COVID and Quarantine have effectively halted the convention season for many attendees and content creators. Many of the latter type have either changed or haven't when it comes to creating outfits and staying active creatively. Mink the Satyr is one such gal so we talk about what she's been up to! Doing some on location shoots as well as shoots in her backyard! Plus, we go on about Pokemon, Animal Crossing, enamel pins and how lucky we both got in attending PAX East as our last con before things...
Nov 30, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 54
Thank you for your patience in my brief unexpected hiatus! I'm hoping to be back with posting episodes in full force, starting with a wonderful conversation I had with Kia Sangria. After she reached out to being on my show I was ecstatic to have her on since that's never happened before. Learn more about her cosplay beginnings, love of anime alongside her blogging ventures and sponsorships! We also talk about her experience being a Black cosplayer in the community. This was such a fun chat and I...
Nov 20, 2020•47 min•Season 3Ep. 53
This past weekend, NYCC had it's full blown outing virtually with this second run of what's called the Metaverse. Similar to a previous episode, this consisted of multiple panels being streamed through YouTube in addition to a beautifully crafted website that mimicked the convention look and feel. Of course as much as it did, the feeling of being at the Javits Center was absent and was something I missed throughout this weekend. Come hear my thoughts on the various panels I did watch in addition...
Oct 12, 2020•21 min•Season 3Ep. 52
In this exciting and lengthy episode, I got to talk with Maru about a variety of things on top of learning her history with cosplay. Having just recently made the jump to being a full time content creator, she goes a bit into detailing her various streams of income and what her day is mostly like. Plus like always, we go on various tangents mostly about World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV and just Final Fantasy in general. Maru definitely has some gripes with certain games I'll tell you that mu...
Sep 30, 2020•1 hr 17 min•Season 3Ep. 51
For this special 50th episode of CosplayBytes, I talk about my experience in viewing PAX Online from the comfort of my home thanks to the ongoing pandemic. Combining West and Aus, PAX had a variety of panels streaming across Twitch and I checked a few of them out when I was able to. In addition, I had the opportunity to interview several indie game developers regarding their upcoming games which were showcased at the convention! I also catch everyone up on the console generation shift that's goi...
Sep 20, 2020•31 min•Season 3Ep. 50
With the continued pandemic raging through the cosplay community, I wanted to take a look at how content creators have been handling themselves during this crazy time. My waifu for laifu Jaycee Cosplay joins me again with her perspective on this situation. Jess gives us a look as to how she's been able to produce content and do photoshoots during the last few months, along with her thoughts on online conventions and how things may change going forward. Not to mention the struggles she's had with...
Sep 08, 2020•42 min•Season 3Ep. 49
With the current state of the world through COVID, conventions have been cancelled/postponed throughout 2020. However, cons have been doing their best to adapt and initiate online offerings so that the spirit of conventions don't go away for this year. I discuss the most recent offerings with ReedPop's Metaverse as well as DC FanDome. Here I go into detail with the panels both events featured as well as the overall presentation of them. I talk about my favorite panels that were from each event, ...
Aug 23, 2020•30 min•Season 3Ep. 48
I had the absolute pleasure to chat with Laika in this long episode all about her career as a content creator. From being a sex worker to utilizing it in helping her music career! She gives her opinion on the shift towards OnlyFans with multiple cosplayers flocking over to it and comparing the platform to Patreon. Not only that, Laika gushes over her gaming history with a love for Halo, Mass Effect and her current gaming state. Mostly it's Animal Crossing plus her being surprised about the new P...
Jul 27, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 47
CosplayBytes has returned from hiatus! Sorry for the delay, I wanted to take time to discuss how potentially conventions will change their operations once the pandemic has ended. Virtual con alternatives? Panels being done online? This and more are told in this episode. You also get an update sort of things for the immediate future of the show <3. For more Cosplay News, check out my blog and Patreon! https://thelightningpalace.blogspot.com/ https://www.patreon.com/LightningPalace...
Jul 12, 2020•22 min•Season 3Ep. 46
Mink joins me in a discussion about cosplaying on a budget alongside cosplaying for cheap. If you're just starting out as a cosplayer, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn how many cosplayers go about gathering materials for their outfits. Learn tips in regards to saving money alongside alternative methods to creating things that would otherwise be a little more on the expensive side! For more Cosplay News, check out my blog and Patreon! https://thelightningpalace.blogspot.com/ https://www.p...
May 25, 2020•53 min•Season 3Ep. 45
Happy May! While we're all stuck in quarantine, I was more than eager to record new episodes for you guys! Today, I'm joined by cosplayer and photographer Kadu=Out who I managed to work with last year at NYCC! Get to know Kadu even more as we talk about his history with cosplay and photography. We also discuss content creation and touch on the topic of burnout. Being a content creation of any kind means burnout comes in various forms. It's a solid chance that you have even dealt with it at some ...
May 17, 2020•58 min•Season 3Ep. 44
In this installment of Why We Cosplay, I got to talk with Mink the Satyr about the one franchise that won't stop growing, Pokemon! From cosplaying as the Gym Leaders, Professors and other NPC's, to the massive amount of Pokemon itself! The concept of gijinkas really runs wild when it comes to cosplayers selecting which creature to create an outfit on. We talk about the Pokemon cosplays we've done ourselves as well as a look into what makes Mink choose both the Pokemon and overall design concept!...
Apr 19, 2020•1 hr 19 min•Season 3Ep. 43
In a brand new episode, I'm joined by cosplayer and lewd model Krissy Victory for a lengthy discussion about OnlyFans and its rise as a platform for cosplayers and models alike! Learn about the pros and cons, cosplayers utilizing both this and Patreon as their source of income, and what the future holds for both websites! I also ask Krissy about her history with cosplay along with her general thoughts of being a POC in the community! Check out all of Krissy Victory's work and websites at the lin...
Apr 13, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 42
In this episode, I do my best in presenting the topic of Content Creation in cosplay and just in general for the digital age we live in today! Originally a panel idea for a 1-day digital con, this was something I wanted to present as I have a huge amount of experience being a content creator myself. I talk about the variety of platforms you can use to promote your work, fighting algorithms and just finding your own voice in what you create. I discuss various communities that exist for cosplayers...
Apr 05, 2020•22 min•Season 3Ep. 41
I wanted to quickly get an episode/update of sorts regarding how the Coronavirus has been affecting the cosplay and convention industry. This was a little difficult to do solo so I hope you guys don't mind! Due to the length of the episode I decided to implement the ".5" notation. This will only be used on episodes that don't hit the usual length that I hope to have for each one. I hope you all are safe and healthy, please remember to support your creators in this very awkward time during the co...
Mar 15, 2020•12 min•Season 3Ep. 40
For my last PAX East episode, I got to chat with my wonderful friends Chris and Shaylin! I spent most of my Thursday with them at the con! We talked about Animal Crossing, the craziness of the lines, Riot's past history with PAX East and how cosplay was overall. They both mention their previous cosplay adventures at ColossalCon, all the shopping, and so much more! I really hope you all enjoyed my PAX East coverage, definitely something I'd love to do again <3 For more Cosplay News, check out ...
Mar 14, 2020•32 min•Season 3Ep. 40
Continuing my PAX East coverage, I'm joined by my wonderful friend Dillon aka Bunwitch/Princess Gigglesnort! We got to hang out multiple times and it was an incredible time. Check out the stuff she did with working for Atomic Hype, promoting the Acer afterparty alongside her thoughts on FF7 Remake and Kingdom Hearts 3. Dillon is very much into KH which is always awesome to have as far as common interests go. While she was sick partly during the con, she always made sure I was having a wonderful ...
Mar 08, 2020•50 min•Season 3Ep. 39
My coverage of PAX East starts now with an excitingly long episode with my wonderful friend Mink the Satyr. Join us as we go through each of the days and how it was for us. From trying out a variety of games, the booths that had the most presence plus all the shopping we did. Mink also dives into her cosplays and the panels she hosted (which were multiple!). Other cons are mentioned, the impact of the coronavirus in the convention scene and other podcasting related topics! This is crazy long so ...
Mar 07, 2020•1 hr 25 min•Season 3Ep. 38
I wasn't able to attend Katsucon this year however I did have a chance to talk about it with my OG cosplay waifu. Join me and Jaycee Cosplay for a look at one of the biggest cons of the start of 2020 in terms of cosplay. Learn about the outfits Jess brought, the cosplays/fandoms she saw and her history with cosplay. She also gives her own view as to how cosplays and conventions have changed over the last 10 years. Plus tidbits at some of the odd/crazy stuff that went down at Katsu! For more Cosp...
Mar 07, 2020•59 min•Season 3Ep. 37
My interview with Sutefaniiroozu at PAX East 2020!
Mar 03, 2020•5 min
My Morrigan Lynx Interview from PAX East 2020!
Mar 03, 2020•7 min
In a new Episode idea, I take a look at a certain storied franchise and see why it's so popular to cosplay from. For this inaugural episode, I'm joined by Leyonhart Cosplay as we both geek out over Final Fantasy in general. Learn about her past work regarding FF Cosplays in addition to a small look at her never ending cosplans with revamps and new characters left and right! Plus we talk a little bit about Kingdom Hearts, Leyonhart's history with gaming and so much more! For more Cosplay News, ch...
Feb 15, 2020•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 36
For this episode, I'm joined by Jonathan who's the head of a newly created organization called Goggles and Gadgets. Mainly to talk about a convention that he's trying to start up known as Creation Con. The convention itself is a one day event held in New York and is being touted as something that hasn't been done before. Geared towards cosplayers, come learn about this upcoming event and what it's like starting up a convention from the ground up! You can check out Goggles and Gadgets page here! ...
Feb 09, 2020•31 min•Season 3Ep. 35
Season 3 is here and to kick it off, I'm going solo! Thanks to a friend's suggestion, I'll be doing these episodes where I take a look at the cosplay community and where it's heading. Mainly in terms of trends and controversies taken part. Only with giant gaps between episodes though. You also get a look at what I have planned for 2020 plus my announcement of attending PAX East <3. Hope you guys enjoy! For more Cosplay News, check out my blog and Patreon! https://thelightningpalace.blogspot.c...
Jan 26, 2020•22 min•Season 3Ep. 34
In what's possibly the final episode of 2019, I'm joined by Mink the Satyr as we discuss a much needed topic regarding safety at conventions. Especially for those that are in cosplays, revealing or not! We go over tips and strategies attendees can use in order to make their well being feel at ease. Plus utilizing elements like convention security to help yourself out in difficult situations. We also talk about RI Comic Con which happened in November PLUS go on one of our many famous tangents. Th...
Dec 09, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 33
Here's a brand new episode for you all to enjoy! Sorry it's been such a long time since the last one. I'm joined with my wonderful friend Sutefaniiroozu as we discuss her time at BlizzCon earlier this month. The fan favorite con for Blizzard games faced some heavy backlash and controversy leading up to the con so we also have a lengthy discussion about that. Mainly touching on how the company handled it and how other conventions should handle troubling issues in the future. I also bring up anoth...
Nov 26, 2019•56 min•Season 2Ep. 32
And so my biggest convention of the year has come and went! Join me and Mink the Satyr as we talk about our time at New York Comic Con! We may not have been able to run into each other, but we sure had a wonderful time! Cosplay mishaps on my end, buying swag in the vendor hall, and Mink's panel + contest adventures! We also go on a voice actor tangent with KH3 and other news that get us all giddy to talk about! Mink bringing in Aloy and her Toothless debut was nothing sort of amazing. Also added...
Oct 13, 2019•1 hr 32 min•Season 2Ep. 31
Let's go down under in this episode as I have with me my wonderful friend Karnagecos. We talk about what cosplay is like in Australia in addition to comparisons between conventions there and the US! Soon that takes us down the rabbit hole of which cosplayer is crazy tall, Warcraft memories, Pokemon and so much more. Oh and we both fangirl over certain cosplayers so YAY FANGIRLING! For more Cosplay News, check out my blog and Patreon! https://thelightningpalace.blogspot.com/ https://www.patreon.c...
Oct 02, 2019•1 hr 28 min•Season 2Ep. 30
For this lengthy episode, I have with me the wonderful Zach Fischer as my guest! Known in the cosplay world for his insane character re-designs, he's also been a huge local supporter for cosplayers and how social media has been treating them over the last few years or so. We also get slightly political (sorry XD), go into Game of Thrones talk, Disney establishing dominance, and a whole lot more! Strap yourselves in for a long one, this was super fun to record! For more Cosplay News, check out my...
Sep 29, 2019•1 hr 45 min•Season 2Ep. 29
In this episode, I'm joined by Ejen who is the author of Volumes 1 + 2 of his book Cosplay in America! We talk about his start in going to conventions, what it was like creating the books and how he plans to go about volume 3. Plus, he also details his favorite type of cosplay in addition to recommending cons that people should travel to if they have that convention itch/fever :D. For more Cosplay News, check out my blog and Patreon! https://thelightningpalace.blogspot.com/ https://www.patreon.c...
Sep 22, 2019•33 min•Season 2Ep. 28
