Rociel Kasyou Joins Summer Comiket as Mion Sonozaki from Higurashi: When They Cry—“It Felt So Nostalgic”

On August 16 and 17, Comic Market 106 (C106) was held at Tokyo Big Sight. Veteran cosplayer Rociel Kasyou (火将ロシエル @Kasyou3roshieru) appeared dressed as Mion Sonozaki from Higurashi: When They Cry. Having attended Comiket for many years, Kasyou spoke about her dedication to detail and her thoughts on cosplay in an exclusive interview.

—Why did you decide to cosplay Mion Sonozaki this time?

Kasyou:
When I rewatched Higurashi: When They Cry after a long time, it gave me such a nostalgic feeling. It really is such a great series, so I thought it would be wonderful if people who don’t know it yet could discover it through my cosplay.

—How long did it take to prepare the costume?

Kasyou:
It was actually an off-the-rack costume, but I still wanted to make it my own. So I adjusted the skirt length, the tie, and the vest to better suit my body shape. For example, wearing the skirt a little higher on the waist makes the legs look longer. That way, it complements my figure while keeping the character’s look intact.

—What details did you pay particular attention to with props or the wig?

Kasyou:
The bangs. Mion has a center part with just a little bit of hair rising up. To recreate that, I cut parts of the wig that don’t show and used them to create the right strands for the bangs.

For the ponytail, I combined a full wig with a ‘vance’ (clip-on ponytail extension). To improve the silhouette from the front, I even stuffed it with cotton inside to give it volume and shape.

—Which part of this costume was the most expensive?

Kasyou:
The wig, without a doubt. The position of the bangs, the volume, the texture—small differences completely change the look. I had to add extra fibers, cut certain sections, and style it carefully. That part was the toughest and costliest.

—Is there a cosplay you’d like to try in the future?

Kasyou:
Recently, I’ve been watching a lot of VTubers, and I’ve become very interested in cosplaying them. There are a few I’d love to try, but funny enough, every time I get attached to one, they end up retiring! So I’ll keep exactly which VTuber a secret for now (laughs).

—Hopefully they won’t retire! You’ve been active as a cosplayer for many years. What first made you start?

Kasyou:
One morning on my birthday, I woke up to find a gift from my older brother by my pillow. I was excited because it was the first time he’d ever given me a birthday present. But when I opened it, inside were two maid outfits—one for summer and one for winter!

At the time, I had no interest in cosplay, and I wasn’t really into anime or manga either. I just thought, ‘Wow, my brother is weird,’ and honestly, I was kind of scared (laughs). I left the costumes in the closet for about a year. Later, when I wanted to try a new hobby, I decided to put one on—and it turned out to be so much fun! That was the real start of my cosplay journey.

—How did cosplay change your life?

Kasyou:
I used to dislike studying, so I rarely went to school. I was just a gloomy, quiet girl staying home and playing games all the time. Cosplay completely changed me.

—When do you feel especially glad to be a cosplayer?

Kasyou:
There was a time when I worked really hard on body training for a particular cosplay, and an attendee said, ‘It feels like I just met the real character in person.’ That made me so happy—it’s the best compliment a cosplayer could receive.

—Have you ever had a cosplay mishap?

Kasyou:
Yes, over 10 years ago I once forgot my wig when heading to Comiket! Somehow, I managed to get through the event, but it was a huge shock at the time.

—You recently left Just Pro after three years. What motivated that decision?

Kasyou:
I want to dedicate myself more fully to cosplay and return to my roots. Going forward, I think most of my work will be cosplay-related.

—We look forward to your next steps. Finally, could you share your thoughts as you make this fresh start?

Kasyou:
I’ve been blessed with so many experiences up to now, and I’ve gained a great deal of knowledge and perspective from them. I also see areas where I need to keep improving.

From here on, I’ll continue working hard to share entertaining and creative content with everyone. Please keep supporting me!

About Comic Market

Comic Market, commonly known as Comiket, is Japan’s largest doujinshi (self-published works) convention. First held in 1975, it is a marketplace where independent creators sell manga, novels, games, music, and goods directly to fans. Today it takes place twice a year, in summer and winter, at Tokyo Big Sight. The event also features a cosplay area, corporate booths, and appearances by cosplayers, gravure idols, and manga artists. At C106, approximately 250,000 attendees gathered over two days.

Source : ORICON NEWS