Cosplays & Waifus: An Interview with Shibuya Kaho

Late last year we had the pleasure of meeting retired JAV actress Shibuya Kaho at HentaiCon and after about a year between that one and now, we ran into her again at Anime Expo! Never one to let herself get bored, Kaho had a lot to share with us this time from things we left out to new endeavors. While the HentaiCon interview [Which can be found HERE] centered more on her former work in JAV, this time one focuses more on her love for cosplays, anime, manga, and convention appearances, with a few surprises thrown in as well! Be sure to check it out and catch her at some upcoming conventions near you!

A-to-J: Thank you for sitting down to talk to us again, can you introduce yourself again to our viewers?
Shibuya Kaho: Hi I'm Shibuya Kaho, that's last name then first name. The Japanese government is actually trying to change that. We met and talked at HentaiCon! This is my second AX. After last year's AX I've been trying out more cosplays and going to different cons and events.
 
A-to-J: You just wrapped up a panel, can you tell us a bit about your activities here at Anime Expo?
Shibuya Kaho: I'm trying to enjoy every single thing this time around. Last year I couldn't get out of the Exhibit Hall. I wore ridiculously long wigs every single day and it was so tiring and physically demanding. I'd get thirty minute breaks, but I'd just go to a bathroom stall, take off my wig, relax for fifteen minutes, and then spend fifteen minutes putting the wig back on. That's it, I couldn't really enjoy anything else besides my booth. This year maybe I'll try open mic karaoke or maybe the karaoke content.
 
A-to-J: Many people know you for your work in JAV, but you do a lot more otaku-related activities these days. Is this something you’ve always been interested in?
Shibuya Kaho: I've always been an otaku by nature but during my JAV actress years I was too busy to follow any anime or any new manga. So I'm trying to catch up on those years.
 
A-to-J: What were some of your favorite animes, both growing up to now?
Shibuya Kaho: Old one I'd go with "Digimon", the old, original one. Current one? Maybe "Isekai Quartet" [A crossover chibi series of four different franchises.] I only knew two shows out of that quartet originally, but because of that I just watched every single one of them again. It was pretty addicting, the show has kind of a doujin vibe going on like fan favorites coming together but it's actually legit, from Kadokawa; a dream come true.
 
A-to-J: Have you ever thought about going into voice acting?
Shibuya Kaho: Yes, I started my voice acting career too! My first role will be in September, we haven't released the title yet but it's going to be a new hentai anime. It's actually from a hentai doujin manga
 
A-to-J: Are you also a fan of video games/ If so, what are some of your favorites?
Shibuya Kaho: I don't play much video games now, but I used to a lot.
A-to-J: What types of video games did you play before?
Shibuya Kaho: I was a big fan of RPGs. I liked playing them because I didn't have to share controllers with anyone else. I used to hate playing the Wii, or like Mario Kart, because I'd have to bring my friends, and I just want to play right now! That's probably why I don't play many video games in general. A lot of the games right now involve a lot of multiplayer and I just want to play by myself.
 
A-to-J: The last time we talked to you at HentaiCon, you briefly compared gravure to sexy cosplays. Do you see these as the West’s version of gravure?
Shibuya Kaho: It's more like doujin, but live action. When I cosplay "Rem" from Re:Zero, because my chest is a little bit bigger than her's, people keep telling me that it looks like I'm from a fantasy doujin comic. Like an artist's rendition come to life.
 
A-to-J: That said you do a lot of cosplaying yourself, what are some of your favorites?
Shibuya Kaho: I actually made my very first cosplay photobook and it's called "Pink Busty Wife". It's big breasted characters with cherry blossom hair. I picked three characters and did those different cosplays.
A-to-J: Is the pink-hard, big breasted character kind of you go-to then?
Shibuya Kaho: People tell me I look great in pink hair. So... due to popular demand! (Laugh) I'm actually joking, I do like pink hair too. I think pink hair itself is all the rage right now, like people dying their hair pink or bleaching their hair. I'm afraid of bleaching my hair. I do want to get like the tips of my hair done though. I've heard that when you bleach all of your hair it can be painful.
 
A-to-J: Are there any characters you haven't’ gotten around to cosplaying that you hope to in the future?
Shibuya Kaho: I always wanted to cosplay Yuffie from Final Fantasy VII, but boob-wise I always go for Tifa because I think that's what people WANT to see. Also, the character designs of Final Fantasy VII have been remade so many times, and they've remade that costume too. I like the original cosplay, but it's so hard to find it.
 
A-toJ: Do you usually buy or make your own cosplays?
Shibuya Kaho: I buy them most of the time, but I try to change the sizing a little bit. I'm not that dexterous is that area to make my own.
 
A-to-J: Your activities also extend far beyond this and you’re also a writer and a regular streamer. Do you find it hard to focus on so many different activities?
Shibuya Kaho: It's fun though. I get bored so easily so it actually keeps me going. It's refreshing and works for me.
 
A-to-J: Your streams seem to be mainly on Nico Nico, have you thought about moving them to Twitch and maybe try your hand at gaming streams?
Shibuya Kaho: Because I don't play any current games I don't know about having a twitch channel. Also, I have a YouTube channel. It's a cosplay YouTube channel, I cosplay and they produce and edit. I just have so many things going I don't know if I can afford to do more. Would you recommend twitch?
A-to-J: Twitch is a good platform and, even if you don't do games, you can reach a big audience with things like IRL streaming, cooking streams, arts and crafts, just to name a few. You can do a lot of things on twitch.
Shibuya Kaho: Oh really? I didn't know that! I thought twitch was just for games! When I think of twitch, I imagine action games or fighting games, and I'm terrible at those! (Laughs)
 
A-to-J: You’ve made a lot of convention appearances around the world, do you see this as something you want to do more of in the future? As in more events?
Shibuya Kaho: AX definitely since they're industry involved. They are like official people promoting their stuff here so it's totally different. I also want to visit San Diego Comic Con one day. I know Comic Con focuses more on American Superhero comics instead of anime or manga, but they inspire each other.
 
A-to-J: Do you happen to have any funny stories that have occurred at any convention you’ve been at?
Shibuya Kaho: People come up to me and want to take a picture of me, but they don't realize it's me until I show them my Twitter or Instagram. Maybe it's because of the cosplay, the wigs, or the contact lenses, but people always except me to be taller. I think it's just because I'm big in general (Laughs) so I guess that's why. I hope that they get used to the real me.
 
A-to-J: Have you ever had anyone come up to you and roleplay to you in character?
Shibuya Kaho: Most of the time they'll say the character's name instead of mine or they'll scream out: "That's my waifu!" and I'll be like "Who?"
 
A-to-J: Do you happen to have any hidden talents that some people might be aware of?
Shibuya Kaho: I play shogi, but I'm not that good... I play ukulele but I'm not that good... I'm not sure if I'd consider that a talent though. Maybe we'll have to wait for my voice acting!
 
A-to-J: Besides anime and gaming, do you have any other hobbies or activities you like to partake in during your free time?
Shibuya Kaho: I work as my hobby and hobby is my work kind of. 24 hours a day are just too short for me.
 
A-to-J: What are some of your upcoming plans after AX?
Shibuya Kaho: I've been invited to Anime California in August. It's going to be at the Marriott Hotel in Burbank. I'm also going to Taiwan's comiket called Fantasy Frontier. I'm trying to branch out to more anime and comic stuff.
 
A-to-J: Are you going to try to go more anime related events or more comic related events in the future?
Shibuya Kaho: I'm a big manga enthusiast by nature. I like the idea of pictures and words coming together and making a beautiful story. I have to say that anime is getting so much better drawing wise and I think animators should get paid more. Even if they're not the "Naruto" animators or "Bleach" animators, they should get paid more because it's such hard work.
 
A-to-J: Lastly, can you leave us with a final message?
Shibuya Kaho: I'm just so happy to come back to LA and I hope to keep coming back! Keep finding me on Twitter, Instagram, or in person at cons! Thank you very much!

For More Info on Shibuya Kaho Follow Her Social Media!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shibukaho
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shibukaho
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPnqrfTZthxa40dCWo0TWFw

The above interview was conducted by Danny Do with assistance by Manuel FIgueroa.