From our childhoods, we have been watching cartoons, drama series, movies, reading comics, and all the other media consumption, we still remember the characters and sometimes we mimic their mannerisms and copy these characters for fun. Cosplay can resemble that but cosplaying is another dimension, it has become a phenomenon of self-expression and identity exploration. Famous cosplayers like Jessica Nigri, Yaya Han, and Alodia Gosiengfiao have been doing a great job promoting this genre worldwide.
Cosplayers do not transform themselves into the ones they portray but express their connectivity with the characters. Cosplay works as a path joining self-expression and fictional characters, which means that the cosplayer has a connection with the narrative of the character that they are portraying, they choose to be the ones that they relate to the most, it is totally up to them if they want to indulge themselves and express their own elements while playing the characters and bring out their art and present it to the audience.
Cosplay: Empowering self-made identity and expressing own creativity
It is not just a mere costume party thing,
- It has emerged as a useful tool through which people could express their creative thought processes and their transformative ability.
- Cosplaying has made big names in its world and cosplayers who through their creative expressions and personification of a fictional character they have related to the most.
- Cosplays are done in an intimate community as well as in extravagant settings with a larger audience, like in Japan cosplaying is on another level, they are dressed up as characters in restaurants and other public places, and many shops sell wigs and overall attire of multiple characters it’s a big thing over there and mainly because of the popularity of Anime.
For instance, if a person has a different kind of selection and relates to the character or nods at its narrative, they are going to wear a hello kitty jacket which will instantly be recognized by this show’s fans and they would love to see what the cosplayer has to offer according to their perspective and how they portray their personalization with this character.
Positive impacts of cosplay:
The following are some of the factors or impacts that happen through the power of cosplay:
- Creativity and imagination:
Cosplayers focus on the story and narrative of the characters which they adopt, they don’t exactly copy the characters but put their imagination and creative mind into making that character their own. From different accessories to mannerisms, they adopt everything while going through a creative process that brings life to the character of the portrayal. The cosplayers study every detail of the character to transform themselves with an imagination surrounded by the character’s persona which allows them to interpret their unique expression.
2. Explore different facets of identity and self-discovery:
The relationship between a character and the cosplayer is very intact, in the analyzing process they get to know about themselves and they gain the power to have their own identity by implementing these characters. They gain their own self by serving originality while their attire is of the character they play, they speak their own words, they deliver their own thoughts and they stand on their own beliefs. We can express who we are with the help of fiction, molding it creatively into our own.
Cosplayers might momentarily escape cultural norms and explore different ways of being by taking on the personas of these characters. This research frequently results in a better knowledge of themselves, growth as an individual, and the identification of new interests and abilities.
3. Building a connection with the community:
A community is formed when there are like-minded people and they gather together if not physically then through other means of communication. Cosplayers can gather and share their interests and talk about other related stuff, they can share their thoughts as well as their work. Fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance like a person feels when he is with his family, friends, or people they love. These communities gather for the love of the craft, so there is very little chance of indifference, it will also help you get encouraged and build your personality.
4. Empowering confidence:
Many people don’t express or are not expressive with what they feel, they struggle to do that in their skin, cosplaying helps them to overcome that feeling and to discover themselves and their personality by emerging as their beloved character. This will also help in coming out of your bubble and become your best self. Feeling powerful with all the confidence one gains when the community will be your backup. If you love Anime wear an attack on titan jacket or if you love the Joker series then put on a Harley Quin jacket and slay with your style and your unique and powerful personality with confidence and a strong stance.
5. Exceeding boundaries and representation:
Cosplay can play an important part in gender equality as well as standing strong in embracing every culture, from all body types to abilities, everyone can enjoy transforming into a version of themselves where they can express what they couldn’t while being their previous selves. You can wear whatever you like and including playing a male character played by a female or a female character played by a male. It marks its own presence in this area and brings closer the community of cosplaying through multiple mediums.
Conclusion:
Cosplaying indicated the relationship between the player and the character or a story. It can join two different paths and bring them to one place like fiction and reality. By playing these characters cosplayers find themselves more expressive and empower with confidence while presenting their true selves. It marks a resolution to make every gender, body type, and culture come to a single place and spread its vibrant colors, and bring everyone together on one platform. Many fans construct their own identity by associating themselves with their beloved characters.
