“I’ll Never Be Able to Graduate From Cosplay” - Nao, a Veteran Layer Reflects on a Decade of Creation
Nao, a cosplayer active for over 10 years, recently discussed her passion for creating and her enduring love for the hobby, admitting she feels she’ll “never be able to graduate” from cosplay. The interview, featured on ENTAME next, highlighted the challenges and joys she finds in bringing characters to life.
Nao described her recent experience creating a costume with armor as “very arduous,” but ultimately a “new and fun process,” notably enjoying the cutting and pasting of the cover. Having primarily worked with cloth previously, she acknowledged the high skill level of professional cosplayers she observes at game shows, stating, “models made by professionals are on a different level.” She actively studies the techniques and materials used by other “layerers” (cosplayers) at thes events, researching fabrics and weapon construction.
Despite considering “graduating” from performing cosplay, Nao confessed she keeps returning to the hobby. “I keep taking breaks and starting again, so I end up continuing to do it lazily, but before I know it, it’s been over 10 years,” she explained. Her desire to complete all the cosplays she envisions fuels her continued participation, noting that “the number of characters I want to do increases every year, so I’m stuck in a loop where I can never finish cosplaying.”
While she expresses a desire to eventually step away from wearing cosplay, Nao intends to continue creating as a hobby. Looking to the future, she aspires to contribute to events as a creator, believing she can remain involved in the cosplay community even into her 40s or 50s. she hopes to leverage her years of experience to offer support to performers, noticing details like costume fit, makeup, and hairstyle. Having previously created stage costumes for idols, she aims to reach a level where she can be commissioned for cosplay work.
Currently working as a freelancer, Nao enjoys the flexibility of being invited to events, participating in photoshoots, and creating photo books. She values the ability to work at her own pace and realize her creative vision, describing her current lifestyle as a fulfilling “hobby/work” balance.
Looking back on the year,Nao expressed a wish to have taken more swimsuit photos,having enjoyed approximately five gravure shoots. She also hopes to take a relaxing trip abroad, perhaps to the Maldives or Hawaii, though she jokingly admits she’d likely end up taking pictures even on vacation, ultimately circling back to cosplay. “it all comes down to cosplay. Ah, I can’t graduate (lol),” she concluded.
Also read]Passionate eyes at “Comiket“! The mysterious beautiful girl with 100 million views on TikTok has no name yet. Swimsuit gravure debut too:[https://entamenextcom/articles/detail/36660[https://entamenextcom/articles/detail/36660[https://entamenextcom/articles/detail/36660[https://entamenextcom/articles/detail/36660
