Cosplayer Feature: Rider Maker

Rider Maker is a group of cosplayers from Hong Kong that dress up as tokusatsu characters for charity. 

What got you interested into cosplay?

We started to form the group in 2011, and originally we were a group of tokusatsu fans, mostly fans of Kamen Rider. Some of our mates made costumes for ourselves and posted the products on Facebook, and then we formed the Rider Maker.

We have actually changed from a cosplay team to a charity team performing action shows for children.

When and how did you discover tokusatsu?

The Hong Kong television broadcasting company always had the Kamen Rider series and Ultraman series in their program list. We had a fruitful childhood being accompanied by these heroes.

Can you walk us through your process of creating a cosplay?

For the process of making a costume, basically, we use EVA foam to make different body parts, including the helmet, chest and the shoulder armor and the arm and shin protectors. Depending on the budget, sometimes we made the helmet using fiberglass.

What’s the funniest experience you’ve had while cosplaying?

A few years ago, we went to a community center to perform charity show and do volunteer activities. Some children grasped us and asked if we can stay at the center, so that they would be able to see us everyday!

What advice would you give to yourself when you first started?

Never forget why you start. As time passes, our team has become more well known in Hong Kong and we are currently getting more opportunities in performing. However, we have seen that some people may feel lost or lose the motivation, therefore, we strive to challenge ourselves by setting more goals. We have started the original hero series “The Guardian” in these last 2 years! This keeps us from losing motivation.

You can follow Rider Maker on Facebook and YouTube, where they post about their various projects and community outings.