What if we told you that dressing up isn’t just for Halloween? It will become a reality if you discover the world of cosplay that focuses on costumes and shows. Such art brings together hundreds of thousands of talented participants who strive to dress one-on-one like fictional characters.
You may have heard of Comic Con or seen people cosplaying on social media. The popularity of such a creative hobby in 2023 is skyrocketing. You can also buy or sew your fantasy dress to transform into your favorite character and get thousands of views on Instagram and TikTok.
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What is cosplay?
Cosplay came to us from Japan and it means «costume game». It is the act of putting on a costume to recreate the look of a character in a work of art. Popular types of cosplay include dressing up as your favorite anime, video game, and comic book characters. However, cosplay is not limited to this and may include costumes not specific to the characters, such as royal dresses, maid outfits, or school uniforms.
Some cosplayers make their costumes by creating clothing, armor, and props from scrap materials. Others prefer to buy ready-made outfits or have custom-made costumes.
The «play» part occurs when someone adds actions or dialogue to imitate a character beyond the visual effect. Cosplayers can meet at fan conventions or on social networks and participate in various shows, parodies, etc.
The types of cosplay
Today, cosplay is famous worldwide, so many different types of such art have arisen. As a rule, you can take part in the following activities:
- Anime and manga cosplay: participants will replicate their favorite manga characters’ unique clothes and accessories, from Sailor Moon to Naruto.
- Video game cosplay: you must recreate the armor and weapons of game characters like Mortal Kombat, Mario Bros, etc.
- Comic book cosplay: cosplayers can transform into their favorite Marvel and DC comic characters. Find out what it’s like to live in the body of the Hulk or Spider-Man.
- Movies and cosplay: it is the best option if you enjoy Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, or Star Wars.
- Original character: some people prefer to create characters to showcase their creativity. Choose beautiful gothic, victorian, or fantasy trappings and invent your own story.
All activities related to cosplay are exciting and spectacular. You should visit various screenings and fairs to learn more about existing fandoms.
Why do people like cosplay?
Since cosplay has reached a new peak of popularity in recent years, you might wonder what is the secret of its success. It is due to several reasons:
- Accessibility for all: people of any age, gender, and financial status can participate in cosplay events.
- An excellent chance to show off your creativity: cosplay is not a standard process. There are many ways to bring your character to life. Some people focus on studying the character’s demeanor, while other fans pay close attention to the character’s clothing and accessories.
- A suitable variant of escapism: escapism means going away from reality for a certain amount of time. Such activities allow people to prevent burnout, relieve stress and relax.
- Opportunity to meet other community members: most cosplayers attend conventions where thousands gather. It is an excellent option to find friends with similar interests.
There are many different characters that you can choose to cosplay. Even if you don’t aim to completely recreate your favorite book or movie character, just putting on a lovely dress or suit and being someone else for the day is a lot of fun. Think of children’s joy when they dress up for Halloween every year. There’s no reason why you can’t create the same fun atmosphere as an adult!
