2 old 4 anime?: Cosplayer Interview: Mistress09

Welcome to another Cosplayer Interview. This week we are going to the south for our next cosplayer ~ Mistress09.

This was a beautiful discovery thanks to the group Cosplay-Dolls on deviantART. As you will see, she fits quite well into this group with her stunning cosplays. I think it was the Swimsuit version of Rei that I saw first. She really nailed this cosplay down to the swimsuit she was wearing in the illustration.

When I started to review her other numerous cosplays, I now that I had found another gem. I liked how when she was posing, she really brought out the characters traits. They are sometimes subtle, but you can note them in the shots.

I think it is time to move along to the interview that you came to read!

What is your name, where do you reside and what is your age?

My name is Mary Alfaro Córdoba, I live in Costa Rica, San José. I'm 22

What first started you on the road to cosplay?

When I was a young girl, I always wanted to dress up as a Sailor Moon character, not even knowing that cosplay existed. Many years later, in 2008, I discovered that there were anime conventions in my country, so I decided to do my favorite sailor as my first cosplay:

Sailor Saturn! I loved the experience and have not stopped cosplaying since then.

How do you choose which characters you will cosplay?

I usually pick my characters based on resemblance, but their personality obviously plays a huge part and I also like to cosplay sexy or cute characters.

Wilbert Avendaño as Dragon

Sometimes, my boyfriend or friends recommend characters to me

What genre (gaming, anime, movie characters) have you had the most fun cosplaying and why?

I love doing videogame cosplays, in particular fighting games, they are usually my favorite character designs, but I also like to dress up as my favorite anime characters!

Which cosplay the most challenging so far and why?

I believe the most challenging one was Libra from Saint Seiya, which I did with my friend Will As; he was Dragon Shiryu and I was Golden Angel Libra.

We had only a week to make the costumes. But it was fun and in the end, we won first place in the couples category!!! :3

What conventions or shows have you cosplayed at? Which was the most exciting and why?

I've cosplayed locally at our Matsuri, Kamen and Cosparty events, to name a few. I was also fortunate enough to go to Mexico for the TNT event, which I loved! It was an amazing experience which I will never forget; the people were super nice and I was voted as the cosplayers favorite!

I saw that your Ayane cosplay was first place in Otaku House Cosplay Idol in 2011. How did you feel knowing that your cosplaying was now recognized internationally by your peers?

Well, I was very happy. When I entered the contest, I didn't think I'd receive the HUGE amount of support which I got, it was really a big surprise to realize that so many people liked my works, not just in Costa Rica, but accross the world!

These were the cosplays I used during the competition:

How is the art of cosplay being spread in your country?

In Costa Rica, we have several groups that regularly do events which include cosplay contests for several years now. Due to this, the amount and quality of cosplays has greatly increased throughout the years.

When not cosplaying, what do you do?

When not cosplaying, I'm usually hanging out with friends, going on fieldtrips, playing my favorite video games, taking care of my pet hamster Muffin *-* or finishing one of my drawings.

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

I can tell you that it's a very nice experience and perfect to let your imagination fly. There's nothing to be ashamed of, just let go and enjoy it, that's what it's all about!

Where can we catch more of your Cosplay at?

Facebook | Twitter | deviantArt | World Cosplay

Here is a Shout Out to our Photographers:

Luis Ali Quirós | DS-kun | SukaDiablita

Some Additional Cosplay Photographs