This year we’re starting a new feature–Cosplayer Interviews!
Every couple weeks from now until the CON, we’ll interview a new cosplayer, learning about their work and practice. Then we’ll ask them to nominate the next cosplayer for us to interview!
By having cosplayers choosing cosplayers, we hope to get a wide-ranging set of interviews with a diverse group of cosplayers from all over. The Geek/Art CONfluence is all about the creativity of fandom, and we think this will be a great way to show off all the creativity, energy, and skill that exists within the cosplayer community.
Week 1: Sora Kitsune
@sorakitsune on Instagram, @sorakitsunecosp on Facebook; tag with #sorakitsune
Sora won multiple prizes in our Online Cosplay Contest, which we ran from 2021-2025. Her costumes, her dogs, and her positive attitude always made her stand out. We thought she’d be a great start to our new feature as well! Here’s our interview, with photos of her work sprinkled throughout!
What name do you go by?
My cosplay name Sora Kitsune! I also go by Sora for short. Came from the combo of my love for naruto ( kyuubi ) and kingdom hearts
How long have you been cosplaying?
I’ve actively been cosplaying since September 2011
What was your first cosplay? Where did you wear it? How did that go?
My first cosplays were of the kyuubi no kitsune from naruto. I had a lot of fun cosplaying my own version of the character and have maybe changed the style about 10 different times. In those days, i was truly just cosplaying for the fun of it.
How often do you make a new cosplay?
Thats a good question, i probably make cosplays every other month? Sometimes its easy as thrifting a base and modifying it to the cosplay i need to full on from scratch with pattern drafting. Im also making cosplays for my dogs, so there’s that. Luckily they are a little bit simpler to fit the comfort of the dog.
Are you working on anything now?
-Yes im working on Cheza from wolfs rain for anime frontier and and Takemaru from Hundred line last defense academy. But after season 2 of hazbin hotel, im really looking at both Velvette and Abel.
Do you tend to wear cosplays multiple times? If so, do you like to switch up what you’re wearing each time you go out, or do you tend to wear your newest one until you feel ready to move on?
I definitely switch them out. I still have cosplays i havent worn in years that id like to one day bring back but right now, i rotate some of my favorites as well as others depending on the event. I often have a newer cosplay in the mix too.
Where do you wear cosplay? Local cons, bigger cons, online, other kinds of events?
Almost anywhere! Any excuse to cosplay, i take haha. In Japan, i mostly went to a cosplay studio and some larger anime events like Jump festa. In the US i go to cons both big and small, anime signings, and not too long ago an anime movie screening. I also make tiktoks sometimes.
Do you belong to any cosplay organizations?
I do not. I used to be in a couple groups but im not anymore.
What’s your motivation to cosplay—do you like to do it for the technical challenge, to inhabit the character, to promote a fandom, to hang out with other fans and cosplayers, or something else?
It’s my love for a fandom. I love emulating a character and being in love with a series. For my smaller niche series, theres also promotion motivation to get more people into a series. I also truly am happy when im able to be my characters and meet other so to keep having those moments, i keep cosplaying
Where have you learned your skills—family, school, online, other cosplayers?
My mom and sisters helped me so much in the beginning of cosplaying and still help out a bit. Ive then relied on online guides and tutorials to further my knowledge. Then while i was in japan, i took a few sewing classes to help learn a different way to sewing and prop making.
What’s a skill you learned specifically for cosplay?
Definitely sewing and basic prop making. I wouldnt have bothered with those outside of cosplay. Also doing skits was alos more cosplay based than anything. It even motivated me to train my dogs to do some cool tricks for performances.
Which one of your cosplays was the biggest technical challenge?
I often feel each cosplay adds its own challenges. Pirate sora really had me trying to use different fake leather patches to make the jacket. Dante from nu carnival had a lot of little details with very limited reference materials. Usually when a character only has maybe one or 2 sprites, its a challenge as i have to add imagination to already a cosplay build.
Which one of your cosplays do you enjoy wearing the most, in terms of inhabiting/acting as the character?
Sora~ only because i pretty much am him. But also Koga from inuyasha because my dogs can join and my interactions with my dogs are very similar to koga’s and i can be free to be him.
Have you ever made a cosplay where, when you wore it, you had a harder time getting into character than you expected?
Yes, theres a few. Im not such a serious person so having to do those characters are tough for me. Megumi Fushiguro is really tough for me in facial expressions. Hes not so smiley. However i can be very servious acting because i be super shy and that comes off that way. So it does kinda work.
Do you like to publicly show your process while you’re working on a new costume, or do you like to keep it a secret until you’re ready to make the final reveal?
It depends! I often forget in the process of making to record less its a competition piece. I get so locked in. but i do like seeing peoples WIPs. I might work towards taking more and posting more inf the future if theres something people are wanting.
Do you have any cosplay goals, like cosplays to make, skills to learn, places to wear them, number of followers, or contests to enter?
Tron Sora is a dream / goal cosplay i want to make. I want to get better at LEDs so i can really pull it off.
As for cosplay goals, i want to be a cosplay guest more at events. I did one this year after years of not doing it and i really want to do more. I also want to be in more cosplay collab projects. Im a solo cosplayer ( not including the pups) and i really want to be in more groups.
Do you tend to prioritize accuracy or creativity?
I’m probably more for accuracy over creativity. I love some creativity for some characters but most i try to get as accurate i can before adding creative licence.
Have you ever made a cosplay based on a character that has no canon visuals, like someone from a novel or podcast? If so, how did you navigate coming up with its look?
Not unless you count OCs. I did a cosplay interpretation of the planet Saturn without visuals. But outside of that, nah. I need a little eye candy to get motivated haha
Have you ever made a mash-up or an original character?
I’ve actually never cosplayed an attack on titan character but have dont 2 mash ups. One was Sailor Titan ( sailor moon x snk) and a KH x AoT mix. And then one year for halloween, i combined random cosplay parts such as a pokemon mask, keyblade, aot skin and many others to make a “what tumblr spit up” character.
Which of your costumes do other fans most often recognize or talk with you about?
In my earlier days, it was my kyuubi cosplay, now its Sora, Koga, Fushiguro, and sometimes Kakashi and momo ayase. That might be just at the con people remember those popular characters, but in my fandoms, they remember related characters.
Do you like to do deep-cut or popular characters? Why?
I do. Most people know them and will let you know if they like it. When its not so popular, people might not even tell you you liked your cosplay because they dont know it.
Have you ever met the creator of a character while you were cosplaying as that character? How did that go?
I’ve never met the creators in person. I was cosplaying Sora once and was orchestra balcony jump away from tetsuya Nomura! Also those i havent met him directly, Kazutaka Kodaka awarded one of my cosplay as the best cosplay in a themed contest. And the Spike Chunsoft developers have repeated liked my cosplays of their character. It really makes me feel over the moon.
Do you tend to stay in character while cosplaying, or just while posing for pictures?
I do try to! I want to be more in character but sometimes especially in cons these days, being in character is not always welcomed so its hard to gauge how far you can take it. I would love to be in character most of my cosplay time tho.
Do you do skits? If so, how do you come up with your story ideas? What characters do you like to do for skits and what other cosplayers do you do them with?
I LOVE Skits! I usually get ideas at 2 am when i cant sleep and then go back and really dive into the idea. Often times i cosplay with my dogs ( 2 cosplay wolves) and when i think if skits, i take into consideration of their talents. Sometimes we do equal roles and others they are are just there for support. I used to do skits with other cosplayers but since we always had bad timing for practices and lived so far from each other, it wouldnt pan out well. As for online skits, i just duet videos on tiktok at my own pace.
As a cosplayer and competitor ive been focusing more on skits and trying to have fun with my stage performances. Walk ons are one of my favorites. Though recording skits are easier for me than on stage but i love them.
Do you ever do official activities at cons related to cosplay, like being a featured cosplayer, being a judge, tabling, doing workshops, doing panels, or taking photos? If so, what have you done and what do you like about it?
Yes! But i want to do more. This year i was a cosplay guest and judge at Guthrie Con in oklahoma. It was such a magical experience. Ive guested before many years ago and my last judging opportunity was the ALA kids contest in 2023. I get the competition bug whenever i see a contest so i dont look to judge as much. But whenever i do, i really do my best to be fair. Also at the con, im looking at doing charity funding sat cons by doing photos with my dogs. They have a wolf look and people always ask to take photos, why not raise money for local charities. When im not doing that i sometimes do panels at cons. My panels are about cosplaying in japan or being a cosplayer with a service dog at cons. Ive also done fandom panels and game shows. I like being active in a con whenever i can to get my brand name out but also to meet people that like my cosplay work.
What do you like about the cosplay scene?
I really like that it offers a place for nerds to just be nerds and have fun. There are times where things get rough in the community but the overall response of acceptance really makes me love it.
What would you like to see change about the cosplay scene?
I’m seeing a change in competitions. I want to see more showcases and runways where performance and in character presentation is important. Yes craftsmanship is also important but i feel like its a bit of a step away from the play part of cosplay
In terms of just scenes, i feel like we need to support other cosplayers not just the top 10 trending creators. Sure their work is amazing but id like to see a new face doing things in cosplay.
When it comes to cosplay, do you prefer to interact with people online or in-person? How are the online and in-person cosplay scenes different?
I love meeting people in person more than online. Online, has is benefits with its easy of communication and not an on the spot interaction. However i want to see other fans in person and have a great time with them talking about series we like.
Do you have any advice for new cosplayers?
Just do it. Show up and do it. Cosplay is fun and should always be fun. Try not to regret your time and go for it. Not sure if you want to cosplay at the movie premiere? Do it anyways! Worries about being the only character from a show and people might not know your character? So what, time to tell people about it and maybe might make a new fan. Don’t see another cosplayer like you, be it you skin, body type, disabilities, circumstances, etc,? Show up and be the person not only for yourself but also for someone else. You never know who you inspire.
Geek/Art CONfluence 