Cosplay is a popular pastime among anime and video game fanatics in Japan, and probably the closest we can get right now to becoming our favorite characters. But it isn’t just about going to a Halloween store and buying the best costume there. Cosplay is a time-consuming, DIY hobby that entails creativity, crafts, and a detailed knowledge of every single aspect of your favorite character’s being. Here, a six-step cosplay guide based on my previous research:
1. Pick the character you want to cosplay.
The more obscure the anime, the more wow’s you will get. For example, you’ll get more street cred if you dress as Lunamaria Hawke from Gundam SEED Destiny than as the giant mecha himself. Most importantly, though, choose a character that speaks to you. If that happens to be Ken from Street Fighter, then so be it.
2. Draw a detailed illustration of the outfit.
What is the character’s best outfit? How does she wear her hair? What accessories does she wear? Make a list of things you can buy ready-made at the store, of things you would have to custom-order, and things you can make yourself. Most likely, the entire outfit will be a combination of all three.
3. Buy the parts you need.
Wigs, ribbons, etc. And don’t forget the makeup and color contacts &mdash a must, even if you’re a dude.
4. Make the rest.
Find a fabric and accessories store near you. If you don’t know how to sew, now’s the time to learn.
5. Try it on.
Make sure everything fits perfectly, and check back with the original animated drawings to double check that you look like a replica of the character. It’s okay to add your own unique touches, but the idea is to step out of your own skin and enter the 2D world &mdash so keep that in mind.
6. Practice posing.
Perfect at least half a dozen solid in-character poses. Folks are going to want to take pictures of you, and it would be terribly shameful and a waste of all the hard work in steps 1-5 if you don’t finish this off with some kick-ass photo opps. Also, if you’re planning to make this into a regular thing, make some business cards with your “cosplay name” and a second cell phone number or email for the fans and other “layers” who will want to communicate with you about your future appearances.
This post is part of a theme day: BBG on Fashion
How to cosplay correctly?
DON’T.
(If you are normal American geek or geekette, you are waaay to fat to pull off any anime and manga character except Homer Simpson.)
I dunno, I’ve done some reasonable cosplay (or just costuming, if you prefer) where I never bothered picking a character, as such.
Also, I’d add a rule: design it to be worn! Too many people make costumes that don’t work, can’t be walked in, or are so hot they’ll hurt themselves dehydrating. If you’re going to wear the thing for hours on end, make sure it won’t be too uncomfortable!
let me go show that comment to my own circle of friends who are into anime/manga. I’m sure it’ll end well :p university degrees
(Actually, it will; they’ll just get a laugh out of it instead of the beating implied by my statement.) online phd degree
or Peter Griffin, or Bluto, or Black Pete, or how about fuck you, I’ll dress up like whatever idiot I want to? law degree
Retro is awesome. Characters from older, classic anime/games can score you serious bonus points. management diploma
“The right way”? How exactly do you cosplay WITHOUT choosing a character, buying parts, making a costume and trying it on? sociology degree
thanks for the information
sociology degree
コスプレ red コスプレ:http://www.cosplay365buy.com
#7- …or Peter Griffin, or Bluto, or Black Pete, or how about fuck you, I’ll dress up like whatever idiot I want to?
Actually, in Japan, you can just go to boutique stores to buy a costume of your favorite character.
The rules;
1: Have fun.
2: Don’t make the character look bad.
That said…
* Pick a character you like. It’ll keep you motivated.
* Avoid big-name hit series unless you’ve really got your heart set on them. The same especially goes for the more popular characters from those series. If you want to impress people, it helps if there aren’t 20-30 other people wearing the same costume.
* Retro is awesome. Characters from older, classic anime/games can score you serious bonus points.
* You also get bonus points for trying something difficult, so long as you don’t make a total hash of it. A gerwalk Valkyrie trumps Minmei.
* Spend as much time & money as you need to do the job right – but spend them wisely.
#7 – let me go show that comment to my own circle of friends who are into anime/manga. I’m sure it’ll end well :p
(Actually, it will; they’ll just get a laugh out of it instead of the beating implied by my statement.)
#7 is right. Dont.
I like the guide, but the picture must be an example of cosplay the lazy american way.
I don’t mind stuff like that, but I would have a hard time calling it the “right” way.
Although it does look like they are having fun. I think it’s intentionally crappy in an ironic sense.
“The right way”? How exactly do you cosplay WITHOUT choosing a character, buying parts, making a costume and trying it on?
Alright. Kevin Mask FTW!