Bam Smack Pow Cosplay Spotlight: Ashi-Chan

“Meet Fellow Cosplayer Ashi-Chan of Chocolate Covered Cosplay”

Ashi-Chan of Chocolate Covered Cosplay has been on a mission to highlight diversity in the cosplay community since 2006. She challenges the status quo with her love for Harajuku style, her favorite anime character Panty Stocking, and a diverse array of beautifully made costumes. Ashi currently resides in LA but travels throughout Southern California’s con scene. Her latest stop was Anime Expo, where Chocolate Covered Cosplay were the senpais of the event. BSP had the opportunity to chat with Ashi-Chan to discuss why she’s continues to stay involved with cosplay.

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

Ashi-Chan: Panty Stocking, Ashi_Chan (me, Harajuku style), Asgardian Storm, Poison Ivy, Kira from Gitaroo Man, Asuka (EVA), Mamimi (FLCL), Kona-Chan from Lucky Star and Fiona from Adventure Time.

BSP: Which character is your favorite to cosplay?

Ashi-Chan: I love Panty. She’s fun and sexy and the photos are always the best. But I also enjoy Harajuku fashion.

BSP: Who or what inspired you to cosplay?

Ashi-Chan: I saw photos of people dressing up at conventions when I was in 3rd grade reading Sailor Moon fan fiction. So when I got to college, we decided to go, and I was like “I’d be damned if I didn’t dress up!” So I did.

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

Ashi-Chan: Making Cosplay Cooking YouTube videos. Eating. Baking. Going to work, hiking, literal long walks on the beach.

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

Ashi-Chan: When I remade my Panty costume for World Cosplay Summit Prelims, I sewed my finger onto the skirt. It took all my power to remove the needle and not bleed on the fabric. That costume got us Top 10 in WCS Prelims. We made history as the first African-American team to do so, w00t!

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

Ashi-Chan: Start by taking already made items and altering them, like a shirt becomes a sailor collar. However, eventually take a class. You can find lots of videos on YouTube on how to sew, craft or build your cosplay. Whatever material most of your future cosplays are made of, learn that. Like if you love mechs, research armor building. You like Shojo, get to stitchin’ ruffles, ya know? Most importantly, cosplay whatever you want. Don’t worry about anything. Just do it.

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

Ashi-Chan: I usually stay in the Los Angeles area, but I have been known to go to Seattle, Vegas, DC since my family is there.

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

Ashi-Chan: I will be at Anime Expo next (Note: this interview was conducted before this year’s Anime Expo, which was held July 2-5)! Woo hoo! I will be with my ladies Chocolate Covered Cosplay as AX’s Cosplay Senpai. We will be holding a panel with the other senpais and a panel alone on Diversity in the Cosplay Community.

For more information, pictures, and updates about Ashi-Chan and Chocolate Covered Cosplay, be sure to visit her website, “Like” her Facebook page, follow her on Twitter, subscribe to her YouTube channel, or check out her blog.

Please also check out Chocolate Covered Cosplay on their website, and be sure to “Like” them on Facebook.

Next: BSP Cosplay Spotlight: Loki Hates You

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