Mappy Sanchez, aka SailorMappy, lives in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. She loves everythings related to Japan, be it anime or manga. SailorMappy is a famous cosplayer on DeviantArt, so hang around cause you're gonna want to read these stuff about her.
1. So, tell us something about yourself. And say Hi to your fans :)
Hi everyone! I’m Mappy Sánchez, from Venezuela, I love cosplaying and I hope you like my work, thank you for reading my interview n_n
2. How did you know about and get into Cosplaying?
I’ve loved anime all my life, ever since I can remember I watched Sailor Moon, Ojamajo Doremi, saint Seiya, Evangelion… etc. When I was very young and learned how to use the computer, I started searching for anime online and I came across cosplay, I loved watching pictures of cosplayers and i was really amazed by it. Then, when I was 12 I found out there were more anime fans in my country when I found a forum online, in that same forum I learned there was going to be a con at my city, I didn’t even thought about it and I started making a cosplay for the con.
3. Can you share your first cosplay experience and what character did you portray? How long have you been cosplaying?
The character I chose to cosplay first was Sailor Jupiter, because I’ve always loved Sailor Moon but at the time I didn’t know cosplay wigs existed, I had long brown hair so I thought I could cosplay Jupiter just fine. I was very nervous and I didn’t knOw if there were going to be any more cosplayers at the con. I was very relieved to see them when I walked in, It was really fun and a great experience that I won’t forget, it also surprised me that people wanted to take my picture.
4. How long have you been cosplaying?
I cosplayed for the first time in 2005 but could not do it again until 2010, so I’ve been cosplaying constantly for 3 years now.
5. What makes you want to cosplay?
Love for my favorite characters and series is what motivates me to cosplay, also the character designs that i find beautiful inspires me to make my own real life representation of them.
6. Which character is your favorite one that you've cosplayed so far?
Usagi Tsukino/Sailor Moon and Asuka Langley Soryu are my favorite characters of all time, so it’s only natural that I love cosplaying them so much!
7. Have you had the experience of a cosplay gone bad, or encoutered some problems while cosplaying? What are those?
I always have problems with each cosplay, i consider myself to be very bad at sewing so every project is a new challenge. Also, in my country is extremely hard to for materials, so we have to get really creative when it’s time to make props and accesories. For example, I had a lot of problems with my Asuka plugsuit, the fabric doesn’t exist in Venezuela so I had to ship it from U.S.A, also i asked for help with some pieces and at the end I hated them, I need to re-make them.
Which aspect of cosplay do you prefer: making garments, creating accessories, crafting props, makeup/prosthetics, etc?
I love making accesories like broochs, earrings and stuff like that, I also like sewing, even though it’s really hard for me, I love selecting the correct fabric and materials. On the other hand, the worst part of cosplay for me are the contact lenses, I hate putting them on.
9. For your Usagi cosplay, what preparations have you done?
Well I’ve done almost everything on my sailor moon cosplays, it was one of my early cosplays, I learned to do a lot of stuff when I made my first sailor fuku and when it was time to make the other ones it was a little easier, I take my time to make them because I want them to be as accurate as it can be, I also changed the wig because the first one wasn’t perfect for me, I always try to make a good job with Usagi because she’s my favorite and I wouldn’t forgive myself if I did a bad cosplay.
10. Are there similarities between you and the characters you've cosplayed?
I’m not exactly like them but we do share some similarities, sometimes I’m bitter or cranky like Asuka, Misty or Rukia, I’m also very clumsy and sensitive like Usagi, I also share some aspects with Asuka like the fact that I can be arrogant or proud like her, with Misty I feel very identified because her past is lot like mine, and the relationship with her sisters, I also love water and hate bugs for example haha. With every character I have some aspects which I feel identified with and also they have some characteristics I admire, like Usagi’s optimism and love for others.
11. What future cosplays are you planning?
Right now I want to finish my Mimi Tachikawa cosplay from Digimon 02, and re-do my Asuka school uniform.
12. What's your dream cosplay?
I’m proud to say that I’ve already achieved my dream cosplays, eternal sailor moon and asuka’s plugsuit! I need to find new dream cosplays.
13. Would you consider yourself as an Amateur or a Pro-cosplayer?
I’m an amateur because I don’t know how to make a lot of things yet and I need to learn how to sew properly, I tend to make things my own way.
14. Aside from cosplaying, what other things keep you busy in life?
My friends, my boyfriend and studying, I’ll graduate from university soon n_n
15. And aside from cosplay events/cons, do you dress up at home or out in the public?
Not really, I just cosplay when I have a con or a photoshoot!
16. Do you see yourself still cosplaying 5-10 years from now?
I’d love to, I can only hope that cosplay brings some new opportunities, if I have a chance to make a living from my vocation I’d be the happiest person in the world.
17. What advice can you share to your fellow cosplayers and cosplay virgins?
Do what you love and don’t care what others say, if you do it correctly you will show everyone that it’s worth it. Take your time to make your cosplays and put a lot of love into it, don’t be afraid to ask for help or for advice, you can approach me anytime and I will help you! Thank you for Reading my interview, lots of love for everyone!
For those who want follow SailorMappy, you can visit her DA account through this link:
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