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What Are The Values Of Cosplay? (Answered)

Cosplay is a worldwide phenomenon. It has grown to be one of the most common forms of entertainment and participation among people who love dressing up like their favorite characters. 

Cosplay is an activity that demands etiquette not just for the person who is cosplaying but also for those who are attending the event.

Woman Wearing Blue Wig
Whether you’re a participant or a guest at a cosplay event, there are some fundamental social manners guidelines we should aim to abide by.

Many cosplayers find it difficult to adhere to basic rules in such a social atmosphere; this is why there have been a few incidents of bad behavior and improper conduct at Anime and gaming conventions.

Therefore, when it comes to cosplay events, whether you’re a participant or a guestthere are some basic social conduct lessons we should try to follow.

What exactly is cosplay and why is it so popular?

Cosplay is frequently considered a kind of performance art. Folks frequently dress up like their favorite comic book or anime character, complete with costumes and accessories.

It is the act of choosing a fictional persona and then dressing up like that figure. Cosplayers are those who do it as a hobby or on a regular basis. Nevertheless, cosplay is more than just dressing up as your favorite character; you must also act like them, imitating their mannerisms, speech patterns, and other qualities.

There is also a strong sense of society in this subculture. Whether one likes stitching, modeling, or photography, fans may communicate with people who share their interests. There is a sense of community, and it’s exciting to see another individual cosplay as the same or a different character from the same series.

To get bystanders enthusiastic, group photographs are taken, and ‘fan service’ is performed. Cosplayers may gather for reasons other than conventions in certain circumstances.

Keep A Good Posture

People Cosplaying BlackButler and posing for photos with good posture.
People cosplaying and posing for photos with good posture.

If you’re going to cosplay, then it’s a good idea to learn how to properly look the part. The first thing is posture. The second thing is to make sure that you are comfortable in your costume.

Making sure you have good posture is the simplest method to look ten times better in your costume. This will prevent your costume from wrinkling and will make you appear more confident overall.

Throughout the day, check your posture in mirrors and window reflections to remind yourself to quit slouching and stand up straight.

You may even want to exaggerate your stance when taking shots. Even though it seems a little weird, actively lifting your shoulders back and holding your head high works nicely in images.

Protect Your Costume

Cosplay is hard work. Your costume must be maintained, or it will fall apart and look terrible when you need it to look its best. Take good care of your cosplay, and it will last for years.

You must maintain your costume. Pack it carefully before the conventions; don’t just chuck it in your suitcase. Protect your fragile costume parts and wigs so you can look your best when it’s time to wear them.

You should also carry a change of clothes with you. Don’t expect your costume to look as good on Sunday as it did on Friday if you sleep in it or wear it all weekend.

It will not only begin to smell, but it will also be more likely to become damaged, soiled, and wrinkled, thus it is advisable to plan on wearing a costume for one day to look fresh during the convention.

Also, take good care of your outfit while you’re wearing it. Take care not to bump against anything in the hallways. Take care when eating to avoid getting food or coffee stains on your cosplay.

Take Care Of Your Surroundings

Cosplayers are a community of artists and craftspeople. They love what they do, but it’s important that they should be mindful of the people around them.

you don’t want to scare anyone away or make someone uncomfortable. So when you’re wearing a costume at an event, please be aware of your surroundings.

If you have spikes or sharp points on your costume, please don’t go barreling through the crowd if you’re wearing a huge costume or one with spikes or sharp points.

The worst thing that may happen is that your outfit injures someone. You choose to wear the costume, so you must act carefully and cautiously.

When maneuvering through the crowd, use caution and warning to ensure that people are delighted and pleased by your costume rather than terrified and saddened by your lack of concern for their well-being.

Take Note Of Convention Policies

There will always be certain rules on public decency and costumes, so be mindful of how much coverage is appropriate.

Prop guidelines are also often provided at events, and some are fairly rigorous. For events with strong policies, it’s sometimes best to leave your large or realistic-looking props at home.

It’s also critical to understand the restrictions that apply to masks. I don’t simply mean medical mask policies, but also full-face mask policies.

Because full-face masks are prohibited in many cities and municipalities, you must remove them once you leave the conference center and enter public areas

Respect Other Cosplayers And Visitors

Cosplayers and visitors
Avoid bugging other players or acting rudely and disrespectfully to maintain your persona.

While acting in character can be a fun element of cosplaying, you must still respect the other visitors at the convention.

To stay in character, avoid harassing other participants or becoming nasty and disrespectful. This also applies to other cosplayers from the same show and game as you!

You should also avoid being a threat to convention employees. Don’t ninja sprint down corridors, slide down banisters, or jump into restricted locations.

What is the purpose of cosplay?

The values of cosplay are the same as those of other kinds of costumes, but there are some nuances that make it unique.

Why do people opt for Cosplay?

The first is that it’s a hobby for some people. The second is that it’s not always about making money. The third is that you can get really into it for a long time without ever having to wear your costume again.

Cosplay is a great way to enjoy yourself, whether you’re doing it alone or with friends. It’s also an opportunity to dress up in something that makes you feel good and have fun while doing so.

The following demographics show the reasons why people do cosplays:

Reasons for CosplayPercentage of pupils
Enjoy making costumes62.2%
Proud fans of the characters52.7%
Sewing skills73.3%
Makeup application45.9%
Wig styling45.6%
Reasons why people do cosplay.

This table tells the purpose of cosplay can vary for everyone based on their interests, hobby, and skills. But the main point is to have fun while creating your costumes and interacting with people. 

What can you learn from Cosplay?

Cosplay is an excellent way to learn about character design, costuming, and prop-making. If you’re interested in these skills then you should try your hand at cosplay!

It’s also a great way to meet like-minded people who are passionate about the same things as you.

Cosplay is a fun activity that can teach you a lot about yourself, as well as how to be more social. By doing it, you’ll learn how to express yourself creatively and also gain confidence in your own ability.

What type of culture is Cosplay?

Cosplay culture, as a fannish subculture is also strongly tied to other groups pursuing similar goals: fanfiction, fan art, and fan films, to mention a few.

Cosplay encourages fans to interpret previous works, not just perform them, but also to expand on them with their own tales and ideas. It is a technique for fans to realize fantasy in everyday life and, in doing so, temporarily disrupt reality.

As a part of this pop culture, When choosing your cosplay outfit, think about what kind of character you want to be and how you want them to look.

For example, if you’re going as Naruto from Naruto Shippuden, then you should wear clothes that represent his character and personality.

If you’re going as a (male) version of Sailor Moon, then make sure that her whole outfit looks similar to the original Anime series.

You may also want to include accessories such as hats or gloves in order for your costume to have better detail and realism.

This is especially true if your character belongs to an Anime or Manga series that has been adapted into live-action movies or television shows.

What is the golden rule of cosplay?

Cosplay does not mean consenting! 

I don’t care how much you like the character; don’t just run up and grab someone. Underneath the role and costume are real individuals.

In essence, it is assault if you touch them without their permission. Cosplayers do not like being pawed at. If you want to give them a hug or pose with your arm around them, ask their permission first.

What are the ethics of cosplay?

The cosplay code of ethics is a collection of rules outlining the concepts and values that should be followed in the cosplay community. These principles are meant to provide a safe, welcoming, and courteous atmosphere for cosplayers and fans of all ages and levels of experience.

The following are a few major topics that are frequently included in a cosplay code of ethics:

  • Respect for others’ intellectual property: Cosplayers should respect the intellectual property of the characters and franchises they are representing, and they should not benefit from the usage of these characters or franchises without the consent of the rights holders.
  • Be culturally sensitive: Cosplayers should be courteous of other cultures and backgrounds and avoid appropriating or misrepresenting them in their cosplays.
  • Personal limits should always be respected: Cosplay should always be consensual and respectful of personal boundaries. Cosplayers should not make people feel uncomfortable by touching or interacting with them.
  • Be aware of legal implications: Cosplayers should be aware of any legal implications and ensure that their costumes and props do not endanger themselves or others.

Conclusion

  • Cosplay is a hobby that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the love of pop culture. 
  • It’s also a community of people who want to share their passion with others through costumes and performance art. 
  • There are many different rules to participating in cosplay, but it all boils down to having fun while creating something beautiful.

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