The Podcast Manifesto


Hello Cosplayers and Podcasters!

My name is Ash, you've probably never heard of me.
I'm here to talk about an idea. An idea Ive had for at least 4 years now. Put simply  I want to make a cosplay podcast. During the last few years I've struggled with many obstacles that have prevented me from perusing this goal; from technical, to financial, to motivational I've been through them all, but I've finally decided that I'm in a good place and I'm finally able to commit the time and resources necessary.

The guy at the door also said something about equivalent exchange...I dunno, I stopped listening.

With that said I want to talk a bit about cosplay; I LOVE IT! The very idea of donning a costume based on a person or character has always fascinated me as much as the people enjoy it. It is a hobby so interesting and diverse that one could spend a lifetime studying and not fully comprehend. although there has been numerous cosplay documentaries over the years, In my opinion (feel free to correct me!) there has been very little in-depth discussion related to the many other sides.

The Good, The Bad, and the whyyyy

It is my Intent to create a podcast that, not only discusses cosplay and cosplayers, but why we cosplay as well as methods, tips and tricks, and interviews (among other cool things). It is my understanding that cosplay podcasting is a fairly underserved niche (if there even is a niche) and it would bring me great honour and pleasure to start something that could possibly inspire, encourage, or enlighten others.

Finally this brings me to the 2nd reason I'm posting this manifest: I need help!
Although I am very passionate and driven person, I also have a specific vision of what I believe a podcast should be. Call me jaded or stubborn but I have always found podcasts more entertaining when its no just one person talking at you for 30 minutes to an hour! Put frankly I'm looking for a co-host or hosts to partner up with me. If your interested click here and I'll go through a bit of what I'm looking for.

Kai being interviewed AN '09

Anyways that's it, If you've read this to the end and but don't think podcasting is for you than, I would still like sincerely thank you for indulging my crazy notions and suffering through my subpar writing.
Leave me a message and let me know if your interesed (or if you think my idea is stupid and I suck whatevs)
Via facebook comments down below or email at Ash@Kivacosplay.com
Thanks for Reading!

~Ash

P.S. I know its long and winded I will add a TLDR and pictures to make it less boring, for now just bear with me!

TLDR I'm making a cosplay podcast and I'm looking for co-hosts...Click here if interested
Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 by Ash and filed under | 0 Comments »

Cosplay News Network


Have you ever been to Anime News Network? Hate it or Love it, they are probably the most used source for Anime related news and updates. Even so, It seems like cosplay is often overlooked as a super niche and is not given the same attention as Anime is given.


Sadly, the closest thing cosplayers have to "Cosplay News Network" is probably AnimeCons. Don't get me wrong Anime Cons is a perfectly acceptable news aggregate for conventions, but it falls short on delivering everything else you would expect a "news" website to have. Things like; features, interviews, and reviews are for the most part, absent.

For this article we will be focusing mainly on the aforementioned websites only because out of all the Anime/cosplay related websites they are the most likely candidates for something like this.

So what if we had a "cosplay news network"? What can we learn from past attempts and current websites? what features would cosplayers want? And what would our hypothetical "CNN" Look like?

Read more »
Posted on Friday, October 21, 2011 by Ash and filed under , , , , , , , , | 0 Comments »

Otaku House Cosplay Idol 2011


As you might have heard by now. Otaku house has been holding its own online Cosplay Idol competition for the last few months. Contestants submitted their photos to Otaku houses' facebook page where they would be voted on biased on the number of "likes" that photo receives.

As of writing this, the first wave of finalists have been chosen from the Top voted photos from North America group. South America, Europe, and Asia & Australia groups have yet to be closed.

The problem with this competition is that its biased on two key factors. Online Photos and Public Voting. Both of these methods would be flawed enough on there own and combining them hasn't helped much.

First lets look at the Photo submission aspect. Photos can be submitted by anyone and but they must verify it is a photo of themselves. that's it. It seems like a fairly simple concept until you realize that Otaku House isnt regulating the photos and virtually any photo submitted gets accepted.

What I mean by that is that they are accepting any photo, no matter how much post editing, trick photography or taking into consideration of how bad the photo quality is. Clear examples of grainy cell phone photos and heavy Photoshop and Head Shots are evident in every group.

Evidence of this becomes apparent when you browse the finalists.


This is where the second factor comes in and really messes things up. The competition boils down to a popularity contest. People votes with their "likes" and the Cosplay with the most "likes" wins. Biased on this alone we begin to see major flaws in how the competition is being judged.

Ultimately, My point is this; When everything is said and done, and the winners decided, can they really be called a Cosplay "Idol"?

To answer that question I think we have to First, find a relevant definition of an Idol:
In Japanese culture, idols (アイドル aidoru) are (usually female) media personalities in their teens and early twenties who are considered particularly attractive or cute and who will, for a period ranging from several months to a few years, regularly appear in the mass media, e.g. as singers for pop groups, bit-part actors, TV personalities, models in photo spreads published in magazines, advertisements, etc -Wikipedia

and then modify it to fit our context.
A Cosplay Idol, is a person who Cosplays and is considered particularly good at cosplaying either a specific character or a wide range of characters from either Anime, Manga, Sci-Fi, Horror etc.

Although this is My personal analysis and a very broad interpretation, by my own definition, The winners of Otaku House Cosplay Idol 2011 will become Cosplay Idols. That is, if they aren't already.

For more information on Otaku House Cosplay Idol 2011 Visit:
Posted on Tuesday, August 09, 2011 by Ash and filed under , , , , , | 1 Comments »