Why We Cosplay

There are a bunch of great articles about cosplaying and what cosplaying is, just take a look at Kara Noir’s article “Cosplay – Why It’s Not Just for Otaku Anymore” or even Andy Teronde’s article “Cosplay.” Both articles are good at describing what cosplay is all about. Cosplaying is simply costume play, which is considered a form of performance art. Many people who cosplay put a lot of time and effort into making their costumes, some buy their costumes from someone with immense talent to create an amazing costume. Cosplayers take on the task of trying to best replicate the costumes found in various films, manga, anime, and video games. Many cosplayers who create their costumes enter them into various contests like the Otaku House Idol, or Hall cosplay at anime conventions.

When most people think of cosplayers, they think of nerdy people who haven’t had a date. Or that cosplayers do not or could not have a “normal” social life. But in reality, the cosplay community is a wonderful way to socialize with people. My favorite stereotype thought is that cosplay has some sort of sexual context with it and the people who participate are seeking a sort of sexual gratification. Some of us remember the CSI episode with the furry convention, people typically think what was portrayed on the show is what all furries and cosplayers are like. That idea and the others are far off target. Cosplaying is a sort of culture all in its own complete with cosplay meet ups and groups.

There are many reasons a person may cosplay. As I stated earlier, cosplay is seen as a form of performance art. Some people who get their pictures taken pose in positions that the characters they are portraying may be in. For many cosplayers the art is not about becoming that character and very few cosplayers believe they are the character they are. It is more about portraying the best replica and showing off your talent. Many cosplayers spend countless hours sewing their costumes and making anything additional to the costume. I know for myself I spent 3 weeks sewing my first cosplay: Miaka from Fushigi Yuugi. I then spent a 2 hours making the necklace to match the character’s necklace and then a day creating her crown. Then I had to figure out how to do my hair the way hers in done in the show because I couldn’t afford a custom wig at the time. In all I spent almost a month creating a costume I could be proud of. Other people can spend two months even more trying to create the best possible costume they can.

One cosplayer has stated “cosplay keeps me involved with the community even between cons. I started cosplaying because it looked like a blast to be part of that aspect of a con, and I was right. I love photoshoots and just simply getting to represent one of my favorite characters all day. I’m sure a lot of people do it because they are passionate about certain characters, and some of that goes into it for me too, but it’s more the friendships that have grown through cosplay from my perspective.” This statement sums up how a lot of cosplayers feel. When you cosplay you form bonds with different people. I know some of the friends I have made I made because I cosplay. The young lady whom I quoted cosplayed the same character I am, so when we see each other conventions we walk together, talk and when people see us together they “have” to get a photo.

One of the best things as a cosplayer is when someone knows the character you are and gets excited. Especially when it is a small child. While at Otakon, an anime convention in Baltimore MD, you young girl, no more than 8 years old got very excited that she seen Gumi Megpoid: myself. She was even more excited when I asked if I could get my picture with her. There was also another young lady again no more than 8 or 9 who cosplayed Miku, a popular character from Vocaloid and was excited to have her picture with the various Miku’s she seen around the convention center. The look on a child’s face when they recognize a person from their favorite anime, movie or video game helps make the experience worthwhile.

There is nothing odd or strange about being a person who participate is costume play. You could say we are another form of actors, we just aren’t famous or in any movies or shows, unless you count the ones we create ourselves. Sometimes when we enter the hall cosplay contest, cosplayers can be a part of a cosplay fashion show where we can show off the costumes we made and have a few moments of fame so to speak. The more you participate the more fun it gets. Its even a lot of fun when the voice actors who attend a convention recognize the characters you are portraying. When I cosplayed Miaka, I get the change to meet Richard Epcar who played a character in Fushigi Yuugi and was excited that I cosplayed her (and when I told him his character was one of my favorites.)

Everyone has their own ideas of what cosplaying is and why a person would want to cosplay. A lot of the time, that idea is wrong. Most cosplayers do it for the fun we have and the satisfaction we get when we can be the finished product. You spend a large amount of time working on a costume and then you get to wear it and it comes out great. That feeling is priceless.


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