Meet Justin Bell | Maker & Cosplayer – “CalToxReaper”

We had the good fortune of connecting with Justin Bell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Justin, why did you pursue a creative career?
From a young age, I was drawn to creativity, though my primary goal was aviation. Life, however, had other plans. At five, I won my first costume contest in LA as a clown, applying much of the makeup myself with some help from my mom. That early spark stayed with me. In elementary school, I joined the Theatre Club, initially focusing on tech roles like lighting and sound. In middle school, I continued with the club until they needed an extra reader for Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Encouraged to audition, I landed the role of Mike Teavee, but a school transfer and personal challenges cut that short.

Growing up, I spent my free time with my father, an A&P mechanic, on the tarmacs of LA airports. At 12, I started flying gliders, then power aircraft at 16, working toward my pilot’s license. Aviation was my world until a medical issue in adulthood—a seizure—put my dreams on hold. Devastatingly, my father passed away before I could complete my A&P certification under his mentorship.

At my new school, I explored electives like drafting, pottery, and video/photography. Video editing captivated me, especially as home computers became common. In high school, I played drums, made the drumline for two years, and worked as a department head for a local LA-area anime convention, learning the ropes of event planning and diving into the cosplay scene. Self-esteem struggles led me to drop out, and I worked full-time at the airport, studying to become an A&P. After my father’s passing and health challenges, I leaned into video editing to cope.

This creative outlet led me to friends who reintroduced me to cosplay. In 2021, we entered Yostar’s Azur Lane 3rd Anniversary cosplay contest, and I placed in the top 20. Inspired, I dove back into cosplay, building a small Instagram following. The next year, I updated my cosplay and again placed in the top 20 for the 4th Anniversary contest. My growing presence earned me an invitation as a guest cosplayer and speaker at Carrier Con 2023 on the USS Hornet. Later that year, I attended Yostar’s 4th Anniversary event on the Hornet as a participant. For the 5th Anniversary, I updated my cosplay and secured a third consecutive top 20 spot in the community-voted contest. Anime Expo and smaller cons, like Animé Los Angeles, fueled my growth with their vibrant communities.

Cosplay became a secondary calling while aviation remains on hold. It’s allowed me to build a community, make friends, and attend events. I’m always learning new skills to elevate my craft and plan to keep pursuing cosplay as long as the community supports me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is cosplay, blending craftsmanship, performance, and storytelling to bring characters to life. What sets me apart is my journey from aviation to cosplay, infusing my work with a pilot’s precision and a dreamer’s creativity. I’m most proud of placing in the top 20 in Yostar’s Azur Lane Anniversary cosplay contests (2021–2023), voted by the community, and being a guest cosplayer at Carrier Con 2023 on the USS Hornet. These milestones reflect my dedication to authenticity and connection.

Professionally, I got here through persistence. As a teen, I flew gliders, power aircraft, Then chased an A&P certification, but a seizure in adulthood and my father’s passing halted those dreams. In high school, I explored video editing and served as a department head at a local LA-area anime convention, learning event logistics and diving into cosplay culture. Dropping out high school due to self-esteem and Mental Health struggles with ADHD was tough, but friends and conventions like Anime Expo and Animé Los Angeles reignited my passion. Winning Azur Lane contests wasn’t easy—crafting costumes and competing took late nights and learning new skills like sewing and prop-making. I overcame challenges by leaning on my community and embracing failure as growth.

I’ve learned resilience, the value of collaboration, and to trust my creative voice. Cosplay is my way to inspire others, blending my love for aviation and anime. I want the world to know that my brand, built on authenticity and community, is about chasing dreams despite setbacks. Whether at cons or online, I aim to uplift others to find their spark. Remember to never give up no matter what life throws at you.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For my best friend’s LA visit, I’d mix my aviation roots and cosplay passion into a fun, simple 5-day trip.

Day 1: Battleships and Breakfast
Tour the USS Iowa in San Pedro, a WWII battleship museum for naval history buffs. Grab dinner at Happy Diner nearby, a cozy spot serving killer breakfast all day—pancakes and omelets are my jam.

Day 2: Hollywood and Stars
Explore Universal CityWalk for neon vibes and burgers at Bob’s Big Boy. Then, hit Griffith Observatory for stargazing and epic LA views.

Day 3: Trains and Subs
Visit Travel Town in Griffith Park to see vintage locomotives, followed by lunch at Delfranco’s in Van Nuys for classic Italian subs. End at Live Steamers, riding miniature trains.

Day 4: Beach Day
Start at Venice Beach for a sunset stroll and boardwalk art, then head to Santa Monica Beach for a late-night pier hangout with arcade games. Eat tacos at Tacos Por Favor.

Day 5: Planes and Burgers
Watch jets at LAX from the In-N-Out Burger lot, chowing on Double-Doubles—a nod to my aviation days. Wrap up with BBQ at The Proud Bird near LAX.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a heartfelt shoutout to the cosplay community and the conventions that have shaped my creative journey, especially Anime Expo and smaller LA-area anime cons. Anime Expo, held annually at the Los Angeles Convention Center, reignited my passion for cosplay with its vibrant contests, leading to top 20 placements in Yostar’s Azur Lane Anniversary contests from 2021 to 2023. Smaller cons, like Animé Los Angeles in Long Beach, offered tight-knit spaces to connect and grow. Working as a department head for a local LA-area anime convention during high school was pivotal—it taught me the behind-the-scenes of event planning and deepened my love for this community. My mother deserves credit for sparking my creativity with my first clown costume at age five. My friends, who encouraged me to enter those Azur Lane contests, and the Azur Lane fanbase have been incredible, providing support and a platform to shine. I’m grateful for these communities that inspire me to keep creating and attending events.

Website: https://linktr.ee/CalToxReaper

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caltoxreaper

Twitter: https://x.com/CalToxReaper

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalToxReaperCosplay

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CalToxReaper

Image Credits
Cody Bell – Photographer