Why do you cosplay?

By TinTango. 06/11/08, 07:46 pm

Again, another Newbie thread asking the deep and meaningful questions (apologies in advance Embarassed

).

Why do you cosplay?

I mean, personally?

Do you enjoy the dressing up part and role-playing? Or maybe the attention of doing something different? Or the challenge of making a wickedly cool and detailed outfit that you get to model yourself?
Or do you really, really, really love anime, and cosplay is a form of:
1. expressing your love to the world!!!
2. Finding a community of bodacious people who share that love- groovy man!

Or maybe it's a combination of the above.

By kyokyogirl. 07/11/08, 02:13 am

Well, for me, I love to sew. And I like the challenge in making a 2D outfit realistic and wearable. And of course the satisfaction of having made something to wear, and it doesn't fall apart XD

I also love being around other cosplayers and feeling like I just walked into the anime, game etc.

I'm not really into the roleplaying side myself...anyone who's seen me as Gaara will know that XD

By Mandie_Chan. 07/11/08, 02:18 am

why do I cosplay?
Well cos its a chance to be something else and hang out with friend (new and old) doing something we all love.
Cosplaying for me is so awesome because i make my own outfits and i love sewing = WIN
also acting as my fav characters is so much fun! add to that being in a cosplay group is even better!

I also love being recconised with i cosplay a character! i was Ash Ketchum once and after a meeting i was walking through town and some random 25+ guy stopped in front of me and yelled 'ASH!' it was a really gd feeling knowing that after all the effort i put into my character it paid off ^_^

yea cosplaying = WIN all the time!

By sakuramiyabi. 07/11/08, 02:23 am

me because im a physics attention whore and camwhore

and its fun ... since its stressful and timeconsuming but at the end of the day when its made nicely it feels worth it =D

By Suixelo. 07/11/08, 03:18 am

Hahahaha lol Alena XD
But I think it's true that most cosplayers love the attention and the photos ;D

It's so fun! And I've met so many new people and made so many memories already<3

It's also the sewing aspect, too. I'm really bad, hahaha. So I want to get better. I'm not good at drawing or anything, so I'd like to get better at sewing as an artistic outlet. Plus it's a hobby, we all need hobbies =D

By IcyRose. 07/11/08, 04:18 am

For me, I like to express my liking for the characters, although I also am an attention whore so I would also like a sweet looking costume as well rather than just a plain one. However that's more due to past experience in having no one recognise me because the cosplay was so plain and obscure that people assumed I was just in normal clothes.

In any case, unlike most people on this board, I'm not much of a sewing person, I normally wear closet or commissioned cosplays, although I do put that extra effort into making a cosplay for the competition, I do have a lot of help in the process. So I don't really do cosplay for the sewing experience, I do it more for the chance to dress up, look good (hopefully) and be the character for the day.

By Static. 07/11/08, 03:14 pm

kyokyogirl wrote:: Well, for me, I love to sew. And I like the challenge in making a 2D outfit realistic and wearable. And of course the satisfaction of having made something to wear, and it doesn't fall apart XD

I also love being around other cosplayers and feeling like I just walked into the anime, game etc.

I'm not really into the roleplaying side myself...anyone who's seen me as Gaara will know that XD

...what she said. Also I'm a photographer, so taking some sick photos is definitely a big motivation.

By **Auroa**. 07/11/08, 03:43 pm

Its fun.

Thats the reason...
Nah, I lie, thats one of the main reasons though, of course.
~ Its such a great way to make friends, some of my most closest friends I've meet due to cosplay/armageddon.
~ Also acting, its fun to the act the character, I had so much fun being Luffy with my One Piece group, carrying our flag and wanted posters and just hanging with them ^^
~ Its something that leads to so many new skills, learning to make costumes and props, being creative, thinking up skits and fun games, scenes, photo ideas that suit your character or characters (if you're in a group.)

Its not just about dressing up to me... because of cosplay I've become more self-confident... I mean I'm still new to sewing and such but to see the things I've made coming from a no creative/no art/no sewing background ... not to mention that two years ago I couldn't speak in front of 10 people now I can talk in front of a couple hundred on stage etc
its just amazing, you grow and learn from it, and they're life experiences that can help in the future.

~ Pphotos when you get a parent ask if they can take a photo of you and their daughter/son (I've had a few of those and its just so cute!), or when you get glomped, or AHH its *insert character* CAN I HAVE A PHOTO? ... its just awesome. Its not why I cosplay though but still its a bonus =P
also, peoples wtf expressions can be such a lol sometimes =P

I feel like I'm missing some reasons oO ah well if I think of them I'll add them hahah.

(oh btw no need to apologise for asking questions ^^)

By Rikki-Leigh. 07/11/08, 04:01 pm

I cosplay because I can and because it's given me a whole new group of friends. It's given me something to do and something to aim for when I'm making the costumes.

I love doing the making part, because I love to think about stuff, so I love to do problem solving and running over what i can do and how I can do this (kinda like what I'm doing with my Umbreon cosplay at the moment).

I love meeting the people, as well.
I know that half of my friends at school aren't able to handle even small doses of me, yet I can go almost halfway to full tilt when I'm with you guys (like what me and Tania did to Angie). Plus, a lot of my other friends who, although they like animanga and stuff, they don't see the point behind cosplay.

I don't really know WHY I cosplay. It's just... fun.

By **Auroa**. 07/11/08, 04:20 pm

D=

oO

that was only half way????

Razz

By Rikki-Leigh. 07/11/08, 04:27 pm

Hahaha.
Yeah.
I've only gone full-tilt once.
Scared the sugar honey iced tea outta a crap load of people.
Have since learned to control myself =D

By creature124. 07/11/08, 04:27 pm

I do it becuase I like the WTF reaction from the normal people. That, and being the center of attention is good. Plus, it means I get to get more enjoyment out of a show I have seen and past XD

Its sorta like this. At school, I had inhibitions. And work, I have inhibitions. And there is nobody at home to play sillybuggers with. But when I throw on some random cosplay and go out with you lot, I can really just let loose and roll with it. Its awesome.

**Guest** Guest

I cosplay because I like the photos and having a fun environment with our favourite anime characters. Especially at armageddon when the photo environment is at its best ^^

By **jpwise**. 07/11/08, 05:14 pm

I'm probably pretty similar to the others. I've only done 2 cosplays total. One was Romario and that was at a suggestion from seraphik. It was an older character, more supporting than main, and essentially a closet cosplay, so I decided to do it. The hair dying effort failed (skwartkof live 15 wash - don't use it, it doesn't work), but otherwise it was still enjoyable. The second was for the halloween gathering with the intention of refining it for use at the wellington cosplay ball. I forgot about the no shoes bit inside and the mask+wig were hell hot, so I didn't keep it on for long, but it was fun enough.

Edit (added after writing the below: The long answer.
For me most of it's stalking the people and taking photos (lots of photos Razz

), but more importantly it's making new friends I enjoy being around, and developing my social skills. Put frankly my social skills suck and I usually don't know how to act around people. I also tend to think things out rather than make spur of the moment or spontaneous decisions which is something I'd like to change. Spontaneity I see as a big part of enjoying the moment and the friends your with, if you're continually thinking it out it does somewhat kill the mood.

So whilst I've only just crossed over into cosplay I see it as an evolution of sorts. If I continue down this path I'll be able to keep on enjoying the fun times with the new people I meet and become less reserved/inhibited in social situations aswell.

Edit: The short answer - the fact I wrote the above first kinda gives you an idea how bad I am on thinking through situations.
Short Answer: I'm shy and introverted. I'd like to become more outgoing and confident. Cosplaying is fun and helps. :)

By Wishe. 07/11/08, 05:48 pm

I haven't cosplayed much, myself and I'm quite shy usually.
Cosplaying however gives me a warm/fuzzy/happy feeling~
Whether it's bringing a favourite character to life or simply having an excuse to dress up in a way that doesn't usually "suit"... It's just great! ^^

Honestly though, before I discovered cosplay, I've never had a chance to dress in costume before. This probably strengthened my love for cosplay. [insert ninja icon - why is there none? D'8] ^^''

**Guest** Guest

This may seem like a horrible horrible thing to say, but I want to win the competition. I WANTS IT! 2004/2005 I placed in the competition, now I don't get anywhere near. It's depressing! The stakes got raised, the game got changed and suddenly I'm crap. sad

So thats all tied into the pride I get from my sewing ability.

The other reason is that usually, I painfully shy. Like, the idea of being at a party and walking up to a group and joining the conversation makes me want to puke with nerves kind of shy. VERY VERY SHY. As those of you who have seen me in costume know, thats not an issue. I get hyperactive and freindly and have no trouble bouncing up to people and introducing myself. Well, less trouble.

Also - just walking out on stage and having that entire place be cheering for you, regardless of whether they know you or the costume, or anything - can we all say self esteem boost? Very Happy

By PinkGoggles. 08/11/08, 02:49 am

It's uber fun and sewing and pattern making (and failing) is fun as well.
Gives me a chance to be/act like someone I'm not without feeling bad or embarrassed about it. It's awesome.
Also motivates me to lose weight because anime/game characters I like just happen to be so thin, ~~damn them~~ bless them ^^

Yeah, cosplay is just chuu~!

*edit: Yes, I have a weight complex

**Guest** Guest

Main reason?
Because it's fun. 8D
~~And self-esteem/confidence boost~~~

I was first dragged into the realm of cosplay in December last year, and I'd honestly thought I'd do it just once, 'cause it was a friend who'd persuaded me to cosplay and join her group during the con.
But haha, it was more fun than I'd realised-- people recognised the character I'd been cosplaying ~~despite my epic fail at the time~~ and I'd get stopped for photos, even if a lot of them didn't turn up online XD And I'd met a lot of new people that way, made friends with more people as compared to going to the con in regular clothes. And we do crazier things.
In real life, I'm quite an introvert, unless I know one fairly well. And even then, I'm still pretty reserved. It took me two and a half years to be able to let myself loose a little with my friends at my last school, and I'm still not comfortable with the people I know at my current school. And yet, haha, I can go partly crazy with the people I know on the forums. <33 *loves on*
Even in costume, I'm still not confident about being around/talking to people I'm not particularly close to, but I'm better at it then compared to when I'm not in costume.
And the little minor things-- I got into sewing because of cosplay, and I'm learning to use makeup because of cosplay. Idk, I found it a bit of a thrill when my dad commented on my 'man makeup' and said it hardly looked like me hahaha. And before this, I couldn't be bothered about my weight-- I might complain about all my flabby bits, but generally ignore them because, well, I don't look too fat under all my clothes so it's alright-- but now, I'm more motivated to lose the extra weight because y halo thar, Fran ~~ESPECIALLY HER~~ and game-version Tifa!

*runs away~*

By Static. 08/11/08, 03:16 am

PinkGoggles wrote:: Yes, I have a weight complex

Well, you're a chick. It comes with the package. LUCKY US HUH. I'm freaking out about doing Dizzy and Starhealer because of the tummy baring. Which is why I don't want do do them on my lonesome u___u

By Suixelo. 08/11/08, 03:32 am

Quote :: Well, you're a chick. It comes with the package. LUCKY US HUH.

Haha I second that. I've put on so much weight since I had to quit dancing wahhh. Cosplay is making me work on loosing it though. lol.

By PinkGoggles. 08/11/08, 03:44 am

Static wrote:

PinkGoggles wrote:: Yes, I have a weight complex

Well, you're a chick. It comes with the package. LUCKY US HUH. I'm freaking out about doing Dizzy and Starhealer because of the tummy baring. Which is why I don't want do do them on my lonesome u___u

I was going to join you as Sailor Star Fighter but TAT
The vinyl is just too much since I'm doing Julia from Cowboy Bebop too >__>

By Static. 08/11/08, 03:47 am

Oh! NO YOU HAVE TO JOIN ME! I have no qualms about resorting to bribery on this one! And there ain't nothing wrong with vinyl.

By TinTango. 08/11/08, 06:10 am

Let me give a big thanks to all of you for your open and honest responses.

Part of my reason in asking this question, was because I still had quite a few hesitations in cosplaying, but actually listening to your answers have helped me sort a few things out.

I am by nature introverted and shy, and though professionally I can front up and be all "cool, calm and collected" (I even won a speech contest at school once), socially I'm not so good. Put me in a room full of strangers, and I will be the one hiding in the corner.With all the snacks.

But hearing a number of you saying that you're pretty similar, and that cosplay has helped you with your confidence, is really inspiring for me. As I said in my introduction, when I saw a group of you at Auckgeddon this year, I really admired your bravery at putting yourself out there, not fearing to be judged by your peers, or society at large... in fact by the number of people there, it seems that you've created your own community of great friends.
That in itself, is a worthy achievement.

As for sewing... at intermediate for our first lesson, I accidentally put put the sewing machine needle through my first 2 fingers and was so startled I broke it off from the machine. So, I'm still deciding whether or not I'm going to pour a lot of XP points into that skill!!!

Anyway, thanks once again. I feel much more relieved in joining your community, and although my cosplays probably won't be very technical, I think you'll soon find that I can more than make up for it in creativity!
And as for weight loss, it sounds like cosplaying is a great motivator, especially if there is a conference coming up!

By Suixelo. 08/11/08, 06:17 am

For years I was the same as you, I didn't cosplay because I was just so nervous of the attention and having to speak to people.

I chucked myself in drama lessons, and I am much different today XDD
But I agree cosplay has helped also, it's helped me not worry about being good at things and just have fun instead.

By **Auroa**. 08/11/08, 06:29 am

TinTango, I'm really glad everyones replies have inspired you!
One thing I really hate is, to see (or read about) people that want to cosplay but are too afraid, and there are a lot of people that are like this.
There are so many (here and worldwide- from what I've read on cosplay.com) that are shy by nature but -when they cosplay- come out of their shell, and then the more they cosplay the more confidence they gain.
like I said cosplay is so much more then dressing up =P

^^

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