Summary
Crafting and creativity is something everyone is capable of. Though as we grow up, society teaches us that “crafting” is childish. But there’s no shame in embracing one’s inner child, and the geek community does just that.
Going as far back as 1939, and the term originating in 1984, with conventions beginning in the 1930s, cosplay is one of many ways people show their support and immerse themselves into something they love. Before the 2000s, it was science fiction, now it’s anime and video games - but there’s no rule that forbids one from dressing up as whatever they please.
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More Than Theater
In 1926, Hugo Gernsback published the very first science fiction magazine, also known asAmazing Stories. This garnered a lot of popularity and soon the first “fandom” culture was born. In 1933, a woman named Morojo Douglas, who was a passionate fan of the serialization, joined with her companion, Forrest Ackerman to publish a fanzine of their own; but this wasn’t all of it. In 1939 a convention was held in New York known as theWorld Science Fiction Convention(orWorldconfor short). There the two showed up dressed as characters inspired byThings to Come, and in 1963, the very first costume based off an existing character was debuted. As the hobby became more popular, costume contests started taking center stage. Before long, the hobby also gained traction in Japan.
“Cosplay”
Cosplay in Japan began as early as the 1970s, at costume conventions, though there was no established term for it. Nobuyuki Takahashi fromStudio Hardattended his first convention in 1984, atWorldconin Los Angeles, California. Seeing all the costumes, he coined a unique name for the term, “cosplay”, which is a combination of “costume” and “play” (or “roleplay”). In 2003, the very firstWorld Cosplay Summittook place in Nagoya, Japan. Which acts as not only a convention, but also amassive costume contest. Though cosplay contests (dubbed, “masquerades”) already came about duringComic-ConSan Diego’s fourth year, in the 1970s. In 1992,Anime Expo, the most popular convention worldwide, held its first event in San Jose, California.
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A Hobby or a Job?
As the early 2010s hit, more cosplayers gained cult followings and even became celebrities in their respective circles. Some even going as far as to collaborate with internet sensations, such as Jacqueline Goehner did withSmoshfor their 2011Zelda Rapparody. Other cosplay celebrities such as Yaya Han would go on to be featured in reality shows like 2013’sHeroes of Cosplay, and release her own fabric brand sold at crafting stores. Though this isn’t just limited to the United States. Suzu Momoi ofTakumi Armoryis famous for making all of her costumes from scratch and has an official contract withAssist Cosplay LA. But this isn’t just in the “dress up” side of things either. Many famous photographers, such as PangiCospix, Remcreate, and Surfside Images, do cosplay photography exclusively.
“Cost"play
There’s anongoing joke in the cosplay community: “Why buy this costume for $70, when I can just make it using $200 worth of materials?”. To many, cosplay is also a craft and an opportunity to share their passions with the world. Moreover, hobbyists see making cosplay as a way to challenge themselves and “bond” better with the character they’re cosplaying. As a result, there are those who live by commission, making costumes and clothing for clients.
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But cosplay can still be an expensive hobby. While some characters, like Power fromChainsaw Manor Mikasa fromAttack on Titanmay be simple and easy, most anime and video game characters are a bit more complex. Additionally, most cosplayers prefer to debut their cosplays at conventions, which also costs money. In Japan, there are cosplay studios such asHACOSTADIUM, which offer a reserved photography service, but at a much lower price than the average convention in the US. Of course, there’s also the plane ticket that’s needed to travel there, so the overall price could very well be the same, if not more expensive.
Unfortunately, like with any fandom, the cosplay community isnot without controversies of its own. It’s not uncommon to see other cosplayers claim a character as their own or resort to cyberbullying. Though with the amount of awareness the internet provides and the general compassion of those who share the hobby, it’s also no surprise that it can be a supportive and safe environment with the right people.
As of 2023, there are well over 14 different countries that hold conventions annually.
