Tenkage-chan

I'm a cosplayer from Fairplay, Colorado. And for those who don't know, Fairplay is better known as... South Park! Yep. That's right. South Park is an actual place. Although, in our case, "South Park" actually refers to Park County. However, as I'm not a fan of the show, I'd just like to say the following:

"No, I don't know Cartman, there is no Kenny or Hanky the Poo, and if you ask me about it, I will promptly bap you upside the head."

I started cosplaying back in 2003. It was at Anime Expo, and my very first costume was none other than Azumi Kiribayashi, from Real Bout High School. Suffice to say, it didn't take much for me to get addicted to it, especially if you consider all the years that I've been attending the Colorado Rennaissance Festival.

Of course, cosplay and anime isn't all that I enjoy. I of course love to play video games- primarily RPGs and Action-Adventure games. I also rather like fighting games, though I'm admittedly terrible at them. I'm not too partial to shooters, though- with a very few third-person shooters being the exception. I also don't really like racing games, and Mario Kart is the only exception to that. But I absolutely don't like sports games. Nothing against them, they just aren't fun for me.

I of course just love attending conventions. I try to attend 2 a year, one being NDK, and the other so far is AX. After I won a Wii at AX 2008, I just had to go back!

My other side hobbies include online forum RPs, writing fantasy stories and fanfictions, drawing fanart (though I've admittedly retired from that), reading fantasy novels (my favorite authors are R.A. Salvatore and David Eddings), and some mild amateur voice-acting. My most recognizable bit would be "Sakura's Admirer", a radioplay on Youtube, where I play the role of Haruno Sakura. I also do the voice of Rosa in the Final Fantasy IV Radioplay.

What got you into cosplay?
Well, my first ANIME cosplay was at AX '03, but now that I think about it, I've been cosplaying a bit longer than that. The only difference is that I was attending a Ren-Fest and not a convention. I've been attending the Colorado Rennaissance Festival since I was 10 years old! So, in that case, I guess I can blame my mom.
What was your first costume and why?
My very first costume debuted at Anime Expo, 2003. I was Azumi Kiribayashi from Real Bout High School, and I had not only the hakama version, but also the school uniform version. Of course, back then, I had no idea about the enormity of cosplay, and it has since become something very akin to an addiction.
What is your favorite costume and why?
My favorite has now changed over to my Rydia cosplay. It is, hands-down, the most detailed costume I've ever created. The colors work together so beautifully, and it's my own concept of Rydia's outfit, which works out even better for me, I think. I'm very pleased with it. Of course, I now have even more ambitious projects in the works, so it may change.
Do you have a dream costume you'd like to make?
I'd like to eventually attend a con in full-out furisode. I'd also like to try out a few original costumes that I've designed. Until then, I'll keep cosplaying as characters I like. And ninja girls.
What has been your most memorable cosplay experience?
NDK 2006, "I've been Ninja'd!" Attendees know what I'm talkin' about.
Do you participate in masquerades?
I do, indeed.
What was your best masquerade experience?
I'd have to say ACEN, 2006. I joined Animeisha in an Inu Yasha skit as Kagome. Cranked out the entire costume in just one day. The skit was hilarious, and was a ton of fun to perform!
Have you won any awards for your costumes?
Yes! At NDK '07, I won the Best Video Game Cosplay for my Rydia Drake. I was so happy! It was my first time in the regular masquerade, and not doing a skit!
Tell us a little about yourself
I graduated high school in 2000, and decided to get a job rather than jump straight into college. Currently, I work in Breckenridge, Colorado, and while it's a little stressful, I enjoy my work environment. On the side, I also have a couple of fanfictions, one which could be recognized as "Gundam Wing; After Era".
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
The best thing I like about anime conventions is that it's the one place I feel totally confident and comfortable with myself. Here, everyone you meet has something in common with you, and it's so easy to make new friends! I'll be an otaku till the end of my days!
My favorite anime
Lots. Lessee; Twelve Kingdoms, Lodoss War, Akira, Ghost in the Shell (both the classic and the new), Rurouni Kenshin, Inu Yasha, Ranma 1/2, etc., etc. Oh! And my absolute favorite is none other than Ronin Warriors, although, I prefer the original Japanese version, Yoroiden Samurai Troopers. Not for any sub vs. dub thing, but just because the old english voice overs tend to give me laughter cramps, they're so bad. Of course, that's just my opinion, and I will admit that the OVAs weren't too bad.
My favorite game(s)
Dead or Alive Ultimate, just about anything Megaman related, especially the X series, FF VII, VI, and IV, Zelda OOC... do you really want me to continue this list?
My favorite book(s)
I'm partial to a lot of R.A. Salvatore's books in the Forgotten Realms series. I also really enjoyed the Belgariad by David Eddings. Oh, and Memoirs of a Geisha, of course.
My favorite character(s)
Is this for cosplaying purposes, or just in general? Hmm, well, I'd have to say Sanada Ryo (YST), and of course, Tifa, Ranma and Akane, Kagome, Fluffy (heh-heh), Inu Yasha, again, the list goes on, and on, and on...
My favorite movies(s)
Well, who didn't like Kill Bill? And, I will willingly admit that I grew up a Ninja Turtles fan, and so I will always like the TMNT movie. I don't have an absolute favorite movie yet, but I'm sure I will eventually. Although, I did really like V for Vendetta.
My favorite actors/actresses
Ehhhh.... Hm, not really sure. I mean, sure, there are actors I prefer to watch, like Jackie Chan and others, but I'm just not one to really give a damn, unless I flat-out hate the person, like Paris Hilton (*shudder* Stupidity in stilettos, there, but that's just my opinion.) In my opinion, so long as I enjoyed the movie, it's all good.