EXTRA COVERAGE
Profile: Audra Furuichi
In the seven years that Audra Furuichi, 28, has cosplayed, she estimates she has created at least six costumes. Her favorites are of Riza Hawkeye, a member of the State Military in "Fullmetal Alchemist" (that's her in the blue outfit and blond wig) and "Macross: Do You Remember Love?" pop singer Lynn Minmay.
"I think Hawkeye has to be my favorite costume," Furuichi said. "It's very recognizable. It's fun to wear. It does get a little bit hot and it can be a little bit clunky, but I think in general that's pretty much my favorite costume."
The Minmay costume was her first official costume, created when a friend suggested she make one to go along with her karaoke performance at Anime Expo, the largest U.S. anime convention, in 2000. The process, with help from her friend, took a few days.
Furuichi also lived in California for 1 1/2 years and joined up with USA Musume. The fan group cosplays as Japanese pop group Morning Musume, performing the group's choreographed, costumed routines on the California convention circuit. While it was informal, "they do try hard to get the costumes as correct as possible, try to get the dances down," she said. "Everybody has different levels of skill and ability, but everybody helps each other out."
Other creations include Cheza, the girl created from a lunar flower in "Wolf's Rain" and Zidane, the main hero in "Final Fantasy IX."
Her tips on cosplaying: "When you decide as to who you want to cosplay, you kind of want to find a character that kind of matches your personality," she said. "I try to find ones that I like and that the costumes are somewhat doable ... because some costumes are pretty out there, and it takes a lot of construction skill and sewing knowledge and pattern construction knowledge to actually make the costume."
