The word cosplay refers to the practice of dressing up as a character from a book, movie, or other cultural product. Japanese anime, in particular, is very popular within this subculture, but that's no surprise! Often anime characters have quite distinctive costumes and personalities, so it can be a lot of fun to imitate them at a gathering. Either way, cosplay is more than just dressing up. In addition to wearing a certain costume, you need to get into the right mindset and convey self-esteem to best embody the character.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Entering the Character
Step 1. Choose a recognizable character
You may have a favorite character and think you can relate to it, but if it's not very well known, you will hardly get a good response from others. The most suitable characters are those that are iconic and easily distinguished. They don't have to be the most famous of all, but, on the occasion of an event, a good percentage of attendees need to know who they are.
If your priority is to be considered attractive, consider which characters appeal to fans of the anime the most and which ones correspond best to your aesthetic standards
Step 2. Know your character
For some, cosplaying means wearing a nice costume that mirrors the original one down to the smallest detail, but the most dedicated cosplayers also play a part. To do this, you need to have a thorough understanding of your character's goals, history and psychology. Consider all the material you have available and take a crash course on it. Ask yourself questions and try to answer yourself. What is your character's darkest secret? How would you react in front of a stranger? What hobbies do you have? These factors may not have a great effect on the personality of the character, but they help you get in the right light.
For example, if you're cosplaying Rei Ayanami from the Neon Genesis Evangelion universe, it's helpful to watch the anime ahead of a rally. Observe the way he moves and pay attention to character development. A good cosplayer may just be shy and mysterious, but the best ones will actually try to get into her mind
Step 3. Plan some poses
To be a good cosplayer, you should be able to capture the essence of the character in a single pose. Without moving or speaking, set your body in a way that expresses something of its personality. Practice some poses in front of the mirror and see if there is any that convinces you. If you are having a hard time finding one that is truly effective, try looking at some graphic material or promotional images of the character you will play and copy it.
- For example, an action manga character, such as one from the Kingdom Hearts series, could be enhanced by a battle pose. On the other hand, a schoolgirl, such as those in shoujo manga such as Sailor Moon, will take a different position. Anime characters often have very specific characterizations, so it shouldn't be difficult to pinpoint the dominant mood of the one you're playing.
- The poses are ideal for photo ops. If your costume is done right, you will surely get a lot of attention. Preparing a few poses will allow you to take better pictures.
Step 4. Ignore negative attention
Unfortunately, while cosplay events have numerous positives, these encounters are infamous for attracting detractors and unsavory people as well. Dressing up like a beautiful anime girl can be a wedding invitation for dodgy folks. If such an individual takes such an approach or makes comments that make you uncomfortable, the best thing you can do is ignore him and walk away. Stress can take you out of character: don't let negative emotions stop you from having this experience well.
If a person is persistently bothering you, it is best to contact the security guards
Step 5. Be confident
Cosplay basically means expressing yourself. The best way to do this is by conveying good self-esteem. If you believe in what you do, the interpretation will come more naturally to you. Obviously, for many people this is easier said than done. Self-esteem is not cultivated overnight. Nonetheless, you should congratulate yourself simply for putting yourself out there.
Cosplay requires courage and the mere fact of being interested in this experience means that you have what it takes
Part 2 of 4: Making a Costume
Step 1. Look for inspiration online
Cosplay has multiple benefits. One of them is sharing. Probably other girls have played the same character you are interested in. Websites like Cosplay.com and Kotaku are a good resource for inspiring your inspiration. Look at the costumes in detail. Did the creators take liberties with respect to the initial idea? Were special makeup techniques used? Either way, you have to rework your chosen character as you like, but in moments when you feel stuck, it's not a bad idea to take a cue from others' innovations.
- Some cosplayers mix characters to make a hybrid cosplay. It is only recommended if you really know what you are doing.
- An example of a hybrid cosplay could be the Jedi version of a Disney princess.
Step 2. Create a costume
Look for pictures of the character you have chosen for a reference point. From here, you should be able to figure out what you need in detail. Some disguises are easier to make than others. Many anime characters use the classic schoolgirl aesthetic. Clothes for such a disguise are readily available on the market. The more elaborate costumes must instead be sewn. If you want to be attractive, it is important to show off your physique. This does not necessarily mean wearing a miniskirt, the important thing is to avoid costumes that hide the body.
If you're in trouble, a Japanese schoolgirl costume is ideal. While not representing a particular character, you will certainly make a good impression
Step 3. Put on a skirt
While it is still recommended to be inspired by a certain character to create a costume, the skirt is a standard piece of clothing to dress up as a schoolgirl. Many anime characters have this look. Fortunately, skirts of this type can be found in many stores, or online.
Step 4. Buy colorful boots
Since anime are usually quite stylized, the shoes of the characters are typically bright and eye-catching in color. Boots are a model of footwear that will allow you to achieve the desired effect, in addition they will allow you to draw more attention to your disguise. They fit numerous types of costumes, but you should choose boots that are perfect for your character.
- If you opt for a schoolgirl look, the boots may be overkill.
- Cosplay can be quite expensive. In the beginning, it is recommended to keep costs down. This way, you will be sure that you can afford other costumes in the future. Only experienced cosplayers can afford to focus on a single costume.
Step 5. Edit a model or dress you already have
The making of the costume depends a lot on your skills as a seamstress. If you want to have one that is specific to your character, you can sew, cut and hem items of clothing you already own to fit your idea. In most cases, the clothing you use for this purpose will be permanently changed, so it's best to either use old clothes you no longer wear or buy second-hand ones.
Step 6. Use a plain or natural woven fabric
Very light, stretchy or shiny fabrics tend to be quite difficult to sew, so you may end up with costumes that won't flatter you at all. Unless you're particularly good at sewing, avoid them. Flat-weave, medium-weight fabrics are the easiest to work with for beginners. Look for natural ones, like poplin, thick fabric, and light wool.
- Dark prints allow you to easily hide imperfect seams.
- If you use a printed fabric, go for delicate patterns over wide ones. The larger patterns must match where the seams are and this result is much more difficult to achieve.
Step 7. Make a unique costume
. In many cases, people only have a few seconds to admire your costume before turning their gaze elsewhere. Detailed costumes are nice, but if the need arises, you can generally use simple tricks to make yours distinctive or recognizable. Depending on how well you know the anime, you can come up with some ideas to enrich the look. Even if you only have a schoolgirl costume, adding a Poké Ball (from the Pokémon universe) will make everyone understand that you are playing a character from this world.
Part 3 of 4: Anime Hair and Makeup
Step 1. Enlarge your eyes
Anime is a very special type of animation. The emphasis of the eyes is perhaps the most characteristic aspect. Since you'll be cosplaying a female character, you can make them bigger with makeup. Outline the eyes with a white pencil, then widen the outline with a light eyeshadow. Eyeshadow should be used to create a new, larger shape. Lightly blend it around the edges.
- You will only need to use this eyeshadow abundantly, while the rest of the eye makeup should be light. This way, the size of the eyes will be more believable.
- Exceptions should only be made if you need a different eye makeup to create your character.
Step 2. Try wearing contact lenses
Since the eyes are very important to the aesthetics of an anime, you need to draw attention to this area as much as possible. Contact lenses are a fast and relatively affordable way to make your look more precise.
Study your character's eye characterization and try to figure out if contact lenses would work
Step 3. Aim for a rosy complexion
Female anime characters are usually quite stylized. Many look like dolls, so make-up is needed to achieve this look. You can apply blush for rosy cheeks. You can also make your face paler with foundation and concealer. If you need ideas, watch an episode of the anime. The best cosplays are specifically inspired by the details of a character.
Makeup is the least important part of a cosplay, so don't worry too much about it if it's not your forte
Step 4. Straighten your hair and wear bangs
There is no universal hairstyle for female anime characters. It is recommended that you try to style your hair according to your character. That said, straightening your hair will allow you to sport a look that will be more reminiscent of that of Japanese girls. The fringe is also a detail present in many anime. It is better for you to show the image of this character to a hairdresser to cut your hair accordingly.
You can also wear a wig. You should find several at a costume shop
Part 4 of 4: Preparing for an Event
Step 1. Join the community
The world of cosplay is characterized by a very passionate community that is open to all. If you don't already have friends who hang out there, you might want to get in touch with other fanatics. Since this is a very popular subculture, it's pretty easy to find cosplay groups online.
Look for public ones on social networks like Facebook. If you join one, you can start making friends thanks to your favorite anime
Step 2. Choose an event
If you're not already in the habit of going to these gatherings, the idea of attending can scare you. Depending on where you live, it may be necessary to plan a trip. Cosplay fairs vary significantly in size and purpose. At the beginning, it is recommended to choose a smaller meeting. It will be a more peaceful experience, among other things it is easier to make friends in a less chaotic environment.
Generally you have to pay a ticket to access the event. The cost is variable
Step 3. Consider if you should go there as a group
Going on a cosplay project on your own is a great idea, but many cosplayers think it's more fun to do team work. If you are planning to go there with some friends, you might dress up as the characters of a certain anime. Themed groups tend to make a lot more impact than individual costumes.
Also, it is safer to go there as a group. At gatherings, beautiful girls sometimes run the risk of being bothered. If you are with other people, it will be easier to keep the situation under control
Step 4. Decide if you want to have photos taken
Some people go to cosplay fairs for the sole purpose of seeing other attendees' disguises. Someone might be interested in taking a picture of you. Usually, such a request is a real compliment, but ultimately it's up to you to decide whether to accept. If you don't like it, politely refuse.
If you're worried about being bothered, going in a group can relieve the pressure. You should be accompanied by a friend who pays attention to what is happening to you and helps you solve any problems
Step 5. Warm up
You may never have thought about it, but cosplay events can be physically exhausting. Walking and posing all day can be very tiring. It is recommended that you prepare before the match by doing five to ten minutes of light stretching and warming up.
Stretch your legs and arms to make sure you loosen them. Rotate neck and arms. In this way, you will reduce the risk of having aches and tension throughout the day
Step 6. Have fun
This is the most important thing. Getting ready for a gathering can be stressful. At first, these events can cause some anxiety. However, once you get over the worst, they'll be pretty fun. You can do several things to enjoy them to the fullest:
- Take pictures. Why wait for others to do it to you? Take selfies and take pictures of other cosplayers to capture those moments.
- Check out the anime stands. They often sell interesting merchandise. If you like a certain anime, you will find several items that you will like. Bring some money to buy souvenirs - this can be fun too.
- Socialize and meet other people. The people who go to these gatherings share a great passion for the same art form. This can help you lay the foundation for strong friendships. However, even if you don't find new friends, it's still a great opportunity to talk about interests you have in common with other people.
Advice
- Cosplayers often prepare a character for an event, but you don't have to dress up just for that purpose, you can do it on other occasions as well simply because you feel like it.
- Bring a sewing kit with you. It would be terrible to lose all the work you did during the meeting. If the tears are repaired right away, they can be easily remedied.
- Many cosplayers like to change a character's gender. This requires some innovation and creativity, but you can consider this once you become more experienced.
- Follow your heart. Basically, cosplaying means expressing your love for a certain character or fandom. The more you like a character, the more you will get excited about dressing up. If you love him, you will be more motivated to step into his shoes.
Warnings
- Anime girls usually have an unrealistic physique. Don't try to compare yourself to a fictional character. As different as your body is, you can still impersonate it.
- If you are cosplaying a female character, remember that sometimes you have to deal with slimy men. It is part of the game. If they harass you, tell someone.
- Try to consider your skills realistically. If you're planning on making a costume but aren't very good at sewing, don't make the effort to make an elaborate costume from scratch.
- Costume contests accept only handmade ones. If you want to participate, you cannot use the ones you bought.
