A brief introduction into the world of cosplay. Covering what cosplay is, its origins and how costumes are made.

1. An Introduction to
the World of
Cosplay
By Edward Phelan
Image Source: https://pixabay.com/en/adams-family-anime-manga-braids-2565456/

2. What Is Cosplay?
Cosplay is the art of costume role-play that is
enthusiastically participated in by people of all
ages in The United States, Asia and Europe.
Participants adopt the clothing, personality and
mannerisms of fictional characters from various
mediums, including films and comics
Cosplay is taken incredibly seriously and those
taking part fully immerse themselves in the
character and spend their time in character
Image Source: https://pixabay.com/en/adams-family-anime-manga-braids-2565456/

3. How Did Cosplay
Start?
Cosplay had long been popular in Japan before
Cosplay evolved into a concept due to the Manga
series Urusei Yatsura, which was a huge hit with
university students who would get dressed up in
their favourite characters’ costumes and re-enact
the most famous scenes
Image Source: http://jonvilma.com/images/cosplay-1.jpg

4. The art of Cosplay has very much evolved into a
sub-genre of its very own and has since been
embraced by a wider range of audiences, not just
the more hardcore enthusiasts of Anime and
Science Fiction.
If you venture to a convention for those
interested in a particular film or TV series, it
should not come as a surprise to encounter
individuals dressed-up as their favourite character
from a film. It is fair to say that Cosplay is very
much entering more and more into mainstream
culture.
There are even a number of Cosplayers who are
celebrities in their own right and have crafted a
career out their ability to portray the character so
successfully
Cosplay Today
Image Source: http://cdn1-www.comingsoon.net/assets/uploads/gallery/wondercon-cosplay-2016-gallery-
one/img_0941.jpg

5. How Are Cosplay
Costumes Made?
Image Source: http://images.buycostumes.com/mgen/merchandiser/BCcampaign/LP/04302015_Cosplay_Headline.jpg

6. Crafted By Hand
It is often an issue than generates a great amount of
debate, but the more hardcore and dedicated
Cosplayers will claim that their costumes are an art and
should be assembled from scratch and from a wide
range of materials.
However, there are various considerations to be taken
into account if going down this route. Costumers need
to be as accurate and creative as possible, your fellow
Cosplayers will notice even the slightest detail; going the
extra mile to get it as accurate as possible will earn you
plenty of admiring glances!
Keep an eye out for official collaborations between
franchises and brands, including these very impressive
Star Wars shoes!
Image Sources: https://cosplaycostumes1.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/1.jpg - https://po-zu.com/collections/star-
wars-mens/products/poe-brown-mens

7. Ready Made
As Cosplay has increased in popularity
and been embraced more by
mainstream audiences, we have seen
the emergence of dedicated Cosplay
outlets and communities where it is
possible to purchase particular items
for a costume, or even whole costumes
themselves!
This is an excellent way for enthusiasts
to get involved if they lack the skills to
craft a whole costume together.
Image Source: https://hyperjapancosplay.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/acos_2f-2.jpg

8. Cosplay is serious business and
participants tend to wear their hearts
of their sleeves and take it all very
seriously.
The community is incredibly diverse
and inclusive of those only just getting
involved in the sub-culture.
There are plenty of resources online
which provide you with information on
how to get involved and have plenty of
fun!
Get Involved With Cosplay

9. For more information about
the subjects I write on follow
me on SlideShare or tweet me
on Twitter
@EdwardPhelan1
Image Source: https://www.wired.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/sw-worldbuilder-main3.jpg - https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/twitter-
bird-9774957.jpg