WHAT IS COSPLAY?

While there is no set in stone definition, the word ‘Cosplay’ usually refers to the act of dressing in a costume to recreate the appearance of a character from a work of fiction. Popular forms of cosplay involve donning the outfit of popular anime, video game, or comic book characters. Cosplay is not limited to this, however, and can involve non-character specific costumes like maid or school uniforms. 

Many cosplayers create their own costumes by sewing clothing, crafting armor and props from a number of materials. Others choose to buy ready made costumes from retailers specializing in cosplay, or commission the work of tailors or other cosplay hobbyists. 

Wigs are an important part of cosplay. Often cosplayers will need to alter their own appearance with different styles and colors of hair with wigs. Of the various types of wigs available, heat resistant wigs are popular due to their ability to handle styling with tools meant for human hair. 

Cosplay is a world-wide phenomenon with people of all ages participating. Cosplay often occurs at conventions and events geared towards anime, comics, games and sci-fi interests, but is not limited to them. In many areas of the world, you can sometimes find cosplay out in the streets. In Los Angeles, the area known as Little Tokyo is often frequented by people in cosplay on weekends. In Akihabara in Japan, businesses hire cosplayers to pass out promotional items and flyers. There are also ‘Cosplay Cafes’ in various places in Asia where staff dress up in costume for the enjoyment of customers. 

Cosplay is a crafting hobbyist's paradise, where costume complexity and quality is only limited by a person’s creativity! With experience, cosplayers can learn to craft impressive, sometimes seemingly gravity defying costumes and impress a community that spans across the globe. 

Some cosplayers have gained notoriety for their costuming skills or ability to create a close likeness to characters. You can’t mention notable cosplayers without including American cosplayer, Yaya Han, who creates elaborate costumes. Yaya’s ability to create impressive cosplay year after year has resulted in her feature on reality TV on the SyFy network. Another cosplayer of note is Alodia Gosiengfiao, a Filipina cosplayer who’s adorable nature and pretty face have garnered her attention from millions of fans. A television personality and occasional actress in the Philippines, Alodia commissions her work from talented tailors and blurs the lines between cosplayer and celebrity. 

Notoriety aside, most cosplayers in the hobby do it simply for fun. Cosplay is an activity that people of all age groups can participate in. Couples, siblings, grandparents and grandchildren, and sometimes whole families come together to cosplay at events. Some have even met future spouses through cosplay and gone on to have cosplaying children! Cosplay is a safe, fun, and friendly activity with hundreds of thousands of participants enjoying it all year round!