Featured Cosplayer: America’s Greatest Otaku Chris Wanamaker

Name: America’s Greatest Otaku Chris Wanamaker

City: Washington,DC

Social Media: http://www.facebook.com/AmericasGreatestOtakuChrisWanamaker

What was your first Cosplay Experience?

Honestly I was just setting an example for my fellow members of DC Anime Club (www.dcanimeclub.org) when we did a presentation of what is cosplay at the Annual Smithsonian Anime  Marathon sponsored by Otakorp (Otakon) and Smithsonian Freer and Sackler Gallery and did the same at Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan.

How long have you been Cosplaying?

I have been cosplaying on again off again for about 5 years now and hopefully one day I plan learn how to sew and do the creative thing where I mix role play toys with geek related clothes.  Just look at my batman outfit. I usually don’t consider the mix of geek related clothes and role play toys cosplay but  many con attendees would comment on my outfit and say it is cosplay. Go figure. Cosplay is what you make of it.

What is your favorite cosplay you have worn/created?

Still I would say Mario from Super Mario Bros. since he brings a smile to people’s faces.  I remember one time a lady literally ran across the street just to give me a hug and said how I was her hero.  I especially loved Cosplaying as Mario when I was in Tokyo, Japan which can be seen here.

If you had unlimited resources, what Cosplay would you create?

I would go for Afro from Afro Samurai. I relate to the character not just because he is black but we are both the strong and silent type.

What advice would you offer others trying to break into Cosplay?

Look, it’s called Cos-play. So please play. Have fun. Be creative. It’s not about  how many likes you have on your fan page, how popular you are or even how many trophies you win from Masquerade it’s all about the fun.