Today is

By: Ikedi Ani-okoye.

Cosplay explained

Cosplay has a couple of meanings, but the most relevant is the merging of the words costume and play. If you want to wear a costume while attending an event (perhaps even to compete or to perform a short sketch), then you have entered the exciting world of cosplay. Cosplay (コスプレ kosupure), a contraction (or portmanteau) of the English words "costume" and "play", is a Japanese subculture centered on dressing as characters from manga, anime, and video games, and, less commonly, Japanese live action television shows, Japanese movies, or Japanese pop music bands.

Types of Cosplay

CosPlaying can be divided into two categories: basic cosplay and Masquerade. While basic cosplay only involves an attempt to look like a particular character, either in the halls of a convention or on stage, Masquerade is much more involved. When masquerading, CosPlayers attempt to act as the character would. They often have prepared skits with memorized lines, and the more advanced masqueraders can easily ad-lib their character’s personality.

Cosplay properly

Cosplay is great - when done right, And sadly to say, It never really is ever done right when touched on by “westerners” such as ourselfs. An Asian looking Haruhi, Rei or Faye seem to always look just that bit more spectacular than a American person, Even if they were wearing exactly the same clothing. I do agree with the Cosplayers though, You get a incredible sense of joy when you see people wearing clothes and spotting out who they are. And I for one, would still love to Cosplay; but only if I found the right clothing.

Cosplay players

The largest concentration of cosplayers can probably be found at various conventions, catering specifically to manga and anime fans, which are held throughout Japan each year. One of the most famous of such conventions is Comiket, or Comic Market, which is held twice a year in Tokyo. At such events, people gather to buy their favorite manga, or comics, show off their costumes, and take lots of pictures.

CONCLUSION

Cosplay, in its most general form, is when a person dresses like an anime character. There are also cosplay competitions that look at other aspects, more detailed, areas of this. For example, there is masquerade which involves the showing of a costume and being judged on it. Then there is cosplay skit competition where a person or a group of people put on a skit that could last from 1-3 minutes, depending on the rules you are working with.