Interview: Missyeru
Missyeru is internationally-recognized as one of the premiere League of Legends cosplayers in the world,and especially renowned for her ability to build every aspect of a costume herself. Ahead of her appearance at ArcadeCon 2014, we sat down with her to discuss cosplay, League and nomming down on chili peppers.
What inspired you to get into cosplay in the first place?
I was 14 and only had 1 or 2 good friends, and my friend Kim’s older sister told us about this amazing event called an Anime Convention. She told us “That everyone dresses up like their favorite characters.” At the time I was obsessed with Inuyasha, and my best friend Catie and I made our Kagome and Inuyasha cosplays with the help of my mom. When we got to the convention and we met other people with similar interest in their cosplays I immediately became hooked and started thinking of who else I wanted to Cosplay!
What was your first ever cosplay?
Kagome from the Anime Inuyasha!
Do you have any particular aspect of cosplay you enjoy more than others? Any specific dislikes?
My two favorite things about cosplay would be the work in progress- I love bringing my favorite characters to life by recreating all of the little details that make them unique to their character. I’m obsessed with little detail, and I love adding in my own special touch. I also LOVE the cosplay community. I’ve never met so many talented like minded people, and I wouldn’t have met them if it wasn’t for Cosplay! Hmm as far as dislikes, I wish cosplay supplies weren’t so expensive, and I wish I was able to have all the time in the world to make all of my dream cosplays!
You’re noted as one of the biggest League of Legends cosplayers out there, what drew you towards League as a game?
I started playing League of Legends back in 2010 when my boyfriend at the time was playing a lot. I used to look over his shoulder during the loading screen and watch him play, and it slowly sucked me in! I have been playing pretty obsessively ever since.
What games do you enjoy playing outside of League?
I really love Wildstar, and Pokemon Y. The past few months I haven’t had as much time as I would like to sit down and play new games, but I’m usually playing one of those three games.
Would you do any non-League of Legends cosplays in the future?
Yes, of course! I’ve always done non-League of Legends cosplays, I just think a lot of people probably forget about them because they get overshadowed by my League cosplays. I’m currently working on Serena from Pokemon X/Y.
Which of your cosplays are you most proud of?
I LOVE how my Victorious Janna cosplay turned out, I couldn’t have been happier, and it makes me really giddy that I see other Victorious Janna cosplayers inspired by my added details to the breastplate and armor! I also am really happy with my Vi, but if I become too big of a critic of it, then I want to completely re-make it!
Favorite League of Legends role/champion(s)? How about least favorite?
I actually only really know how to play Annie Mid/ Support. Annie is my main, and I’ve played her almost exclusively for 4 years. Every time I think about picking up another champ I really get withdrawals. I want to be better at Vi, but I don’t like the play style of melee champions – in any game. I think my least favorite character I’ve ever played would have to be Tryndamere. I hate getting him in ARAM’s.
You recently moved to Germany from America temporarily; what was the experience like, and did you get to attend any European conventions while you were over here?
That was crazy! I moved to Germany from Los Angeles at the beginning of the year to move with my at the time boyfriend. Things ended up going bad shortly after we moved, and I moved back to Los Angeles a month later. It was crazy, other than the heartbreak and the stupid boy I don’t regret a thing. While I was there I went to a convention called Made in Asia in Brussels, Belgium, and met a bunch of really cool people, and even in Germany at the LCS I’ve met so many wonderful people!! I absolutely loved Germany as a country and if I had the opportunity to move back I would in a heartbeat. It just wasn’t meant to be this time around, and as bittersweet as it sounds I’m glad to be back in Los Angeles. I wasn’t ready to leave, and I still have a lot more to do before I conquer this city!
How would you sum up your experience on Hot Pepper Gaming?
SPICY! Hahaa! Actually, it was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done!! I have been a fan of their YouTube Channel for a while, and I’m a big baby when it comes to spicy foods, so I wanted to challenge myself. I originally wanted to make my own review that was parodied off of theirs and send it to them with a “I WANT TO BE ON YOUR SHOW.” Fortunately for me in a weird string of events I was vending at a Craft Fair and Jared [Rosen] of Hot Pepper Gaming came in, and he saw my cosplay prints, we started talking, and the subject of Youtube came up. I admitted that I don’t follow very many Youtubers or series except for Hot Pepper Gaming, and he was like “Oh really?” I confessed that it was a dream to be on it, and then he invited me to participate on the show! Since then we’ve all become friends, and I streamed with some Geek n Sundry folks for HPG’s “Scare to Care” event!
Any cosplayers you look up to or admire?
There are so many, for so many different reasons! I admire Yaya Han’s craftsmanship, and I love how she always makes a character her own by “Yayafying” it! She always adds her own flair, and her gowns are always top notch! I adore Jessica Nigri, I think she’s a really great person, and even though our Cosplay styles are different I look up to her success she’s had being herself. I really look up to my friend Vensy, she’s so detailed oriented, and her props are so topnotch. I love that she really focuses on quality not quantity when it comes to her cosplays, and when she finishes a costume it basically breaks the internet.
What hobbies do you have outside of gaming and cosplay?
There’s hobbies outside of Cosplay and gaming?! What?! HAHA! I like to paint and make crafty things. I love to travel, go to Disneyland, and concerts!
Any advice for aspiring cosplayers, or people who want to cosplay but don’t know where to start?
Google.com I’m not even kidding. If you don’t know how to make something, use Google, there is more than likely a million tutorials. When you are super stumped on something and another cosplayer has done it before check their photos to see if they wrote any build tips in the descriptions. If they haven’t, ask! It never hurts to ask. However, my advice when asking a question is be as specific as possible with what you are asking. Questions such as; “How do I make ____” is really broad and will result in you getting a really broad answer. Questions such as “How did you get the distressed look on your Leona Shield” will get a much more detailed answer.
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Missyeru will be a guest at ArcadeCon 2014 and will be hosting her own special guest panel on Saturday 12th July at 5pm in the Ballroom. Tickets available here, and you can join our Facebook group for more information/any queries you may have.
