Cosfucks: Don't Be One

I've had many a rant about this before, but since having dinner with my lovely group of cosplay friends I decided that a proper rant needed to be written without any sort of bursts of laughter like we are prone to do. (Though today I coughed more than laughed so really I couldn't talk anyway. But still a fabulously wonderful dinner.)

It's without a doubt that in the past few years Cosplay has grown tremendously as a hobby, or even as a profession. Cosplay became the stepping stone into fame and fortune. I know of stories where cosplayers became models, or idols or even fashion designers and photographers got jobs- big jobs at that. Stories like that which cause people to start taking Cosplay seriously. Gradually there were competitions with a decisive amount of cash or prizes. Cosplayers were hired for part time work because they knew how to wear a costume and pose.

Now let me first state very explicitly that I am not an old timer. In fact I am considered very new at this cosplay business, and within the community as well. I am not well-versed with cosplay idols. I don't even watch anime for the matter. I started cosplaying only last year, so in terms of experience, it's not really there.

All this here is my opinion. My observations in events and the comic fiesta forums (though I am hardly active anymore) for years before I cosplayed gave me my own ideas about what Cosplay really is. When I actually came out and cosplayed, though, I was quite surprised to see much different mindsets.

Firstly let me state that I do not want to bash anyone. I don't speak with a particular person in mind.

What I find most disheartening about cosplayers today is the people who don't understand what cosplaying is. To me it is a way of expression. In costume I am someone else, I become the character for a while. I become strong and capable. I have magic on my hands. I can do stuff I normally wouldn't be able to. Cosplay makes it all happen. What I don't like is when people Cosplay just for the sake of cosplaying.

A long time ago in the cf forums I remember someone asking why people want to Cosplay. The answers ranged from "it's fun!" to "It allows me to bring my favorite character to life!". There was passion in every cosplayer, a certain driving force behind all the work they put into their cosplays. This was what attracted me so much in Cosplay. That the community was so wholly united for one hobby. I wanted to be part of that passion.

Now when I ask people who are thinking of cosplaying WHY they want to Cosplay, it hurts me to hear things like "I want to be famous like Alodia." "Everyone is doing it." "Oh I dunno. Looks like fun." I mean, excuse me? Sure it's a fantastic hobby but it is not easy. It does not bring you instant fame. Yes Cosplay is a very glamorous hobby but that does not equal fame. The fame comes when your Cosplay is exceptional. And for your Cosplay to be exceptional, you need passion. Just like with any other hobby.

People come up to me and ask, "Where do you get your wig?" "Where do you get your costume?" "Where do you get your props done?" They think cosplay is all about the costume and a wig. As long as you get the best stuff money can buy, you're set. I'm sorry, no. For one, stop being so lazy and just do your research. Yes you know a friend who cosplays. You want to know where to start, so you ask. That's a very good thing. But please at least do some research beforehand! Do you expect me to tell you in painstaking detail all the things you need to prepare for ONE cosplay? Yeah, it's probably take me all night and a day. The worst thing is? When I ask you for your character, and you tell me you don't know the character. You only cosplay him/her because they are popular.

Let's wait a minute for that to sink in.

...Look I forgive you if you're in a group. I even forgive you if you don't watch the anime/play the game to know the character first-hand, as long as you made an effort to research on the character. But if you CHOSE a character you don't relate to and want to cosplay that character for the popularity, I'm sorry, no matter how close you are to me I am going to punch you solidly in the eye sockets.

We have a term for people who do that. It's called 'cosfucks'. That is not a good thing.

I'm not saying all cosplayers have to be brilliant. Not at all. I'm saying that if you put effort to understand the character you're cosplaying, it's fine. Cosplaying is less about the costume and more about the character. It's "costume role-play". YOU ARE NOW THE CHARACTER. People look at you and say, "Oh look it's Sasuke!" People don't see YOU. People see the character. THAT is the true essence of cosplay.

Imagine if you saw a favorite character of yours at a convention. Take, for example, Naruto. Everyone knows Naruto. If you saw Naruto, you'd want to go up and talk to him. You think of him as Naruto, you expect him to turn around and give you a Naruto shit-eating grin, maybe talk about ramen, and then take pictures with a peace sign, because that's what Naruto does. If Naruto turns around and he's all broody and mean like Sasuke you'll be like WAT. NARUTO R U OK?

That is exactly what happens WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR CHARACTER I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH.

Please, people. Please just AT LEAST DO YOUR RESEARCH. I AM CRY AT PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW THEIR OWN CHARACTERS. HOWWWWW. IT'S LIKE WALKING INTO AN ENGLISH EXAM TO DO MATH QUESTIONS YOU JUST DON'T.

I would rather people start with a character they absolutely love to pieces, rather than an over-done popular character they don't care two cents about. Because sometimes it really is the passion that makes the difference.