Tainaka Aya is a Houston native cosplayer and gamer who has been involved in the cosplay and convention community since 2004. Over the years, she’s quietly built a collection of cosplay awards, and is best known for her Rikku, Machina Maw cosplay from Final Fantasy X-2. Aya enjoys learning new skills to create her props and armor, from foam crafting and woodworking to LEDs. She also leads The BLITZ Team, a non-profit charity that helps raise awareness and donations for the Lupus disease through health and wellness in the anime and pop-culture scene. With a plethora of cosplays made by hand, Aya continues to explore her craft and bring characters to life with creativity and heart.