Name: Nekomata Cosplay – Kit Brockman-Harris & Skunx

Location: San Antonio, TX

Twitter: Kit – @hotbloodedyouth

Facebook: www.facebook.com/nekomatacosplay

Photographer(s): Tobious Photography, Angel-Wing, Purp0Starrs Cosplay and Photography, A.L.P Photography, Ed Martinez Photography and Mars Leon Photography

What was your first Cosplay experience?

Kit: My first ever convention was A-kon 21 in Dallas and I dressed as Seras Victoria from the original Helling anime. I had purchased it online and it had come about two sizes too large for me, so I had spent the week before the convention tailoring it. Going to one of the largest conventions in the United States for my first convention might have been a bad idea because there was so much going on that I feel like I still missed out on so many things!

Skunx: It was pretty simple, but a lot of fun. I bought a school uniform and fake bomb collar

from somewhere on the Internet and went as Kazuo Kiriyama from Battle Royale. I didn’t have

to do much work except for mess with my props. It was for A-Kon quite a few years ago, and

was one of my favorite ones I have been to.

How long have you been Cosplaying?

Kit: Four years. My first year, I purchased most of my cosplays and only modified and sewed small pieces, but since then I make nearly everything my partner and I wear.

Skunx: I suppose I have been cosplaying for around 5 years? Geez, time really does fly!

We have had stints of inactivity but we have managed to do at least a couple cosplays every year.

I wish we had the time to visit more conventions and work on outfits.

Who or what inspired you to take up Cosplaying?

Kit: A friend asked me if I’d like to go to an anime convention and I had never been and really didn’t know what to expect. She told me about cosplaying, which seemed fun, so I purchased an outfit, and I’ve been hooked ever since! But seeing other cosplayers work on projects from series I enjoy and learning new techniques and getting to interact with and meet so many new people really keeps me going.

Skunx: The characters that I cosplay are pretty much my only source of inspiration. I like to

choose characters I identify with to some degree. Not only do I like to look for interesting

character designs, their personality and psychological make-up matter to me.

If you had to pick a favorite Cosplay you have worn, or have seen someone else wear, what would it be?

Kit: Definitely my Marian Hawke cosplay from Dragon Age 2. Hawke is a character I heavily identify with and I spent so much time and energy (and money!) on that cosplay that it’s easily become my favourite to wear.

Skunx: That is a super hard question. Probably Gutts by Ex-shadow. Every time I see it I am filled with envy.

If you had unlimited funds and resources, what Cosplay would you create?

Kit: I’m a huge Bioware fan and lately that is becoming very evident in my cosplay choices. Therefore it’s pretty predictable that my dream cosplay is Commander Shepard, though despite unlimited funs and resources, I am still working to have that one finished by early next year! Other than that, I’d love to make my Grey Warden from Dragon Age: Origins and Asha Greyjoy from A Song of Ice and Fire.

Skunx: I did cosplay Juuibei Jumeshi from Basilisk awhile back but it did not turn out as good as I know it could have. I would construct a chair/carriage that would hide my legs, and have people designated to carry me around. I would also somehow have to hide my arms. I can solve that with money right?

What advice would you offer to those who are aspiring Cosplayers?

Kit: You’re going to make mistakes. As long as you come to terms with the fact that when you start out you are probably going to mess up (more than once), waste a lot of time, money, and materials, and most definitely sew a sleeve on backwards more times than you can count, you’ll make it.

Cosplay has been first and foremost, a learning experience for me. Just remember that every cosplayer has to start somewhere!

Kit - Sera (Dragon Age: Inquisition)

Kit - Hinata Hyūga (Naruto Shippūden)

Kit and Fallen Crisis - Hawke and Fenris (Dragon Age 2)

Kit - Marian Hawke (Dragon Age 2)

Android 18 and 17 (Dragon Ball Z)

Kit and Fallen Crisis - Hawke and Fenris (Dragon Age 2)

Kit - Marian Hawke (Dragon Age 2)

Kit - Gaara of the Desert (Naruto)

Gaara and Kankurō (Naruto)

Gaara and Kankurō (Naruto)

Sasori of the Red Sand and The Third Kazekage puppet (Naruto)

Sasori of the Red Sand and The Third Kazekage puppet (Naruto)

To learn more about Nekomata Cosplay, follow Kit on Twitter: @hotbloodedyouth and check out their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/nekomatacosplay

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