My friend and me are planning to go to Fanime next year, and we're planning to Cosplay. But, we don't really know who he should cosplay as. He has darkish tanned skin. (He's part mexican). We also kind wanna match, like who we cosplay as could be from the same anime/game or something. He actually really resembles Chad from Bleach, but he doesn't like Bleach all that much. He could pull of Chad though :3 For me, I could probably go as any female with blonde hair. But, right now I need suggestions for him. He also has dark brown shaggy looking hair, like Chad's.
I was thinking of going as Kairi from KH. Or maybe Orihime from Bleach.
Mugen from Samurai Champloo perhaps? But Fuu is not blonde (she's a brunette) so I don't know who you could cosplay to match him from the same series.
I think there's a tanned construction worker in Excel Saga (his ghost is in most of the show I think 'cuz he dies in the first ep). I forget his name, sorry.
Kanbei from Samurai 7.
Can't think of any others offhand, sorry. I'm sure others will post with suggestions, or you might try the cosplay.com forum.
But really, skin doesn't matter when cosplaying as long as it's a character he wants to cosplay and has fun.
Using your own hair will greatly limit you... You will probably want to consider getting wigs. Now, I don't know your body types or what type of clothing you are comfortable with wearing, but a couple suggestions here:
~Kougaiji (http://img1.ak.crunchyroll.com/i/spire3/01102008/1/1/3/b/113b4da3df5a20_full.jpg) and Yaone (http://www.projectbag.com/saiyuki/pics/yaone06.jpg) from Saiyuki
~Akio (http://www.flowerstorm.net/disa/Pictures/Utena/anti-akio.jpg) and Utena (http://www.biginjap.com/images/utena.jpg) from Utena
But, as was already pointed out, skintone isn't really a crucial factor, as long as you have fun.
It would be abit hard to make the costume but how about Mashira in human form from the anime Vampire Hunter D: BloodLust?
The character wears Arabian-esque clothing so that's why I think it might be hard to make, but he's tan, brown shaggy hair, golden eyes and it would be a really fun character?
I can't find a photo of him right now [ Usually he's shown in werewolf form] but when I do i'll post it?
you could go as Yuya from Samurai Deeper Kyo and he could go as Benitora!! :P Haven't seen a SDK cosplay in awhile...hmmm or maybe you could do a fairy tail cosplay that would be interesting.