the largest gathering of fans of Japanese culture in Portugal!
the largest gathering of fans of Japanese culture in Portugal!
TALK | BEYOND THE CHARACTER: MENTAL HEALTH AND COSPLAY,
WITH EVA DUARTE AND GUESTS
Cosplay, a path of learning, self-discovery, and transformation, can present challenges that have both negative and positive impacts. This universe, which involves the representation of characters, can be a source of joy and fulfilment, but it can also bring with it certain difficulties.
Based on scientific knowledge on the subject and enriched by the experiences shared by three special guests, Eva Duarte will lead a panel focused on the effects of cosplay on the mental health of cosplayers.
This is an open invitation to anyone interested in cosplay, whether you are a veteran cosplayer or someone who is just beginning to explore this fascinating world. Come watch this conversation and share your story too. Your experience can provide a unique and valuable perspective, contributing to a deeper understanding of the impact of cosplay on mental health.
We hope to see you there!
TALK | BEYOND THE CHARACTER: MENTAL HEALTH AND COSPLAY,
WITH EVA DUARTE AND GUESTS
Cosplay, a path of learning, self-discovery, and transformation, can present challenges that have both negative and positive impacts. This universe, which involves the representation of characters, can be a source of joy and fulfilment, but it can also bring with it certain difficulties.
Based on scientific knowledge on the subject and enriched by the experiences shared by three special guests, Eva Duarte will lead a panel focused on the effects of cosplay on the mental health of cosplayers.
This is an open invitation to anyone interested in cosplay, whether you are a veteran cosplayer or someone who is just beginning to explore this fascinating world. Come watch this conversation and share your story too. Your experience can provide a unique and valuable perspective, contributing to a deeper understanding of the impact of cosplay on mental health.
We hope to see you there!
EVA DUARTE
Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Sexologist, PhD in Clinical Psychology, registered as a full member of the Portuguese Psychologists Association since 2013. She has been working in private practice at Sinapsis Consultório, in Caldas da Rainha, for over 10 years.
She is currently also a guest lecturer at ISPA – Instituto Universitário and conducts research in the area of suicidal and self-harming behaviors, as well as in the area of BDSM and alternative sexualities, at the Applied Psychology Research Center Capabilities & Inclusion (APPsyCI) in Lisbon.
She is also a compulsive consumer of Japanese pop culture, a cosplayer since 2014, and an occasional photographer and videographer.
EVA DUARTE
Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Sexologist, PhD in Clinical Psychology, registered as a full member of the Portuguese Psychologists Association since 2013. She has been working in private practice at Sinapsis Consultório, in Caldas da Rainha, for over 10 years.
She is currently also a guest lecturer at ISPA – Instituto Universitário and conducts research in the area of suicidal and self-harming behaviors, as well as in the area of BDSM and alternative sexualities, at the Applied Psychology Research Center Capabilities & Inclusion (APPsyCI) in Lisbon.
She is also a compulsive consumer of Japanese pop culture, a cosplayer since 2014, and an occasional photographer and videographer.
GUESTS
XHEMYD
Cosplayer and Streamer since 2021. She started out simply because of her love for the hobby and gaming, but due to her rapid success on social media, she became a full-time content creator. She currently has over half a million followers on TikTok and 110,000 on Instagram. With over 50 costumes worn, she focuses mainly on cosplays from anime, series, and games, with an emphasis on VALORANT and League of Legends, where some of her cosplays have been recognized by Riot Games itself. At just 20 years old, Xhemyd has already been invited to national and international conventions and has worked with some of the biggest brands in this field, such as Riot Games, SecretLab, Samsung, Inygon, Sic Advnce, among others.
XHEMYD
Cosplayer and Streamer since 2021. She started out simply because of her love for the hobby and gaming, but due to her rapid success on social media, she became a full-time content creator. She currently has over half a million followers on TikTok and 110,000 on Instagram. With over 50 costumes worn, she focuses mainly on cosplays from anime, series, and games, with an emphasis on VALORANT and League of Legends, where some of her cosplays have been recognized by Riot Games itself. At just 20 years old, Xhemyd has already been invited to national and international conventions and has worked with some of the biggest brands in this field, such as Riot Games, SecretLab, Samsung, Inygon, Sic Advnce, among others.
HANTZIE
Hantzie is a 35-year-old cosplayer with a degree in Mechanical Engineering who started cosplaying at Iberanime LX 2022. He currently works as a Design Engineer and in his spare time uses his skills to model his own cosplay props. He recently created the Propzie Design project to put his 3D modeling skills at the service of the community. Although he started cosplaying after the age of 30, he has been a consumer of Japanese pop culture since his 20s and has been following the work of several more experienced cosplayers. He hopes this conversation will show how cosplay led him to rediscover himself, improve his mental health, and boost his self-esteem.
HANTZIE
Hantzie is a 35-year-old cosplayer with a degree in Mechanical Engineering who started cosplaying at Iberanime LX 2022. He currently works as a Design Engineer and in his spare time uses his skills to model his own cosplay props. He recently created the Propzie Design project to put his 3D modeling skills at the service of the community. Although he started cosplaying after the age of 30, he has been a consumer of Japanese pop culture since his 20s and has been following the work of several more experienced cosplayers. He hopes this conversation will show how cosplay led him to rediscover himself, improve his mental health, and boost his self-esteem.
MANON
Joshua Ramires is a professional photographer specializing in nature, with a degree in Communication and Multimedia and a postgraduate degree in artistic photography. He also has professional training in opera singing and a certificate in professional makeup. He works mainly in photography for Getty Images as a contributor, but has ventured into other areas of freelancing, such as makeup and wig styling. Cosplay has always gone hand in hand with his professional specializations, adopting all these artistic aspects in favor of his hobby. A cosplayer since 2007, Joshua has represented Portugal twice at the World Cosplay Summit, in 2014 and 2018, with the dream of returning to the stage one day. But for now, he has dedicated himself to working in the cosplay community, being one of the founders of the Con’nect team, which has been doing, among many other things, SoS Cosplay at events in Portugal since 2023.
MANON
Joshua Ramires is a professional photographer specializing in nature, with a degree in Communication and Multimedia and a postgraduate degree in artistic photography. He also has professional training in opera singing and a certificate in professional makeup. He works mainly in photography for Getty Images as a contributor, but has ventured into other areas of freelancing, such as makeup and wig styling. Cosplay has always gone hand in hand with his professional specializations, adopting all these artistic aspects in favor of his hobby. A cosplayer since 2007, Joshua has represented Portugal twice at the World Cosplay Summit, in 2014 and 2018, with the dream of returning to the stage one day. But for now, he has dedicated himself to working in the cosplay community, being one of the founders of the Con’nect team, which has been doing, among many other things, SoS Cosplay at events in Portugal since 2023.
MODERATION
NELSON SOUSA
Nelson, also known as \‘daividjones\’, is an experienced presenter and event producer with comprehensive skills in 360 marketing, sponsor recruitment, event promotion, and creative direction. With more than 50 successful POP Culture events in Portugal under his belt, he has collaborated with various entities, including Riot Games, YouTube International, NOS Cinemas, AXN, Nickelodeon, Fnac, RTP Arena, Sic Advance, Radio Popular, Auchan, Nintendo, Playstation, Legion by Lenovo, Cinemundo, Warner Brothers, Rock in Rio, CM Lisboa, Expofacic, Feira Internacional de Lisboa, CCILJ, and the Japanese Embassy, among others. In 2023, he moderated panels with prominent figures, from publishers to television and theater actors, film directors, screenwriters, artists, writers, and Esports players, in addition to interacting directly with media personalities such as Raminhos, Nuno Markl, and Jorge Gabriel. In his spare time, he is a fan of movies, series, anime, manga, consoles, and video games, with a special focus on League of Legends.
NELSON SOUSA
Nelson, also known as \‘daividjones\’, is an experienced presenter and event producer with comprehensive skills in 360 marketing, sponsor recruitment, event promotion, and creative direction. With more than 50 successful POP Culture events in Portugal under his belt, he has collaborated with various entities, including Riot Games, YouTube International, NOS Cinemas, AXN, Nickelodeon, Fnac, RTP Arena, Sic Advance, Radio Popular, Auchan, Nintendo, Playstation, Legion by Lenovo, Cinemundo, Warner Brothers, Rock in Rio, CM Lisboa, Expofacic, Feira Internacional de Lisboa, CCILJ, and the Japanese Embassy, among others. In 2023, he moderated panels with prominent figures, from publishers to television and theater actors, film directors, screenwriters, artists, writers, and Esports players, in addition to interacting directly with media personalities such as Raminhos, Nuno Markl, and Jorge Gabriel. In his spare time, he is a fan of movies, series, anime, manga, consoles, and video games, with a special focus on League of Legends.
