Becoming Frieren: Hanae Shimizu's Cosplay Journey

Discovering the Craft of Anime Cosplay

For Hanae Shimizu, anime cosplay began as a curious experiment. A lifelong anime fan, she attended her first convention at 15 and was immediately drawn to the artistry behind handmade costumes, wigs, and makeup. What started with simple store-bought accessories quickly evolved into a full-fledged passion. She began designing and building her own cosplay outfits, learning everything from sewing to prop-making through online tutorials and trial-and-error. Check out her personal VIP page for exclusive content.

“Cosplay became a way for me to explore identity, confidence, and creativity,” Hanae says. “It’s not just about dressing up—it’s about honoring characters that mean something to you.”

Choosing Characters with Emotional Depth

Though Hanae has portrayed a wide range of characters from series like Attack on Titan, My Hero Academia, and Demon Slayer, she is especially known for choosing characters with rich emotional arcs. Rather than chase trending looks, she seeks out characters that offer personal resonance or storytelling challenges.

That’s what drew her to the protagonist of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. The character, a reserved and contemplative elven mage, is not flashy or outspoken. Instead, she represents quiet strength, memory, and introspection—a rare and subtle presence in anime. Hanae immediately felt a connection.

“Frieren reflects a side of me I don’t often show,” Hanae explains. “Frieren's gentle, reflective, and a little lost at times. I wanted to understand her more by becoming her.”

From Fabric to Emotion

Recreating the character’s appearance was no simple task. Hanae spent weeks sourcing fabric that matched the subtle tones used in the anime, designing the distinctive cloak, and replicating the staff with lightweight, durable materials. But for her, the real challenge lay in capturing the character’s essence.

“People think cosplay is all visual, but there’s so much performance involved,” she notes. “It’s in how you pose, how you look at the camera, how you carry the weight of a character’s story in a still photo.”

Her dedication did not go unnoticed. Fans across social media platforms praised her ability to bring the mage to life not just visually, but emotionally. Her photoshoots evoked the atmosphere of the anime itself—peaceful, melancholic, and quietly powerful.

A Growing Platform and Community

As Hanae Shimizu's following grew, so did her influence. Through her content on Instagram and YouTube, she began sharing tutorials, behind-the-scenes looks at costume building, and reflections on the characters she portrays. Her candid style and willingness to show both successes and failures resonated with thousands of aspiring cosplayers.

What makes Hanae stand out is her emphasis on heart over perfection. She often reminds followers that expensive materials or professional-grade gear aren’t required to start cosplaying—just passion and persistence.

“I’ve made entire outfits from thrifted clothes and hot glue,” she laughs. “What matters most is how much love you put into it.”

Emotional Storytelling

Cosplay, for Hanae, is also a vehicle for emotional storytelling, especially with Frieren. When she shares photos of her mage cosplay, she pairs them with thoughtful captions about memory, loss, and growth—themes central to the anime. This deeper layer of engagement has fostered a loyal community that looks to Hanae not just for visual inspiration but for emotional connection.

“Every character I choose has something to teach me,” Hanae says. “With this one, I learned how to slow down, how to reflect, and how to honor the people who’ve come and gone in my life.”

Her viewers often comment that her cosplay made them want to watch or rewatch the series, viewing it through a more personal lens. That’s the power of great anime cosplay: it doesn’t just replicate—it reawakens.

Inspiring the Next Generation

As a voice in the global cosplay scene, Hanae Shimizu has become a role model to many. She uses her platform to encourage creative self-expression, regardless of age, gender, body type, or background. Whether she’s streaming her wig-styling process or answering fan questions about foam props, Hanae emphasizes progress over perfection.

“I get a lot of messages from people who say, ‘I want to start, but I’m scared,’” she says. “And I always say, the first step is never perfect. But it’s the most important one.”

With her calm demeanor and encouraging presence, Hanae has carved out a space where new cosplayers feel welcomed and supported.

Looking to the Future

Hanae’s cosplay journey is far from over. She has plans to explore more characters with emotional weight and complex storytelling, continuing to push herself creatively. She’s also expressed interest in expanding her work into cosplay performance and voice acting, where she can further bring her favorite characters to life.

Despite the expanding opportunities, she remains grounded in her core passion: honoring characters that speak to her heart.

“This is all about connection—for me, for the fans, and for the characters,” she says. “Whether I’m making armor or a soft cloak, it’s about the story I get to tell by stepping into someone else’s world.”

Final Thoughts

The world of anime cosplay thrives on passion, and Hanae Shimizu is a shining example of what that looks like in practice. Her portrayal of the mage from Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is more than a costume—it’s a tribute to introspection, memory, and subtle strength.

By blending visual accuracy with emotional authenticity, Hanae reminds us that cosplay isn’t just about looking the part—it’s about feeling it. And for fans and creators alike, that’s where the real magic lies.