Most of the Indians would be unfamiliar with the term Cosplay, even though we have been practising it for ages. The term cosplay was introduced by popular Japanese film director and producer Nobuyuki Takahashi while attending the 1984 World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) in Los Angeles. The term is a combination of two words ‘costume’ {kosu (コス)} and ‘play’ {pure (プレ)}. If you google the word Cosplay it says ‘The practice of dressing up as a character from a film, book, or video game, especially one from the Japanese genres of manga or anime’. Though it is likely uncommon for Indians to dress up as a character from film, book or video game, but during many of our festivals and cultural events we often see people taking a get up of Mythological characters and performing a play on stage or on the streets. Ramleela, is one such common and widely known practice throughout the country.
Cosplay is same as Ramleela, where instead of a mythological character you often dress up as a fictional character from a book, film, comic/manga, anime/cartoon or even from video games. The practice of Cosplaying is very common in Conventions and other Pop Culture related events and Get togethers.
Most of the cosplayers prefer making their own costume and they spend a massive amount of time and money on it to make it as identical as possible to the character’s costume. Now the question that may arise in the minds of the common man is what do they get by doing so? Well, there are various reasons why people start cosplaying and it varies from person to person, but the most common reason among all the cosplayers is that to be able to live as their favourite character. Cosplaying is mostly done for fun and socialising with the like minded people. Though there are some cosplayers who do it as a full time profession and even make a livelihood out of it, and then there are some part-time cosplayers for whom it is just a hobby.
Cosplaying has become a crucial part of pop culture events and conventions. The geeks who generally are very shy and introvert by nature, get an opportunity to socialize. As Otakus/Geeks are often bullied or teased for their passion, Cosplaying helps them to regain their confidence as they are accepted by fellow Otakus for the same passion. They are treated like a celebrity at the conventions and other related event, and that is how their efforts in making those costume pays off.
To understand what it is like to be a cosplayer, you will actually have to cosplay once in your life. Let us know about your experience of cosplaying or about any interaction with a cosplayer in the comment section below.
P.S : Don’t forget to check out the Cosplayer section in our website, where we have featured some talented cosplayers from India. If you like to feature in the section send your cosplay pics along with the details of your cosplay to nickk.otaku@gmail.com
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