Cosplayer Spotlite: minty_coffins

This week we are shining our spotlight on New Jersey cosplayer Julianna, AKA minty_coffins (she/her)!

Jiang Yanli from Mo Dao Zu Shi

How long have you been a cosplayer?
I have been a cosplayer for about 6 years now! I started back in my first year of highschool and it all started from there once I got into anime.

What got you into cosplay?
Every year my dad always took me to New York Comic Con ever since I was little. One year I decided to try dressing up as an anime character, and I began to realize how much more fun it was to be an actual character rather than dressing up as anything else, which usually was my Halloween costume.

Do you make, buy, or is it a combination?
I do more of a combination! I like to have good quality cosplays and I notice a lot of the time the cosplays I’m interested in are poorly made or don’t have store bought cosplays at all. This was what helped me get into sewing my own cosplays and it became a hobby that I really cherish. I always feel like I’m learning more and more when I take on different projects.

First cosplay?
My first ever actual cosplay was Elizabeth Liones from Seven Deadly Sins…not a good first cosplay because of the super long wig. I didn’t even put my hair in the wig normally since I had no idea what I was doing.

Latest cosplay?
I recently finished working on Wonderlands x Showtime Miku and am going to compete in Derpycon later in October. It was definitely a challenge, but the moment I saw her outfit I kept thinking about how much I wanted to make something as fun as that.

Favorite thing about being a cosplayer?
I love being able to look in the mirror and see that I transformed into a specific character, I just think it’s so much fun. I get to use as much makeup and hair accessories as I want in order to make the cosplay my own. I can even add or change a character’s outfit for the fun of it. In a way, it feels like it helps me to have different gender expressions. If I feel like cosplaying a guy, girl, or anything in between, I can just do it. It’s even more fun going to anime conventions and meeting other cosplayers from the same fandom. It’s really an important way to connect with other fans while doing something you love to do at the same time.

Least favorite thing?
I think just the process in general of getting into cosplay is so time-consuming and exhausting. I don’t have as much time to cosplay due to college, and even when I do and I decide to go out in public in cosplay, mainly on my college campus, I get a lot of weird looks or stares. But I’m thankful now that I recently helped to create an Anime and Cosplay club.

What do you do for work outside of cosplay?
Outside of cosplay I am a chemistry student at college! I hope to one day be able to become a cosmetic chemist and maybe even make products for cosplayers. This past summer I almost got an internship at Mehron and it would’ve been an absolute dream to learn how to create face paint, eyeshadow, etc. for cosplay. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out the way I wanted it to, but I refuse to give up. 

What are your top 3 fandoms?
My current top 3 fandoms are Hazbin Hotel, Bungo Stray Dogs, and Dr. Stone.

Elise from Bungo Stray Dogs

What cosplay are you planning next?
I am also working on putting together Chii from Chobits, Nifty from Hazbin Hotel, and Dame Agatha Christie from Bungo Stray Dogs! In the future I am considering making Homura Momiji from Dr. Stone.

What’s one piece of advice for new cosplayers?
For new cosplayers, I believe you can do whatever you put your mind to. YouTube is such a helpful tool to learn basic skills, and even when I’m sewing I look up YouTube tutorials for certain things such as big bows. Using resources like YouTube can really help!

Where can people find you on social media?
You can find me on my Instagram @minty_coffins!

Below is a gallery of some of our featured subject’s cosplays!

About Gabby Bibus

Gabby has been obsessed with anime since she was just 9 years old, and is proud to say she has watched over 200 different series. But that’s not even her biggest claim to fame: she also lives on a farm with over 80 goats! Although anime and animals are her two favorite things in the world, she also loves music, books, and movies. Her day job is a middle school ESL teacher, and she is also a staff member at the New Jersey Renaissance Faire.

View all posts by Gabby Bibus

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