What is Cosplay?

Guest Author - Joy Alari

Cosplay is all the rage in the United States but most don't know that it actually originated in Japan, Cosplay is quite popular in the United States because more people have embraced it but as popular as it is, Cosplay in the United States is still restricted to certain times of the year.

Which is very different from what happens in Japan, Cosplay events and even Cosplayers themselves can be seen strutting their stuff on the streets, as well as acting out their anime characters. In the United States Cosplayers or Cosplay events, are only seen at conventions.

Cosplay costumes vary a lot, it can be purchased from a store or be handmade, designs can be simple elaborate. Handmade are usually better, especially if its your genious hands that creates the costume, you not only get pride in your creation but your designs could eventually win, the various Costume Competitions at the local Cosplay Conventions, for any Cosplayer at heart that is huge!
But take note, you don’t only have to make your costume to win, you must also strut your stuff in the competition, by acting and talking like the Character of the costume. The feeling is high as you get a big boost, with officially becoming a regular Cosplayer and that makes it more fun.

There are various conventions held in Japan for Cosplay exhibitions, an example is the Comiket or Comic Market, its held twice a year so you get the oppurtunity, to show off your new Manga costume, don’t forget the pictures! Also you get another oppurtunity, to increase your Anime or Manga memorabilia at the exhibitions.

Cosplayers are people who wear any of the Anime or Manga gear, they can be found almost anywhere in Japan because the main drive of this fashion are Japan’s youths, so don’t be startled when you see Cosplayers, in action or strutting their stuff on the streets of Japan.

Cosplayers also have their regular hangouts, where you see them in their numbers, such a place is in Tokyo’s Akihabari and Harajuku districts, one can really get lost in Cosplay world, as there are a lot of cosplay cafes, where you find the waitresses serving in costume!
Also there are some Cosplay parties, which are held in some nightclubs as well as parks in Japan.

If you’re interested in Cosplay or any of the events, then why not brave it out at the conventions in Otakon, Anime Boston, DragonCon or any of the other conventions, that come up annually in the United States, or better still, come to where Cosplay was invented and totally rocks, Japan!