To celebrate Black History Month 2021, we’ve been highlighting incredibly talented Black cosplayers in the United Kingdom on our Instagram channel.
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Today, we’re thrilled to be joined by cosplayer and anime enthusiast, Nezuna, who is always finding new ways to incorporate anime in her day-to-day life!
How did you become interested in cosplay?
Nezuna: I became interested in cosplay when I was about 14/15. I went to MCM (comic con) & saw all these amazing cosplayers in their costumes from anime to movies to cartoons I loved. I was in awe.
I saw this massive Ryuk cosplay from Death Note, it had to be about 7/8ft tall. It was then I knew I wanted to cosplay…one day. I didn’t properly start until February 2019 though.
What is one thing you wish you knew about cosplay before you started your cosplay journey?
Nezuna: I think applying body paint the right way. I thought it would be a walk in the park but it actually takes a very very long time. I’m still learning from fellow amazing cosplayers from my community every day!
What’s been the most challenging cosplay you’ve worked on so far?
Nezuna: So far it has to be Kikyo Zoldyck from Hunter x Hunter. I made everything from scratch and it took me about 2 months. It was challenging but if I could I’d do it all over again.
What has been your favourite cosplay?
Nezuna: I have so many of mine that I like but right now it is Kisuke from Bleach and Mikey from Tokyo Revengers.
How do you decide which characters you’d like to cosplay?
Nezuna: I’ve always preferred side characters as their stories tend to be very interesting and inspiring. I always want to cosplay characters with very little visibility, even though I cosplay popular characters
Which cosplay are you looking forward to tackling in the future?
Nezuna: Right now it’s Lelouch from Code Geass as I will be creating the cosplay from scratch and it’s for Halloween which is the most exciting day of the year for me as a cosplayer.
Which shows are you watching right now?
Nezuna: Currently, I am watching My Hero Academia (which I just finished), starting the new season of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Fruits Basket, rewatching Attack on Titan and Mob Psycho 100!
Any advice for aspiring cosplayers?
Nezuna: Always utilise what you have till the last drop, never compare yourself to your fellow cosplayers as everyone is on a different journey. Be patient and focus on building your craft to the best you want it to be.
Keep up with Nezuna’s incredible work by following her on Instagram!
