For this month’s Community Spotlight, we’re sharing with you the work of Bonbon, a cosplayer who is currently hard at work on a cosplay of Proteus Ridley from Metroid: Samus Returns! Bonbon has crafted cosplays of several of Samus’ suits over the years which he used to make short Metroid films, and more!
Bonbon
Hello!
This is the Japanese cosplayer BONBON.
I first started making cosplays 5 years ago and now I work as a freelance costume designer. I’ve received all sorts of requests for costumes but I’ve never created a Metroid cosplay at work. The reason being, if I were asked to make a Metroid costume I’d get way too focused on the little details that I’m sure the customer would get tired of waiting! (laughs)
So far I’ve made the following Metroid costumes:
- The Varia Suit from Prime 2.
- Dark Samus from Prime 3.
- The Gravity Suit from Samus Returns.
I’m currently working on Proteus Ridley from Samus Returns. It’ll be over 230 centimeters tall, with a mechanism that’ll allow the tail and wings to move freely.
I really like making costumes with gadgets, all the suits I’ve made so far have had one. The muzzle-opening mechanism of the arm cannon is especially popular, and people are always surprised when I show it off at events.
The trigger for getting me into cosplay was working as a member of staff on a hero show. At that time I met a costume maker who showed me the ropes and I thought, “Couldn’t I make something like this myself?”
I had never been to a cosplay event before and this was my first time making a costume, so it took me more than a year, but I managed to complete the Barrier Suit Samus. I went to events. I gained confidence from the compliments I received from many people, and cosplay became my hobby.
I also post videos and stream on YouTube! There are also short Metroid films with other Samus cosplayers, costume production streams, and podcasts with special guests.
I would like to get involved with many other Metroid cosplayers and make a Metroid short film together.
Our Thoughts
Glaedrax
I’ve been following Bonbon’s work for quite a few years now, his work is really awesome! I loved his video reaction to the announcement of the Metroid Dread game, that was super wholesome to watch. I am definitely looking forward to that Proteus Ridley cosplay, which is, to my knowledge, the first ever made!
Image Gallery
For more of Bonbon’s works, please visit one of the links below: