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Stardust Megumi NYC Cosplay

Cosplay NYC and NJ Interviewing Stardust Megu

By Roc RockersonPublished 7 years ago 4 min read
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N.Y.Cwintercon picture @stardust_megu Twitter: @Stardust_Megu Tumblr. Youtube: StardustMegu Blogspot. #adultswim #sailormoon #fanart #cartoon #fandoms #cosplay #D.va

Megumi Chan aka Stardust Megu as she is known in the cosplay community has been a staple in the New York cosplay community for seven years. Megumi has shown her support for the disabled in cosplay and advocate for positive body image. We at Art zeal met her 4 years ago, and have seen her different cosplays bloom over the years. The first time we were able to speak to her, was way back in 2014 at Central park cosplay day. Since then, Megumi has gone on to show the world her cosplays and support others on social media.

We met Megumi in a homemade, Sailor Pluto cosplay, at Central park cosplay day. You might have seen her as Poison Ivy from D.C. Comics, a stunning Pokémon Umbreon, Mariah fromJojo's Bizarre Adventure, and other various anime and video game cosplays. A list of most of her cosplays, hand made or bought and pieced together includes Poison from Final Fight, Digimons’ Angewomon, Chun-Li from Street Fighter, Red Sonja from Marvel and Dynamite comics, Yoko Littner from Gurren Lagann, Sailor D.va cosplay as a mash up ofD.va and a Sailor Scout, Bikini Meiko Shiraki cosplay from Prison School, C.C. cosplay from Code Geass, Wonder Woman cosplay fromJustice League War, Juliet Starling from Lollipop Chainsaw, Ms Marvel from Marvel Comics, Yuno Gasai from Future Diary, Mariah from Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders Arc, Kiki cosplay from Kiki's Delivery Service, Haruhi Suzumiya from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya,Super Girl from D.C. comics, and Rick from Rick and Morty. As you can see her cosplays cover a wide cross section of pop culture. Megumi's cosplays can be seen on her cosplay page fan page Stardust Megumi on facebook.com

Megumi works with "People of Disabilities in Cosplay," was at New York Comic Con 2016 with her groups of panelists such as Dopple Cosplay, Joseph Munisteri, Justin Santiago, and DozenFingers Photography. She shined a much-needed spotlight on Disabilities in cosplay. Megumi championed with her friends, all the people who have that extra struggle to be a Cosplayers, because of disabilities. She has often been outspoken about many causes dear to the cosplay community.

We were able to ask her a few questions to hear her side of her cosplay journey.

Roc Rockerson: Why did you start cosplaying, what was your first outing in cosplay?

Megumi Chan: My very first cosplay was Haruhi Suzumiya from the anime Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and I debuted it at NYCC 2010, which was also my first convention. I was scared to cosplay at first because my self-esteem was so low due to the extreme bullying I’ve experienced. When my friends from high school really convinced me to attend the convention and cosplay and I’m so glad that they did. Everyone was so uplifting and nice. I also received some positive feedback, even though my cosplay wasn’t perfect and made more friends. When I came home, I said to myself that I should do this again! Years later and I'm still cosplaying!!

You make your own cosplays; what was it like learning to work with fabrics and crafts?

Personally, it’s enjoyable and a great learning experience. At first, I bought my cosplays and sometimes make accessories and now I mostly do full cosplays. The first cosplay that I made everything myself was my Sailor Pluto cosplay. I didn't have a sewing machine back then so I had no choice but to do it all by hand. I looked up tutorials and did intensive research on the materials and fabrics. I also gave myself enough time and it came out decently. There were times when I made mistakes and have to redo some parts and sometimes I would be frustrated, but I bounce back and keep going! Even if I'm not working on a cosplay, I always research materials and fabrics for future cosplays!

Who are your legends of cosplay, people you look up too?

I have so many cosplay legends! I really look up to Yaya Han, Brichibi Cosplays, Kamui Cosplay, Ani-mia, and so many other cosplayers! I hope one day I can be as great as them! I've met Yaya Han numerous times and Ani-mia once last year at NYCC! They were both sweet and uplifting. Meeting them really made my day!

If you could do one thing to change cosplay what would it be?

I would definitely change the bullying and discrimination in the cosplay community. Unfortunately, people believe that you have to be a certain way in order to be a "great cosplayer" (lighter skinned, thinner, a certain race, abs, big tits, etc.) and if you're not, then people undermine your cosplay and even harass you. Because some people (and even myself) don't fit into that beauty standard, it's much harder to get opportunities and even some photographers and other cosplayers discriminate and are rude about it. Because of all of this, some people quit cosplay and some who want to join in are scared to. All of this is ridiculous. Cosplay is rated E for everyone! Your size, race, skill, etc. shouldn't matter! Don’t let anything stop you and be any character you want!

Name cons or meetups you're looking forward to next year?

I'm looking forward to Castle Point Anime Convention (CPAC), Women in Comics, International Cosplay Day, NYCC (If I get in LOL), Anime NYC, and Winter Con!

Stardust Megu can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or her Blogspot.

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About the Creator

Roc Rockerson

A gamer since the age of 12, I work at and am the creator of artzeal.org part of the art zeal community, I am also a trained chef and foodie. Photo and video editing, writing creatively, art is my passion.

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