Cosplay (costume play)

Cosplay (costume play)
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Name	Cosplay (costume play)

Cosplay (costume play) is the practice of dressing as characters from Manga, Anime, Video game, Comic book and Film franchises, often performed at conventions such as Comiket, San Diego Comic-Con, Anime Expo, New York Comic Con and Dragon Con. It combines elements of Performance art, Stagecraft, Masquerade (ball), Fandom participation and Fan fiction culture, and intersects with industries like Toy manufacturing, Cosmetics, Textile industry, Photography and Streaming (media) platforms such as YouTube, Twitch (service) and Niconico.

History

Cosplay traces roots to early 20th-century Science fiction fandom gatherings and the World Science Fiction Convention where costumed attendees appeared alongside Hugo Award ceremonies, later influenced by the rise of Manga magazines such as Shōnen Jump, Weekly Shōnen Magazine and Nakayoshi and events like Comiket and Akihabara culture. The term emerged after international exchange involving figures associated with Worldcon attendees and Japanese fan circles following the popularity of works by creators like Osamu Tezuka, Hayao Miyazaki, Katsuhiro Otomo and properties like Sailor Moon, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Dragon Ball and Pokémon. Globalization and conventions including San Diego Comic-Con, Lucca Comics & Games, Paris Manga, MCM London Comic Con and Fan Expo Canada accelerated cross-cultural diffusion alongside media conglomerates like Sony, Nintendo, Bandai Namco, Warner Bros., Marvel Comics and DC Comics.

Practices and Elements

Cosplayers often perform character portrayals at conventions such as MCM Expo, Anime Central, Otakon and Sakura-Con, incorporating Prop weapon handling inspired by franchises like Final Fantasy, The Legend of Zelda, Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones. Photography culture links cosplayers with practitioners from Flickr, Instagram, DeviantArt, Pixiv and Flickr-associated communities, with collaborations involving photographers experienced in lighting trends from Kodak, Canon Inc., Nikon Corporation, Sony Alpha and Fujifilm. Performative elements draw on conventions pioneered by theater companies such as Kabuki, Takarazuka Revue and contemporary performance groups at events like Burning Man and Pride Parade intersections with fandom.

Materials and Construction

Construction techniques use textiles sold by suppliers tied to Dongdaemun Market, Shenzhen manufacturers, and retailers like Jo-Ann Stores, Hobby Lobby, Michaels (retailer) and specialized outlets in Akihabara and Harajuku. Armor crafting borrows methods from Leathercraft, Foam fabrication, 3D printing communities around makers using hardware from MakerBot, Ultimaker, Prusa Research, adhesives from 3M and finishing products from Tamiya and Krylon. Wig styling references brands like Arda Wigs, Gothic lolita subculture suppliers, and makeup techniques align with products from Shu Uemura, MAC Cosmetics, Kryolan and tutorials popularized by influencers on YouTube and TikTok.

Competitions and Judging

Masquerade-style contests and competitions at events like World Cosplay Summit, Anime Festival Asia, EuroCosplay, Cosplay World Masters and Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival evaluate craftsmanship, performance and accuracy using panels often composed of professionals from Bandai Namco, Square Enix, Kadokawa Corporation, Viz Media and theatrical directors from companies like Shiki Theatre Company. Judging criteria take cues from award structures such as the Tony Award, Academy Award, BAFTA and Eisner Award, with categories for workmanship, presentation and originality and prizes often sponsored by corporations including Bandai, Aniplex, Good Smile Company, Kotobukiya and Crunchyroll.

Community and Culture

Cosplay communities form around hubs such as Akihabara, Harajuku, Ikebukuro, Shibuya and international convention circuits including San Diego Comic-Con International, Comiket, FanimeCon, MCM London Comic Con and New York Comic Con, intersecting with fan organizations like Anime News Network, Otaku USA, Funimation, Crunchyroll and Kadokawa. Online communities thrive on platforms like Pixiv, DeviantArt, Tumblr, Reddit and Discord (software), often engaging with creators from Level Up! (band), CLAMP, Hideaki Anno, Masashi Kishimoto and influencers who attend events produced by companies such as ReedPop, Kadokawa and Kadokawa Shoten.

Issues and Controversies

Debates within cosplayer circles often reference incidents involving intellectual property managed by entities like Nintendo, Sony, Disney, Warner Bros., Toei Company and Bandai Namco, and disputes over trademark enforcement at conventions run by organizers such as Reed Exhibitions and ReedPop. Other controversies intersect with discussions around consent and harassment policies enforced at venues like Los Angeles Convention Center, Tokyo Big Sight, McCormick Place and institutions including Universities hosting fan events, alongside debates over cultural appropriation involving references to Kimono, Geisha, Nazi symbolism disputes and national sensitivities related to Yasukuni Shrine and historical representations. Safety and legal issues involve prop regulations influenced by local laws in jurisdictions like California, Japan, United Kingdom, Canada and Germany and coordination with authorities such as Metropolitan Police Service, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and California Highway Patrol.

Category:Fan culture