Curly Mango

What got you into cosplay?
My friends convinced me to go to our local convention one year and I decided that it would might be fun to cosplay along with them.
What was your first costume and why?
A wise person once said that everyone is granted one terribly bad cosplay, and my first costume was certainly bad. I went as Reno a la Advent Children since I figured, "Hey, I've got short red hair and my work uniform is practically the same as his!" So I bought a black blazer, slapped on some red eye tattoos and called it good. No photos of this cosplay exist as seeing them makes me want to jump off a cliff.
What is your favorite costume and why?
The only other costume I've completed thus far is Near from Death Note. I really liked doing this one because it made me realize that given my stature, I make a much better looking child than a man. It helped me find my niche and also got me a lot of attention, which is the reason why anyone cosplays, right?
Do you have a dream costume you'd like to make?
Someday I would love to cosplay as Beatrix from Final Fantasy IX, since she's so bad ass and sexy.
What has been your most memorable cosplay experience?
Probably being attacked by three girls at Anime Boston 2007. They caught me in the middle of the vendor's room and started hugging me and squealing out, "Moe!" repeatedly. It was nice, but a little creepy too.
Do you participate in masquerades?
Not yet.
Have you won any awards for your costumes?
No, I'm not nearly that good.
Tell us a little about yourself
I am a college student and I do most of my cosplaying while in school. My friends and I try to hit up our various local cons and we cosplay for fun. I'm a Japanese Studies major with a minor in Film and Media Culture, and I will be studying abroad in Kyoto next year.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Go watch One Piece.
My favorite anime
One Piece, Death Note, Escaflowne, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, Last Exile, Card Captor Sakura, and probably a few more I'm forgetting.
My favorite game(s)
Final Fantasy IX, Mega Man X, Mega Man Legends 1 and 2, Final Fantasy X, Medievil, and various other games.
My favorite book(s)
I'm currently reading the Vampire Hunter D series by Hideyuki Kikuchi and I really love it. I also like Pride and Prejudice, Catcher in the Rye, Catch 22, and Peter Pan.
My favorite character(s)
It changes every now and then, but right now I'm in love with the entire Straw Hat Crew from One Piece.
My favorite movies(s)
There's too many to list.
My favorite actors/actresses
Mayumi Tanaka, Kappei Yamaguchi, and Steve Blum.