Cosplay is defined as “the practice of dressing up as a character from a movie, book, or video game.” The Japanese term for cosplay is Kosupure. The word cosplay is a portmanteau for Costume play in English. Cosplay is believed to be credited to Nobuyuki Takahashia who coined the word after attending the 1984 World Science Fiction Convention, better known as simply Worldcon.
People who regularly participate in cosplay are known as “Cosplayers” and they often go above and beyond to ensure they are depicting their character as accurately as possible, going to such lengths as to copy mannerisms and gestures that mimic the character. These people sometimes spend hours upon hours creating costumes and applying makeup. Other cosplayers may purchase the items they need from big Cosplay stores such as Mitsubado in Akihabara. Cosplayers do not just stop at clothing. They go as far as wigs, contact lenses, and even temporary tattoos.
There has been a rapid increase in the participation of cosplay since the 1980s and it has truly become a phenomenon around the world. It is popular in China, the United States, and South Korea. However, it is most popular in Japan where it is truly a part of the culture. With cosplay being such a large part of the culture, it has also become a big business in Japan. With tons of stores, conventions, and events dedicated to cosplay, it has turned into an international phenomenon.
Cosplayers take pride in truly becoming the character and capturing the essence of the character. Aside from it being a big part of Japanese culture, there are some cosplayers who participate for the love of the character, game, show, or simply because it is something they enjoy. Cosplay is gaining popularity around the world and it will soon be one of the most popular hobbies globally.
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