Arisa Mizuhara Interview

Arisa Mizuhara

If you were keeping up with my C73 coverage, you would know that I had the pleasure of meeting Arisa Mizuhara live on day three.

Arisa Mizuhara

For those of you who are oblivious to who she is, Arisa Mizuhara (水原ありさ) is one of the greatest cosplayers ever. (Even Danny agrees with me.) I’ve been a fan of hers for some time and it was quite a fanboy moment to meet her in the flesh at Comiket.

Anyway, I recently contacted her and requested for an online interview. She gracefully agreed and answered twenty questions provided by me. The interview was actually conducted over a week ago, but it took me some time to get around to translating the responses. Read them after the break!

日本からのかたへ:この記事は水原ありささんとのネットインタビューです。

Arisa Mizuhara

1.

簡単な自己紹介をお願いします。
Please introduce yourself briefly.

コスプレネーム水原ありさです。本格的にコスプレをはじめて8年になります。HPは「娘々亭」です。
My cosplay name is Arisa Mizuhara. I started to cosplay earnestly 8 years ago. My homepage is called Nyannyantei.

Some additional information from her profile page:

Height: 164cm
Birthday: 22nd November (Scorpio)
Bloodtype: AB
Favourite food: Chocolate, cookies, cheese
Favourite drinks: Coffee, orange juice
Favourite manga: Gintama, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Initial D
Favourite games: Biohazard (Resident Evil), Final Fantasy series, Kamaitachi no Yoru, and other mystery novel games
Cosplay history: I started in December 1999’s Winter Comiket. My first cosplay was Dejiko.

Arisa Mizuhara

2.

どうしてコスプレに興味を持つようになりましたか?
How did you come to be interested in cosplay?

元々同人誌を作っていて即売会に参加していたのですが、隣のスペースでデジキャラットのコスプレをしているかたを見かけとっても可愛いと思って自分でデジコの衣装を作ってみたいなぁと思ったのがきっかけでした^^
I was making doujinshi and selling them at events. I once saw someone doing a Di Gi Charat cosplay in the booth next to mine and I thought it was cute. I wanted to try making a Dejiko costume myself too and that was how it started. ^^

Arisa Mizuhara

3.

コスプレの魅力はいったい何だと思いますか?
What do you think is the attraction of cosplay?

好きなキャラクターの服を作ったり着てみたり同じようなポーズで写真を撮ったりしてキャラクターへの思いをコスプレで表現するのが楽しいのだと思います。
I think it is fun to make and wear the cosplays of my favourite characters and take pictures while making the same poses as them. It’s an expression of my feelings for the characters.

Arisa Mizuhara

4.

どうやってコスプレのキャラを決めるんですか?自分が好きなキャラに限定?
How do you decide on what characters to cosplay as? Is it limited to only characters you like?

【好きな作品のキャラクター】のコスプレをしています。キャラクターによってはどんなに好きでも自分のルックスや顔立ちでは着こなせない場合もあるのでその場合は友達やほかのレイヤーさんがかっこよく着こなしている写真を見て萌えています*^^*(遊戯王の海馬瀬人や銀魂の土方十四郎とかがそうです^^::)
I cosplay characters from works I like. But occasionally my appearance or features don’t match certain characters, no matter how much I like them. In those cases, I get my friends or other cosplayers to cosplay and then take pictures so that I can moé over them later. *^^* (Examples include Seto Kaiba from Yu-Gi-Oh! and Toshirou Hijikata from Gintama ^^::)

Arisa Mizuhara

5.

自分が一番よかったと思うコスプレは?
Which is your own favourite cosplay?

遊戯王のブラックマジシャンガールとデジキャラットのデジコを作った時が一番印象に残っています。どちらもかなり昔に作った衣装ですが今でもよく着ています^^
Black Magician Girl from Yu-Gi-Oh and Dejiko from Di Gi Charat left the biggest impression when I made them. I made both costumes quite some time ago but I still often wear them.

Arisa Mizuhara

6.

する側と見る側として、どんなコスプレが好きですか?
As a cosplayer and as a person watching others cosplay, what kind of cosplays do you like?

おのおのの作品に合ったポーズや着こなしで表現することがやはりする側としても見ている側としても気持ちが良いかなと私は思います。
I think no matter which side one is on, cosplay feels best when it brings out the essence of the character and the poses match the original source.

Arisa Mizuhara

7.

今度やってみたいキャラは?
What characters to you want to try cosplaying as?

【うみねこのなく頃に】という作品の登場キャラクターの衣装を色々と製作したいです。(紗音・戦人・真里亞etc)同人ゲームの【東方】シリーズのキャラの衣装も製作中です。
I’m currently making a few costumes from Umineko no Naku Koro ni. (Shannon, Battler, Maria, etc.) I’m also making costumes from the Touhou doujin game series.

Arisa Mizuhara

8.

尊敬するレイヤーはありますか?
Are there any cosplayers whom you admire?

数名いますが内緒です(笑)この方たちの完成度が高く楽しそうにコスプレをしている姿を目の当たりにして私も楽しくコスプレを続けていきたいという思いが高まりました^^
There are a few, but it’s a secret. (lol) Watching them cosplay so perfectly and have fun inspired me to want to continue to enjoy cosplaying too. ^^

Arisa Mizuhara

9.

コスプレは芸術だと思いますか?
Do you think cosplay is an art?

衣装や小道具の再現度、全体的な雰囲気によって芸術性があると感じる時が多々あります。
Depending on reproduction level of the costume and the details, and the overall feeling it gives, cosplay does often contain artistic elements.

Arisa Mizuhara

10.

初めてコスプレに挑戦したい人へのアドバイスは?
Some advice for people who want to give cosplaying a shot?

好きなキャラクターへの愛があれば誰でもすぐにコスプレは楽しめるものだと思っています^^似合う似合わないとかは2の次な事なのでとにかく好きなキャラクターになりきって写真を撮ってみてください!きっととても楽しい気持ちになれると思います♪
I think anybody can enjoy cosplaying as long as you put in the love for your favourite characters. ^^ Whether it fits or not is not as important as trying your best to become the character you like. I’m sure you’ll find that it’s a really enjoyable experience ♪

Arisa Mizuhara

11.

C73のご感想を。
Your thoughts on C73.

実は当日風邪をひいていて体調がものすごく悪かったのでぐだぐだでした>_<色々な方とお会いできて楽しい一日でした^^
Actually, I caught a cold that day and I felt really sick. >_< But I met a lot of people and it turned out to be a fun day. ^^

Ops. Sorry for making you pose for a picture. -DM

Arisa Mizuhara

12.

好きな音楽を教えてください。
Please tell us the type of music you like.

頭文字Dで流れているような感じの疾走感のあるユーロビート系音楽が好きです。
I like fast eurobeat songs like the ones in Initial D.

Arisa Mizuhara

13.

最後にやったゲームと観たアニメは?
What were the last games you played and the last anime you watched?

ゲームは12/31に発売した「うみねこのなく頃に第2話(原作:竜騎士07)」をプレイしました。「ひぐらしのなく頃に」の原作者の最新作ですが今回のお話もものすごく良いです!アニメは色々見ていますが全話通しで「ガンスリンガーガール(1期)」と「さよなら絶望先生」をお正月中にまとめて観ました♪
I played Umineko no Naku Koro ni Chapter 2 (Original work: Ryuukishi 07) that came out on 31st Dec. It’s a new work from the original creator of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni and the story this time is really good! I’ve been watching quite a few anime series recently. I finished the whole series of Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei and Gunslinger Girl (first season) on New Year’s Day ♪

Arisa Mizuhara

14.

「萌え」とは貴方にとってどういう意味を持つんでしょうか?
What does “moé” mean to you?

気になっているキャラや作品の話をしていたり考えたりしてドキドキやワクワクしてきたらその感情は「萌え」なのかなと思っています(笑)
If talking or thinking about a particular character and series makes me feel excited and my heart beat faster, then I think that is “moé”. (lol)

Arisa Mizuhara

15.

最近、はまっているものはありますか?
Are you really into anything recently?

お風呂の半身浴にはまっています。漫画やアニメでは【銀魂(空知英秋)】・【ZONE00(九条キヨ)】などにはまっています。
I’m currently addicted to half-body bathing. In terms of anime and manga, I’ve been enjoying Gintama (Hideaki Sorachi) and ZONE 00 (Kiyo Kujou), among others.

Arisa Mizuhara

16.

理想の恋愛相手はどんな人ですか?
What’s your ideal relationship partner?

優しくて価値観の合う人がいいです^^
A kind person with compatible values. ^^

Arisa Mizuhara

17.

家族や友達はコスプレについてどう思いますか?
What do your family and friends think about cosplaying?

家族も友達もコスプレには理解があります^^特に私の父がアニメや可愛い感じのキャラクターグッズが好きなので理解があります(笑)
My family and friends are very understanding about cosplaying. ^^ Especially my father, because he likes anime and cute-looking character goods. (lol)

Arisa Mizuhara

18.

外国のファンからメールをよくもらいますか?
Do you often receive fan letters from overseas?

色々な国からメッセージやメールを頂いています。とても嬉しく思っています^^。私は日本でしかコスプレはしていませんがインターネットを通して色々な国でコスプレを見ていただけているのだなぁといつも感動しています。私は日本語しか出来ないのでお返事が返せずに申し訳ないのですが、お気軽にメールなどをいただけるととても嬉しく思います^^
I do receive e-mails from various countries. ^^ Although I have only been cosplaying in Japan, I always feel wonderful that people from so many different countries can view my cosplays on the internet. I can only speak Japanese, so I apologize for not being able to reply your e-mails, but I am really happy to receive them. ^^

Arisa Mizuhara

19.

海外でコスプレしたことはありますか?なかったら、したいですか?
Have you ever cosplayed overseas? If not, do you want to?

日本国内でしかコスプレをしたことがありません>_<機会があったら他の国のコスプレイベントに参加してみたいです^^
I have only cosplayed in Japan before. >_< If the opportunity arises, I will love to participate in cosplay events in other countries. ^^

Cosfest organizing committee: *hint hint* -DM

Arisa Mizuhara

20.

最後に海外のファンたちへ一言をお願いします。
Please leave a message for your overseas fans.

日本のアニメーションやコスプレをがこれだけ多くの海外のかたに興味を持って見ていただけていることをとても嬉しく思っています^^私はアニメやコスプレが好きな素人ですがこれからも楽しく大好きなコスプレをしていきますのでお気軽にHPなどに遊びにきてください^^
I’m very happy to know that there are so many overseas fans who are interested in Japanese animation and cosplay. ^^ I’m still a novice at anime and cosplay, but I will continue to have fun cosplaying, so please feel free to drop by homepage anytime. ^^

Arisa-san, you’re being too humble… -DM

Arisa Mizuhara

And that concludes one of the few rare posts that I actually went through the trouble of producing actual content for. I hope you enjoyed it, and do drop by Arisa’s booth if you happen to be at Comiket in the near future. :)

All pictures in this post are reproduced from Nyanyantei with permission.

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79 Responses to Arisa Mizuhara Interview

  1. Dez says:

    Now…

    If only she cosplayed as Simca from Air Gear, XD.

  2. Striker7785 says:

    Are you kidding a novice! I think she is one of the best cosplayers I have ever seen. She is so graceful and perfect and I especially like the Lacus Clyne character she did. From a score of 1 to 10 I give her a 100 plus

  3. LQT says:

    hi everybody , I’m a new fan of Arisa , i want to send her a fan-mail but I don’t know her e-mail address , hope you help me ! Thank you very much !!!

  4. blackstork says:

    Hey guys, does anyone know the email add of Arisa?

  5. SakurazakiNaoki says:

    I’m one of her fans too… aww If Only I had money to go Japan… anyway I only 19 so can’t afford either =P… But hope someday she will be in Singapore for all these Events… if by that time there’s still no news of her coming… mayb, juz mayb I will save up some money to invite her to Singapore for a cosplay event!!!

    PS: My Blog is currenlty outta comission and undersome changes due to my previous e-mail account being hacked… so will start a new one… What My blog use to be dosen’t matter… coz b4 chaning my name to Sakurazaki Naoki… the blog used to be under a diff name

    S. Naoki

  6. ejeypaez says:

    hi to all Im new here I love cosplay arisa cute and preety Im big fun arisa hi!! arisa Im ejey nice meet you XDD

  7. ejeypaez says:

    and all sow add me in crunchyroll if you like see!! ya XDD

  8. ejeypaez says:

    hi its me again konnichi-wa I speak japanese
    but little bit but I try my best every day I read japanese
    word to untherstand what hi saying XDD sow that for now Arisa Mizuhara I like your cosplay picture all of them there nice cute and preety XDD

  9. ejeypaez says:

    hi arisa soryy late happy birth day to you (=^_^=)

    wish to you forever happynese and keep in touch take care!!

    allways smlie ^_______^

  10. LQT says:

    Let’s give Arisa Mizuhara a gift for her birthday (^_^)

    >>>>> Video Clip Happy Birthday to Arisa Mizuhara version 2008:

    http://www.youtube.com/LQTCRACKER

    (^_^)(^_^)(^_^)(^_^)(^_^)(^_^)(^_^)

    And you ? [-o<

  11. Pingback: Cosplay Jepang dan Sejarahnya - Gamexeon Forum

  12. LQT says:

    (^_^) Happy Birthday to Arisa Mizuhara version 2008 (^_^)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EimP5PKqij0

    (^_^) Thanks for watching ! (^_^)

  13. nikko says:

    el0w….

    im a big fan of you…..

    if you give a chance to participate to other countries

    what’s the first country you would like 2 go??

  14. Rey says:

    Hey arisa I love u so much. Are you have a boyfriend. hehe please answer my question sweetie thanks^_^

  15. Polka says:

    Lubie ją i mój naród tez..
    ma niezÅ‚e kostiumy …
    i wyglÄ…da super…..
    PS. Trudno mi uwierzyć w to spotkanie :/

  16. JP says:

    i’d like to ask, does she use photoshop to make her pictures so “perfect” ?
    cos she friggen is!!!!

  17. ejeypaez says:

    hi!! =^^= remember me its me ejey lol Arisa Mizuhara how are you today

    ?? me well great day

    everyday I looking your cosplay pic there cute lol ^^ and good luck

    remember allways be HAPPY OK ^______________^

    take care!! bye :-h

  18. Dominic says:

    Man one day i would like to talk to her and me and her can be best friends for ever and one day we can go to a beach and eat chocolate and relax together and watch the sun go down and if we get bored one day we can just relax and play games ^_^

  19. 77kgggdkp (youtube) says:

    I do say this girl is really inda. your hair is real?

  20. La_Chori says:

    O__O so pretty… i love her xD
    Ey, does anybody know which character is she cosplayed on number 8? is it from range murata’s one? >_> she is pure love xD

  21. Nova says:

    Auww, so cute. Oh my, im in love!!

  22. yamato says:

    she too cute ..and i love her..
    i admire her cuteness…

  23. yamato says:

    hey im from philippines!
    what the!!
    why is it in my flag icon i got wrong flag…
    how to change it?

  24. figt says:

    how did she look in real life?

  25. Jinkasama says:

    your so prityy :)) and gorgeouse iLOve japanese like cosplaying and anyothers hi arisa kon banwa gozaimasu :))
    mua mua muaa sayonara

  26. Arisa Mizuhara Interview – Ramblings of DarkMirage

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