 Squad Six Cosplayers Lara and Justin don their Misa and Matsuda | As part of our Misa Amane Month on Death Note News, we've been tracking down those Misa-Misa cosplayers wherever they may squee. They are coming here to share their tips, advice and anecdotes all about getting into costume as Death Note's Misa, so that you may gain insights into creating your own Second Kira cosplay. Occasional Death Note News columnist Lara Sizemore is the founder member of Squad Six Cosplayers. As the name implies, she is a veteran cosplayer within numerous different genres and fandoms. Recently this included a handmade Misa Amane costume to wear while Lara and her squad hosted a Death Note 10th Anniversary panel at Ichibancon 2016. You are in good hands. |  Misa Amane suicide dress cosplay by Lara Sizemore |
Lara Sizemore Advises on Cosplaying Misa Amane from Death Note
 Lara cosplaying Misa Amane, with Light Yagami cosplayed by Cayanna Carma | Have you cosplayed Misa now or in the past? Yes - in the past Any anecdotes about your experiences cosplaying Misa? Dressed in a common Misa cosplay I get recognition especially from other Misa cosplayers. However, dressed in her 'suicide dress' the only time I was recognized as Misa was during the Death Note panel I hosted. How would you go about creating a costume for Misa Amane? Each of Misa's outfits are precise with many details. You have to look at each individually to truly figure them out. That's not to say you can't buy generic Gothic clothing and a blonde wig to cosplay Misa. But if you were going the extra mile to be accurate and make the outfits, her clothing is specific to her and there are many details that people overlook - from skull brooches to corset work on the backs of her dresses. What clothing and/or props do you feel are essential Misa costume items? Her necklaces and earrings. Misa wears her hair a few different ways (and in the manga her hair is fuller sometimes than others) but she always has specific jewelry. Is there more to cosplaying Misa than the outfit? (Look/behaviour etc.) You don't necessarily HAVE to act like Misa in Misa cosplay, but it's always fun to put on that bubbly personality and leap after Light cosplayers at conventions. For me cosplaying Misa is more about the accuracy of the costume but for others it is more just because they love the character and I've even heard a lot of people say that they cosplay Death Note characters because "it's simple" but those people usually just thrift for their costumes. |
What's your professional opinion about ready-made Misa outfits, such as those in the Death Note News Cosplay Store? Any other pieces in there decent enough for a Misa-Misa cosplay? (Be honest!)
I personally would never buy a Misa cosplay. I much prefer making her clothing and enjoy being able to say that I made it and it's accurate. Looking at the Death Note News store, the options are very nice and the most accurate I've seen for pre-made costumes.
last tips for anyone reading, who wishes to create their Misa cosplay from scratch?
From scratch? Make sure you pay close attention to your reference photos. Pick out every detail before you sketch it out and don't forget about her jewelry.
I personally would never buy a Misa cosplay. I much prefer making her clothing and enjoy being able to say that I made it and it's accurate. Looking at the Death Note News store, the options are very nice and the most accurate I've seen for pre-made costumes.
last tips for anyone reading, who wishes to create their Misa cosplay from scratch?
From scratch? Make sure you pay close attention to your reference photos. Pick out every detail before you sketch it out and don't forget about her jewelry.
Cosplayers! Would you like to have a go at answering these questions on your own behalf? If you are a Death Note cosplayer - or indeed a cosplayer per se - and you're willing to share your tips, thoughts and advice with the fandom, then visit our cosplayer's questionnaire page to fill in the form. Thank you in advance! | Posted as Part of  |
