Phoenix SeeD is always known for their cookiness. So when Rey-Rey had a little chat with Hichan, one of its members, we didn't know what was in store. Nevertheless, Hichan talks about Phoenix SeeD, the anime community, their fans, and some girl named Jean. O_o

Rey-Rey: First of all, how did you get the name "Hichan"? ^_^
Hichan: I got it from my Yahoo chat days actually! My SN was flame_knight_hikaru, and friends called me "Hi-chan" and "Hikki" and they were cute... so they ended as my cosplay names.
RR: And as for Phoenix SeeD? How did that all come together? ^_^
H: Ahh... long story ^^;
RR: At least the name. ^_^
H: Some of us were actually friends from as long ago as elementary school, and Jason (Tonberry) and Leah (Sefie) from high school, and we had a group called the Nerima Seishi. As a cosplay group... we decided we needed a change and were obsessed with Final Fantasy 8 at the time, so... rebirth + FF8 obsession = "PhoeniX SeeD."
RR: Tell me about your first cosplay experience in an anime con. ^_^
H: Anime Expo 99! It was so much fun! Maryanne (Angel Wings Rinoa) made my Larva (Vampire Princess Miyu) cloak, and I made my mask. Maryanne was dressed as Rinoa (FF8), and we took pictures of every cosplayer in sight! We were so happy when people asked for our pictures... we were counting how many we got at first ^^; We got to about 100 when we got tired of counting and were just having too much fun! I also remember first meeting Wayne-sama (from Anything-Goes School of Masquerade Arts)!!! Ou... Mary and I were so sad/upset when he wouldn't let us take his picture of him in his "incomplete" costume... we didn't understand or care if his costume was fully on, since we were just like "cosplayer! must take picture!" I must be the shortest Larva in history... it was really a fun great experience!
RR: What was Phoenix SeeD's goal to begin with? ^_^
H: Basically in the beginning, to establish our friendship within the group. We changed the name to PhoeniX SeeD to cut out old members from high school and be more "elite." =p Right now I'd say our goal is to make our name "known" and to be looked at with a "wow"... so we try really hard to make our cosplay popular.
RR: Did you think Phoenix SeeD would get this popular? ^_^
H: No idea actually. It's a bit over-whelming. For us, we look at each other as "Oh, that's Maryanne, I've known her since 5th grade." or "Hey, there's Chris (Irvinator), he was in my 1st grade class." So when people come to us and are excited to see us, it's surprising. We're all really "chil-lax-ing" people. As down-to-earth as normal people!
RR: Does that bother you? The popularity?
H: It doesn't bother me though, it's very flattering. Sometimes it's strange to meet people that know my hobbies, interests, and relationships especially! But the popularity does help me know how great I am doing in cosplay. More fan mail means I'm doing a good job!
RR: I'm jealous. You get fan mail.
H: *lol* Not as much as other members of SeeD
H: I know that Chris and Maryanne get tons more
RR: So you're saying Irvinator and Angel Wings Rinoa are the heartthrobs of SeeD? ^_^
H: If you think about it, "the Irvinator" is a fangirl's fantasy! A guy who's into yaoi... not to mention a very cute guy! And "Angel Wings Rinoa" is a very pretty girl who has a very anime figure. Both of those are hard to come by.
RR: Yeah, but I'd go out with you!
H: Ahhh... only if you add Jean to the combo! ^_~
RR: LOL
RR: Do you think SeeD will do more than just cosplay for the anime community?
H: Right now, I'd say that cosplay is the biggest thing holding us to the anime community. The majority of us haven't watched much anime lately. I myself only read manga (the stories are always better). So I'd say cosplay is number 1 right now.
RR: What's your favorite anime?
RR: Or should I say anime/manga?
H: Right now I'm reading Chobits!!! It's the best manga ever! The last manga I've recently finished was Angelic Layer. I love CLAMP manga. However... I don't like CLAMP anime as much ^^; Old favorites are Perfect Blue, Escaflowne, Kenshin OAV.
RR: Favorite cosplay you've done?
H: Edea from FF8. She's so bad-ass (sorry about cussing!), but she is!!! I made lots of friends in that costume, and gained most of my "popularity" through it, so I am very thankful I was able to pull her off. Plus, it helped me a lot with my own self-confidence looks-wise. I thought I was too fat and manly to wear the costume before. ^^;
RR: If I told you you have a nice figure, would you believe me?
H: Not right now! I need to lose more weight to be in greater wushu shape! ^_^v
RR: Well, I THINK you have a nice figure. Anyway... ^__^
RR: What's next for Phoenix SeeD?
H: Maryanne and I have been planning for AX, costumes and skits. I have been planning for Fanime con. We both want this year to be a fun and successful year for cosplay. I think most people would agree that 2001 was a bad year. ^^;
RR: And we can expect the whole shebang like we did at Ani-Magic 2001, right? ^^
H: *laughs* I have a good skit idea actually... I was thinking for Fanime con, but Fanime I think I want to enter for craftsmanship, so that skit is still free to use. I'm sure people will have fun with it!
RR: So any plans for a television career in-between your cosplay career? ^_^
H: I think Chris wants to be an actor... and Maryanne a make-up/fashion artist... I used to want to become a commentator for WWF! (cheers), but now, I'm enjoying my private, quiet life.
RR: So will Phoenix SeeD be here for a while?
H: I think a couple members passion for cosplay is dying, but Maryanne and I are still having lots of fun. We won't stop until we start looking old.
RR: Well, all I know is that I'll have a couple of nice girls to look at.
RR: Anything you wanna say to all your fans. ^__^
H: Cosplaying is fun! Anyone can do it! I hope that more people begin to cosplay to bring a new gen of cosplayers in. It's a great way to meet people and have fun in a different way at cons. Plus it's easier to remember people by their costumes! "oush!" to that... and "kissies"
RR: Anything you wanna say to World of Anime and the very sexy Rey-Rey.
H: I kissies to World of Anime and the very sexy Rey Rey! But!!! Jean is mine!!!! Ehee hee hee *glompies Jean* ^____^ I ruff ruff rove you! *laughs*
RR: At least, she called me sexy!
RR: Seriously, thanks for your time, Hichan. ^_^
H: No problem. ^_^

Well, that was certainly interesting. Check out Hichan and the rest of the Phoenix SeeD crew on PhoenixSeeD.com. I guarantee that you will smile. ^__^ Hope you enjoyed the interview as much as we did! ^__^