Cosplay has long been a trend among the youth. It's not just popular in Japan but has spread to many countries worldwide. So, what exactly is Cosplay? Let's delve into the world of Cosplay with TechTips.
1. What is Cosplay?
Cosplay is the fusion of 'Costume' and 'play'. Simply put, it's a way for enthusiasts to embody their favorite characters by dressing up, applying makeup, and accessorizing to resemble them in every aspect, from appearance to expression. These cosplayed characters often come from anime, manga, comics, movies, video games, tokusatsu, and more.
Anyone can join cosplay, whether amateur or professional, female or male, young or old, as long as they have a passion for the character, adore, and admire it. Cosplay is quite popular among the youth in Japan, although the street fashion trend in Japan is Harajuku.
Participants in 'Cosplay' are called 'Cosplayers'. They consider cosplay as a hobby, a game, or even a passion. They form groups or clubs to practice and prepare costumes together. In programs, events, and festivals related to their favorite fictional characters, they participate together. They may even organize their own event for groups or clubs to perform together.
There are many classifications of cosplay, but the most common is based on the genre of the released publication. Cosplay includes Anime-Manga, Comic, Game (game characters), Music (bands, artists, or characters). It can also be based on Artwork created by artists.
In addition to the mentioned types, there are Original Cosplay (Cosplay of characters designed by the Cosplayer themselves) and Genbender Cosplay (Cosplay of characters in the opposite gender version or combining two characters from different works).
2. History of Cosplay Festivals in Japan
Although originated by the Japanese, it was inspired by sci-fi conventions in the U.S. from the 1960s. At these sci-fi conventions, participants would dress up as fictional characters. It later spread worldwide, including Japan.
When it arrived in Japan, the festival still featured costume contests like those in the U.S., but received less attention. It wasn't until the 17th festival when a group dressed as characters from the Barsoom comic gained popularity. People mistook them for characters from the Umino Toriton manga. Captivated by this act, many began cosplaying their favorite characters. Since then, cosplay festivals have become an annual occurrence, with hundreds of different characters being portrayed each season.
3. When Are Cosplay Festivals Organized?
Cosplay festivals can happen at any time of the year. However, they're most grandly organized during cherry blossom season. When the cherry blossoms bloom, locals and tourists often gather in the main parks, making it the perfect time for cosplay festivals. Moreover, with Japan's cultural highlights being anime, manga, and cherry blossoms, cosplaying beloved characters adds to Japan's cultural richness.
4. Unique Aspects of Japanese Cosplay Festivals
When participating in a cosplay festival, you immerse yourself in a vibrant world of colorful Manga and Anime characters. Not only do you resemble them in appearance, costume, and expression, but also in weapons and accessories, just like the original characters. Cosplayers have the freedom to creatively embody their favorite characters without any constraints. The more authentic the cosplay, the higher the appreciation. Cosplay brings joy not only to oneself but also to those around. Hence, cosplay festivals are always lively, innovative, and full of creativity.
Hope this article has helped answer your cosplay-related questions. Don't forget to share it with your friends.
