Claudia Polizzi, better known in the cosplay world as “Kurau Cosplay”, is a 20-year-old young artist from Palermo who, in addition to being a student at the Academy of Fine Arts, She is one of the most popular emerging cosplayers on the Italian stage. His life takes place between academia and his passion for role-playing, an art he interprets with dedication and creativity, completely immersing himself in the characters he presents on stage. If there’s one thing that defines her, it’s her immense passion for cosplay, a hobby that’s not just a passion, but a true lifestyle. Her nickname “Kurau Cosplay” comes directly from her name, which is the Japanese translation of the name Claudia. The word “Kuraudia” thus became “Kurau”, to which he added the word “cosplay” to fully describe his passion. The name immediately brings to mind the world of Japanese role-playing, with strong ties to otaku culture and their dedication to this art.

Claudia has had an innate sense of creativity since she was a child. She loves dressing up as her favorite characters during Mardi Gras, a tradition that is more than just a game to herbut a preview of his world. However, her real leap into the world of cosplay came in 2018, when she attended the Palermo Comic Con and cosplayed as Rem, a character from the Re:Zero series, with a friend who dressed up as twin Ram. Claudia defines the experience as “problematic” from a quality perspective, but it marked the beginning of her official journey as a cosplayer.

Over the years, Culau has created numerous characters, always focusing on artistic growth and detail perfection. Her most notable role-playing credits include Rem in Re:Zero, Nezuko Kamado in Demon Slayer: Teen Titans, and NieR in Nier. “2B” in “Automata”. There are many characters taken from games such as “League of Legends”, such as “Ahri POPSTAR K/DA”, and characters from “Genshin Impact”, such as “Mona Megistus” and “Yoimiya”. But there was one role that particularly fascinated Gulao: “2B,” a role that allowed her to express a strong emotional connection that was widely appreciated by the public. Her attention to detail and ability to “become” a character make her a true master in her field.

When creating costumes, Claudia not only purchases everything you need, but also invests the time and passion into creating the accessories and elements that make each cosplay unique. Rem’s Morning Star, 2B’s Pact of Virtue sword, and Ahri’s Tail are just some of his most successful creations. Her passion and determination have been further demonstrated recently by her decision to improve her sewing skills and aspire to one day make entirely her own garments.

Kurau believes that being a good cosplayer means more than just wearing a costume, but also about developing a symbiotic relationship with the character. Being a cosplayer means interpreting a character 360 degrees, imitating their expressions, postures and movements. For Claudia, the artistic side of cosplay goes beyond costumes to include the attitude and identity required to truly represent the character. Among her sources of inspiration are many big names in the international cosplay industry, such as Kamii Cosplay and Tiffany Gordon in terms of creation, and Daishentong and Wangzhong in terms of “styling”. For her, role-playing is a complete art form that touches on all aspects of creativity.

One topic that’s been getting a lot of discussion lately is “originality,” that is, cosplays that are not derived from existing characters but are created by the cosplayers themselves. Claudia believes that “originality” is an expression of pure creativity that enriches the essence of role play. Personally, I don’t think this phenomenon distorts role-playing, but rather enriches it with new creative possibilities.

Kurau regularly attends comic expos and events, which are great inspiration and networking opportunities for her. One of the most important experiences was certainly the Lucca comics, which he defined as “spectacular”. The Expo is a time for networking with other cosplayers and a time for discussion with fans, who often appreciate the commitment and passion each cosplayer puts into it.

In an age where cosplay is becoming increasingly visible on social media, Claudia considers how the phenomenon is evolving. According to her, cosplay is losing some of its authenticity and is increasingly becoming a tool to gain popularity and followers. Because of the existence of social media, many people are no longer exposed to cosplay out of enthusiasm, but out of the desire to accumulate fans. This has also had an impact on the exhibition, with the number of cosplayers and the types of costumes reduced. The cost of attending these events has also increased, limiting participation to those who can afford the costs, turning fairs into increasingly exclusive venues.

But Claudia is more than just a cosplayer: her studies in graphic design have allowed her to express her creativity outside of the cosplay world. He works on posters, covers, websites and brand identity projects, successfully combining his passion for art and design. When she’s not immersed in cosplay or design, Claudia also devotes herself to cooking and painting, constantly exploring new forms of artistic expression.

Although she has received some criticism throughout her career, Claudia knows how to face the odds. Criticism, no matter how painful it was, did not stop her but pushed her forward. The love and appreciation he received from the community was far stronger than any criticism. For her, role playing is a form of personal growth, and every step forward is the result of commitment and passion.

Ultimately, if there is any message that Kurau would like to convey to those who are exposed to the world of cosplay, it is to never give up. Every mistake is a step forward, and roleplaying, like any art, requires commitment and dedication. You should never stop trying, improving, and most importantly, having fun. Cosplay is a rich journey from which every cosplayer can gain extraordinary growth. To learn more about Claudia’s talents, we invite you to visit her official profile Instagram, Tik Tok e x.com.