What is Cosplay in Japan? Beginners Guide!
The term cosplay was popularised by Japanese writer Animesha Akimoto in the 1970s. It was used to refer to a person who dressed up like their favorite anime characters that they were inspired or drawn into being. A lot of people liked the idea and some saw the value of cosplay ahead.
Cosplay is now one of Japan’s traditions where people dress up as their favorite characters although it is not only limited to Anime characters and movies characters are followed. People from different parts of Japan take part in this hobby and they are often given an opportunity to show off the fun side of their favorite character. It has now become popular among the youth all over Japan with many people taking advantage of the chance to get some extra cash as well not to mention some people take it as their profession and do cosplay on regular basis wandering in town and attending events.
Cosplay isn’t confined to just children though, adults also have their own kind of idea that makes them great at cosplaying. Adults will also do anything to be able to show their creativity in front of their children and it is not taken as weird or childish instead most adults take part in it.
For instance, teenagers can go as far as dressing up as monsters and superheroes which would be called heavy cosplay. Heavy or more accurate cosplay can be expensive where you usually pay a professional to design your costume or otherwise you can make your outfit by yourself.
How to do Cosplay?
- Choose the Anime Character you wanna represent.
- Decide if you want to do full detailed cosplay or the simple one including your concept.
- Get things you need to dress up. You can either do simple cosplay with wig and basic representation or you can go for detailed Cosplay where you put on the designed costume, get hair set and do makeup to look exactly like your motive character.
- Not necessary but you practice acting like your chosen character, especially for photography.
Cosplay Events
- Anime Expo (1 July - 4 July | 2022)
- Sakura-Con (15 April - 17 April | 2022)
- Comic-Con (21 July - 24July | 2022)
- Japan Expo (14 July - 17July | 2022)
- Comiket-Tokyo (13 August - 14 August | 2022)