Cosplay, short for "costume play," originated at early science fiction conventions in the 1930s, with the first known instance occurring at the 1st World Science Fiction Convention in 1939. It evolved significantly in the 1980s when Japanese reporter Nobuyuki Takahashi attended a Worldcon in Los Angeles and coined the term "kosupure," later anglicized to "cosplay." The 1990s saw a surge in anime and manga influence, expanding cosplay’s reach globally. The internet and social media further fueled its growth, allowing cosplayers to share their creations and connect with others worldwide. Today, cosplay is a global phenomenon, celebrated at major conventions like Comic-Con International and Anime Expo, where fans showcase elaborate costumes, participate in contests, and engage in a vibrant, inclusive community. Cosplayers employ a variety of skills, including sewing, foam work, prop building, and special effects makeup, to bring characters from movies, TV shows, video games, comics, and original concepts to life. This dynamic form of artistic expression involves not just costume creation but also embodying characters through mannerisms, speech, and performance. The community has grown to include professional cosplayers who monetize their craft through sponsorships, appearances, and merchandise sales. Conventions and fan gatherings remain the heart of cosplay culture, fostering creativity, craftsmanship, and shared fandom.
What is Cosplay?
Cosplay, short for "costume play," is a hobby where participants, known as cosplayers, dress up in costumes and accessories to portray specific characters from movies, TV series, comic books, video games, anime, and other media. Cosplayers frequently attend conventions, gatherings, and events to showcase their costumes, participate in contests, and interact with other fans.
Cosplay involves more than just wearing a costume; it includes embodying the character's mannerisms, speech, and sometimes performing. This popular activity has a dedicated global community of enthusiasts who invest significant time and effort into creating accurate and detailed costumes.
Cosplayers are known for their attention to detail and versatility, often utilizing a variety of skills to create their costumes, including sewing, foam and thermoplastic work, prop building, wig styling, and special effects makeup. They can enjoy the hobby at conventions, fan events, theme parks, movie premieres, and more.
Some tips for getting into cosplay include:
- Picking a character you like and feel comfortable portraying.
- Taking your time to ensure you can complete the costume before the event.
- Trying on the costume before the event to ensure you're comfortable wearing it in public.
Staying positive, as not every costume comes together without problems.
One important rule to remember is that cosplay is not consent. Just because someone is dressed up as a character doesn't mean you can touch them or their props without permission.
Why People Do cosplay?
Self-expression and Creativity
Cosplay offers a unique way to express creativity and artistic skills. Cosplayers enjoy crafting detailed costumes, applying makeup, and assembling accessories, often showcasing their work at conventions and on social media.
Celebration of Fandom
Fans use cosplay to celebrate their favorite characters and franchises. This immersion deepens their connection to the fandom and allows them to share their passion with others at conventions and events.
Sense of Belonging
Cosplay fosters a sense of community. Conventions and events bring together people with shared interests, helping them form friendships and feel part of a supportive environment.
The Thrill of Competition
Many cosplayers are motivated by the competitive aspect. Participating in contests challenges them to improve their skills and strive for excellence, earning recognition and prizes.
Cosplay, blending the words "costume" and "play," involves dressing up as characters or concepts from fictional works. Cosplayers wear their favorite characters' outfits while attending conventions, fan gatherings, theme parks, movie premieres, and more. In recent decades, cosplay's popularity has surged. This hobby, encompassing various genres, interests, crafts, and skills, is accessible to almost anyone.
Due to strict costume policies for adults at Walt Disney World, DisneyBounding emerged, where fans wear character-themed outfits instead of full costumes. Similarly, many cosplayers engage in closet cosplay, creating costumes from everyday clothing items already in their wardrobes.
For the especially creative, costumes can be handmade from scratch, constructed with cardboard or foam, or even 3D printed. In cosplay, the only limit is your imagination.
If you're interested in starting cosplay or seeking inspiration for your next costume, join us for Cosplay Club at the Headquarters Library on the first Wednesday of each month, presented by MakerSpace. We also offer a selection of books to help you get started on your cosplay journey.
