As you might remember, not so long ago I (Robin Ek, TGG) published a post about the Brazilian cosplayer Rizzy no Okuni. Well, if you read that post, then you would know that Rizzy agreed to do an interview with us =) So, here it is folks! Please enjoy 😉

Robin TGG
I’m going to start off this interview by letting you introduce yourself to our readers, so go ahead and do so 😉

Rizzy
Hey guys! My real name is Rayara, but I use Rizzy in my page. I’m 23 years old, and I work with photography and design. Ah, and I’m from Brazil! 😀

Robin TGG
When, where, why and how did you get involved in the world cosplay? And for how many years have you cosplayed?

Rizzy
I’ve been cosplaying for approximately six years now. Well, I had my first contact with cosplay a few years ago, and I was charmed with this. As I found it to be wonderful that you can give life to one of your favorite characters for a while, and make other people happy to see that. That was one of the main reasons behind why I started to cosplay.

Robin TGG
Where does your name “Rizzy no Okuni” come from? Does it mean anything special? And how did you come up with it?

Rizzy
So a few years ago I worked for a company that did not accept my hobby. It was around this time that I realized I needed a nickname rather than continue to use my real name on social networks. Rizzy comes from “Dizzy” from Guilty Gear. I just changed the first letter. “Okuni” was given by my boyfriend.

Robin TGG
What is the cosplay scene like in Brazil? I mean, is there any big cosplay events and such? Furthermore, has cosplay been popular in Brazil for a long time?

Rizzy
Cosplay is really popular in Brazil today, and I believe that this popularity continue to grow even more over time.  You see, we have many events and currently the “Comic Con Experience” is the largest of them. In my city we have at least eight events a year.

Robin TGG
Over the years, you have cosplayed as everything from D.VA, 2B, the Baroness to Bayonetta. Thus I’m rather curious to know if there is any cosplays that you would never do? Simply put, is there any limits in your mind at all? Or do you just cosplay as whatever you feel like doing at the moment? – Bonus question: have there ever been a cosplay that you have turned down or canceled half-way through?

Rizzy
For now, I never thought of a limit. Like you said, I do cosplay of what I like. So if I have some game that I really liked, and that I identify with the character, then I’m going to cosplay her or him \o/

And the bonus question:
Not until now. I mean, it can take a long time for me to complete a cosplay (the cosplay that took me the longest time to finish was my Saber cosplay. I spent almost a year on that one). Nevertheless, usually, I finish it.

Robin TGG
I don’t know if it’s just me, but there seem to be quite a lot of erotic/pin-up-like cosplay photos done by you. Is that something that you have done for a long time? And which one do you prefer to do the most? More erotic-like cosplays? Or family friendly ones?

Rizzy
Oh I do many cosplays and I do not have a preference. In the same way that I like sexy cosplays, I like the “family friendly” cosplay. I started with the sexiest pictures and looks in the last two years. Before it, I did not have the courage or support for this type of cosplay.

Robin TGG
I think it’s safe to say that created one of the sexiest Samus Aran cosplays ever with your sexy bodypaint Zero Suit Samus cosplay (props to Fernanda Siepierski for her great bodypaint work!). So how did that cosplay came about? And have you done bodypaint cosplays in the past? (didn’t you get cold when you did that?) I would also like to ask you if you’re a fan of the Metroid series?

Rizzy
So, I made Samus for the first time two years ago, and I did not like the result. Unfortunately here in Brazil, we do not have a good variety of fabrics and there are no people who sew and know how to work with latex. So, last year Nanda invited me to the first body paint I did, which was the D.Va of Overwatch. And I thought, “Why not do Samus?” And that’s how the idea of this body paint came about =) And I have to say that I was truly happy with the result. And well, all the body paints we’ve ever done were produced on really hot days, so I had no problems with cold xD And yes, I really like Metroid!

Robin TGG
When I looked through all the cosplays which you’ve done uptil this point, I couldn’t help to think for myself “if I didn’t know that it was Rizzy, then I would think that there was a handful of different cosplayers”. My point would be that you have changed your looks and style over time. So when I looked at your photos, I could hardly believe that every single photo was of the one and same person. Well, let’s just say that I’m impressed by that =)

So I take it that you like to change your style, looks and cosplays quite often?

Rizzy
Ahh a lot of people say that to me. It’s normal for me to go to an event and when I get home and post some photo on Facebook my friends say “I cannot believe that it was you, because I did not recognize you!”. I think I have a very generic face, and I adapt well to the characters. And yes, I like to change my character style over time. Doing the same thing always tires you haha!

Robin TGG
What games are your currently playing? And which games are your favourites?

Rizzy
This month I played a lot Nier: Automata and Horizon. I’m currently giving a chance to Final Fantasy XIV. And I can say for sure that my favorite games are from the Zelda franchise (mainly “A Link to the Past”). Zelda is one of the series that grew up with me, and I’m really in love with it. Outside this franchise between my favorite games comes the FF VII – Crisis Core and Bayonetta.

Robin TGG
Is there any cosplayers that has inspired you throughout the years? (people who you look up to).

Rizzy
Oh yeah, one of my favorite cosplayers that inspires me is Stella Chuu. She is so beautiful! And here in Brazil, there are other cosplayers that I really admire the work, like Adami Langley and Witchiko 🙂

Robin TGG
Which one of your cosplays do you like the most so far? And why?

Rizzy
Dizzy. I LOVE HER! She was one of the most difficult characters (at the time I did it for the first time) because I had never done such a cosplay so…. sexy? I think I can use this word xD hahahaha And she really is a lovely character. I hope I can make the new version of her this year!

Robin TGG
Do you prefer to do cosplays based on animes/mangas, movies/tv-series, games or comics?

Rizzy
Games. I really like to play. So most of my cosplays are based on characters from video games.

Robin TGG
Which cosplay have you spent the most time on so far? And is there any cosplay that you really would like to do in the near future?

Rizzy
Rapunzel, from “Tangled”. It took me a lot of time to paint all the clothes and make the wig. It was the most difficult wig to style in my entire life.

Robin TGG
What’s your take on the outcry about female booty in the world of games and cosplay? (the whine about “sexism” and whatnot) Because I take it that you’re a fan of Nier: Automata due to your 2B cosplay? In my opinion, female beauty and sexiness shouldn’t be shamed, but praised. As I find stunning females such as yourself and 2B to be the same thing as a really beautiful art piece.

Rizzy
I honestly don’t care about this. I like sexy characters and I LOVE to cosplay them. That’s enough for me. I have more important things to worry about.

Robin TGG
What are your plans, hopes and expectations for this year? And is there anything that you would like to say to our readers?

Rizzy
This year I just hope I can finish all my projects hahaha! Because I have so many and so little time! As for cosplay, I have a lot of photography projects that I’m starting to develop, and I hope everything goes well throughout the year. And I would like to thank you for this opportunity and for all your support! That really means a lot to me. THANK YOU GUYS!! <3 <3

Rizzy’s social pages:
Facebook
Twitter
Deviantart

Robin “V-Act” Ek
Editor in chief
The Gaming Ground
Twitter: @TheGamingGround

More by Robin Ek:

• “Darkest Dungeon II” is coming to Playstation consoles on July 15th, 2024
• “Project Warlock II: Reworked Chapter 1” has just kicked-off its open playtest for PC
• The hardcore arcade racing game “DEATHSPRINT 66” is coming to PC via Steam in 2024
• The immersive fishing & Boating sim “Ships At Sea” is coming to PC via Steam EA on May 9th, 2024
• “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth” is now available for the PS5 worldwide

Tags: Brazil, Cosplay, Gamers, Gaming, Metroid, Overwatch, Rizzy no Okuni