We interview cosplay star Ysabel!

Written by Marco, published 17th Jan '09

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Resident Cosplay Star Ysabel is a young, dedicated, and enthusiastic cosplayer. At just twelve years old, she's already a hit around the cosplay community with a growing base of friends and fans. I got the opportunity to chat with her about cosplay and her experiences.


MangaBullet: A warm welcome from all of us at Cosplay Stars and the MangaBullet team! First of all Ysabel, I'd love to hear an introduction so that our readers can get to know you a little better.

Ysabel: My name is Ysabel Santos-Lansang. I was born on December 21, 1996 in Manila, Philippines. I am an only child. I love my family and I am very close to my mom. I am in 6th grade and currently the class president. My teachers tell me I talk too much [laughs] and that I am not setting a good example.

I love, love, love animals. I have a Boston Terrier that answers to the names of: Doro, CosplayDog, Shadow, Simon and Gordie. He’s my little brother. I want to be a veterinarian when I grow up. I love playing console games like Rock Band. I am never seen without my Nintendo DS Lite, either. My mom lovingly calls me a "vidiot." I love World of Warcraft as well. On weekends I mostly stay home and have my friends or cousins come over to play or do anything we can think of (I try not to get into trouble).
I am very shy at first and it takes me a while to warm up to people. I love to laugh and have a good time.

I have always loved anime - the first series I watched and followed was Akazukin Chacha. I was about 3 years old then. I believe that it is the love of such shows that eventually brought me here to be interviewed by you! I am really honored and I thank you.


MB: It's my pleasure! At MangaBullet, we love to see great cosplay from the fans. So tell me, when did you start cosplaying?

Ysabel: My very first attempt at cosplay was Halloween 2007. Just thinking about it makes me laugh. I was 10 years old. So short and so thin, I tried to be Uchiha Itachi. [Laughs] I really wish I could show you photos but they're all gone. I had the Akatsuki cloak and ninja shoes plus the straw hat with white cloth. My cousin Vince went as Kakashi, he was shorter and thinner than me. I remember being so happy when some guy called out “UCHIHA ITACHI!” I felt so amazed that someone recognized the character even if it was such a half-hearted attempt. Vince and I would be posing at our neighbors' houses with our plastic kunais and his construction paper Icha Icha book. Of course at that point, I knew I wanted to do it again. I have not stopped since.


MB: Who or what got you into cosplaying?

Ysabel: Initially, I was part of a cosplay group from school. I was asked to join and we made all sorts of grand plans but they never materialized. I was disappointed but my mom said that if I wanted to cosplay, she’d be my partner. While all this was happening, I was in awe of one particular cosplay group. The photographs were beautiful, their character portrayal was impeccable and costumes were just perfect. I would read their journals over and over and feel so happy that they would share their stories. They were having so much fun yet through their writings, it was like I was there too. In my mind I wanted to be like them when I was older but in my heart I wanted to meet them. I really had no idea that my mom was secretly sending notes to my favorite cosplay group asking if they would like to meet. Amazingly, they agreed! I met the Tuxedo Team last April 2007. Words can’t express how thankful I am to them. Nearly everything I know about cosplaying, I learned from their group.

I owe it all to my mom and the Tuxedo Team.



MB: Which anime and manga series do you follow?

Ysabel: I prefer watching series that are complete because I get frustrated when I have to wait each week for a new episode/chapter to come out. At this time I am trying to get my hands on everything Soul Eater. I do have other favorites like Naruto, Ouran, Bleach, Vampire Knight and so many others.


MB: Buying from the pros or creating cosplay from scratch; what's your choice and what would you recommend to aspiring cosplayers?

Ysabel: If only I could make my own costumes and props I would, but I don’t have the skill, talent, knowledge and time. I believe that most cosplayers feel the same way. There is an unmistakable look of pride in the eyes of cosplayers who make their own costumes/props. Unfortunately, not everyone got dipped in the costume-making talent gene pool nor have the extra time at hand, and that often leads to buying the costumes. There’s nothing wrong with buying at all. Many store-bought costumes are of really good quality. You can even add your own personal touches. I don’t think anyone really cares if a cosplayer buys or makes his/her own costume, the only potential problem I see is that if a person enters a contest and lies about it.

Cosplay is about fun. If you enjoy making your own costume, go ahead! If you want to just have a good time and not worry about costume details (and can afford it), go buy! When I'm older, I will try making my own, but for now, my costumes are safe in the talented hands of our seamstress. I know I’d butcher the cloth in 10 seconds.


MB: What was the first con you attended and who did you cosplay as?

Ysabel: My first real cosplay and first convention was TAGCOM 2 last February. I was cosplaying as Kusajishi Yachiru, the 11th vice-captain from Bleach. It was a great and dreadful experience at the same time. Great because I saw that people smiled, waved and called out to me. One called me Sakura. Some even hugged me. A lot of people asked to have my picture taken and I made new friends there. Honestly, I was so nervous. I was never fond of having my picture taken but since it really was not "me" I was able to get past my shyness. It seemed like a whole new world opened up. A world where I can be my favorite character, have fun, make friends and be accepted.

It was dreadful because, I’d rather not say.


MB: What keeps you cosplaying?

Ysabel: In no particular order:

I enjoy wearing the costumes. I’m still thinking about the store-bought and self-made question and I will make it a point to be able to make my own costumes someday. I know that I’m doing a good thing when I’m in cosplay and people respond to me by smiling, waving, hugging and taking my photos. I really don’t think it’s me they’re reacting to but the characters themselves. I think the best one was the first time I did the Hunny (Ouran) cosplay. There were girls who were literally jumping up and down saying “ kyaaaaa kawaiiiiiii Hunny-senpaiiii!” [laughs] I like making people happy. I’m not an extrovert, I’m a very shy person and cosplay is a means to express myself and gain confidence.

I cosplay characters I love. It’s somewhat like honoring them for the many times they kept me company when I was alone. They’ve made me laugh and cry. They’ve also given me inspiration.

The Tuxedo Team. I met them during a time when I was hurt from a bad cosplay experience. With their support, patience, kindness and love they turned the hurt into joy many times over. I love each one of them like a brother or sister. It’s like my second family. They believe in me like I believe in them. They doesn’t afraid of anything. (Bad grammar intended, it’s an inside joke!)

My mom. Her unwavering support and love keep me going. My mother helps me in everything! I know she has worked hard just for me, I keep telling myself to make the most out of what she’s done to show that I appreciate everything and love her so much.

My cosplay/non-cosplay friends who, whether on the Internet on in person, show me their support and friendship. All the notes and messages mean a lot to me.



MB: MangaBullet has some great cosplayers in the depths of the Gallery. Who are your favourites?

Ysabel: Hotaru, purpledoodling, and chasingclovers.


MB: Cosplaying now is practiced worldwide. What do you think about the belief that some countries boast better cosplay than others?

Ysabel: I don’t believe that there is one single country that can boast of better cosplayers. It’s not about bragging rights at all. It’s about a cosplayers dedication to his/her craft, resourcefulness, positive attitude and what they contribute to the hobby. I find that there are numerous cosplayers from different countries that inspire so many. Each one is amazing in his/her own way but as far as their country's cosplay status goes, I have no clue.


MB: Do you have any tips for our readers to be a great cosplayer?

Ysabel: Planning and preparation. Those are the two words that have helped me since I began this hobby and I agree. Planning from your costume to the poses you will do to who you’re going to a convention with to how you are going home. Knowing all these things and everything in between makes everything go smoother. The last thing any cosplayer needs is a broken plan.

Prepare yourself to be the character. It’s easy enough to wear the costume but to act it out takes practice. Watch the anime, read the manga and look at fan art. Look for the gestures and facial expressions that set your character apart. The mirror is your friend. It might seem silly posing and practicing, but it pays off!



MB: And lastly, is there anything that you'd like to say to our cosplayer community?

Ysabel: Cosplay is for fun. It's a misunderstood hobby with a good and bad side. If everything is going good in your cosplay, keep it up just don’t lose your head in its fictional world. Keep priorities like family and school in order. If things aren’t great, do not be disheartened from doing what you love. As long as you are having fun, keep going!

It’s a different kind of happy-high when you are among fellow cosplayers but at the end of the day, it only matters if you enjoyed yourself or not. It’s not about popularity or pageviews, having fans or not, being better than others... no. It’s about expressing yourself through a character you love and sharing it with others.

Hopefully, you’ll make friendships that will last even when the costumes are faded, wigs worn out and cameras stop flashing.




If you know someone you'd like to see interviewed (or would like to be interviewed yourself), then be sure to let the Cosplay Stars team know!

Tagged with interview, Ysabel and cosplay



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