Raider3

What got you into cosplay?
Two of my friends/co-workers - Miaka no Baka and Aoshi_Shinomori. Other folks I've met have kept me in cosplay.
What was your first costume and why?
Debuting at Sakura-Con 2003 - Tanaka from "Otaku No Video" - because that's the anime character I most closely resemble, and identify with. (And besides, it beats the hell out of going along with the current popular trends.)
What is your favorite costume and why?
Currently, my latest one - Black Jack, having locked into the series (OAV and TV) nearly a year ago. It's my latest costume, and I'm happy how it turned out. Next off, Tanaka from Otaku No Video, my very first cosplay. I identify strongly with the character, based upon my own level of interest in japanimation over the years. And then, it would have to be Bean Bandit from Riding Bean, because it was the cosplay I wanted to do back in 1998, but didn't have the nerve until now to pull off.
Do you have a dream costume you'd like to make?
Just to say I did them - Capt. Harlock (Harlock/Herlock, what's the difference?) and Kenshin Himura. I'd like to think of them as long-range goals when I make up my mind to drop some more pounds. In the meantime, I've got enough ideas to keep me busy for a while!
What has been your most memorable cosplay experience?
Previously, Anime Central 2003, since it was the first con I brought more than one costume to, I was in costume all day the first two days, and made it onto LLNN (with some great encouragement in my efforts from LionBoogy!) and Fansview. Other multi-costume cons, ReccaCon 2005 (The last ReccaCon, sadly), pulled off 3 costumes in one day, and of course, FanimeCon 2005 - Brought 7 costumes, wore at least 5, including debuting Porco Rosso, and finally, Ani-Magic 2005, where I debuted Black Jack.
Do you participate in masquerades?
Currently as an audience member/videographer for personal archives/friends, sound mixing for skits, and occasional axe person. I've been in two skits, one at Sakura-Con 2003 and one at FanimeCon 2003.
What was your best masquerade experience?
I'd say FanimeCon 2003, up to when we went on stage for our skit. Not too keen on the judging, however. (I don't think I'm alone in my opinion, but that's another story.)
Have you won any awards for your costumes?
First Place, Bandai Division, at the Metreon Festival of Anime 2003, in San Francisco (for Char Aznable) First Place, Sacramento Comic/Toy Show, June 2005, in Sacramento, CA (for Porco Rosso)
Tell us a little about yourself
I've left college (Hoping to return eventually to get some kind of degree), and entered this thing called "real life" - I work full-time, have weekends off, and funds to acquire anime, make it out to at least 2-3 cons a year, and of course, add more junk/computer/video stuff to my place, as well as keep the truck tuned up between seasons. My hobbies are, animen, classic and recent video games (most recent game console: Game Cube), computers (graphics/web design/audio-video work), writing, some attempts at anime/manga-style artwork.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I'm hoping to learn a lot from others on here, as well as who I meet at trips. Thanks for your support! <img src="http://forums.cosplay.com/thumbs/00.jpg">;
My favorite anime
Of the many I've seen over the last 20-odd years - Urusei Yatsura, Gunbuster, Wings of Honneamise, I My Me! Strawberry Eggs, Rurouni Kenshin, Otaku No Video (1982 and 1985), Excel Saga, Bubblegum Crisis, Escaflowne, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Perfect Blue, Armored Trooper Votoms, You're Under Arrest (OAV, TV Series, and Movie), Kare Kano, Onegai Twins, and the list goes on...
My favorite game(s)
RPGs for various systems (NES, SNES, Genesis, PSXone, Dreamcast, Game Cube) - notable favorites: Dragon Warrior series, World of Warcraft 1, 6 7,and 11, Chrono Trigger, Lunar (Silver Star Story and Eternal Blue), Wild Arms 1, Snatcher, Shining Force 1 and 2, Skies of Arcadia, Suikoden 1 -- Driving games (Current favorite - Initial D Arcade Stage), classic arcade games, golf (I suck at the real thing, but I have been known to play Golden Tee at networked locations) - Way too many to list here...
My favorite book(s)
Working my way through Koushun Takami's "Battle Royale" still, as well as Masami Tsuda's Kare Kano manga (So I like shoujo manga, so what?), and I have entire the You're Under Arrest tankoubon set, untranslated. The last non-anime/manga book I read was Michael Chrichton's "Prey"
My favorite character(s)
Lum, Sakura Kinomoto, Justy Ueki Tylor, Kenshin Himura, Roger Smith, Black Jack, Chirico Cuvie, Hikaru Ichijo from Macross, Char Aznable from Gundam, Kubo and Tanaka from OnV, Mahoro from Mahoromatic, Fuko from I My Me!, and countless others...
My favorite movies(s)
Kill Bill Volume 1 & 2, Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, Austin Powers (International Man of Mystery/The Spy Who Shagged Me/Goldmember), the *original* Star Wars trilogy (Ep. 4-6, original and Special Editions), Shrek, Patton, Tora! Tora! Tora!, Saving Private Ryan, The Prince of Egypt, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Tron, Time Bandits, Minority Report, A Clockwork Orange, The Matrix, Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Punch Drunk Love, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Pirates of The Carribbean, more to come...
My favorite actors/actresses
Actor: Tom Hanks Actresses: Renee Zellweger, Uma Thurman