Interview:
An Exclusive Interview with Malaysian Cosplayer Mieko

Cosplay is a global hobby, no longer confined to Japan (its country of origin). It has become increasingly popular in Europe and the United States. But it is also popular in countries like Australia and Malaysia. In fact, cosplay has become popular enough in Malaysia that it now has its own non-profit and magazine company called Malaysia Cosplay Toshokan.

Alltern8 recently had an opportunity to talk to Malaysian cosplayer “Mieko” about her personal complay experiences, and what it's like to be a cosplayer in her country. The interview was conducted in English, and has been edited for spelling and grammar to increase readability.

Alltern8: Mieko, how did you get into cosplay? What was your first costume?

Mieko: Well, it is because I saw this one cosplay by a senior of mine by the name “Nightress”. I don't know how I get so interested in costumes. It takes me a lot of time on doing research on cosplay, since I'm a newbie [with] zero experience and I know nothing.

[The] first time I attended a anime, games, manga, cosplay convention, I think it was GACC 2006 at Multimedia University, Melaka when I was 15. My first costume [was] Saya from Blood the Last Vampire. I think at that time “I should start on simple costume”. I told my mum “I want to cosplay but how?” She advised me to [make] them. So yea, we went to hunt for fabric material together and [sewed] them. […] My first debut in cosplay [was] at Comic Fiesta 2008.

Alltern8: How many cosplay costumes do you have?

Mieko: Hmmm, I'm still a new cosplayer. So, yea around 6 or 7 costumes for now?

Alltern8: How many new ones do you do every year?

Mieko: It depends on my cosplay plans. I just started cosplay on December 2008. Lets see, for now I think around 5 costumes per year? It really depends on my budget too.