Tiffany Chen: How cosplay became a lifelong passion
Tiffany Chen’s cosplay journey began unexpectedly when her cousin introduced her to a small anime event hosted by JA Cosplayaz. With no plans to dress up, she was surprised when her cousin bought her a Sasuke Uchiha costume from Naruto and encouraged her to participate. The response from fellow attendees was overwhelming.
“I wasn’t expecting people to be so excited to see me as Sasuke. There was even a competition, and my cousin literally pushed me into the centre,” she recalls. Though she hadn’t officially entered, the audience’s enthusiasm earned her a consolation prize - an apple. “That was hilarious,” she said. From that moment, she was hooked and began attending more events, slowly crafting her own costumes.
CHOOSING THE PERFECT COSPLAY
For Tiffany, selecting characters is a mix of personal preference and crowd appeal. “It depends on my mood and whether the character is interesting,” she explains. Sometimes she even creates original characters to suit her style. Her favourite cosplay so far has been Zhongli (Morax) from Genshin Impact, especially because of the detailed weapon crafting. “I had a grand time making his polearm, and everyone loved it.”
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
Like many cosplayers, Tiffany faced challenges with confidence when she first started. “Getting into character was nerve-wrecking at first, but it got easier over time.” Crafting cosplays was also a learning experience, but she credits her family for their support. “My mum helped with sewing, and my dad, brother, and friends pitched in with props. I wouldn’t have gotten this far without them.”
The Jamaican cosplay community has been a major source of motivation for her. “The enthusiasm is unmatched. Everyone wants to improve their craft, and the encouragement is brilliant. It’s inspiring to see how much passion goes into every costume,” Chen said.
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FAVOURITE COSPLAY MOMENTS
One of her most memorable cosplay experiences was at an event where she cosplayed Zhongli (Morax). “For the first 20 to 30 minutes, I couldn’t even enter the venue because so many people wanted pictures! It was hilarious and such a fun moment.”
She sees Anime Picnic as a special event that brings the community together. “I always look forward to seeing both new and returning cosplayers. The excitement they bring and the crowd’s reactions make it all worthwhile.”
ADVICE FOR NEW COSPLAYERS
For those looking to start cosplaying, Tiffany’s advice is simple: just try. “Your first cosplay won’t be perfect, and that’s okay. Cosplayers never reach the level of perfection they imagine in their heads, but that’s not the point. The key is to have fun, learn, and enjoy the process.”
Anime Picnic returns on April 26 at Hope Zoo.
