This document identifies cosplaying as a new emerging social stereotype in Bangladesh. It defines cosplaying as fans dressing up as characters from comics, movies, video games, TV shows and anime. It notes that the trend started in 2010 among young people aged 13-24 who are easy accessing the internet. The purpose of cosplaying is described as expressing admiration for characters, seeking attention, meeting others with similar interests, and having fun. However, a deeper perspective is that cosplayers seek escape and affirmation through participating in fan activities to create an identity and gain acceptance. The document also provides characteristics of cosplayers and proposes a dedicated super shop service to meet cosplayers' needs.

1. Cosplayers: A Emerging
Social Stereotype
Submitted To:
Mohammed Tanvir Zubair Ahmed
Adjunct Faculty
IBA, University of Dhaka
SUBMITTED BY:
AHSANUL KABIR ANIK (03), 48D
SHABIB RAIHAN (13), 48D
KAFIL UDDIN KIRON (41), 48D
SADMAN PRODHAN (47), 48D
MAZHARUL ISLAM (54), 48D
IMTIAJUL HOQUE NIPU (08), 44D
ZAKARIA ARIFIN (07), 49E

2. Identification of a new
stereotype
COSPLAY is the short form of Costume Play: An
activity where fans dress up to look like media
characters from:
 Comics
 Movies
 Video Games
 TV-Series
 Anime
 Manga (Japanese Comics)

3. Bangladeshi Perspective
 The Cosplay concept is almost newly adapted by the young
generation
 Trend started at the end of 2010 and early 2011
 Easy access to internet developed the practice
 Usually Young people (13-24 years) are identified to do so
 Sometimes aged bachelors or newly married couple are
seen to involve but they are not passionate about this
 Several conventions like Dhaka Comic-con, Unmad JCC
Comic-con are regularly arranged
 Cosplay is mainly Dhaka and Chittagong based
 Bangladesh had its own concept since old time. Such as:
“Jemon Khushi Temon Saajo or Dress As You Wish”

4. Purpose of Cosplaying
The purpose of cosplay is to:
 Express adoration for a character
 Seeking attention by being different
 Meet up with people with similar attitude
 Finally to have some fun

5. Purpose of Cosplaying 
a much deeper perspective
Anime and manga fans, many of whom are self-styled
geeks or nerds, view themselves as being marginalized
by society and thus seek escape and affirmation
through participation in fan activities like cosplay which
allow them to create an identity for themselves which
will enable them to gain the acceptance they seek.
Fandom creates a landscape of belonging, a liminal
space in which the participant can express one‘s true
nature with other likeminded participants. For example,
cosplay is an inherently social activity and thus takes
place in spaces like fan conventions. Even if the
cosplayer goes to the convention alone, he or she is
immediately brought into the community of cosplayers
and begins to act as performer and audience.

6. Process of Identification
Identifying a cosplayer is very easy. We can
identify them through their Dress, Attire and
Accessories.

7. Characteristics of a
Cosplayer
 Usually cosplayers are anti-social
 Usually they are lonely
 Mentally they are immature
 Most of them are from higher SEC (Social
Economic Class)
 They spends most of their times in front of pc
either watching movies, anime or gaming
 Usually they are very tech-savvy
 They like to take photographs very frequently
REF: http://cosplaylife.blogspot.com/2010/05/cosplay-stereotypes.html

8. Mapping for Cosplayers
Rational Controversial
Indifferent
Conscious

9. Mapping for Cosplayers
Emotional Realistic
Social
Unsocial

10. Mapping for Cosplayers
Tech
Savvy
Not so Tech
Savvy
Higher SEC
Lower SEC

11. Mapping for Cosplayers
Chaotic Pacifist
People
Savvy
Less People
Savvy

12. Personalization of the
Cosplayers
FOOD HABIT:
 More inclined to fast food
 Hangs out in restaurants
 More inclined to takeaway food

13. Personalization of the
Cosplayers
Dress Code:
 Usually they were attires that resembles with their
adored character
 Usually they bring them from abroad or purchase
them from online stores as there are very few
shops in the city based on these characters

14. Personalization of the
Cosplayers
Accessories:
 Accessories like pendrive, cell phone cover, bags,
watches, belts are also inspired by adored
charecters

15. Conventions

16. Pictorial

27. IF YOU CAN’T BE A HERO, AT LEAST LOOK LIKE ONE!

28. New Service Idea
A service idea that we developed for the cosplayer
social group is a “Dedicated Super Shop” at a
suitable place that will provide one-stop service for
cosplayer’s every needs.
The Shop will sell:
 Comics
 CD/DVD’s of movies, Anime and TV series
 Cosplay Costumes
 T-shirts
 Mugs
 Accessories like pen-drive, watches, bags etc

29. New Service Idea
(continued)
 Replicas of different character
 Posters and Flyers
 Caps, Hats, Sunglasses featuring famous
Characters
 Gaming Magazines and CD/DVD’s
 Gift items featuring famous characters

30. New Service Idea
Other Services:
 Yearly cosplay convention
 Monthly game/movie/comics review
 Monthly meet up of cosplayers
 role-playing game (RPG)
 It is a game in which players assume the roles of
characters in a fictional setting
 live action role-playing game (LARP)
 It is a form of role-playing game where the
participants physically act out their characters'
actions.

31. Thanks To All