What Is Cosplay?

Whether an anime fan, Marvel fan, gamer, streamer, fitness guru, you may have heard of the term cosplay. If not, I’m here to share one of the most creative, artistic and welcoming communities that I learned about and started to dabble in back in 2016; the world of cosplay. Cosplay is short for costume play, where fans will dress up as their favorite fictional character(s). The world of cosplay has grown and continues to vastly expand around the world with it being more accepted. Today, you won’t only see fandom folks participating in cosplay but now you have full-on models, fitness enthusiasts, gamers, mom’s, dad’s, pets and entire families joining the community of cosplay. If you're new to the world of cosplay, here are just a few thoughts and key takeaways I would like to share with you from my own experience:

How Do You get Started?

1. Choose the desired character you would like to cosplay as. It can be anyone whether they are fictional or not. Typically, it’s inspiration that is gained from a favorite character or hero. You can be Trunks from Dragon Ball. You can be Spiderman from Marvel. You can be Michael Jackson. You can be Manny Pacquiao. Recently, I saw a gentleman cosplay as Mr. Miagi! You can even develop your own character and cosplay as that creation!

2. Decide how you want to bring this cosplay into fruition. Do you want to contract an artist to build it for you? Do you want to build it from scratch?

3. If you’re going to build it from scratch, what products and tools do you need to build it and where are you going to purchase those products and tools?

4. How long can you work on your cosplay throughout the day? Is there a timeline?

5. Decide where you want to share your cosplay! Are you going to wear it at a convention? Are you going to share it in a photoshoot? Do you want to build it for yourself and not share it at all? Because that’s fine too!

Cosplay Doesn’t Have to be Difficult.

There’s no doubt that you’ll see some advance and most likely "wallet-denting" cosplays at conventions but don’t let that intimidate or deter you from using and sharing your own creative talents. Cosplay doesn’t have to be difficult and you don’t need to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars. Quality cosplays can be made on a budget, no matter what character you want to cosplay as. It may take more time to create but it can be done!

Get Creative.

This is your time to get as creative as you want! If you have two favorite characters you want to cosplay as but can’t choose, why not combine them? Personally, I love Star Wars and I love Harry Potter. I combined the two and created Gryffindor Mando and Ravenclaw Mando with the wife! Do you have a favorite character in mind but also enjoy a different type of lifestyle like Steam Punk? Why not combine those two together? This is the time to share all your passions. There is no right or wrong way to build your cosplay.

Who Can Join?

ANYONE. No matter what age, gender, ethnicity etc., anyone can start their cosplay lifestyle today! There are parents dressing up their babies, youth, both young and grown adults and even pets enjoying the cosplay lifestyle dressing up as their favorite characters.

Where Can You Cosplay?

Although it's common to cosplay at comic conventions, toy expos and gaming events, it's now common to find cosplaying streamers, cosplaying Youtubers and cosplay meet-ups that brings all cosplayers together outside of conventions.

Cosplay is Not Consent

This is an imperative key point to takeaway. Some cosplayers can get quite voluptuous with their cosplay’s but this does not give anyone consent to make any “sexual” bypasses on these cosplayers. All cosplayers are to be respected no matter what they are cosplaying as. Always ask permission to take photos or videos and also, learn how to read body language. Some cosplayers may love to cosplay but may not be interested in taking pictures or videos with other cosplayers/content creators.

Final Thoughts

Cosplayers see cosplayers. If you’re attending an event or see a cosplayer, pay them a compliment because it takes a lot of time, dedication and effort to create these phenomenal pieces and without our cosplayers, let’s admit that these conventions wouldn’t be as fun and entertaining. What are you currently cosplaying as or what do you want to cosplay as in the future? Send me an email! I would love to hear from you.