy of the manga.

~ Side question: How in the hell do you get by security anyway with the grenades and bullet straps?

~ The bullets are fake plastic Halloween bullets, and the grenades are just lime juice bottles covered in craft foam and painted. They aren't much of a threat ~ hehehe

What conventions or shows have you cosplayed at and have you gotten any awards?

I have been to 26 conventions, and have cosplayed at 25 of them. 2 out of those 25 were at international events - ConComics in Guadalajara, Mexico 2010 (where I was a guest and masquerade judge), and Tokyo Game Show 2010.

Here is a list of all the events and awards I've won:

2011
~ Anime Central- [USA]
~ KitsuneKon - [USA] - Award Won for "Best in Show" [SonSon]
2010
~ ConComics - [MEXICO] - Cosplay Guest & Masquerade Judge
~ Tokyo Game Show - [JAPAN]
~ Wizard World Comic Con Chicago - [USA]
~ Anime Central - [USA] - Award Won for "Best Journeyman - Hall Cosplay Contest" [I-no]
~ Anime Punch - [USA]
2009
~ Anime Central - [USA]
2008
~ Anime Central - [USA]
~ Tokyo Game Show - [JAPAN]
2007
~ OhayoCon - [USA]
~ Anime Punch - [USA]
2006
~ Anime Punch - [USA] - Award Won for "Best Interpretive Character Skit" [Mii]
~ IkasuCon - [USA] - Award Won for "Best Presentation -Journeyman Catagory" [Mink]
~ SugoiCon - [USA] - Award Won for "Best Overal Cosplay" [Koyori]
2005
~ OhayoCon - [USA]
~ IkasuCon - [USA]
~ SugoiCon - [USA] - Award Won for "Best Craftsmanship" [Hyper Witch Mugi Mugi Deluxe]
2004
~ OhayoCon - [USA]
~ IkasuCon - [USA]
~ SugoiCon - [USA]
2003
~ ColossalCon - [USA]
~ IkasuCon - [USA] - Award Won for "Best Presentation" [Felicia]
~ SugoiCon - [USA]
2002
~ SugoiCon - [USA]
2001
~ SugoiCon - [USA]

We always hear about the conventions on the East and West Coast of the US. How are the conventions and cosplayer turn out in the middle to the US?

I suppose people on the east and west coasts would think that Midwest conventions are way smaller than conventions there. However, I do know that Ohio hosts a lot of conventions, and OhayoCon held in Columbus, OH gets a good number of attendees, while Anime Central held in Chicago, IL has a large number of attendees as well.

I have never been to an east coast or west coast convention so I wouldn't know the real differences in numbers.


When not cosplaying, what do you do in the ‘real world’?

I work at a dog/cat boarding facility where we do daycare and grooming as well. I am a receptionist and a fun camp worker. I really enjoy working with animals. It is hugely rewarding to see their happy faces and to get to interact with them everyday.

For any aspiring cosplayers a little shy, what words of wisdom do you have for them to get started?

Try not to take on a huge project for your first cosplay. Start of simple and work your way up. Books and online tutorials are your friend, so use them to your advantage. Getting started on a costume nowadays is easier than it used to be when I started out. You have a lot of great suppliers at your fingertips for wigs and fabrics.

Also, when purchasing parts for costumes make sure you research the company you are buying from so you don't get jipped. Try looking on cosplay forums for reviews on different sellers. Keep trying and don't give up -- practice makes perfect!

Because we all want to see more, where can we catch your other cosplays at?

Sites:  Website  |   facebook  |   twitter

Cosplay Sites:  Cosplay.com  |  ACP  |  Cure   |  deviantART

 

More Cosplay 4 Your Enjoyment
Here are 2 of her own Designs

Our Photographers: Chase Wirth | Kyle Johnson | LJinto

I want to thank HezaChan for taking the time to write to me and to the Photographers for the great photos that you get to see here today.

Want to be my next interviewed COSPLAY STAR? ~ Drop me a line a bluedrakon (at) gmail (dot) com!