Not just your average costumes

In the recent years, Iloilo City found itself swarming with odd kids (and kids-at-heart) on the streets and malls in eccentric costumes. Most of them even looking like they had just taken a head dive into their flatscreens and emerged in the characters' outfits. Apparently, Iloilo is finally catching up to the "phenomenon" called cosplay.

But wait, a minute! What is this cosplay that I am talking about?

Naruto! Stop bugging me when I'm about to talk to Sasuke-kun!

Cosplay or costume play is a Japanese subculture in which one dresses up in various types of outfits because in cosplay you are no longer yourself but rather, you are the character you are dressing up as. Usually people who cosplay are often seen as characters from various anime and manga hailing from Japan but generally, cosplay doesn’t limit itself to that. One can also cosplay various, games, movies, comic books, graphic novels, even to some extent, TV personalities like Manny Pacquiao.

What makes cosplay different from the costumes in Halloween events or themed parties for children?

"The white angel is actually a demon" - Sheryl Nome, Universal Bunny

That one’s simple.

Cosplay requires the player to think out of the box in terms of creativity because the main point of cosplay is bringing one’s character to life both in terms of costume, props and projection. This somewhat a very similar contrast on how an actor should portray his character on stage. It exercises the creativity and ability of a person to be resourceful in crafting their costumes and props. Many cosplayers often sew and build their costumes and props such as armor and swords from scratch. Also in cosplay one can exercise reaching out to others and gaining friends and earning trust and respect as equal hobbyists as well as knowing other techniques on crafting costumes from fellow cosplayers.

Cosplay, like theater arts, also involves the player to get to know his or her character to be able to act the character out. Just like in the theater, the cosplayer goes to an extent to act out the character for fellow otakus in gathers or events which is one of the key points in cosplaying.

Hmm... a showdown between Roy Mustang and Itachi

A sad drawback about cosplay is the time as well as money in crafting the costumes. Most cosplayers save up for their costumes since majority of them are still students while some find means, like setting up shops or part-time jobs, to find extra cash for their creations. Also time constraint and management is a huge chunk in this hobby.

Nonetheless, it helps the person manage as well as prioritize what is to be prioritized first in terms of hobbies. Cosplay is also more than just a hobby it is a way of expression and a way to gain respect and friends.

Jherben is so sexy