Southern Cospitality

Formally established in 2013, Southern Cospitality Cosplay is a team consisting of D-Maru, Baby Blue Friday, Nini Valentine, and derGlitzkrieg. This team of cosplayers has over 15 years of experience and has won multiple awards in both craftsmanship and performance. They have come from different places but have united in their love of the art form and what it means to all of them.

"Specializing in whatever we feel like" is something of a motto for them, where they strive for excellence in various different fields of cosplay, but also wish to show all that the hobby is capable of. For them, cosplay is transformative and expressive in ways they want to show everyone. To inspire the imagination and creative energy of others is their greatest goal.

They have competed, judged and ran contests, hosted panels as well as ran Master of Ceremonies (Nini's specialty!) for conventions. They have also curated the Cosplay Museums at A-Kon and San Japan in Texas. For Southern Cospitality Cosplay, there's no avenue not worth exploring in our collective cosplay adventure!

Baby Blue Cosplay is unable to attend. However, she sends best wishes to all those competing!

Nini Valentine

Nini Valentine is an award-winning Masters level cosplayer, accomplished convention Master of Ceremonies, and part of the cosplay group Southern Cospitality Cosplay. She began her cosplay journey in 2011, winning her first cosplay award in 2013 with her rendition of Hot Pants from JoJo's Bizarre Adventures. Specializing in lame jokes and clean tailoring, she especially loves to help new cosplayers learn and grow. Her cosplays range from devilish ladies to ikemen idols, and she strives to learn something new from each thing she constructs. Hailing from Austin, she lives happily with her fiancée, a cat that hates her, a cat that loves her, and her trusty Bernina sewing machine. Ask her about her Touken Ranbu tattoo if you have 30 minutes to spare!

She'd like to remind you that cosplay is for everyone, and that you're never too old to chase you dreams (or to cosplay idols)! She'd also like to thank AnimeFest for having her as a guest!

Sonia Blade Cosplay

Sonia Blade is an award winning afro-latina cosplayer. She has been cosplaying for 3 years and hopes to inspire others to join the community, and give a voice to the POC cosplay community. She loves doing Disney and video game cosplays. She also loves doing fan art cosplays since they are just a little more shiny!

Masamune WG

Masamune WG is a local Texas based cosplayer with a passion for prop & armor making, but he also enjoys versatile costumes that incorporate sewing elements. With a focus on weathering, ageing, and bringing realism to a cosplay in the finishing process he aims to make each costume unique to his style.

Masamune loves competing and putting his crafting skills to the test, with nearly a dozen awards obtained for his costume work, several best in show and some from AnimeFest as well. However, he still believes the greatest reward is the experience, enjoyment of art, and the memorable interactions with other cosplayers and con-goers!

His current goals are to continue to improve his craft and become always more involved in cosplay and the convention community. Either by being a guest, judging competitions, teaching craft based panels, or competing himself, it's in this community where he has made so many wonderful friends.

Ashley Ren

Ashley Ren began cosplaying in 2009 when she was 11 years old. AnimeFest was her first ever convention! She has since won multiple awards for her work, been featured in magazines, and works professionally in the fashion industry. She specializes in sewing and costume construction, but is constantly branching out to learn new things. She is currently finishing her last year studying for a BFA in Fashion Design.

Ashley is very much looking forward to judging for AnimeFest as this will be the largest contest she has judged yet. Not only that but it is her 10 year anniversary delving into the art of cosplay!