Austria 🇦🇹
Your nickname and age:
Sayuri: I’m Sayuri, I’m 27.
Mokko & Kiako: we are Mokko (24) & Kiako (26), and together we are “Akuma no Cha”
How did you discover cosplay and what made you start in this hobby? How long ago?
S: A friend of mine once told me back in 2009 there was such an event in Austria and we should defiantly need to go there the next time – so she took me with her in 2010, of course with a Cosplay and I totally fell in love with the community, the creative process behind that and I was able to find so many friends.
M: Mokko: I discovered cosplay through of Kiako about 10 years ago. She was my sister’s classmate and they started to go to conventions together. To make my sister happy I made, with the help of my mum, my first Cosplay for her 9 years ago. I cosplayed her favourite character back then, ‘Gaara’ from Naruto, and she was so happy about it! It was wonderful and because of her I started to do cosplay.
K: I discovered it when I started to pursue my hobby of reading Manga and watching Anime through lots of forums and websites dedicated to those topics. I already knew before that people dressed up and went to conventions, but when I realized that there were actual conventions also in my area, I started to get more interested in it. After going to my first convention back in 2007 followed by a few other ones in the next years, I wanted to give it a try. With the help of my sister and my mum, we created my first cosplay in 2010, which was my favorite Video Game Character at that time, ‘Axel’ from the Kingdom Hearts series. I still own the cosplay and even though it was my first one, I still love to wear it. I even reworked the wig like 4 times already as I got better in wig styling.
Why did you choose your project for the ICL preselection? Is this your first time joining an international cosplay competition?
S: I selected the Barioth Armor (from Monster Hunter, my favorite Game), because it is one of my latest projects and I really used every single technique in it, I’ve learned so far. I attended several Cosplay competitions in Austria, but since yet the ICL is my first international one.
M & K: We really like this old Anime because it is so funny and brought so many emotions into our hearts. It’s an Anime that reminds us about our childhood because we saw it on TV when we were younger. And yes, this is our first time joining an international competition.
What does cosplay mean for you? And what is your favorite part of the hobby?
S: Cosplay changed my life. I got more self-esteem, I’m able to be proud of something, I’ve produced with my own hands and I really enjoy being creative and finding solutions for constructions. The best part of this hobby is of course the creative process in the background – and even more to meet new creative people from different countries and find some new friends!
M: Cosplay means freedom to me, you can create what you want by yourself and be whoever you want to be, either for yourself or for others. My favourite part is when I see how happy people react when they see characters they know and like.
K: After all those years, cosplay grew so dear to me that it’s already far more than just a hobby. I met most of my dearest friends through cosplay and it became part of my daily life, even though I’m not doing it professionally. It means for me being creative in many different ways than I’m used to in my daily routine. It also means trying out something new and coming out of my comfort zone, being more self-confident, having lots of fun with friends while crafting or while getting ready for a convention and also being part of a massive community of amazing, talented, funny and simply unique people. While I can’t really list my favourite parts about cosplay in general because I like nearly every aspect about it, my most favourite part when creating a cosplay is definitely wig styling.
What do you expect from your visit to Spain? Is this your first time visiting the country?
S: I’ve never been to Spain before (well i’ve been to Mallorca before – but I guess Mallorca is not as ‘Spain’ as Spain itself!) – I am curious about the community, great cosplayers, the atmosphere in the convention and especially I am looking forward to meet new people and to make new friends!
M: Great food, great fruits! It’s not my first time in Spain, I have been there once 15 years ago as child on a camping trip with my family but only in the north of Spain.
K: Meeting new people and having lots of fun! I’ve been several times to Málaga and the areas around it with my family when I was younger, so I’m looking forward to also see other parts of Spain this time.
Have you decided your project for the finals in Madrid? Can you give us a clue?
S: Well I hope I’ll can manage to get a new Cosplay ready for the Finals – but till now I can say: I’ll stick to my favorite Game ever – Monster Hunter!
M & K: hot and cold 😉
Describe the cosplay community in your country using five words.
S: Creative, communicative, inquisitive, family, friendly
M & K: Tolerant, friendly, helpful, relaxed, familiar.
