I LOVE Cosplay! It’s so exhilarating to meet of the amazing Cosplayers who bring our favorite fandoms to life. Normal people will say things like, “You need to grow up”, and my response is…
…”Yawn”
Honestly, I will always be a geek. Excuse me, I mean a PROUD Geek! If that means I am viewed by society as a “kid who needs to grow up”, then so be it. By the way, who made the rule that fandoms are for kids, anyway? That’s not what box office receipts show.
Avengers, Star Wars, Justice League…do I really need to continue?
We ALL are nerdy about something. Be eccentric. Be weird. Be unique.
But, most of all, be yourself!
Okay, rant over. Now, let’s get into the reason that I am here in the first place.
About 5 years ago, I began my cosmic journey into the world of Sci-Fi Music. I begin to perform at Anime and Fandom conventions, where I met so many amazing Cosplayers with creative cosplays!
Seeing so much creativity in one place, I wanted to create a judgement-free medium to share all of the cosplay that I see IRL and on the web. Of course, we are going to see the Cosplayers who have thousands of followers. But, I wanted to also share content from Cosplayers that aren’t as “internet-famous”.
Ambush Vin: How long have you been cosplaying? Raz Al-Ghul: Almost 8 years since 2011.
Ambush Vin: What got you into cosplay? Raz Al-Ghul: Definitely because I wanna be as my favorite characters
Ambush Vin: What is your favorite fandom? Raz Al-Ghul: My ultimate fandom are Supernatural (since 2005), Dragon Ballz (since 1994), One Piece (since 1998), and I guess Kimetsu No Yaiba for the latest one
Ambush Vin: Is cosplay more of a hobby or a lifestyle for you? Raz Al-Ghul: It’s just a hobby for me. To release my tension from normal working life and to improve my creativity especially in making props/armor.
Ambush Vin: Is your ultimate goal to be a professional cosplayer for a living? Raz Al-Ghul: I wish! Hahahaha… But nope.
Ambush Vin: Let‘s’talk about you. What is it like living in Malaysia? Raz Al-Ghul: Peaceful especially in my state, Sabah.
Ambush Vin: What do you do at your day job? Raz Al-Ghul: I’m a Disney Princess by day, and Gotham Siren by night
Ambush Vin: Do you have any interesting hobbies? Raz Al-Ghul: Beside cosplay, I love taking picture and mostly active with Legography before this. Now I’m trying to learn more photography and editing in my free time.
Ambush Vin: Most cosplayers have a cause that they believe in. What is your cause? Raz Al-Ghul:I believe that I can contribute to society with cosplay, as well as keep it as my hobby. Fyi, I’m one of the founders of KK Causeplay. A non-profit cosplay group in my state where we make appearances in any charitable or awareness events, including making appearances in the hospital.
Ambush Vin: Have you ever been outside of Malaysia? Raz Al-Ghul: Yup! I’ve been to Philippine (Manila), Indonesia and Singapore before. Hopefully I can travel more to see other places (and conventions!)
Ambush Vin:If you could Thanos-snap and end any injustice in the world, what would it be? Raz Al-Ghul: Child trafficking. As adult, one of our duties are to protect them. Not exploited them. Enough said.
Ambush Vin: Does Malaysia have a lot of Comic Cons or Anime Conventions? Raz Al-Ghul: A LOT! But, mostly in the capital city, Kuala Lumpur. As for in my state, we have two main big conventions yearly which are Otafuse (in September), and Hobbycon (in December)
Ambush Vin: What is your dream cosplay? Raz Al-Ghul:I CAN’T PICK! Hahahahaha… Well… I’m gonna choose Daedric armor (Skyrim) and Demon Hunter (Diablo 3) Slowly, but I’m working on it
Ambush Vin: Do you ever get unwanted advice from people while you are in cosplay? Raz Al-Ghul:Yea. Mostly criticizing my body (not slim enough, not sexy enough, not fair enough blablabla), but whatever! I cosplay to have fun. To enjoy my fandoms with my friends. So, most of the time I will ignore it, except advice that I think can improve my costume or props making.
Ambush Vin: When you cosplay, are you in character when interacting with people, or are you your normal self? Raz Al-Ghul:I guess balance. We do love being in character for awhile and just normal self for the rest of day in con.
Ambush Vin: Do you have any aspirations outside of cosplay? Raz Al-Ghul:Not really lol
Ambush Vin: What are your thoughts on “sexy” cosplay? Raz Al-Ghul:Tbh, I don’t really care bout it. Everyone can cosplay as they like as cosplay nowadays had so many “version”.
Ambush Vin: If someone was looking to start cosplaying for the first time ever, what advice would you give them? Raz Al-Ghul: Just go for it! Try it! Doesn’t care either you wanna buy the costume/props or make it. Wear it and have fun! But… There is a but, hahahaha…
…PLEASE at least read/watch/play the manga/cartoon/movies/games of the character that you wanna cosplay. Do some research such how the character personalities and how exactly his/her costume. Save yourself from embarrassment or getting bashed by other hardcore fans. Cause fandom communities nowadays are kinda scary.
Other than that, have fun with your fellow cos-comrades!
She gave me some insight into her life as a cosplayer in Russia. I am naturally inquisitive, especially about other cultures. The opportunity to enhance my culture add with elements that I learned by interacting with people of different beliefs, styles, and But, what really turns my gears is watching other cultures enjoy the same activities that we rave about.
Especially nerdy stuff, like Cosplay. Which, by the way, Hey Ginger! excels at!
Of course, here in America, propaganda attempts to mold our minds into believing that there is still an Iron Curtain that exists between Russia and the rest of the world. But, after speaking with Hey Ginger! I saw that nerdlife, and life for that matter, isn’t too much different from our own here in America…
Photo by: Marina Goldensun
Interview!
Hey Ginger! Thank you for doing this interview. Where are you from?
I am from Russia. Cloudy, rainy, Saint-Petersburg
What is the cosplay scene like there?
The cosplay scene is very different in Russia, but it depends on the city. My town is more open to cosplay fests and costumed “freaky” people on the street. One of the reasons I love Saint-Petersburg.
Photo by: Marina Goldensun
What made you get into Cosplay?
Well, in fact, I was something of an ugly duckling in school. That weirdo, chubby girl with glasses who watches anime and reads funky books. There’s always one in any class. You can probably guess that I was not quite on the popular side. So, I got into cosplay for the first time, because it could give me a chance to hide my boring side and attend some parties.
Of course, I got a few laughs from the classmates, but it worked. I found new people who had “these weirdo hobbies” like I do. After I hit my twenties, many things changed. My looks improved, I got some money for the gym and better costumes. I found some good friends in the cosplay scene of St. Petersburg. Now, i don’t have to hide myself and what i love
I’m very happy of that.
Photo by Costime Studio
Tell us about your favorite fandoms.
It’ll take a day and night, and also another day! I love anime. I did more anime cosplays when i was younger. Actually, my first cosplay was Road from D. Gray-man.
( I even did one cosplay on some hentai, just because i can, lol) Now i’m more into DC comics of the Eighties, like JLI, or silver age Marvel Comics. I’d like to do some video game cosplay, at least Elizabeth (Bioshock) or Muffet (Undertale), but…honey takes money. So, I have to choose wisely. I Iove different Sci-Fi and Doctor Who series, but don’t think I’ll fit in Rosa or Donna’s shoes.
Photo by: Horo Mrakor
What is your dream cosplay?
Oh, sweet Tesla. A ballerina from Cabin in the Woods. I”m already working on the mask. I would like to have my own nightmare army by the next Halloween fest, but let’s cross our fingers and see how it goes.
Photo by: Marina Goldensun
On a personal note, what do you like to do for fun? Any hobbies?
Em…Ahem…is this an adult chanel? *Blushes violently*. So, actually I’m pretty boring. I read a lot when I have time. My favorite authors of the month are Gaiman and Lovecraft. (Not talking about Sir Bernard Shaw, Wilde, or Wodehouse’s Jeeves series of stories. They are my top three forever!)
Photo by: Marina Goldensun
Hey Ginger! Tell the SciFinatik Fam something that you would like everybody to know about you
I don’t think there is anything special that people should know about me. I’m a simple girl from the block. I Read, I Work, and I play indie horror games (and suck at them) and…that’s it.
But, I’d like to show every SciFinatik that you can do anything you want. No matter what other normal humans think of you. You don’t have to be a 10 out of 10 bimbo to do cosplay. You don’t have to be into mass media or any popular series to find friends. Just try, and you’ll find your niche with some guys and dolls who like “that weirdo stuff” you do. (To hell with it! I found one of my best friends while I was drunk as a sailor, singing Brunnen-G’s fighting song in the Judy Hopps suit.) Nothing is impossible!
The SciFinatik Cosplay Gallery 