Anime USA Welcomes Beau Billingslea

Beau BillingsleaWe’re thrilled to announce the appearance of voice actor Beau Billingslea at ‪‎Anime USA 2015‬. You may know him as the voice of the Jet Black in Cowboy Bebop and Seal Walrus in Wolf’s Rain. Meet him Halloween weekend at Anime USA 2015, October 30–November 1! Learn more about Beau by visiting “Who To See” and stay tuned for more guest announcements!

Anime USA Welcomes Back Lilith Lore

Lilith Lore

Anime USA is happy to announce that Lilith Lore has returned to once again grace Anime USA with her oratory skills and tale-weaving prowess. Her hit storytelling show, Poison Apples & Pretty Witches has captivated many. Besides her talent for stage and performance art, she’s also a NASM certified personal trainer. We look forward to the frights, fantasy, and even the fitness she’ll be providing with us this year!

Welcome Back Kass McGann!

Kass McGannWe’re excited to welcome back Kass McGann to Anime USA 2015! An expert on historical costuming, Kass is excited to demonstrate her knowledge with a huge variety of panels from explaining the finer points of Geisha Makeup, or How to Dress for a Browncoat Ball.  As if she wasn’t busy enough, she’ll be one of our craftsmanship judges for the Masquerade this year. Kass was blown away by all the creative costumes she saw at last year’s AUSA and is revving up to make new and fantastic outfits for this year.  We hear that she has some amazingly colourful Steampunk ensembles planned.  And don’t be surprised if she channels her inner Inara this time around. ( Don’t forget to check out what she’s working on right now (http://www.reconstructinghistory.com/blog) as well as her upcoming novel (https://www.facebook.com/KassMcGannProtoNovelist.) See you there! Check out more on the Who to See page.

Psyche Corporation Returns to AnimeUSA!

Anime USA is glad to announce our first guest of the year, Psyche Corporation! Previously seen in 2012 and 2013, Psyche Corp. has returned once again to wow with their incredible music. Regulars on the east coast renaissance fair and convention scene, they’ve released four albums exploring their cyberpunk fairytale. As an added treat Psyche Chimère will be running a few geek science panels throughout the weekend. Welcome back to Anime USA! Learn more about Psyche Corp. and stay tuned for more about the concert and panels this year.

Catch Up with Kitsune Kid!

Kitsune Kid cosplaying as Wartortle.

Kitsune Kid cosplaying as Wartortle.

We got a chance to catch up with cosplayer, Kitsune Kid (formerly known as KO Cosplay). She was a guest at the last year’s Anime USA. See what she has to say about cosplay & more!

What got you into cosplay?

I was watching anime with a bunch of friends in college—Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann to be exact—and they said I should cosplay Yoko. I took their advice and wore my first cosplay—some parts made and some parts purchased/commissioned—to my first convention and had a blast. I knew I had to make more costumes. The rest is history!

What is your favorite cosplay to date?

That’s a tough question to answer. I love Angewomon for the final product and all the work that went into her, but Suicune has a special place in my heart since it was a great chance to show off my creative skills since it was an original design. Crimson Viper takes the cake as my favorite cosplay to wear, though. :)

What is your advice to cosplayers new to the scene? What about when making their own cosplays?

My best advice is to pursue things you love and to start small. If you try to make a costume of a character you don’t love, all the labor won’t feel worth it in the end. Cosplay can be a pretty painful process, from burning yourself with an iron to the long hours of all-nighters to make the deadline. I always recommend that newbies should start small, because while taking on big projects can seem challenging, they can also be very overwhelming and discourage new cosplayers from continuing the craft. All the skills associated with cosplaying (sewing, propmaking, wig styling, hair cutting, applying makeup and prosthetics, 3D printing, etc.) will be skills you build off as time continues. Start small and build up!

Who are some people that you look up to as role models?

Some of my cosplay role models include Malindachan, Vampy Bit Me, Volipin Props, and Kamui Cosplay!

What was your first cosplay? What have you learned since that has stuck with you the most?

My first cosplay was Yoko Littner from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. I’ve learned so many invaluable lessons from making cosplay and cosplaying, however I would say the most important thing I’ve learned is that you must do things because you love to do them, regardless of what others may have to say about it. In the end, you’re doing it for you, not them. :)