Cosplay Superstar Interview: Omi Gibson

Cosplay (short for “costume play”) is the art of dressing up in costume as popular fictional characters, most commonly from anime or video games. If you’ve been to any website or message board that discusses cosplay, there is one person whose photos you’re guaranteed to find: Omi Gibson.

Omi is a huge fan of Metal Gear Solid, which would explain why more than half of her 100+ costume gallery consists of Hideo Kojima characters. In fact, she’s been given special recognition from various news sites for the MGS4 Raiden costume she wore for the 2008 Tokyo Game Show in Japan.

Omi was very generous to agree to a Q&A interview with me, so that those who admire her work may better get to know the woman who’s made so many men’s fantasies a reality.

NOTE: She does apologize that English is not her best language (as she is a native of Japan). I will clarify her responses as best I can.

Omi as Faith from 'Mirror's Edge'

1. I’ve seen your photos on every website that talks about cosplay. What do you think about your popularity?

   
   popular with me? It the truth?
   that I hardly notice it (^_^;
   
   

2. How long have you been a fan of anime and video games? What are your favorites?

   
   I liked anime and video game, both, but [I get more enjoyment] from a video game mainly.
   There are a lot of favorite things, but becomes endless when I begin to think about it. HAHA
   
   

3. When did you start getting involved in cosplay?

   
   [Ever since I was] around 10 years old,
   Of the movie which I liked in those days
   The clothes of the character,
   I collected clothes in the house and made it.
   It was a Chinese zombie of the Hong Kong flicks called Mr.Vampire to have done Cosplay for the first time. HAHA
   
   

4. Where does your nickname, “Omi Gibson”, come from?

   
   I took the origin of my name from the name of the favorite voice actor and actor.

   Akio Otsuka who played SolidSnake in “MGS” for Japan calls the real name Akiomi Otsuka.
   I took omi from there.

   Gibson is Mel Gibson.
   
   

5. Do you make all your costumes by yourself? Where do you get your ideas?

   
   I make most costume [by myself].
   I have my friend [whos is] good at the sewing sometimes help it and have cooperate with my husband afterward.
   [My] husband has the brain about the molding [of masks, props, etc].
   [My] husband is good at the work that is more [delicate than I can do].
   Because I am awkward, I am always laughed at by him. (^_^;
   
   



Omi's infamous Raiden headgear from 'Metal Gear Solid 4'

6. Please tell me more about how you make costumes. How long does it take to make a costume? How much do you spend to make them?

   
   [In the case of] Raiden of METAL GEAR SOLID 4 to have taken time most. I needed full two months to make headgear.
   I am [dedicated] to still make a body.
   How much expense do you bet on clothes?…I have not thought about it deeply.

   [It's horrible!] (HAHA
   
   

7. Do you model professionally or just for fun? Do you have another job?

   
   I do Cosplay by a hobby and do not do the work [as a] model at all.

   My true work was entirely different.
   I usually do very quiet work with a desk and a chair and a PC.

   It seems to be totally Clark Kent. HAHA
   
   

8. Have you ever been to an event in foreign countries like the United States or in Europe?

   
   I have not participated in an event except Tokyo so far.
   It is my dream to participate in an overseas event sometime soon.
   
   



Omi as Bad Girl from 'No More Heroes'

9. Which other cosplay models do you admire? Do you ever compete with them?

   
   As for the model that I respect, [there are too many] all over the world!
   It may be said that it is all models except me.
   [They all have a] splendid charm that I do not have.
   I made a team with many friends.
   I want to do Cosplay with the friend whom [I know] abroad sometime!
   
   

10. How do other men react when you tell them that you’re married? (I know I was very sad.) Does your husband get jealous when other men flirt with you in costume?

    
    HAHA The fact that I [am married] seems to have [little affect] with Japanese many men too much.

    My husband is the same as me, [a] Cosplayer.

    Because the husband is calm character, [he isn't bothered] if I do the cosplay [where another person is my character's] lover.
    I am slightly lonely. HAHA
    
    

11. Do you often have crowds of men chasing you at conventions? Do you ever need security guards to protect you?

    
    HAHAHA too exaggerated
    I think that I am [low profile] in Japan.
    Everybody thinks that I am an eccentric, and it is [typical for Japanese people] to observe in the distance. HAHA
    
    



Omi as Revy from 'Black Lagoon'

12. What characters do you enjoy dressing as the most?

    
    I like character with [personality] different from [myself]. …tough, and it is a bitch.(=^?^=)
    Levi [or Revy] of BLACK LAGOON is so, too.
    I think that it is the most splendid [thing about] costume play that I can transform myself into the other people who are not [myself].
    
    

13. What is the most difficult part of making or wearing costumes?

    
    In fact, it is not so difficult to make costume
    It is to change [your feelings when you become the character] to be the most difficult.
    It is not easy to finish becoming the character [whom you don't share much in] common.
    
    

14. What other hobbies do you have?

    
    A hobby except my Cosplay is going in LIVE [band concerts] and shopping, and cooking.
    [When I'm not in costume] am a really common eccentric.HAHA
    
    



Omi as Dakota from 'Grindhouse Presents: Planet Terror'

15. I noticed on your photo galleries that you dress as many characters from American films. What are some of your favorite movies?

    
    I love movies!
    I like American. and many of overseas movies.
    I watch any kind of movie, but it is [Sci-Fi] and horror to like in particular.
    Because [every day I feel like a different movie is my new favorite], it is not possible.
    Recently, as for the movie which I watched, THE CLONES OF BLUCE LEE was very funny.
    
    

16. I’d love to see you dressed as Kyoko from Shiritsu Justice Gakuen: Legion of Heroes (aka Rival Schools: United by Fate). Would you be interested in that character?

    
    Oh! there is the thing that it was recommended the character to me by another friend!
    Does it become me?
    KYOKO is a character such as the icon of the Japanese ideal teacher.
    If there is an opportunity, I want to do Cosplay.
    The fighting game of Capcom is favorite one of me!
    
    

I want to thank Omi Gibson for taking the time to answer my questions! It was delightful to find that the person behind the characters is so cheerful and modest.

If you’d like to see more of Omi Gibson, you’ll find links to her various photo galleries on her MySpace page. Be warned, it’s mostly in Japanese.

Sean Ryan writes the Robot Punch! column, here on GotGame.com. He’s also the founder and head writer for TheGreyGhost.net, where he also co-hosts the Method to Madness podcast.