What is Cosplay, its origins and the cosplayers

What is cosplay?

Cosplay is a form of artistic expression that combines the words “costume” and “play”, where participants, known as cosplayers, recreate the appearance of characters from anime, manga, comics, video games, and films. What began as a pastime in small communities has evolved into a global phenomenon, with events and competitions all over the world.

More than just a costume, cosplay involves embodying the character, which includes not only replicating their clothing but also imitating their mannerisms, personality, and way of speaking. The aim is to achieve a faithful representation that does justice to the original character.

It allows them to demonstrate skills in costume design, makeup, sculpture, and craftsmanship. Others find satisfaction in the performance aspect, enjoying the opportunity to bring to life their favorite characters and immerse themselves in their universe.

Beyond individual creativity, cosplay is a community. Cosplayers often connect with people with similar interests, share techniques, and help each other make costumes. This generates a sense of belonging, where each person can express themselves freely without fear of judgment.

What is the origin of cosplay?

Cosplay has its roots in 20th-century science fiction conventions, where attendees began to dress up as their favorite characters. As interest in comics and movies grew, the first comic book stores emerged. However, the first specialized store as we know it today did not appear until several decades later.

It was in Japan, in the 1980s, that the modern concept of cosplay gained momentum, driven by the rise of anime and manga. From there, its popularity spread to the United States and Europe, where shops specializing in cosplay materials and accessories began to emerge.

Today, it is a central part of conventions such as Comic-Con, Anime Expo, and Japan Weekend, where cosplayers can exhibit their creations, participate in competitions, and connect with the community. At these events, creativity and craftsmanship are valued more highly, so a handmade costume will always be more highly regarded than one bought in a store.

It encourages creativity and a sense of community, allowing cosplayers to share techniques, tips, and experiences. To facilitate the creation process, in our Green Stuff World cosplay shop we offer high-quality materials, such as EVA Foam, foam clay, ThermoArt, and specialized tools, all available in one place.

What is a cosplayer?

A cosplayer is a person who dedicates themselves to recreating the appearance and personality of fictional characters from anime, manga, comics, video games, and films. This process goes beyond simply wearing a costume, as it involves dedication, creativity, and a high level of detail to represent the chosen character.

Cosplay has no barriers in terms of experience or background. Some cosplayers are just starting out and use basic costumes. Others, with more experience, invest hours designing, sewing, and perfecting their own costumes, using advanced materials and specialized techniques.

The cosplaying process follows several key stages:

1.- Choosing a character based on affinity or creative challenge.

2.- Designing and making the costume, which can include sewing, modeling accessories, and painting.

3.- Interpreting the character, imitating gestures, expressions and attitudes to achieve an authentic representation.

Cosplayers participate in conventions, events, and competitions where they can exhibit their work and receive recognition for their efforts. At these gatherings, the focus is not only on the accuracy of the costume but also on the creativity and talent in personifying the character. While some people prefer to buy ready-made costumes, the value of a handmade costume is always appreciated within the community.

Social media has revolutionized the way cosplayers share their passion. Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube allow artists to showcase their work, publish tutorials, and document their progress. Thanks to this visibility, cosplay has gone from being a niche hobby to a global phenomenon, reaching audiences all over the world.

Some cosplayers have managed to turn this activity into a professional career, collaborating with brands, participating in events, or selling products related to their work. In this sense, a trusted specialized shop can be a great ally, providing the right materials for the elaboration of each project.

Why is cosplay so sexualized?

Cosplay is a form of artistic and cultural expression that is sometimes perceived as overly sexualized. This is due to a combination of factors, such as the way it is portrayed in the media, the design of the characters, and the interpretation of the public. Many shops include costumes in their catalogues that enhance this image due to the demand of certain buyers. However, this perception does not reflect the entire cosplayer community, which encompasses a wide variety of styles and approaches.

Below, we explore the main reasons that have contributed to the association between cosplay and sexualization.

1. Character design

In the world of anime, manga, comics, and video games, many characters have exaggerated proportions, revealing outfits, and suggestive poses. These characteristics have been created to attract the public and, in some cases, can convey a hypersexualized image.

When a cosplayer decides to faithfully recreate the appearance of a character, they inevitably reflect these elements, too. This phenomenon can be clearly seen in the shop windows of many stores, where costumes that replicate the original designs without modification are on display.

2. Representation in the media

The media tends to focus on the most striking aspects of cosplay, which contributes to reinforcing the idea that this world is highly sexualized. When covering conventions and events, it is common for images of revealing costumes and striking characters to be highlighted, leaving cosplayers who opt for more discreet or detailed costumes in the background.

This selective exposure can distort public perception, making sexualization seem like a predominant part of this art when, in reality, it is only one facet within a much broader and more diverse community.

3. Impact of social media and public attention

On platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, cosplays that feature more daring outfits tend to receive more interaction and visibility. This trend motivates many cosplayers to choose eye-catching costumes to attract followers and potential sponsorship opportunities.

The positive reinforcement generated by likes, comments, and shares encourages a cycle where sexualized aesthetics become more common on social media. This, however, does not mean that all cosplayers follow this trend, but that it is a more visible segment within the hobby.

4. Cultural influences and social perceptions

The way sexuality and the body are perceived varies according to culture. In some countries, risqué images are seen as a form of empowerment and artistic expression, while in others, they may be considered inappropriate or controversial.

These cultural differences also impact the costume and accessory market, so each region has options tailored to their preferences.

5. Self-expression and personal empowerment

For some cosplayers, wearing costumes with a sensual touch is a way of feeling confident and empowered. Portraying characters that convey strength and confidence can help many people improve their self-esteem and enjoy the creative process.

This approach moves away from the concept of objectification, since in many cases, the choice of a revealing costume does not respond to external pressure, but to a personal decision based on admiration for a character.

6. Commercialization of cosplay and market demand

As cosplay has grown in popularity, it has also become a profitable industry. Professional cosplayers can monetize their work through sponsors, selling photographs, or collaborating with brands.

Many companies have identified a growing trend toward certain styles and have adapted their offerings accordingly. The commercialization of costumes inspired by characters with provocative aesthetics has contributed to reinforcing the image that cosplay and sensuality go hand in hand.

7. Influence of “fan service” on the original material

In many cases, the original material of anime, manga, and video games includes scenes of fan service, that is to say, moments specifically designed to attract the public through innuendo or flashy costumes.

When a cosplayer decides to faithfully represent a character, they often reproduce these elements without modifying their design, which contributes to the perception that it is inherently sexualized.

Cosplay Beyond Sexualization

Despite the visibility of risqué cosplays, it is important to emphasize that this art is much more than that. There are cosplayers who prioritize craftsmanship, creativity, and faithfulness to the character without focusing on sensuality.

There are interpretations for all tastes, from family cosplays to humorous or realistic versions. The community is diverse and allows for a wide range of styles and approaches, demonstrating that sexualization is not a norm but a personal choice within a broader spectrum.

For any type of cosplay project, whether classic, futuristic, or detailed, at Green Stuff World, we offer high-quality materials, allowing each cosplayer to choose how they want to express their creativity without limitations.

Can cosplay be a job?

Yes, cosplay can become a job, and many people have managed to turn their passion into a professional career. There are several ways in which this hobby can generate income and become a stable profession.

1.- Professional cosplayer: Some cosplayers achieve a high level of popularity and recognition, which allows them to dedicate themselves to cosplay full time. Their presence at conventions as special guests, contest judges and event panelists provides them with monetization opportunities. In addition, growth on social networks allows them to attract sponsorships from industry-related stores, brands and companies, generating paid collaborations that reinforce their career.

2.- Content creation: Many cosplayers have found a space to share their art on platforms such as YouTube, Twitch, Instagram and TikTok. They publish tutorials, behind-the-scenes videos, live streams and photoshoots, allowing them to monetize their content through advertising, sponsorships and the support of their followers on platforms such as Patreon or Ko-fi. Thanks to this model, they can generate a stable income while continuing to develop their talent.

3.- Commissioned work: Cosplayers with tailoring skills can offer their services by creating custom costumes and accessories for other enthusiasts. This type of work requires a high level of detail and craftsmanship, but can be very lucrative, especially for complex, personalized projects. In addition, many prefer these custom-made pieces to mass-produced products in any cosplay store, as they tend to offer higher quality and originality.

4.- Modeling and photography: Working as a model in photo shoots is another source of income for cosplayers. They collaborate with professional photographers to create striking images of their costumes, which can be sold as prints or used for promotional purposes. In addition, some cosplayers work as models for specialized magazines, online store catalogs and other media.

5.- Acting and entertainment: Some cosplayers take their passion one step further and participate in audiovisual productions such as fan films, web series and commercials. Thanks to their ability to authentically embody characters, they can be cast in roles in pop culture and entertainment projects.

6.- Working at conventions: As well as attending as guests, many cosplayers work at conventions and events helping to organize activities. They can give workshops, conduct interviews, coordinate competitions and participate in the planning of events specializing in this art.

7.- Merchandising: The most influential cosplayers often develop their own product lines, such as illustrations, posters, books and clothing. These items are sold online, at conventions or in a personal shop, generating another source of income.

8.- Patreon and crowdfunding: Platforms like Patreon allow fans to directly support their favorite cosplayers. In return, creators offer exclusive content, access to behind-the-scenes material, tutorials, and other rewards. Likewise, crowdfunding has made it possible to finance ambitious projects, such as the creation of elaborate costumes or the production of audiovisual content.

Turning it into a stable job requires more than talent in making costumes. It is essential to develop skills in marketing, social media management and personal branding. Professional cosplayers must consistently produce high-quality content, interact with their community and adapt to new opportunities within the industry.

Although it is not easy to live exclusively from cosplay, many people have found ways to integrate it into broader careers within the world of entertainment and content creation. The key is to diversify your sources of income and always stay up to date with market trends and opportunities.