BY ABIDGAIL MERTA GANGGANG
KUCHING: Japanese anime and manga make up a global dominance, related to media content and pop culture that have brought people together from all over the globe, including Malaysians.
Localisation of anime and manga has broadened the opportunity for the cosplayers in Sarawak to share their hobby through the display of their creativity and talent in costume making.
It has bridged unbounded cultural differences with imaginative ways to bring unique storylines for this 36-year-old cosplayer, Mohamad Faiz Johan.
Starting his hobby since 2014, the full time Grab rider managed to share his interest in the recent anime convention OtaZo, organised by GEKI Events Management.
Speaking with New Sarawak Tribune, Mohamad Faiz, with his fictional name, That Kyojin Guy said he got into costume playing inspired by his own friends who pulled him into the anime community through social media platforms.
“My interest in this anime world began since high school because at that time anime was not as famous as it is these days”, he said.
“From there I try to get my first own costume in a spandex suit which is Colossal Titan, one of Nine Titans and the early main antagonist of the Attack on Titan series”, he added.
Excluding the years of COVID-19 pandemic, this is his sixth year of joining the cosplay community and has cosplayed five characters throughout the years.
“I dressed up as Plague Doctor, a Jedi from Star Wars, in a military costume, Marvel character, Deadpool and today is Fursuit”, he said.
His Fursuit is inspired from furry subculture and the Internet.
“There’s this kind of stereotype with all the dramas happening and the lewdness in the internet but people do not understand that it is just a small percentage of furries that are into that kind of ‘fetish’ stuff.
“Furries are normal human beings, we call them anthropomorphism. We love wearing and making fuzzy costumes, go to conventions to have fun with similar-minded individuals and are the biggest contributors to charities”, said the cosplayer.
That Kyojin Guy explained that he hand sewed his costume and spent almost RM9,000 to get his materials exported from the peninsula and via online, Taobao.
“The total work hours to assemble the entire costume is about five to six months to maintain high quality and it is a detailed work”, Mohamad Faiz said during his sharing session.
“I did not commission other artists because if I were to commission others it would be a bullet to my wallet. The price to hire them will be the same price of an Axia car”, Mohamad Faiz remarked.
He said society still does not know how to differentiate costumes and mascots.
“Costumes are very distinguished from mascots. Costume is an exclusivity for anime convention and during photoshoot, while mascot usually comes from a public branding like the buskers we always see at Kuching Waterfront.
“But the ethics are almost the same. For example, when someone wants to hug you, always ask for their permission to avoid any inconvenience”, he claimed.
From anime conventions, he was able to place where he felt belonged and made friends with a lot of people.
“Most people do talk bad about our artwork but I try to exclude myself from all of the negativity. Instead, I just keep doing what I love and be myself”, he said.
The cosplayer advised the newbie to this anime world that it is good to be weird for once instead of being boring because there is no harm when we are different from others and that is what we call inclusivity.
“Also, be confident with your own talent and character playing. At the same time, seek advice from the veterans, make sure to observe what those conventions have for you and stay updated with the trend on cyberspace.
“This anime world remains unchanged but the mentality between younger and older generations has a huge gap,” he said.
That Kyojin Guy then said that regardless of one’s age and background, “when we share the same interest we are equal.”
For more information, the public can contact Mohamad Faiz via his social accounts, Instagram and Facebook, That Kyojin Guy.
