Cosplay

Cosplay, short for costume play is a fan type of performance art in which participants put on costumes and accessories to embody a specific character or idea. Characters are often drawn from popular fiction in Japan. It is not unusual to see genders switched, with women playing male roles and vice versa.

Cosplay is one of Japan’s most popular forms of art and dressing. In fact, it’s popularity is not only growing in Japan but also in many other parts of the world, namely China and America. The costumes worn by the fans that participate in Cosplay are often handmade by themselves. In Japan, Cosplay goers come together to share experiences as well as to show off their creations.

The most renowned event attended by cosplayers thus far has to be the semiannual doujinshi market, Comiket. This event attracts thousands of people annually regardless of the unpredictable weather conditions they faced.

Cosplay though popular amongst many is found by others as a ridiculous form of Japanese behaviour. Furthermore, due to the negative sexual implication that comes with Cosplay, it made many find Cosplay to be reprehensible. In addition, North Americans who Cosplay often refer to themselves as "otaku", which is in actual fact the Japanese word for "geek", but mistakenly use this word in an effort to symbolize themselves in a sociological group that they can be proud of.

Despite that many negative views it has received, the popularity of Cosplay is still growing strong and it has even managed to reach many more places globally.