Leighton Alvez: Yoko Littner (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann)

(I joined the photoshoot held by DOTA Cosplayers at Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife last June 8, 2014, but due to the limited time I had that morning for the shoot, I was only able to feature a few cosplayer friends at the event. Hope to shoot more pics on the next photoshoot.)

Lea just started cosplaying by the last quarter of 2013, but now she's making waves and taking names. She first got into cosplay after watching a feature about it on TV and she exclaimed to herself "What a nice hobby...I'm gonna be a cosplayer someday". Then with help from her close friends, she got into making costumes, acting characters and eventually joining cosplay groups.

Aside from acting and getting in character, cosplay also enables her to make new friends with the same hobby and mindset. Her current favorite character to cosplay is Yoko Littner from Gurren Lagann, but she hopes someday she can dress up as Ren Kougyoku of the Magi the Labyrinth of Magic series.

Before getting into cosplay, I was able to do a shoot with Lea on a J-Fashion shoot. And through the years, I've been able to see her mature from being shy to an outgoing, uber friendly person. Getting better at poses and being comfortable with who she is. From the girl next door days to now a energy-gun wielding sniper.