Blooming: An Interview with Sunflower Kusanagi
Mikey Murry
Genre: Urban Arts’ Revolutionary Art & Culture Critic
While February is usually dedicated to the reverence of civil rights heroes or the pieces of our history often neglected by the mainstream, I wanted to use this month to shine a light on the role that geek culture and media has on Black people. As a film enthusiast and art critic, it only felt right that I shoulder-tapped one of my favorite digital content creators to discuss the significance video games, television, and the internet has on us as a people.
Sunflower Kusanagi, 31, is a cosplayer, model, cat dad, and video game journalist originally hailing from Michigan City, Indiana. Currently residing in North Chicago, Illinois, Kusanagi is a self-proclaimed “Blerd” (Black nerd) and artist looking to make an impact through their work in social media and streaming.
“Honestly, I just want people to remember me for really using my platform correctly… to motivate Black kids to be themselves.” Authenticity and sense of self is something Kusanagi values, a remnant of their childhood adoration of anime and electronic gaming. “I grew up being bullied a lot and it stuck with me, and I felt like I didn’t have the leadership I would’ve wanted at that age. Someone to relate to. I feel like in nerd culture, a lot of us are viewed as different… I wanted to be a lighthouse for other Black kids.”
When I asked Sunflower why it was so important for Black children to see themselves, in other people, in media, in the video games they play and the books they read, they responded, “This is very cliche, but representation matters! Now more than ever, we are seeing Black superheroes in movies… I’m seeing a lot of kids with Cyborg and Black Panther apparel. I think it gives a higher sense of self-confidence. It’s very cool to see oneself in so many different dimensions other than what has been portrayed of us.”
Sunflower Kusanagi is no stranger to defying stereotypes. As a queer, Black nonbinary artist, Kusanagi is experiencing a rebirth of sorts. Recently, they announced their new name across social media platforms, blooming (for lack of a better word) into the person they have always wanted to be.
“Throughout my life, I’ve always been evolving… I feel like with me changing my name to Sunflower, it connected everything I have been working towards these last couple years. It was a complete evolution. I felt like a sunflower. I planted the seed years ago and I grew from it.”
One of the seeds planted was the love and execution of costume play (known more commonly as cosplay), the practice of dressing up as a character from a movie, book, TV show, or video game. This performance art has grown in popularity over the years, and much of that is thanks to the social media application TikTok. It was actually this app that motivated Kusanagi to buy their first costume.
“Two years ago, I seen a bunch of cool Black cosplayers and I always wanted to cosplay! It was the perfect time to start, it just felt like the right place, right time.”
For many, nerd culture is more than just the merchandise, the shows, and the costumes. It is self-expression, a form of protest, and a way of life. For Kusanagi, it is integral to who they are, who they have been, and who they yearn to become next.
“It’s been everything, honestly. As a Black nerd, being a Black nerd my entire life, this has always been my identity… I live for this, I die for this. I think it’ll be a part of my DNA until I am no longer existing on this planet.”
While Kusanagi has slayed the internet as Obani Iguro (Demon Slayer), Senku Ishigami (Dr.Stone), and Android 17 (Dragonball Z), just to name a few, I was curious which characters they would consider a dream to cosplay.
“I have three. My number one dream cosplay is my favorite anime character of all-time: Trunks from Dragonball Z. I’ve always wanted to cosplay Trunks. He’s a pretty boy. I’m a pretty boy. It just works! My second one would be Kung Lao from Mortal Kombat just because I have always loved Kung Lao and he has really dope outfits from the older games. Last one would be Jin Kazama from Tekken because he has a cool outfit. I kinda have a thing for poster boys and all that.”
And while we were imagining and daydreaming, I decided to take the opportunity to ask Kusanagi who (or what) would be their dream collaboration: music, cosplay, fashion, you name it. Of course, channeling the O.G Flower Boy himself, Kusanagi replied, “I would love to collaborate with Tyler, the Creator. I would love to dress up in le FLEUR and do a whole shoot!”
While Black nerdiness and queerness is something to celebrate, in February and beyond, there is still a misconception that both things are inherently white. This idea is very damaging and isolating, especially to impressionable Black youth who are trying to define themselves in a world that can be so violent and cruel. So I asked Kusanagi: Is nerd culture Black culture and if so, how?
“Nerd culture is definitely Black culture. I would make the argument that we are at the forefront of Black culture. We are the memes, the slang. We are everything! We were shunned for years and now, it is our time… Nobody is afraid to express it. Nobody is afraid to live their truth. It is a beautiful thing. I think they’re deeply intertwined.”
The intersection of Blackness, queerness, nerdiness, and the impact all three have on digital culture is apparent. Like Kusanagi stated, these are the traits that define not only a people, but a language. So much of how we as Black folks communicate is through a lens that has been “othered,” and now, with the help of social media and Black content creators, this big world feels more connected through these shared interests and lived experiences. Not to mention, the various life lessons that come along with it all.
“Cherishing your true friends is the biggest takeaway I’ve gotten from anime,” Kusanagi reflected. When I asked who they wanted to shout out, they happily shared the names of folks who, in their words, “Without them, there would be no Sunflower.”
“Shout out to my homie Darryl. Shout out to my homie Tone. All of my best friends! I needed every single one of them. My circle, they do it for me.” 🖤
Stay connected! You can follow Sunflower on Instagram at @sunflowersinpai!