Cosplay: Crazy subculture or Anthropological Wonderland?

BY CRISTINA

The very idea of hundreds of adults, teenagers, and a couple of dozen children getting together, wearing costumes, and eating raw fish sounds like a very odd Halloween party doesn’t it? Well, in many ways, it is a very odd, weekend long Halloween party. In America and Europe, it’s a weekend hobby; in Japan—a lifestyle. The it—cosplay. The term comes from Japan, and is the combination of the words ‘costume,’ and ‘playacting.’ What cosplay has become for many, especially in its country of origin—is an imagined community with its own set of rules, laws, and ‘we really wish you wouldn’ts,’ as well as a sophisticated way of expressing ones’ individuality; while still remaining in the group.

In Japan, cosplayers dress as their favorite cartoon or anime and comic book—manga, and video games characters, as well as members of their favorite flamboyant—visual-kei bands. They gather after school, and on the weekends in Tokyo’s main shopping district, to see and be seen by their fellow cosplayers and have their picture taken by the photographers that often follow these groups around.

Having been taught from a very young age “to think first of being part of the group . . . [and] always be conscious of others. . .” (Condon 1984, pp.8-9) for many of the young Japanese that are cosplayers, the masks and layers of makeup that are often required for the costumes they wear must be liberating. Usually, they are still in a group, whether each person wants to be a different character from the same anime, or the same character, each person puts a unique interpretation on their costume, thus allowing them to be individual while remaining in the ‘group.’

One of the unspoken rules for Japanese cosplayers is that once you have on your costume, you become the character. Consequently, many fans will spend weeks memorizing their persona’s favorite phrases and mannerisms, so that no matter what happens, they will be able to stay ‘in character.’

There is even a new organization forming in Japan called Cosengokai, to help out cosplayers who have been victimized. In mainstream Japanese culture, cosplay is looked down upon, and politely discouraged because it breaks the continuity of ‘the group.’
Some cosplayers have been stalked, usually by the photographers and some—especially the females—have been sexually harassed.

The other side of the imagined cosplay community are the Europeans and the Americans. In the West, while seen as somewhat silly, there is either a totally ignorance or indulgent acceptance of cosplayers. Being an individual is what is prized in most Western countries, so many of the strict Japanese rules of being totally ‘in character,’ are dropped or partially ignored. While many American cosplayers will make some effort to at least be able to mimic their personas’ signature pose, most cosplayers carry on acting like themselves once they are in costume.

Usually, most American cosplayers meet once or twice a year at the various anime conventions around the country, which allows them ample time to complete their costumes. Unlike the Japanese, who’s costumes are often store bought and very intricately detailed, many American coplayer’s costumes are handmade, and the opportunity to show off their hardwork is highly prized. Since being in ‘the group,’ isn’t as important in America, many fans will attend the conventions either alone and seek out others from their chosen series for an informal photo shoot, or if they attend in a group, 90 percent of the time, everyone will be someone from a different anime, manga, or game. Even American comics, like Batman and Superman, movies like The Martix, and TV shows like Star Trek are all acceptable choices for gleaning cosplay inspiration.

For American and European fans, cosplay is a chance to show off an artistic skill, and have fun, where as the Japanese take it very seriously. Even being referred to as an Otaku or fanboy, while insulting to the Japanese, is a term worn with pride by the Americans and Europeans.

A lot of hard work, time, and money is invested in cosplay around the world, and even though East and West have different interpretations on the best way to behave once the new persona is taken on, there is still a deep sense of camaraderie and freedom.