Cosplay Matsuri 2025 invited Singapore-based cosplayer, Kiyo, as their special guest of honor. Kiyo is a professional cosplayer renowned for her captivating cosplays and passionate workmanship, embodying her beloved characters, video games, and other pop-culture icons with an undeniable presence. She’s turned her hobby into a full-time job and is actively streaming and creating content.
Kiyo opened up about her experiences as a cosplayer during her stage interview at Cosplay Matsuri 2025. At one point in the conversation, she reminded her fellow cosplayers of the importance of having fun, taking it slow, and learning from trial and error, and that “there is no point to it if you don’t enjoy yourself.”
In an exclusive interview with Anime Corner afterwards, Kiyo shared a few tidbits about herself, her cosplay work, and her feelings of fulfillment from it.
Parts of this interview have been lightly edited for clarity.
Q. What inspired you to become a cosplayer? What’s your favorite cosplay and why?
Kiyo: I saw cosplayers at a convention. I was very inspired by the passion and dedication that they poured into portraying a character they love and enjoy.
[My favorite cosplay is] Goldship from Uma Musume. I don’t know why, but her character really resonates a lot with me. I feel like, as a known cosplayer, there’s this kind of professional aura that we have to carry around.
[But] whenever I cosplay Goldship, I can just really let the real me through. I’m quite eccentric and loud, and so is she [Goldship], so it just fits me perfectly, y’know?
Q. Cosplaying has a lot of steps, from wig styling to making costumes to photo editing. Which part of the process do you enjoy the most?
Kiyo: If I’m being completely honest, looking at the finished results is the best part [of it].
As a full-time cosplayer, at some point, as much as you enjoy your hobby, work is still work, and sometimes you kind of dread it.
However, looking at everything coming together, the result of all your blood, sweat, and tears always gives me the motivation to do it all over again. It’s what keeps me going.
Q. Lastly, if given the chance, what would be your ultimate cosplay?
Kiyo: Oh my. Right off the top of my head, I think it would be something I’ve always wanted to cosplay but never got to do yet… probably Yoko Littner from Gurren Lagann!
A heartfelt thank you to Kiyo for coming to the Philippines and for taking the time to speak to us! Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and TikTok.
Thank you as well to Cosplay.ph for having us at Cosplay Matsuri 2025. Visit the Cosplay Mania Facebook page and X (Twitter) for more updates on their future anime and cosplay events.
Photos via Cosplay.ph
Disclaimer: Anime Corner is a media partner for Cosplay Matsuri 2025
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