Tell us about your first cosplay experience: who, what, where, when, and how did it go?

These are a lot of questions for the first question. ^^"
I can't really say when I wore my first costume, but I would guess 1995, maybe 1996. Together with a friend of mine, it was decided that it could be funny to walk through Mannheim wearing a costume. What started as a stupid idea was finally actually done. We snapped together two characters from our favorite anime of the time, Akira, and soon we were both running through the city: my friend in red as Kaneda and I with a white undershirt and cotton rags as Tetsuo. At that point, I have to admit that the whole thing was a little bit awkward for me. We didn't even know that something like "Cosplay" existed at all. After this lark, a few years passed before my first stage appearance in the year 2001, when an ill-tempered Piccolo, by my friend Hojo, killed me, the poor "Otaku."

When did you realize that cosplay had become more than just a “little” hobby for you?

That question isn't easy to answer. I was very busy with my job, and there came a time when I realized that I had too many hobbies. That meant I had to quit some of them, starting with badminton, next kendo, aikido, tai chi,... until the only time-consuming hobby that remained was cosplay. I think that shows how important this hobby is to me. Or maybe I was simply too lazy to do sports. (not really) XD

You have some costumes involving masks or a full suit (Fratley, Cactaur, Green Tentacle, etc.). What kind of materials and techniques go into making complex costumes like that?

I take everything I can get. ;) But basically, I never know exactly which material will work best at first. Most times, I simply start with a costume, and when I see that it does not look good or does not work, I throw it away and think of a new method. It’s admittedly a very time-consuming and expensive method, but this fiddling is, for me, the most enjoyable aspect.

If I should list my favorite materials, then these would be the materials known from LARP. Especially when I make weapons, I can get stupendous results with a core bar, foam mats, and colored latex. However, when I make such big costumes like Cactuar, I like to use wire mesh and spray insulation foam. Combined with an angle grinder for shaping, this is best suited for voluminous costume parts. [Visit Ken’s site http://www.cosplace.de/album/work/index.html for great in-progress photos of several costumes & props. –Ed.]

Is it easy finding materials & supplies in your area?

In general, I would say that you can get all that you need; the problems lie in the details. At first, you must know from which material you can best build something. If you’ve found the method, it is mostly easy to get the materials, and because of the invention of the internet, it is getting easier day by day. ^^

What is really frustrating is searching for the precisely matching fabric for a costume, and I "love" nothing more than buying a fabric for a costume which ends up not matching the character drawings. For example, for my long-planned Wizard cosplay, I have 6 different light blue fabrics here, but none of them really has the right look.

Where do you keep your masks so that they don’t get squashed yet don’t overrun your entire home either?

Oh, bad issue! By now, I simply stack the big costume parts one over another.
This is the place I have for stacking my costumes: http://www.cosplace.de/sonstiges/lager1.jpg
The picture is over one year old, so in this room, I also had to find space for Fratley and the Tentacle. That also means if I want to wear a costume again, I have to renovate it. Furthermore, my upcoming plans aren't smaller at all. When I think of the mecha I want to make, I am getting sick!

What aspect of a character attracts you and makes you want to cosplay him? (personality, clothes, hair, weapon, etc.)

The most important thing is that every character is a new challenge for me. There is a lack of delight when I’ve done something similar before and when I know exactly how to make a costume without problems from the beginning to the end. When I want rote, I can just go to my job. Otherwise, I think I pay attention to the same things as others do. I have to like the visual design, and when I know the character from an anime or a game, I should like him well enough. Oh, it’s also important that it suits me in proportions.

Do you have training as an artisan (wood or metal working, tailoring, etc.), or have you learned construction bit by bit because of cosplay?

Apart from the fact that I, as a dental worker, could make vampire fangs and some small parts from metal, I had to learn everything by myself, step by step. But I’ve always liked tinkering. Sewing was hard; I never had anybody who explained it to me. So my first jackets, like Buchi, were more glued than sewn. Even today when I sew a lot, nearly every part of my costumes is sewn more than one time. Like Adell: I did this necktie 4 times until I really liked it. I have to admit when I made the first attempt, I didn't know that it was a necktie, which was really a nice surprise. ^^"

Does cosplay coordinate with your career?

NOOOOOT REALLY. XD  Until a short while ago, I owned a small dental lab, and as an independent worker, you have a little more work to do. A normal week means working for 12 hours a day and many weekends too. My future is a little bit difficult. I am working on a completely new idea for ’07, and at conventions, it’s getting more tricky to do my own cosplay because I’m now more involved with organizing cosplay events at some conventions like the Hanami or the Frankfurter Bookfair.

Do you usually work on costumes alone or as a team with some friends?

Until now, I sewed and tinkered all my cosplays alone. I liked to hide myself alone in a room to fiddle without being disturbed. But I find it’s also nice together, when everyone is working on his project.

What was the most difficult costume you’ve made, and what about it was so challenging?

The most difficult costume? Altogether, this was Fratley, I think. Starting with this really big hat, to the mask which should have a moveable mouth, up to the claws. Even the weapon was more difficult than I thought because this time, it wasn't built like a LARP weapon but from wood and plastic. Ultimately, this costume had no part which was easy at all. Even getting dressed was a really hard challenge. ^^"

When you’re experiencing a challenging time in your life, how do you get through it?

What? If there’s a challenge? Marvelous! There is nothing worse than monotony in life.
Give me a challenge instead of something that’s planned completely and just followed without thought. It’s important that it doesn’t get boring, that you stand behind the whole thing, and don't let yourself down.

How is the cosplay scene in your town and in the parts of Germany that you’ve visited for conventions?

First, I must say that Germany is much smaller than the USA regarding area. Theoretically, you can drive to every convention if you like, and there are really a lot of conventions in Germany at the moment. It would be no problem to visit every month one convention with 500+ (up to 10,000+) guests. But to be honest, who would want to? o.o In any case, I won't! ^^"
The scene itself, I think, is similar to every other place in the world: really mixed. There are the old hares, the ones that only know popular tv series like Naruto or Dragonball, the teens who are yaoi addicted, the cosplayers who are over 40 and started to recognize how much fun this hobby is and so on. The whole thing isn't as comfortable as some years ago when everybody knew everyone else. But it’s a fact that everything changes from time to time.

In general, women seem to greatly outnumber men as cosplayers. Do you think more guys like yourself will equalize this ratio in the future, or are the numbers destined to stay lopsided?

You want an honest answer? Honestly, I don't know. It would be nice if more men would join this hobby, but in the end, it only matters to me to see fancy and elaborate costumes in the future.

Here’s your space to dispel rumors or to make additional comments.

OK, let me dispel rumors.

As Vivi, I walk on my knees. I’m small but not so small as that. ^^" 
"Day of the Tentacle" is not a hentai!

So I wish everyone a Peaceful and Happy New Year! ^_^
And don't take our nice hobby too seriously.

Furthermore, I would be lucky if everyone in Germany or visiting Germany in May would join our Hanami cosplay competition: http://www.hanami-ludwigshafen.de/
*promo end* ^^

Finally, I want to thank CheshireCat Nadine who helped me translate my answers into much better English than mine. *hug*