We are glad to present Rui for this week’s edition of Cosplay Community. We got to meet her at an event and we were astounded by her cosplay, which is why we invited her to do this segment for us. Featuring Rui as Lizzie, Queen of Hearts, of Alice Madness Returns, photography by Jump Pilapil of Jumpshot/Photography, continuing our series on great cosplayer-photographer collaborations where we present the unique, symbiotic relationship between the people in front and behind the camera. Both are essential to bringing a character being portrayed to life, and the results of their efforts are nothing short of works of art.
Cosplay Community is our latest segment where we present the creative and intrepid people who have sought to bring cosplay in the Philippines to a wider audience through their artistry and hard work. We at arkadymac.com wish to feature the cosplayers, photographers, craftsmen, organizers, and groups who have, in their own way, kept cosplay alive and well throughout the years. The community itself still has many challenges to overcome, but we want to show how it continues to evolve with the energy and dynamism of the people who live and breathe within it. It is our hope that by doing so, someday, more people will be more understanding and more appreciative of this hobby, this art, this passion for cosplay.
“Lizzie Liddell is a really loving sister to Alice, but in the game she showed this rather dogged and slightly wicked side of her,” Rui says, describing her character, Lizzie, Queen of Hearts, from the game Alice Madness Returns. “It was not in my personal plans to cosplay her but Alice instead.” When one of her best friends planned to do Alice, Rui said she couldn’t help but be dragged along and dedicate herself to being the Red Queen. “I really like playing her route in Queensland. She was never a boss to be fought but she was a challenge in her own way, as I am in certain aspects.”
Cosplaying Lizzie had made a lot of “first-time” memories for Rui. “It was during my cosplay with her that I first managed to wear a wire petticoat and a really large gown. The costume was a little hot, but it was fun being all fabulous in the gown and I felt like a queen. I love the skirts.”
“I do have numerous reasons on how I choose the characters I might cosplay but I don’t usually fall for a specific type of character. I am pretty much flexible and I don’t mind cosplaying different kinds of anime, game, or film characters,” is Rui’s reply when we ask her about the characters she likes portraying. “What I can say is I usually cosplay characters I have 99% (insane) feelings with. I sometimes see a certain bit of myself in them, so I usually pursue them. If you see me spazzing in any of my current fandoms there’s a probability—no matter how expensive it could get—that I am reserving one for my always-evolving cosplay list. ”
As to why she cosplays, Rui shares her three reasons. “Experience, friends and feels for the character to be cosplayed. Cosplay allowed me to have the best experiences and memories. Aside from the creative output and lovable makeup, hanging out and having fun with fellow cosplayers and friends in the fandom takes life to a whole new level.”
We then ask her what excites her when she cosplays. “Nothing makes me more excited than being the character and living in his/her place.” Cosplay has also given her many fond memories. “The star-struck moments of meeting your idols, making new friends from all over the world and learning from them at the same time, and the feeling of achievement when you have successfully brought your character to life with cosplay.”
Outside of cosplay, Rui shares a little bit more about her life. ” I describe myself as an intimidating alpha female (or male—depends on the way I dress up) which at first glance is undeniably true—but I do also have my soft sides. I am still a student—a student artist to be exact. I enjoy oil painting and drawing. Reading books as a pastime is also my favourite amusement. When I will have finished college, getting a master’s degree is one of my life goals.”
Even though she has been cosplaying since 2012, she says cosplay is still challenging. “Budgeting money, scouting for materials and scavenging the thrift stores for alternatives can be quite tiring,” she admits, but also says she still wants to cosplay longer. “Doing something you really enjoy has no account for age. We can enjoy cosplay no matter how old we are.”
“He is definitely fun and humble,” Rui says of Jump, her photographer for this feature. “I enjoy hanging out and doing projects with him. Although I have only known him for quite a while, I like his personality, and his works are really impressive. I’m really blessed to have such a friend.”
Many thanks to Rui for gracing this week’s edition of Cosplay Community, as well as to Jump Pilapil for his photogaphy. See more of his work at Jumpshot/Photography. You can be sure we’ll be featuring more of them soon here on our website. Thank you for dropping by, and do visit us again for more cosplay features here at arkadymac.com.
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