“no matter your body type, skin color, gender, sexuality that you bear you can cosplay your own way. “

I follow cosplay and cosplayers- in person, on Facebook, and on Twitter. Twitter is where I discovered Tranquil Ashes- a spectacular cosplayer who not only has badass cosplay construction skills but also has amazing stage presence, truly inhabiting each character in her stable of cosplays.

I’m stunned and impressed by the power she projects in images like the ones above and below.

No cosplayer, especially this one, needs to be limited by race or gender, however, I do think it’s especially appropriate to highlight her during the #28daysofblackcosplay. Here, without further ado is Tranquil Ashes.

Name: Tranquil Ashes

Day job: (n/a transitioning)

Age-ish: Past 25 and not loving it lol

Home base: Baltimore Maryland

Why do you cosplay?

It’s a form of fun for me. It’s a chance to express myself creatively in many different ways. Many of the art mediums I’ve learned to love over the years have been incorporated within my cosplay. It’s so much a part of my daily that it’s inspired my own passion project of a cosplay ball in which I am trying to see to fruition.

How long have you been cosplaying? 

I’ve been cosplaying in earnest 5 years or so.

How do you choose your character(s)?

Most of the time it’s just based off of the love of a character, and sometimes I’m in a group cosplay and I cosplay a character to make a full group. I also take into consideration how I’m going to need to grow about recreating the character in my own style. Very rarely do I make a cosplay that is a replica of a character’s outfit I always change it in some way to make it my own.

Do you have a signature or favorite cosplay? 

To be honest, I don’t think I have a favorite cosplay, each cosplay makes me feel a different way so I appreciate most cosplays for what that feeling is. However, I believe I’m most known for my Rose Quartz cosplays and my Akuma cosplay.

Do you make, or buy your cosplays? 

I make about 80% of my cosplays from scratch or rework old street clothes into completely different garments. I have yet to buy a cosplay although I do see that as a prospect in the future. I simply get the enjoyment of creating my own look so I like to craft my own cosplay and make them uniquely me.

What advice do you have for other cosplayers?

To make sure that while you’re cosplaying you’re doing it for fun. That no matter your body type, skin color, gender, sexuality that you bear you can cosplay your own way.

What’s the best thing that someone has said to you about your cosplay?

I honestly think that so many folks have come to me, especially women of color and plus size men and women tell me that I’ve inspired them to cosplay for the first time. I’m just happy that I’m able to be out in the face of the community to show that anyone can do this if they so desire.

What’s the worst thing that someone has said to you about your cosplay?

When you put yourself out there, there are going to be a lot of people who just hate on you for the fact that you’re doing what you’re doing. I’ve been told to die, or that I ate all my fellow cosplayers etc etc. However I don’t let the comments bother me, in fact, they move me to be bigger and better!Do you attend conventions? Which is your favorite? 

Colossalcon, Katsucon, Blerdcon, and New York City Comic-Con are a few of my favorites.