First name and last initial: Denzel W.

Where are you from originally, or where do you currently reside? New Bedford, MA.

How long have you been cosplaying? A little over three years now.

Which characters have you cosplayed? Tidus, Connie Springer, Tamaki Suoh, Kyoko Sakura, Hideki Hinata, Haruhiro, Riku Yagami, Noctis Lucis Caelum, Zidane Tribal, Sailor Venus, I’m not sure if I am forgetting any but I think that’s it!

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What inspired you to start cosplaying? My first time cosplaying was actually due to me losing a bet! A friend of mine, whom I hadn’t seen since high school at the time, came into the restaurant I worked at and became a regular. After a while, she and her boyfriend said they were going to Anime Boston and talked to me about going and cosplaying. I was very skeptical and not to confident about it so I shrugged it off as a joke, but then we made a bet that if a certain thing happened I would go and cosplay. Obviously I lost the bet and I went and was super anxious, but after it was all said and done, I had come to love it. Sorry it’s not a more inspiring story but you get a little bit of comedy as compensation.

What do you do when you’re not cosplaying? I’m a waiter and I love doing it! Of course, it can be annoying, because of some customers being rude, but I am a people person so I love it all. I also do music, rap and play the piano specifically, and I voice act! I actually just got cast for a movie recently which I am really excited for!

Which costumes have provided the biggest challenge and rewards so far, and why? I guess I would have to say the Genderbent cosplays I have because they aren’t an official design, so a lot of it is up to speculation, if certain parts of the drawing can’t be seen. Kyoko from Madoka Magica, Sailor Venus from Sailor Moon, and I even have Noel Vermillion from Blazblue and Misty from Pokemon coming up at future cons. I just feel like it is always harder when you don’t have an official design.

What is the best advice you would give someone new to cosplaying? Don’t be afraid to try different things or cosplay who you want. At the end of the day, it isn’t about being recognized for who you cosplay or even complimented. Those are great feelings, but overall, it’s about being happy and having fun in my eyes. Just be yourself!

What is one thing the cosplaying community can do better when it comes to dealing with each other? Honestly, being more understanding with one another and not jumping to conclusions. Communication is key and a lot of problems and confrontations can be avoided with talking it out amongst one another instead of harboring malicious emotions or just yelling at someone before anything has even happened. If we can all try to listen and understand one another, and not just in the cosplay community but as human beings, then I believe that the world in general could be a better place.