Japanese cosplay: origins
It is believed that the kabuki theater was a genre that preceded cosplay in Japan. It was there that the image of the hero was worked out in the smallest detail. Particular attention was paid to complex makeup.
According to one version, the game of transformation appeared in America in 1939. There, at a science fiction convention, writer Forest Ackerman dressed up in a space suit. Forest's transformation was met with a standing ovation.
This idea later captivated the Japanese writer Nobuyuki Takahashi. In 1984, Japanese youth began dressing up as their favorite anime characters. It was then that the term “cosplay” appeared in Japanese culture.
The gaming genre gained great popularity after the release of the Japanese TV series Evangelion. Fans of the film simply went crazy about the main characters and tried to imitate them. Then the main manga about pirates, samurai and ninjas were released. Then a wave of costume events swept across Japan again, and cosplay took on more distinct features.
The Japanese imitate characters from films, manga and comics. Initially, Japanese youth who cosplayed only dressed up on special occasions. Later, the Japanese and Japanese women began to bring their favorite heroes into reality much more often, and they began to invent reasons on their own.
Various cosplay bars are very popular in Japan, where no one will even pay attention to a dressed-up samurai or ninja. One of the largest festivals of this trend, Tokyo Game Show, is also taking place on Japanese soil. The festival focuses on the best video games, the characters of which are played by young people. There are also special cosbands, which are associations of players on the same topic. There are specialized clubs where you can even get training if you have serious difficulties creating a character.
In general, the Japanese are very fond of various disguises, reincarnations and transformations. Therefore, the word “cosplay” can be divided into two parts: “cosplay” and “play”. Doesn't remind you of anything? “Kos” comes from the English “suit”, and “play” is translated as game. What is the philosophy of real cosplayers?
Festivals
In the last few years, many small and large festivals have begun to be held, dedicated to both anime culture in general and cosplay in particular.
In Japan, the most significant event for representatives of the cosplay subculture is Comiket - the market for doujinshi (Japanese comics). Comiket is held twice a year: in winter (winter Comiket) and in summer (summer Comiket). This event each time attracts hundreds of thousands of manga otaku fans and several thousand cosplayers and is held on the roof of a huge exhibition center in Tokyo. In general, the comics market attracts about half a million people. This is a base for beginner manga artists, where everyone tries to sell their doujinshi themselves. Famous animators also come to the festival in search of talent. Most of it is devoted to various events with the participation of cosplayers.
The Animatrix (Anima3x) is considered the most famous and popular festival in Russia. This event is always awaited with great anticipation by everyone involved in cosplay, Japanese pop culture and J-rock. This festival originated in the small Moscow rock club “Matrix” in 2003. However, the very next year it was held in the large assembly hall of one of the capital’s colleges. Then it moved to the Central House of Entrepreneurs, and then it was organized at the Gorbunov Palace of Culture, and in recent years at the V. Nazarov Theater. During its existence, Animatrix has grown from a small Moscow festival into an annual international convention - one of the largest and brightest events, gathering more than 3,000 thousand people from all regions of Russia and from abroad. The animatrix is distinguished by bright shows, beautiful numbers, chic fashion shows and magnificent costumes, as everyone prepares for it for a long time and carefully. And street fashion and jayrock fashion shows are a separate and most impressive part of the convention, distinguished by extravaganzas of color and light.
At the height of spring, the now traditional All-Russian Festival of Japanese Animation is held in Voronezh. Cosplayers from all cities of Russia come there. The festival program is very diverse: there is a cosplay show itself, and photo corners where everyone can take a photo in the image of their favorite character, and performances by musical groups, and master classes with the participation of fandom stars, and thematic conferences, and screenings of anime films, and much more.
These are the first and most famous festivals held in Russia. However, other cities began to hold their own events: “Anyfest” and “Otaku Festival” in St. Petersburg, “Anime Festival” in Blagoveshchenko, “Dai-fest” in Omsk, “Otakun” in Ryazan, “Phoenix” in Kazan, “Tanoshiba” in Chelyabinsk, “Animate it” in Vladivostok, “ChibiFest” in Yekaterinburg, Animau (Ufa), Tanibata (Rostov-on-Don), Animania (Nizhny Novgorod) and many others.
Festivals are not only about bright performances, skits and costumes, not only about competitions for the best cosplay. For representatives of this subculture, such events are also a great opportunity to share experiences, communicate, and learn something new and interesting. And, of course, these are vivid impressions and emotions.
However, cosplay has already gone beyond anime festivals. Now cosplay can be seen at all kinds of public events dedicated to various premieres of films and video games, at performances of musical groups, at the openings of amusement parks and nightclubs. In 1998, the first cosplay cafe appeared in the Akinabara district of Tokyo. Currently, many similar establishments have sprung up there, aimed at fans of anime and cosplay. The service personnel in such cafes are dressed in costumes of anime characters and popular computer games.
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Cosplay and its philosophy
At first glance, cosplay closely resembles the well-known role-playing games. The difference between gaming styles is that role-playing games involve reproducing an action according to a certain scenario, while cosplay is based on recreating the image of a character, his voice and mannerisms. In cosplay, the main thing is the personality of the hero. All details of the costume must be as close as possible to the screen or pictorial appearance of the idol.
The psychological background of this direction lies in the opportunity to be someone else. Don't be afraid to seem strange, even a little scary. Although most cosplayers do not consider themselves freaks, or so-called “geeks”. They seriously think that they are creating a new culture in their genre.
Cosplay is both an opportunity to spend time with like-minded people, a demonstration of your acting skills, and a way to attract attention. Parties and get-togethers are an integral part of cosplay, so this movement attracts the attention of young people. In addition, cosplay is a fun pastime based on a thorough study and recreation of the chosen image, its values and manners.
How is cosplay created in Japan?
This type of gaming art has no clear boundaries. Although we can conditionally distinguish several types that best characterize different aspects of cosplay. Let's look at them in more detail:
- Standard version. This includes simple transformations into favorite characters from films, comics and cartoons, as well as transformations into famous actors. Here the greatest attention is paid to the details of the costume and makeup;
- Transformation with surroundings. In this case, the corresponding atmosphere, scenery, weapons or landscapes are added to the standard set;
- Photocosplay. The image of the hero is created purposefully for a photo shoot. This could be amateur photography or shooting for a fashion magazine;
- Craft look. The entire decor in this case is recreated by the author from scratch. The main thing is not to purchase ready-made things, but to make them yourself. This type is considered the most difficult;
- Original version. Here the character himself is created, and not just his image is reproduced;
- Body art cosplay. The most “naked” look, where the costume is painted on the body;
- Video cosplay. A type of photo cosplay where a short video is used to capture a character;
- Cosplay subculture. A genre where a particular direction is embodied, and not a specific hero. For example, a European dresses like a Japanese, or vice versa.
The difficulty of embodying a character in this direction lies in the fact that it is necessary to convey not only the color of clothes and hair, but also to repeat the facial expressions, gestures, and intonations of the hero.
History of the subculture
The roots of cosplay as an original hobby go back to the 30s - 60s of the last century - during the triumph of science fiction, fantasy and steampunk. It was these literary genres that aroused the greatest interest in transforming into unusual heroes.
At the first “gatherings” of cosplayers in the Western world, images of mutants, astronauts, scientists, aliens prevailed... In the 60s in the States, groups of fans began to unite, and in 1970. The first ever San Diego Comic-Con took place. Today this festival is held all over the world.
It’s also worth taking a look at the eastern branch of cosplay. For Japan and China, the leading (and almost the only) topic of replaying has become anime (what is that?) and manga. On the corresponding Wikipedia pages of these countries, the interpretation of the term “cosplay” includes exclusively these genres.
How are the costumes made?
Today on the Internet you can find many videos on how to make this or that mask, sew a suit or solder a lightsaber. Cosplayers most often sew their own clothes. Sometimes they can afford to go to a studio, but most of the details are still finished manually.
The process of creating the image of such people is no less exciting than appearing in it in public. A cosplayer can spend weeks thinking about what material he will use to make armor or create a helmet. If money allows, then such a player looks for ready-made options in online stores. Although even plastic bottles and toilet paper can be used.
People who are passionate about cosplay collect their costumes, rent them out, and less often sell them at auctions. The best options can cost a lot of money.
Overall, cosplay is an activity for hardworking, patient people with a good imagination. They perceive a suit for this direction as a quality way to escape routine. Some might compare the passion for cosplay to the passion for video games. Others believe that this is a new form of art.
Features of frivolous images
It happens that the character chosen by the player has a revealing outfit, or even radiates too much sexual energy. Brave cosplayers bring these images to life and even participate in candid photo shoots.
“Among cosplayers, this version of the game is considered vulgar, especially if the costume is poorly made.”
Condemning like-minded people is always unpleasant. Players try to avoid open debauchery. Because there is already a lot of frankness in this type of role-playing game.
Subtleties of modern cosplay
Cosplayers or cosplayers in Japan communicate in closed clubs. Their parties and festivals never award any ratings. Costumes are not judged, and the secretive and shy Japanese are given the opportunity to communicate under the “protection” of their hero.
In the cosplay environment, there is mutual assistance and mutual assistance. The simple fact of photographing each other is already conducive to starting a relationship. This culture also has its own slang, unspoken rules of behavior, which distinguishes cosplayers from ordinary freaks for the better.
Participants in costumes enjoy participating in parades and taking to the streets on Halloween and other Japanese holidays. Cosplayers love when attention is focused on them. Psychologists believe that these people, in this way, make up for the lack of parental love, solve their childhood problems, and fight complexes.
In Japan, up to 20 events are held every month where cosplay is played out. Sometimes cosplayers perform on stage to attract as many spectators as possible to their movement.
Cosplay is an interesting form of self-expression that appeals not only to the Japanese, but also to many people from all over the world. The cosplay movement is now connected by international forums, websites and live festivals, which attract hundreds and thousands of people. To fully understand what cosplay is, you need to be a cosplayer yourself at least a little. Then it will be possible to discuss this topic more competently, because this movement has only just begun its development and is constantly gaining momentum.
Tips for beginners
You must always remember that a perfect suit is impossible. No matter how well a suit is made, there will be those who will like it and those who will not like it. The assessment of cosplay by the audience is not only based on the skill of its manufacture and compliance with the costume of the chosen character. The viewer’s individual idea of the character, his taste and opinion about the portrayed hero are of great importance. The main thing is that the costume pleases the cosplayer himself, corresponds to his understanding of the hero and serves to reveal the character and image of the character.
When cosplaying in pairs or in groups, you need to pay attention to the mutual growth of the characters.
Before you decide on choosing a particular character for cosplay, you should think about its recognition. After all, not all characters are easy to recognize. Many characters from Japanese anime wear regular school uniforms, so it is often very difficult to understand which character the cosplayer is portraying. And here you can get a completely different effect than the participant is counting on. Instead of judging the costume and its presentation, the audience will sit and argue about who is being portrayed on stage at the moment.
Don't forget about shapes, body types and shapes.
The other extreme is choosing a character from a little-known anime. No matter how unique, complex and impeccably executed the costume is, there will also be arguments and guessing games among the audience. By the way, often a roughly made costume of a character popular in wide circles can cause a much greater sensation among the public than a meticulously recreated cosplay of a little-known character. But here the choice remains only with the cosplayer. If you want to bring to life the image of this particular hero, then you have to do it.
Before planning the creation of a costume, you should draw a sketch of it and think about what impression a person wearing it might make. Any cosplay attracts attention. But here it is important to think about what kind of attention you can get in the end. Very often, cosplay costumes cause humorous exclamations in the audience and general fun. The girls' skirts, which are too short and tend to ride up a little when they move, also provoke a lot of excitement in the hall. Therefore, people who are a little shy should not choose overly bold outfits, otherwise the whole impression may be hopelessly ruined for both the participant and the audience.
One of the simplest cosplay costumes is the anime hero school uniform.
Many anime characters have proportions that don't quite match those of the human body. Or they don't match at all. Some features can be compensated for by special pads, platform shoes and other tricks. But practice shows that during a show or photo shoot, it is not the inaccuracies of the costume that are more noticeable, but the shortcomings of what represents it. Before going out into the world, you should get thoroughly familiar with the costume, get used to it, so that everything looks natural and organic. Even experienced cosplayers rehearse a lot before participating in the show, choosing the most advantageous options for posing, honing the gait, gestures and facial expressions of their character.
When you start making a costume, you should never forget about the items that your hero carries with him. These could be magic wands, some accessories, bags or satchels, weapons and others. When making cosplay, it’s also worth reproducing them - this will help make a stronger impression and give the image completeness.
Please note that many fanarts of anime characters may depict costumes that did not appear in the anime itself.
Shoes are important. It must match the suit. As a rule, cosplay events are held indoors, which means the weather will not interfere with choosing the right and appropriate shoes. If there are problems with the shoes, and there is no way to recreate what the character is wearing, then in this case it is better to choose something inconspicuous and not conspicuous. Many cosplay forums discussed one curious case of mismatch between costume and shoes. The girl could not make shoes that matched her costume, and wore bright red patent leather shoes with huge heels. Naturally, everyone looked at them.
Going on stage should be memorable. Therefore, cosplayers try to come up with an interesting number for the show that will demonstrate certain qualities of their character. Music is selected, all movements and poses are invented and practiced to the soundtrack. The conversational part, as a rule, is kept to a minimum, most often using simply the standard and most famous speech of the hero. For example, “I bring retribution in the name of the Moon!” - Sailor Moon's famous phrase. In order to speak convincingly, you must have good acting talent. Therefore, it is better to reveal the image of your hero through movements, facial expressions and characteristic poses and gestures.
The height of some anime characters is not a reason not to cosplay them.
For the success of the performance, many cosplayers find a partner and make a short scene from the chosen anime, in which they demonstrate the relationship of their characters. This helps you present your cosplay better. In addition, it will be more interesting for the viewer.
An important point is the strength of the suit and good attachment of all its parts. When a cosplayer begins to lose parts of his costume during a performance, it looks comical and can completely ruin the show. Only those parts that the cosplayer is going to get rid of during his performance should be sewn onto a live thread. Do not forget that spectators not only admire the cosplayer’s costume, but also express a desire to touch it with their own hands. Therefore, you need to sew more tightly.
