Escape into Cosplay?

It seems like a Halloween party every Sunday afternoon in Harajuku, Tokyo as the streets come alive with car crash victims, evil nurses and fantasy creatures posing in front of amateur photographers and confusing tourists with their dark make-up and elaborate costumes. But Halloween party it isn't, as it's actually one of Japan's popular subcultures of the young and not so young that simply astounds many foreign visitors (and Japanese) in Tokyo and around the world.

Becoming your favorite character
Cosplay comes from the words 'Costume Playing,' where young men and women, office workers and school girls dress themselves up as their favorite character in the fantasy, science fiction or modern world.

It's actually more than just a big trend here in Tokyo as it has become a huge hobbyist phenomena where cosplaying is seen as a form of escapism. Most of these Cosplayers believe that you can't just dress up as a character, but you have to be the character in thoughts, words and actions. In a society where the need to be in a group is very strong, Cosplaying is sometimes seen as a way to rebel against society's norm.

There are typically three different genres of Cosplaying - science fiction, modern and fantasy. Science fiction involves space ship pilots, alien creatures and robots. In the modern genre, Cosplayers dress up as their favorite pop stars and idols. Romantic comedies and drama can seem to look like just regular street clothes for some people, but trained cosplaying fans can immediately distinguish who is wearing and being who. Examples include Love Hina, Azumanga Daioh, Get Backers, Noir and Initial D. In Tokyo however, the most popular genre is fantasy where cosplaying can be as colorful as a pretty princess like Sailor Moon or as dark as evil monsters of all sizes. Anime and video games also fall into this genre. This includes the popular Final Fantasy video game, Naruto, Saiyuki, Fushigi Yugi, Slayers, Petshop of Horrors, and so much more.

Costume making is as fun as playing
This brings us to the question: Where do they get their costumes?! Well, there are those that buy their costumes from, where else, but in the streets of Harajuku. However, some Cosplayers actually make their own costumes. Getting the right fabric, sewing patterns and finding the time to bring it to life can be as much as exciting as it is a hassle for the Cosplayer.

This means that Cosplayers usually have to really like a certain character before putting in the time, effort and money into making the costume! Simple costumes can often be easily put together, but more complicated costumes can take weeks or even months to finish. For instance, many complex costumes involve intricate sewing, hand-made wings, hand-cut sheet metal for armor, complicated patterns for exquisite dresses, beaded jewelry, specially dyed fabrics, leather belts and gloves, pleated skirts, and countless props and fake weapons that compliment the costume. In Cosplay, every detail counts.

In Comic Book Events or Anime Expos, Cosplayers have as much as three costumes for these gatherings and competitions. During these events, photographers are everywhere and Cosplayers just love the attention! Many end up in magazines (like this one!), websites and even become interviewed on television. Although Cosplayers are constantly fixing their costumes and wigs, applying make-up and practicing poses, they are enjoying every aspect of this fantasy world where they are in the spotlight.

Cosplaying has been here in Tokyo for quite some time now and it looks like it will be here to stay. Sometimes ridiculed as freaks on the streets, Cosplaying doesn't have to be something to be scorned at. Instead, if seen as an outlet for stressed young Japanese just out to have some fun, it's really just a harmless way for young men and women to get the attention they want through a hobby that garners attention not just on the streets, but around the world as well!

For those interested in Cosplay, you can check out Lionel Lum's Cosplay Convention reports from all over the world at www.usagichan.com, a website for Cosplayers or Cosplay enthusiasts. You can also check out www.comiket.co.jp for the latest Comic Market Event in Tokyo.

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