TASHA from Korea is a hyper spiral cat. So, get a glimpse into the never ending rehearsals, endless presentations and utter exhaustion going on backstage and on-stage. But look at the stunning results! Sheryl Nome’s galactic fairy wardrobe might lie close at hand and wig styling may open up a new world of curly whiplash wonders. Teamwork and group decisions are vital for choosing the best match, and photographers are always key players themselves.
Cosplay Gen: When and why did you start cosplaying?
TASHA: When I was about 15 years old, I went to an animation festival where I saw a cosplay stage for the first time. Afterwards, I started to create my own costumes and participate in such events/festivals.
Cosplay Gen: How do you pick the characters for your cosplay team, SpiralCats?
TASHA: The characters cosplayed by the SpiralCats team are chosen after a meeting of the team members. The next step is the deliberation of the team members. Sometimes I also want to cosplay a cute character, but I give up if it doesn’t coincide with the image.
I take as an example Ore no Imouto: my favorite character was Kirino. But, since one of the team members suggested that Kirino wasn’t appropriate for my image, we chose Saori Bajina, which was my second preference.
In our case, team cosplay is focused on the satisfaction coming from a group photo rather than on the satisfaction felt while cosplaying only one character.
I take as an example Ore no Imouto: my favorite character was Kirino. But, since one of the team members suggested that Kirino wasn’t appropriate for my image, we chose Saori Bajina, which was my second preference.
In our case, team cosplay is focused on the satisfaction coming from a group photo rather than on the satisfaction felt while cosplaying only one character.
Cosplay Gen: What can you tell us about the cosplay community in South Korea?
TASHA: There are many Korean cosplayers who simply quit cosplaying after graduating from university or while being employed. Thus compared to other countries, Korea doesn’t have too many cosplayers. On the other hand, there are many photographers, so, in most cases, there is an experienced cosplay photographer who manages the community. It is good that a cosplay photographer manages the community; still it would be good if one day the community was coordinated by a cosplayer in Korea too, same as in other countries.
Cosplay Gen: What is the costume you’re most proud of? Can you share some tips and tricks on how you made it?
TASHA:I like best the one-piece dress of Boa Hancock. I also like Luffy and Boa Hancock as a couple.
Boa Hancock’s annoyed facial expression was very difficult to be performed.
A method was to take pictures of people I really liked.
Boa Hancock’s annoyed facial expression was very difficult to be performed.
A method was to take pictures of people I really liked.
Cosplay Gen: What did you like about the Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt anime series and what made you cosplay both Panty and Scanty from this series?
TASHA: First, I chose GAINAX as a curiosity, but then I grew fond of the creation of such special characters. I also liked the Comedy very much. Because I got attached to the scene of Panty and Stocking’s metamorphosis, I tried to present that scene. I think the effect of the smoke I chose was very good.
Cosplay Gen: How do you identify yourself with Sheryl Nome and what makes you always come back and make another alternative costume of hers?
TASHA: I think our style is very different. Actually if Sheryl Nome had existed in our times, I would have been a member of her fan club. She is a character I admire a lot. I like her authentic personality very much.
First, only a few costumes I liked represented a challenge for me. And then gradually their number started to increase. So, trying to cosplay all of Sheryl’s costumes became my target.
I would be very happy if the cosplays I had to do were more numerous. I would also be very happy to keep on making Sheryl’s new costumes.
First, only a few costumes I liked represented a challenge for me. And then gradually their number started to increase. So, trying to cosplay all of Sheryl’s costumes became my target.
I would be very happy if the cosplays I had to do were more numerous. I would also be very happy to keep on making Sheryl’s new costumes.
Cosplay Gen: You cosplay a wide variety of female characters; what makes you cosplay male characters such as Takuto Tsunashi from Star Driver or Hijikata Toshizo from Hakuouki?
TASHA: I cosplayed them because I like them very much. But because I realized that some of the characters are not matching very well, now I’d recommend to my cosplayer friends the male characters that can easily match.
Cosplay Gen: What sort of advice would you give regarding the wig and make-up to someone who’d want to cosplay a flashy character such as Takuto Tsunashi from Star Driver?
TASHA: Because the cosplay of Takuto Tsunashi was very unsatisfying, I can give no advice on the make-up. However…:
When cosplaying, there are some tips regarding wig styling.
The best wig I’ve ever styled was with WoodRock Bond. The wig styling with WoodRock Bond cannot be discussed in terms of hair gel/wax/hair spray. If you use it, you’d understand, and chances are that you also become WoodRock Bond’s slave! Even without any help, you can easily style the hair by yourself. You can make a nice wig even only with WoodRock Bond and one knife.
I highly recommend trying to use it at least once.
When cosplaying, there are some tips regarding wig styling.
The best wig I’ve ever styled was with WoodRock Bond. The wig styling with WoodRock Bond cannot be discussed in terms of hair gel/wax/hair spray. If you use it, you’d understand, and chances are that you also become WoodRock Bond’s slave! Even without any help, you can easily style the hair by yourself. You can make a nice wig even only with WoodRock Bond and one knife.
I highly recommend trying to use it at least once.
Cosplay Gen: You have been selected, along with SINME, as Korea’s representatives for World Cosplay Summit 2011, with your Monster Hunter cosplay; what can you tell us about this experience until now; and why did you choose Monster Hunter?
TASHA: The favorite animation genre of Tasha and SINME were very different. For that reason, in the beginning it was very difficult to choose the themes. At the same time, the suggestion was Monster Hunter. Since only the two of us were preparing the show, we thought that such characters as Hunter and Monster could be effective on the stage.
Cosplay Gen: What is the biggest challenge that cosplay offered you until now?
TASHA: It is the participation in WCS. Two months = 60 full days of continuous pre-elections. Stage presentations. Music stage. Stage props. Costumes manufacturing. Stage rehearsal. A lot of things to do, but not enough time. Extremely tiresome. After WCS finished, I went back home and I was so exhausted that I slept continuously for 22 hours. I went to sleep, and when I woke up it was night
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nice
[...] cosplaygen: (via Tasha (KR) « Cosplay Gen) [...]
She’s one of my favorites cosplayers,her cosplays are always perfect.
I have suggestion.Can you take an interview of another famous cosplayer(the most famous I think)named Kipi.She is often called the cosplay queen so…it would be great if we get to know more about her.
While I do always enjoy Tasha’s cosplay, I feel like she avoided actually answering the questions. I feel that since Tasha is a famous cosplayer, she should have gone more indepth with her answers to give herself…creditbility? But her answers just seem flat :\