If you were keeping up with my C73 coverage, you would know that I had the pleasure of meeting Arisa Mizuhara live on day three.

For those of you who are oblivious to who she is, Arisa Mizuhara (水原ありさ) is one of the greatest cosplayers ever. (Even Danny agrees with me.) I’ve been a fan of hers for some time and it was quite a fanboy moment to meet her in the flesh at Comiket.

Anyway, I recently contacted her and requested for an online interview. She gracefully agreed and answered twenty questions provided by me. The interview was actually conducted over a week ago, but it took me some time to get around to translating the responses. Read them after the break!

日本からのかたへ：この記事は水原ありささんとのネットインタビューでãã€‚

1.

簡単な自己紹介をお願いしまãã€‚
Please introduce yourself briefly.

コスプレネーム水原ありさでãã€‚本格的にコスプレをはじめて８年になりまãã€‚HPは「娘々亭」でãã€‚
My cosplay name is Arisa Mizuhara. I started to cosplay earnestly 8 years ago. My homepage is called Nyannyantei.

Some additional information from her profile page:

Height: 164cm
Birthday: 22nd November (Scorpio)
Bloodtype: AB
Favourite food: Chocolate, cookies, cheese
Favourite drinks: Coffee, orange juice
Favourite manga: Gintama, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Initial D
Favourite games: Biohazard (Resident Evil), Final Fantasy series, Kamaitachi no Yoru, and other mystery novel games
Cosplay history: I started in December 1999’s Winter Comiket. My first cosplay was Dejiko.

2.

どうしてコスプレに興味を持つようになりましたか？
How did you come to be interested in cosplay?

元々同人誌を作っていて即売会に参加していたのでããŒã€éš£ã®ã‚¹ãƒšãƒ¼ã‚¹ã§ãƒ‡ã‚¸ã‚­ãƒ£ãƒ©ãƒƒãƒˆã®ã‚³ã‚¹ãƒ—レをしているかたを見かけとっても可愛いと思って自分でデジコの衣装を作ってみたいなぁと思ったのがきっかけでした＾＾
I was making doujinshi and selling them at events. I once saw someone doing a Di Gi Charat cosplay in the booth next to mine and I thought it was cute. I wanted to try making a Dejiko costume myself too and that was how it started. ^^

3.

コスプレの魅力はいったい何だと思いまãã‹ï¼Ÿ
What do you think is the attraction of cosplay?

好きなキャラクターの服を作ったり着てみたり同じようなポーズでå†çœŸã‚’撮ったりしてキャラクターへの思いをコスプレで表現ãã‚‹ã®ãŒæ¥½ã—いのだと思いまãã€‚
I think it is fun to make and wear the cosplays of my favourite characters and take pictures while making the same poses as them. It’s an expression of my feelings for the characters.

4.

どうやってコスプレのキャラを決めるんでãã‹ï¼Ÿè‡ªåˆ†ãŒå¥½ããªã‚­ãƒ£ãƒ©ã«éå®šï¼Ÿ
How do you decide on what characters to cosplay as? Is it limited to only characters you like?

【好きな作品のキャラクター】のコスプレをしていまãã€‚キャラクターによってはどんなに好きでも自分のルックスや顔立ちでは着こなせない場合もあるのでその場合は友達やほかのレイヤーさんがかっこよく着こなしているå†çœŸã‚’見て萌えていまãï¼Šï¼¾ï¼¾ï¼Šï¼ˆéŠæˆ¯çŽ‹ã®æµ·é¦¬ç€¬äººã‚„銀魂の土方十四郎とかがそうでãï¼¾ï¼¾::）
I cosplay characters from works I like. But occasionally my appearance or features don’t match certain characters, no matter how much I like them. In those cases, I get my friends or other cosplayers to cosplay and then take pictures so that I can moé over them later. *^^* (Examples include Seto Kaiba from Yu-Gi-Oh! and Toshirou Hijikata from Gintama ^^::)

5.

自分が一番よかったと思うコスプレは？
Which is your own favourite cosplay?

遊戯王のブラックマジシャンガールとデジキャラットのデジコを作ったæ‚が一番印象に残っていまãã€‚どちらもかなり昔に作った衣装でããŒä»Šã§ã‚‚よく着ていまãï¼¾ï¼¾
Black Magician Girl from Yu-Gi-Oh and Dejiko from Di Gi Charat left the biggest impression when I made them. I made both costumes quite some time ago but I still often wear them.

6.

ãã‚‹å´ã¨è¦‹ã‚‹å´ã¨ã—て、どんなコスプレが好きでãã‹ï¼Ÿ
As a cosplayer and as a person watching others cosplay, what kind of cosplays do you like?

おのおのの作品に合ったポーズや着こなしで表現ãã‚‹ã“とがやはりãã‚‹å´ã¨ã—ても見ている側としても気持ちが良いかなと私は思いまãã€‚
I think no matter which side one is on, cosplay feels best when it brings out the essence of the character and the poses match the original source.

7.

今度やってみたいキャラは？
What characters to you want to try cosplaying as?

【うみねこのなく頃に】という作品のç»å ´ã‚­ãƒ£ãƒ©ã‚¯ã‚¿ãƒ¼ã®è¡£è£…を色々と製作したいでãã€‚（紗音・戦人・真里亞etc）同人ゲームの【東方】シリーズのキャラの衣装も製作中でãã€‚
I’m currently making a few costumes from Umineko no Naku Koro ni. (Shannon, Battler, Maria, etc.) I’m also making costumes from the Touhou doujin game series.

8.

尊敬ãã‚‹ãƒ¬ã‚¤ãƒ¤ãƒ¼ã¯ã‚りまãã‹ï¼Ÿ
Are there any cosplayers whom you admire?

数名いまããŒå†…緒でãï¼ˆç¬‘）この方たちの完成度が高く楽しそうにコスプレをしている姿を目の当たりにして私も楽しくコスプレを続けていきたいという思いが高まりました＾＾
There are a few, but it’s a secret. (lol) Watching them cosplay so perfectly and have fun inspired me to want to continue to enjoy cosplaying too. ^^

9.

コスプレは芸術だと思いまãã‹ï¼Ÿ
Do you think cosplay is an art?

衣装や小道具の再現度、全体的な雰囲気によって芸術性があると感じるæ‚が多々ありまãã€‚
Depending on reproduction level of the costume and the details, and the overall feeling it gives, cosplay does often contain artistic elements.

10.

初めてコスプレに挑戦したい人へのアドバイスは？
Some advice for people who want to give cosplaying a shot?

好きなキャラクターへの愛があれば誰でもããã«ã‚³ã‚¹ãƒ—レは楽しめるものだと思っていまãï¼¾ï¼¾ä¼¼åˆã†ä¼¼åˆã‚ãªã„とかは２の次な事なのでとにかく好きなキャラクターになりきってå†çœŸã‚’撮ってみてください!きっととても楽しい気持ちになれると思いまãâª
I think anybody can enjoy cosplaying as long as you put in the love for your favourite characters. ^^ Whether it fits or not is not as important as trying your best to become the character you like. I’m sure you’ll find that it’s a really enjoyable experience âª

11.

Ｃ７３のご感想を。
Your thoughts on C73.

実は当日風邪をひいていて体調がものãã”く悪かったのでぐだぐだでした＞＿＜色々な方とお会いできて楽しい一日でした＾＾
Actually, I caught a cold that day and I felt really sick. >_< But I met a lot of people and it turned out to be a fun day. ^^

Ops. Sorry for making you pose for a picture. -DM

12.

好きな音楽をæ•ãˆã¦ãã ã•ã„。
Please tell us the type of music you like.

頭文字Dで流れているような感じの疾走感のあるユーロビート系音楽が好きでãã€‚
I like fast eurobeat songs like the ones in Initial D.

13.

最後にやったゲームと観たアニメは？
What were the last games you played and the last anime you watched?

ゲームは１２／３１にçºå£²ã—た「うみねこのなく頃に第２話（原作：竜騎士０７）」をプレイしました。「ひぐらしのなく頃に」の原作者の最新作でããŒä»Šå›žã®ãŠè©±ã‚‚ものãã”く良いでã!アニメは色々見ていまããŒå…¨è©±é€šã—で「ガンスリンガーガール（１期）」と「さよなら絶望先生」をお正月中にまとめて観ましたâª
I played Umineko no Naku Koro ni Chapter 2 (Original work: Ryuukishi 07) that came out on 31st Dec. It’s a new work from the original creator of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni and the story this time is really good! I’ve been watching quite a few anime series recently. I finished the whole series of Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei and Gunslinger Girl (first season) on New Year’s Day âª

14.

「萌え」とは貴方にとってどういう意味を持つんでしょうか？
What does “moé” mean to you?

気になっているキャラや作品の話をしていたり考えたりしてドキドキやワクワクしてきたらその感情は「萌え」なのかなと思っていまãï¼ˆç¬‘）
If talking or thinking about a particular character and series makes me feel excited and my heart beat faster, then I think that is “moé”. (lol)

15.

最近、はまっているものはありまãã‹ï¼Ÿ
Are you really into anything recently?

お風呂の半身浴にはまっていまãã€‚漫画やアニメでは【銀魂（空知英秋）】・【ZONE00（九条キヨ）】などにはまっていまãã€‚
I’m currently addicted to half-body bathing. In terms of anime and manga, I’ve been enjoying Gintama (Hideaki Sorachi) and ZONE 00 (Kiyo Kujou), among others.

16.

理想の恋愛相手はどんな人でãã‹ï¼Ÿ
What’s your ideal relationship partner?

優しくて価値観の合う人がいいでãï¼¾ï¼¾
A kind person with compatible values. ^^

17.

家族や友達はコスプレについてどう思いまãã‹ï¼Ÿ
What do your family and friends think about cosplaying?

家族も友達もコスプレには理解がありまãï¼¾ï¼¾ç‰¹ã«ç§ã®çˆ¶ãŒã‚¢ãƒ‹ãƒ¡ã‚„可愛い感じのキャラクターグッズが好きなので理解がありまãï¼ˆç¬‘）
My family and friends are very understanding about cosplaying. ^^ Especially my father, because he likes anime and cute-looking character goods. (lol)

18.

外国のファンからメールをよくもらいまãã‹ï¼Ÿ
Do you often receive fan letters from overseas?

色々な国からメッセージやメールを頂いていまãã€‚とても嬉しく思っていまãï¼¾ï¼¾ã€‚私は日本でしかコスプレはしていませんがインターネットを通して色々な国でコスプレを見ていただけているのだなぁといつも感動していまãã€‚私は日本語しか出来ないのでお返事が返せずに申し訳ないのでããŒã€ãŠæ°—軽にメールなどをいただけるととても嬉しく思いまãï¼¾ï¼¾
I do receive e-mails from various countries. ^^ Although I have only been cosplaying in Japan, I always feel wonderful that people from so many different countries can view my cosplays on the internet. I can only speak Japanese, so I apologize for not being able to reply your e-mails, but I am really happy to receive them. ^^

19.

海外でコスプレしたことはありまãã‹ï¼Ÿãªã‹ã£ãŸã‚‰ã€ã—たいでãã‹ï¼Ÿ
Have you ever cosplayed overseas? If not, do you want to?

日本国内でしかコスプレをしたことがありません＞＿＜機会があったら他の国のコスプレイãƒãƒ³ãƒˆã«å‚加してみたいでãï¼¾ï¼¾
I have only cosplayed in Japan before. >_< If the opportunity arises, I will love to participate in cosplay events in other countries. ^^

Cosfest organizing committee: *hint hint* -DM

20.

最後に海外のファンたちへ一言をお願いしまãã€‚
Please leave a message for your overseas fans.

日本のアニメーションやコスプレをがこれだけ多くの海外のかたに興味を持って見ていただけていることをとても嬉しく思っていまãï¼¾ï¼¾ç§ã¯ã‚¢ãƒ‹ãƒ¡ã‚„コスプレが好きな素人でããŒã“れからも楽しく大好きなコスプレをしていきまãã®ã§ãŠæ°—軽にHPなどに遊びにきてください＾＾
I’m very happy to know that there are so many overseas fans who are interested in Japanese animation and cosplay. ^^ I’m still a novice at anime and cosplay, but I will continue to have fun cosplaying, so please feel free to drop by homepage anytime. ^^

Arisa-san, you’re being too humble… -DM

And that concludes one of the few rare posts that I actually went through the trouble of producing actual content for. I hope you enjoyed it, and do drop by Arisa’s booth if you happen to be at Comiket in the near future. :)

All pictures in this post are reproduced from Nyanyantei with permission.

I spent less than expected at Comiket, probably because I already bought a ton of random doujinshi from specialty stores. Some pictures are NSFW. (Basically the T2 Art Works stuff.)

T2 Art Works, the famous Tony Taka’s (aka Takayuki Tanaka) doujin circle, was selling goodie bags for ï¿¥3000. It contains a clear file, a calendar and a pencil board.

I also bought four copies of his latest release, Kiteru yo! Takeuchi-kun. (Based on Bamboo Blade.)

Kyoto Animation was selling some goodie bags from their current flagship titles. I will be reselling one Haruhi bag (I have extra) and one Clannad bag (I don’t like it that much).

They both come with a 2008 calendar and a phone card each. In addition, the Haruhi one comes with a A3 clear poster and the Clannad one comes with three bookmarks that are kind of lame when compared to Haruhi’s terrific poster. I will probably be selling them through KKnM, so you will need to be in Singapore to buy them.

This is a bag made by some booth that was selling Miku doujinshi. The doujinshi is pretty bad but the bag is cool. I think it was the only reason why so many people were queuing for that booth.

I got this for ï¿¥3500. It’s a 100% hand-drawn fan art of Yuki. It’s quite awesome, but I would’ve preferred Haruhi. The artist also drew Tomoyo and Kotomi (from Clannad) and Tsukasa and Kagami (from Lucky Star) in the same style, but I decided to pass.

I also bought Arisa Mizuhara’s latest cosplay collection CD-ROM. If you have never heard of her before, you need to check out her gallery. She’s basically my all-time favourite cosplayer.

The best part is that I met her in person at her booth! I managed to get a picture too by waving my press pass around. Huge thanks to Danny Choo and Akihabara News for the pass.

The CD-ROM is somewhat expensive at ï¿¥2000 for eight galleries of photos, but it’s extremely awesome. You can find a list of all her past releases on her website. There was actually a Singaporean trading company selling her photo collections at Cosfest, but I forgot its name.

On hindsight, I should have gotten her to autograph my copy of the CD-ROM… Damn.

I managed to obtain one of the forty copies of Cradle’s Re:frain that were on sale. The press has a seperate queue that is super short and located right beside the entrance to East Hall 1, so I got in quite early. I met and spoke with the duo behind Cradle, but unfortunately they were camera shy and declined my request for a picture. :(

KEI is the artist behind the official art for Crypton’s VOCALOID2 software series. I bought four copies of his new VOCALOID illustration compilation and one copy of his second artwork collection (which I sold to my friend).

I didn’t really bother to queue for any commercial booths, but HOOK’s HoneyComing merchandises looked pretty, so I spent about one hour queuing to get Asahi’s phone card set and Clarissa’s microfibre towel set (not pictured above). I seem to be the only person that I personally know who actually liked this game, but oh well.

My personal favourite purchase is Hiro Suzuhira’s latest HEART-WORK release. She is one of my favourite illustrators ever because of her works in the SHUFFLE! bishoujo game franchise (SHUFFLE!, Tick! Tack! and Really? Really!), specifically Nerine, Asa and Sage.

It has Hiro’s trademark design and Miku. What more can one ask for?

HEART-WORK’s booth was also selling a very beautiful Hatsune Miku and Kagamine Lin phone card set and a HEART-WORK collaboration calendar.

I queued over two hours for HEART-WORK’s booth. It was worth it. T_T <– Tears of joy.

I’ll talk more about the entire event itself in a later post. Really tired now. And, uh, an early Happy New Year! 明けましておめでとうございまãï¼ I’m watching Kouhaku on NHK right now.