COSPLAY: The Series (Interview with Eka & Yogi)

In the bridging period of COSPLAY: The Series Season 1 towards Season 2, I did an interview with the cast of CTS. The last few interview entries I published can be found in the links below.

• Interview with Agnesya, Annisa, Anya
• Interview with Bonni Rambatan (Producer)

Today, the limelight has finally been shifted towards the males in the series. Featuring Ikhsan Maulan and Bram Agusta who acted as the Hentai Eka and the Hacker Yogi respectively. Pretty interesting that the male characters in the series all have a somewhat negative moniker except Vincent Sempai xD

	Ikhsan Maulan as  Eka Ananta
	Bram Agusta as Baskara Prayogi

 

TCC: How did you get the role and what was your first reaction/thought?

 IM: I was surprised at first, but why not try it!

 BA: I got the role by accident! We were just hanging out, and I was selected! *laughs*

BR (Producer): Ah, it sounds so terrible when you put it that way! *laughs* We couldn’t get a suitable talent for Yogi, and I really wanted to have a hacker in the group, and then we saw Ibam sitting there just typing on his laptop, and he seemed pretty fitting! Originally, his role was a minor one, a guy who was in love with Annisa, but that character got deleted in the final few revisions because time restrictions of our episodes won’t allow us to develop their relationship properly.

TCC: Did you have to sacrifice anything (school, homework, club activities, work, partners, family, etc) to take part in this series?

IM: Nope!

BA: Nothing really, since production happened during holidays for me when I really had nothing else to do!

TCC: How was the whole filming process like? Describe with details :D!

IM: It was cool... I’ve enjoyed acting since I was a kid, anyway.

BA: The process was so awesome!! So much laughter, but also very tiring... As a photographer, I also learned so much from the series’ cinematographer Fadli Rozi!

TCC: Have you ever acted before? How was it like to be an actor/actress?

IM: Yes, ever since I was in kindergarten, I’ve always been a school or neighborhood representative for one of those quiz shows on TV, so I’m pretty used to it.

BA: I’ve never acted for a film before, this was the first. I usually act for cabaret performances.

TCC: How was it like working with Bonni Rambatan/ Producer and the entire crew?

IM: It was exciting!!! A lot of friends, a lot of learning new skills and knowledge, simply exciting. I had nothing else to do at the time besides filming, too!

BA: Working with them makes me feel like I was in a sitcom! *laughs* It was just sooo fun, so random, and filled with laughter!

TCC: Okay, something totally different. What’s your favorite Ice cream and why?

IM: Vanilla and chocolate! They just taste so good!

BA: I don’t really like ice cream because I have sensitive teeth.

TCC: Which Anime/Manga/Game character would you date and why?

IM: Hmm... Akasia Moka, Fate Testarosa... Because they’re voiced by Nana Mizuki!

BA: Um... I don’t know, I’ve never felt any kind of special attraction towards anime girls, but if I have to answer this question, maybe Maho Minami from Beck?

TCC: Are you reallllly that openly hentai in Real life? Where do you store your prized collection? (don’t worry, we’ll make sure your mom don’t find out hehe)

IM: *laughs* No, I’m actually a good and pretty straightforward guy. I’m only openly hentai to close friends. *laughs* I don’t have a collection since I don’t really know where to buy those stuff around here!

BR: *laughs* Remember that Yoko oppai mouse pad? That was actually mine. I’m guessing I’m the openly hentai one here! *laughs*

TCC: Please don’t tell me the character name is based off the fact that you actually look a little like Yogi Bear! *laughs*

BA: No, definitely not, because I don’t look like Yogi Bear! Well, maybe a little... *laughs*

TCC: Yogi’s presence as a Hacker is pretty weird considering it’s a Cosplay club. Why do you think Yogi joined and stayed in the club??

BA: I think Yogi joins the club because he loves anime, too, and because he finds his greatest friends there. He’s well versed in cyber law and memes and stuff, which is highly useful to the club.

BR: The original script has a lot more to tell about Yogi that was deleted in the revisions. Originally, I wanted to talk a lot more about the interconnection of Japanese culture and Internet memes, copyright law vs. scanlations and fansubs, the whole bunch, so we needed a character who could very well be a member of Anonymous or something (originally, Yogi was also much more antisocial). In the end we decided to delete all those because it wasn’t very relevant, but we kept the hacker character anyway as it was required to advance the plot.

TCC: Tell us something about yourself that is totally different from your character!

IM: I never play around with girls because I’m quite strict about being loyal to only one partner.

BA: Well, I’m not a thief like Yogi! *laughs* I’m pretty good with computers, but I’m not what you’d call a hacker like Yogi. Also I don’t think I would need better ninja skills. *laughs*

TCC: How far do you think Cosplay: The Series would go?

IM: I think it will keep on sailing smoothly... As smooth as the thighs of moe girls... *laughs*

BA: As far as we can go!

TCC: Does the series have any affect on your life?

IM: I think so... I get more shy when people recognize me, for instance.

BA: New friends! And of course the knowledge and experience of filmmaking process.

TCC: What kind of future do you foresee for the hobby ‘Cosplay’?

IM: I think people will realize how positive a hobby cosplay is, because it really trains you to be creative and embrace teamwork. Personally, cosplaying has been a huge positive step for me. My old hobby was street motor racing, which is very dangerous to myself and others. I’m glad I turned to cosplay instead.

BA: I think more and more people will try out cosplaying, and some of those will make a living doing it.

 

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Yeap, that was a lot of questions and they answered everything. Kudos to that! I hope you guys enjoyed it !

Season 3 of COSPLAY: The Series is still in the works but if you haven’t caught onto the series yet, pop over to their website and watch it now! Subscribe to their channel and liking their Facebook Page!

Japan May 2011, Day 2 (Shibuya 109 & Hachiko)

This entry is super backdated. It documents  the 2nd day of my trip to Japan in May 2011, shortly after the Japan Tsunami. Having too much on my plate while jostling a losing battle with my Computer eventually led me to forgetting about this entry entirely. Apologise much >.<!

Other related entries of my Japan trip can be found here –>> Link !

It was my first trip to the Mecca of Anime and I was super excited. Hope you guys enjoy sharing my experience!

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Day 2 was also a very metropolitan day. We went to see Hachiko and the famous Shibuya 109.

Commencing the entry with our lunch! Cvy is a big fan of Omaguro ( Did I get this right? japanese help ???) and we found a Maguro restaurant just around our hotel (Sunshine Prince Hotel, Ikebukuro) so we decided to walk in!

The store front

Inside the restaurant. Sorry the picture’s such bad aim =\ Was a little too embarrassed to take more >.< U

Mine. Maguro cubes and shredded omelette, I think =X

Cvy’s. Raw minced meat (can’t remember if it was beef or pork or chicken) and fish roe

A quick twin pic before we dived into our lunch. We’re more foodie people than camwhore people =x

A pretty Love Hotel just opposite the restaurant xD I wonder what’s with the Disney castle theme ?

We then took the subway to Shinjuku to visit Hachiko!

And the famously loyal dog; Hachiko! I look very lonely because Cvy refuse to take a picture with me =_=. And yes! my curls are real!! Yes, I suck at posing =P

Some green cabin thingy just in front of Hachiko. I have no idea what it was because we didn’t go in =( But I’m assuming it’s a mini museum dedicated to Hachiko of sort?

The famous Shinjuku traffic Junction. I’m so sorry my picture did the place no justice at all!

Aoi no Excorcist!

And with some walking, we managed to find the highly prized, Shibuya 109! Apparently, there is also a Shibuya Men. Guess they were not kidding when they say everyone is Japan/Tokyo is extremely particular about their appearance =X

Shibuya 109 was way smaller than I imagined and pretty unimpressive on the outside. But once you get in, things change.

Video not by me. Just random googled :D

For one, it seemed to be an awesome mid scale fashion hub for young female adults. With a variety of shops selling everything from shoes to bags.

Next, all the female sales staff looked like they came out from Popteen or Vivi!!!

Like seriously. I'd recommend you go there very seriously dolled up or prepare a platinum card. Because all the sales girl with their PERFECT skin, hair , face and cute clothes will make any normal girl feel super insecure. Unless they are gorgeous Japanese themselves *sheepish*.

Something I noticed about the people there is their fashion sense. Everyone just looked really prim and proper and even their floor cleaner's uniform was frikin cute lah!!! Like seriously ?! Wai so cute?!

 

I bought a Liz Lisa lucky bag! It consisted of the bag, a book and 3 piece of garment!  I wasn’t expecting to see a Lucky bag sale since it was way over the season so you bet I was excited to get it. My only regret was not grabbing two but then again, $160+ on clothes is too much for me to accept >w< .

 

I'm letting this go for just SGD 30! Authentic Liz Lisa from Japan! If you're interested, email me! Yes....i successfully converted this into a bimbotic blog @.@

Never a fan of furs but this coat is really cute! This camwhore was taken at our hotel I wore this ensemble to the Swallowtail Butler Cafe.

After Shibuya 109 we ventured out to Lumiere, a seemingly more high end Shopping Mall.

Also bought a really cute compactable luggage with pastel flora prints!

Cvy bought a Starbucks cup and they gave her a free drink and she's super happy about it! Haha!

Resting our feet on of the lounging sofa in Lumiere shopping mall. After that we went back to Ikebukuro, dropped our loots in our hotel room and rushed off to meet Reiko, Decadence and Sunshine for dinner! It was really nice to see them again ! Final Fantasy 3 unite!!!!

We had our 2nd dinner at a Izakaya ( Japanese bar) sort of place. Was a very nice experience!

Raw marinated chicken sounds really gross but it was a surprisingly good appetiser! My taste buds suggests that the marinate consists of teriyaki sauce, sesame oil and some other awesome stuffs that i don’t know of.

And here’s the obligatory long slew of mouth watering food pictures

My outfit of the day was supposed to include this red checked cape . But it was pretty warm that day so I didn't wear it half the time. Wasted!

With my ‘Ex-Boyfriend”, Reiko darling !!!

The night ended with us eating combini (Convenience Store) ice creams at our hotel room

Guess what was on midnight TV XD?