Bam Smack Pow Cosplay Spotlight: Bowbat Cosplay

Bam Smack Pow Cosplay Spotlight: Bowbat Cosplay

Originally from Nashville, Rachel Grady (Bowbat) has put seven years of dedication into cosplay. Now living in Southern California, she has made a name for herself through cosplay and social media. It’s clear she is passionate about being able to fully embody each character she chooses to cosplay. The pictures show Bowbat definitely puts an enormous amount of time, effort, and detail into her work. Bam Smack Pow had the opportunity to chat with Bowbat about her favorite cosplays and future con appearances.

Bam Smack Pow: Please list ALL of the characters you cosplay often.

Bowbat: Asuka Soryu Langley from Evangelion, Junko Enoshima from Dangan Ronpa, Gai Sensei from Naruto, Bulma from Dragon Ball and Kitty Pryde from X-Men.

BSP: Who or what inspired you to cosplay?

Bowbat: My friend went to San Diego Comic Con one year and dressed up as Mello from Death Note, and she took a lot of pictures with other cosplayers. I was so intrigued and interested I started to look up more and more cosplays and decided I definitely had to go the following year.

BSP: What do you do when you aren’t cosplaying?

Bowbat: I’m a freelance Wardrobe Production Assistant. I’m a voice over artist as well, I voice over commercials and advertisements.

BSP: Which character is your favorite to cosplay?

Bowbat: I love cosplaying Asuka Langley Soryu! She is my one of my favorite anime characters that I can really relate to. I’ve cosplayed four versions of her, and I think I need to cosplay her at least once a year.

BSP: What costumes have provided the biggest challenge and rewards so far and why?

Bowbat: Mmmm, Draculaura from Monster High! I was nervous to cosplay her because the show had many different animation and color styles to her. While sewing it, I wasn’t sure I was going to like how it looked, but once I put it all on I felt like the character. I wore body paint, vampire teeth and mega high heel boots. I had a blast cosplaying it with my friends and it showed me to not be afraid to try different looks.

BSP: Do you get to travel the country to different conventions? Or are your local to one area?

Bowbat: I’ve never been to an out of country con but I have attended some out of state. I mostly stick with California conventions. I will be attending Dragon Con this September in Atlanta, Georgia for the first time!

BSP: What is one thing the cosplaying community can do better when it comes to dealing with each other?

Bowbat: I would say making someone feel like they can’t cosplay a character because of how they look. Anyone regardless of size or race should be able to cosplay whatever character they want.

BSP: What is the best advice you would give someone new to cosplaying?

Bowbat: Don’t feel pressured to take on big projects! Cosplay a character you really like or relate to and just have fun! Closet cosplay is a good way to ease into it!

BSP: What show can fans expect to see you at next?

Bowbat: I’ll be attending Anime Expo all four days with four new cosplays. After that, Dragon Con!

For more information, pictures, and updates on Bowbat Cosplay, be sure to like her Facebook page, and follow her on Twitter, Instagram. Also, be sure to subscribe to her youtube channel Bowbat-Rachel Grady!

Next: Cosplay Spotlight: Kristen Lanae

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