Why do we cosplay?

[blinkyblues.livejournal.com]

Now my hater brother would like to know why do we cosplay? Why is it so prevalent in the Naruto fan community. How do we not see it as immature, for a grow person to dress up as a TV character? Seriously, it is my brother not myself that are asking these questions (as you can tell by the pictures in my other post.) I tried to explain it to him but I didn't seem to get my point across, so I am reaching out to the Naruto fan community to help him understand where we are coming from.

Comments

[oddityangel.livejournal.com]

I imagine people cosplay because it's fun. Isn't that a good enough reason to do almost anything? I don't know, I guess I just don't understand why people need to receive validation from others for the things they fancy. Maybe it is immature, but so what?

[snowtigra.livejournal.com]

I cosplay for the challenge. I love taking a 2 dimensional picture and turning it into a 3 dimensional, functional clothing. It takes a lot more work then one would think. And I love looking at other people's costumes, other peoples talent

[othellia.livejournal.com]

I'd have to agree with what the others said and repeat that it's fun, especially at the cons where cosplaying is normal and you feel underdressed if you're not wearing something.

I guess it also brings people in fandoms closer together without anyone having to say that they read series 'x' or that they like a certain character from it. If that makes any sense...

[mymonkeypjs.livejournal.com]

Reasons I cosplay (not in any order):

(1) Peer Pressure - Friends made me do it the first time... which was only about a month ago.

(2) Gives me a project to work on. - I just bought the fabric for my ANBU vest and the plaster and paint for the mask I'm going to make. I'm a crafty person (because I'm a single, unemployed graduate student, and I need something other than coursework to focus on.)

(3) Fitting in at conventions. - I've only been to one convention, and those who were not dressed up, stuck out.

(4) Showing appreciation for the fandom/certain characters

(5) Halloween only comes once a year, and that's just sad.

(6) Because the characters have sweet outfits.

(7) I needed an excuse to buy fishnets and dye my hair purple.

(8) To freak people out. There's nothing like getting a rise out of parents or 'non-anime' friends. (Except my mom... she's completely into me dressing up, lol.) Oh! The people at the hotels in Toronto were hilarious! I stayed in the Marriott (because I have rewards points!) with my friends when we went to Anime North, and the other guests just gawked and asked lots of stupid questions ("Is this like some sort of Canadian Halloween?" "Um... We're Americans." "... Oh.")

(9) Because it's interesting to be able to see the real-life costumes. It gives you another perspective on the characters. For example, I know know that Anko's outfit is warm even though it's fishnets. My forehead protector left a mark on my forehead after I wore it all day. Those are little tidbits of information I can now incorporate into my fanfiction.

(10) Because cosplay pictures are sometimes really cool. Granted, we don't all look exactly like the characters, but it's still cool to see those who do.

(11) Because there are so many characters in Naruto that you could probably find one you like enough to dress up as.

(12) Naruto characters are also very recognizable. It's a popular manga/anime, so you know that if you go to a con, yeah, you might run into a million other Narutos or Sasukes, but people will know who you are. But then again, there are so many characters (#11), that you could probably find some minor or obscure character in the manga/anime to dress up as so you don't risk being one of fifty of something, and you'll still be known by the fandom.

[lazynin.livejournal.com]

I totally agree with number five. *__*

(though not seven. I do that on my own time. Pink hair, too. ;3)

[foxy-noodle.livejournal.com]

...I'm not a grown person :D Sixteen to me is still a kid so I'm in the clear! Either way I like the outfits and acting the part and just having fun. When you cosplay as someone else you sorta let loose alot more than you would any other way and being laid back and having fun is well.... Awesome.

[rainejoybringer.livejournal.com]

I started cosplaying when I was 16. :D Lol, I had no idea what I was doing.

[kaleidoruby.livejournal.com]

I cosplay for a few reasons. One, it's a lot of fun - I love making the costume and trying to make it look as close to the outfit as possible. It gives me something to do that's productive, and also something I can do with my family (my mom enjoys helping, my little sister needs someone to make her costumes etc) and friends as well. Another is that it's so much fun at a convention to be dressed up and get compliments on your hard work, plus the photo shoots just can't be missed.

[icemilk.livejournal.com]

Because we don't have sticks up our butts. Also, we're already watching cartoons/reading comics intended for children, why fret about an imagined sense of dignity after that point?

[mizaya.livejournal.com]

If I could give you the internet for this comment, I would.

[mercurychaos]

Because it's fun! Same reason anyone participates in any other hobby!

[yura.livejournal.com]

When I was a kid, dressing up was my favorite part of Halloween, and I would have given anything to have another excuse throughout the year to dress up. I didn't even care about the candy, I just loved the costumes.

I never grew out of it, and I'm 24 now. I haven't cosplayed yet, but I fully intend on it when I figure out this whole sewing thing. XD

[anzu-less.livejournal.com]

It makes me feel cool ^_~~~~

[chibik3r0.livejournal.com]

I started it because of a dare/threat and sort of got addicted to it. I rarely wear my Kiba costume anymore but it's always fun to wear it to a con once a year XD

[rainejoybringer.livejournal.com]

:o Lol, I have that photo you have in your avatar. That's the one with the little toy Akamaru in the foreground. XD

[imarobotica.livejournal.com]

i really don't know why people cosplay.
but I think is cool...and some people look good on their costumes, others just don't

[smurfette-love.livejournal.com]

I always thought that cosplaying is part of the anime/manga culture/fandom. Fans love their fandom so much that in order to show their appreciation for that fandom they cosplay. Although, I had never cosplay before.

[lazynin.livejournal.com]

It's fun. Going out to a convention, showing your appreciation for a character, LARP-ing... I could go on for a while. Also, fanservice. Probably the best of them all~~ Haha~~ 8)

Also, I intend to become a fashion designer--its really good practice for pattern-making or sewing and cutting the clothes correctly to get a desired product. :3 It's also really good to be able to do cosplay commissions (not that I'm doing them yet) when you're in need of money.

[snowyowl131.livejournal.com]

I really haven't gotten a chance to cosplay yet, because I am nowhere near conventions and I don't think my parents would approve of having a 14year old go to a big city for a convention of people in costumes. :P

But, I love looking at the cosplay characters seeing what people did for their costumes and seeing how many people cosplayed my favorite character (Tenten), how many people showed up. How close people actually look to their characters.

AND REALLY, HALLOWEEN COMES ONCE A YEAR COSPLAYS HELP US DRESS UP IN COSTUMES MORE OFTEN. IS THAT SUCH A BAD THING?

Plus we all watch/read something meant for children, so why not celebrate our childishness?

[jamina-chan.livejournal.com]

I AGREE!! I wanna go to a con sooo bad but i cant go either cause im not quite close to a large city. but if i do go i wanna cosplay adn have fun because thats what life is about!

YAY HALLOWEEN!! x3 Yay for the celebration of our childhoods! :3

[chirigami.livejournal.com]

I'm adding another 'its fun' into the ring, 'cause it is xD I've been cosplaying for about eight years now and have yet to slow down - I have way too many costume ideas and not enough time, money or conventions.. woe. I compare it to tattoos, once you make one half the time you can't stop until you make/get another and so on.

I'm also glutton in trying to make really hard or unheard-of stuff. Gravity defying? I'll figure a way around it, ohohohoh ~ and hey, it beats being really bored all summer, sure I should be working on art and my portfolio but, again.. eight years and can't stop.

Also agree with the Halloween aspect, especially since the holiday has died where I live. No one dresses up or trick or treats.. wth D: Children these days make me so sad.

[hotarutenshi.livejournal.com]

I'm 22 and I just love to cosplay for the fun of it. ^^ It's amazing to get your picture taken at conventions or when you have your own little fan group. The feeling of accomplishment when your costume turns out WAY better than expected! =3

[napkins.livejournal.com]

1) It is pure, pure fun. Putting on a costume always puts such a smile on my face

2) The knowledge that you made something. When a costume comes out well (even if you didn't make it; the pieces you pulled together turned out well- Goodwill ftw!), there's no better feeling, and when other people appreciate it, it's even better

3) It bonds you with other fans. Especially cosplaying in underrepresented fandoms, since fans are usually so happy to see a character from the series, you instantly know who else is in the fandom. Even with large series, you can smile and nod at people just passing them in the hallway, or hang out with them all con long.

4) It gives you the chance to try a completely different look. Different styles of clothes, hair styles/colors, and even eye color. Not to mention you can go completely in-character and act like your character. It's great acting practice.

Personally, I cosplay everything from anime and manga, to original characters used in LARPs. The challenge of putting something together and seeing all your work pay off is such a good feeling, not to mention photoshoots. It makes you feel like you're a part of something, while at the same time, standing out. Plus, at cons, it's so much fun to go out to eat, and just wander the streets in cosplay and have everyone wonder what the hell is going on.

Last but not least, you'll have the best costumes once Halloween rolls around. Show those kids in the polyester Naruto costumes what's what!

[hehe-05.livejournal.com]

Funny how my roommate wondered about why people go to con's and cosplay when it is "not profitable". She just couldn't get why people do things that don't bring money.

[flyingmhe.livejournal.com]

I'm only 14, so I haven't even been to a con yet, much less cosplayed... :P. But cosplay is just so fun to see! Looks like a ton of fun to actually do, of course.

As for immature, psh. It's a children's series.

[snowyowl131.livejournal.com]

Speaking as another 14 year-old, I completely agree about how much fun it looks!

[rainejoybringer.livejournal.com]

Hm, I've been cosplaying for a few years now. And for the past three years I've been cosplaying as a Naruto character (Tsunade, Sakura, Temari).

I mostly cosplay because if I go to a convention, I want to have fun. And the convention I go to each year isn't exactly spewing with fun itself so it depends a lot on the cosplayers. You tend to make more friends that way too- you see someone dressed up as another character from the same series, and you know you can go over to them and talk about it.

I guess also it is so we can show an appreciation to the series. But probably overall maybe it's just because I like to dress up and feel pretty and get to act like a total nerd without caring. XD

[rainejoybringer.livejournal.com]

I can't remember if I've asked you before, but what convention do you go to?

[met-amphetamine.livejournal.com]

I do it for the lolz, and because I look a lot like Itachi (though, I only act like him if I'm in a bad mood or depressed, or photoshooting). Also, it's entertaining to see other people in cosplay, and I like it when people ask for my picture, it's a compliment.

Besides, everyone else is doing it, so I figure, why the hell not?

(Also, I love Halloween but never get trick-or-treaters out here in the rural farm neighborhood, and I miss dressing up and trick-or-treating ;o; woe.)

[teambenevolence.livejournal.com]

The main reason is simply for the fun of it. It's always a good laugh to see other people dress up and see who else is in the same fandom.

Plus it's a nice feeling when somebody asks for a photo, knowing they recognise the character or are impressed with the quality of your stuff :)

I've only cosplayed at the last 2 London Expos (with Japan EX coming soon though) but it's fantastic wandering round seeing loads of other people cosplaying too.

[sitiomania.livejournal.com]

For lulz, obviously. Besides, it's not that different from bling or wearing pants that were purposefully torn/bleached or ninety dollar shoes or overpriced clothes from a certain store just so you can say you got them from that certain store. That's wearing a costume isn't it? It's not necisarely what you like, but you want to represent yourself in a certain way or you want to be viewed a certain way. The difference is that what other people think of what we wear doesn't play so large a factor that we won't wear something specifically because someone might judge us for it. If someone's complementing a costume that we worked hard on than yay, if someone doesn't like it or thinks it's juvenile they can go fuck themselves. Nobody needs their opinion on what we do for fun. It's pretencious for anyone to think that anyone else needs approval before doing something we enjoy.
Besides that, it makes people feel good to work on a project of something they can share with an entire fandom. It's nice to be able to talk to people just because you enjoy the same things.

[sitiomania.livejournal.com]

necssarily*
pretentious*
That would have been a lot more dramatic if I could spell.