Cosplay US 01612

editor’s

letter

When we first decided to create an issue celebrating anime and its influences on cosplay, we quickly realized that to do such a concept justice would take a year’s worth of issues devoted to that single theme. We don’t have to tell you that the moniker of “anime” is now just too broad a term and encompasses far too many subgenres to fully explore in a single issue. However, no need to fret, we didn’t entirely abandon our original concept — we did a bit of readjusting instead, and we’re sure you’ll be pleased with the results. Our first decision was to request the honor of having Stella Chuu grace our cover, and we were ecstatic when she agreed. Our excitement over Stella was not only her high profile anime cosplay persona, but also her ongoing message of “body positivity”. As Stella herself tells Rich Kirby in his exclusive interview, “I want to make being sexy the norm,” and she means that for women (and men) of all shapes and sizes. Check out Stella’s “poppy” layout shot by photographer Steve Prue. Befitting the anime theme, we hit two of the longest running anime cons in the United States — A-Kon, which held its first event in 1990, and Anime Cen- tral, where we were invited to cover the event as it celebrated its 20th anniversary. Other cons we had the pleasure of attending recently were Anime St. Louis and the awesomely wacky water themed Colossal Con in Ohio. We can go on and on between the DIY’s, cosplayer profiles, international conventions, a cosplay circus, and tons more in this issue, but it’s time we let you get on with the “show” that’s waiting for you just beyond this page!

SUMMER ISSUE! • FREE DIY TEMPLATES INSIDE

Chuu EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

SUMMER CON COVERAGE MEGACON, COLOSSALCON, A-KON

ACROBATICA INFINITI CIRCUS WITH A COSPLAY TWIST

INTERNATIONAL COSPLAY LONDON CON

So, Dye. Cut. Sew. Glue. Have fun! The Editors

@Cosplay_Culture

@CosplayCultureMag

facebook.com/CosplayCultureMagazine

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